Abstract: Apparatuses and methods directed to multi-stage permanent magnet and implementations of a permanent magnet on-chip power inductor. Various circuit models, design considerations and simulation results are described. The multi-stage permanent magnet includes layers with uniform or non-uniform magnets used to control the flux distribution. The permanent magnet on-chip power converter for DC-DC switching power converters that may include a top ferrite layer, a spiral winding layer, a permanent magnet layer, a bottom ferrite layer, and a substrate layer. The permanent magnet layer may comprise a multi-stage structure wherein each stage has a decreasing area as compared to an immediate lower stage. A method of manufacturing a Permanent On-Chip Power Inductor (PMOI) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A substrate having trenches containing carbon nanotubes has elements to provide a power converter. One set of trenches is configured to form an inductor and another set is configured to form a capacitor. Trenches in the substrate are also configured to receive semiconductor material and carbon nanotubes to form a power field effect transistor. All the elements are coupled together using carbon nanotubes placed in connection trenches of the substrate.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system has a plurality of PV panels that convert solar energy into electrical energy. Each PV panel is coupled to a respective switching power converter. A parameter (e.g., voltage or current) of a combined current signal from each of the switching power converters is sensed, and a controller controls the duty cycle of each switching power converter in order to maximize the sensed parameter. In this regard, the controller adjusts the duty cycles of the power switching converters in groups while the duty cycles of other power switching converters are held constant in order to set the duty cycles for maximum power transfer, thereby accounting for variations in the power output by each PV panel.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods directed to multi-stage permanent magnet and implementations of a permanent magnet on-chip power inductor. Various circuit models, design considerations and simulation results are described. The multi-stage permanent magnet includes layers with uniform or non-uniform magnets used to control the flux distribution. The permanent magnet on-chip power converter for DC-DC switching power converters that may include a top ferrite layer, a spiral winding layer, a permanent magnet layer, a bottom ferrite layer, and a substrate layer. The permanent magnet layer may comprise a multi-stage structure wherein each stage has a decreasing area as compared to an immediate lower stage. A method of manufacturing a Permanent On-Chip Power Inductor (PMOI) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery pack having a plurality of battery pack modules, wherein each battery pack module includes a battery cell and a power converter. The power converters of the plurality of battery pack modules are connected in series to form a string of N battery pack modules such that the voltage across the N battery pack modules defines the output voltage of the battery pack. A controller regulates the output voltage of each battery cell or module power converter and the output voltage of the battery pack by independently controlling each battery cell module in accordance with variables such as state-of-charge (SOC), state-of-health (SOH) and temperature, capacity, and temperature of each individual battery cell module. The power converter may be used to measure impedance of the battery pack by adding a sinusoidal perturbation signal to a reference voltage of the cell battery pack module.

Abstract: A power converter having components enclosed by legs of a first inductor is described. The first inductor is fabricated on the top surface of a substrate along the perimeter of the substrate. A second inductor is fabricated on the bottom surface of the substrate and mirrors the first inductor. Electromagnetic cancellation is provided when the current flow in the second inductor is opposite of the current flow in the first inductor.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems for a three mode wireless energy harvesting concept wherein a triceiver system with a single antenna can be configured to transmit wireless data, receive wireless data and exchange power with other devices. When not being used for exchanging power, the triceiver system with the single antenna can be operably connected to data transfer functions of a wireless device. When used for receiving power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting RF signals to electrical energy. When used for transmitting power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting electrical energy to RF signals.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to inductors fabricated on a substrate. A first inductor is formed by depositing conducting material on a first side of the substrate and a second inductor is formed by depositing material on a second side of the substrate. The inductors have the same cross section and the paths of the conducting materials are mirror images and provide magnetic flux on a portion of the substrate when equal currents flow in the inductors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving wireless power are disclosed. A transmitter may include one or more magnetic inductive coil(s) configured to transmit power, a plurality of drive loops, one or more switches connected to the plurality of drive loops, and a controller configured to connect or disconnect the drive loops using the one or more switches. A receiver may include one or more magnetic inductive coil(s) configured to receive power, a plurality of load loops, one or more switches connected to the plurality of load loops, and a controller configured to connect or disconnect the load loops using the one or more switches. The wireless power system may include inductive coils and RF antennas that are adaptively controlled and configured. A transmitter and/or a receiver may adaptively rotate, adjust orientation and/or location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wirelessly harvesting power are disclosed. The method may include, for example, transmitting radio frequency waves to a receiver and receiving, using one or more antennas, the radio frequency waves. Further, the method may include extracting energy from the radio frequency waves. Transmitter and receiver RF circuitry may be provided to execute the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently controlling energy sources are disclosed. In one example, a system for processing and storing energy may include a plurality of cells that store energy and a plurality of power switches coupled to the cells. The system may also include an inductor coupled to the power switches and a controller, wherein the controller controls the power switches to transfer the energy to a load.

Abstract: A power conversion system has a power converter configured to receive an input voltage signal, convert the input voltage to an output voltage signal, and provide the output voltage signal to a load and a closed loop compensator configured to receive the output voltage signal and a reference voltage signal, the closed loop compensator configured to transmit an error signal indicative of a difference between the output voltage signal and the reference voltage signal. The power conversion system further has a pulse with modulator configured to receive the error signal and modulate a control signal with the error signal to control the output voltage signal, the pulse width modulator configured to transmit the control signal to the power converter and logic configured to receive the error signal and control the closed loop compensator based upon the error signal.

Abstract: Generally, described herein are embodiments of control schemes for sensor-less operation and detection of CCM and DCM in a switching power converter. In one aspect, embodiments of a controller are described that utilize dual control loops and do not require sensing the inductor current or any current in the converter which eliminates or reduces the challenges and problems associated with current sensing. Advantages of embodiments of methods described herein become more significant when used in ultra high switching frequency converters since embodiments of the controller result in eliminating the need for high-speed low-noise current sensing circuitries, when used in on-chip integrated power converters where sensing accuracy may be a more significant issue compared to on-board power converters, and in power converters with paralleled modules since embodiments of the controller eliminate sensing circuitries in each of the modules.

Abstract: A battery pack having a plurality of battery pack modules, wherein each battery pack module includes a battery cell and a power converter. The power converters of the plurality of battery pack modules are connected in series to form a string of N battery pack modules such that the voltage across the N battery pack modules defines the output voltage of the battery pack. A controller regulates the output voltage of each battery cell or module power converter and the output voltage of the battery pack by independently controlling each battery cell module in accordance with variables such as state-of-charge (SOC), state-of-health (SOH) and temperature, capacity, and temperature of each individual battery cell module. The power converter may be used to measure impedance of the battery pack by adding a sinusoidal perturbation signal to a reference voltage of the cell battery pack module.

Abstract: A power converter has a controller that uses as input a voltage output of the converter and provides a signal for controlling the duty cycle without the need for current sensing. In one embodiment, the output characteristic of the converter is similar to the output characteristic provided by conventional adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) controllers, but by eliminating the need to sense current, the converter's cost, complexity, and power consumption can be reduced.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to inductors fabricated on a substrate. A first inductor is formed by depositing conducting material on a first side of the substrate and a second inductor is formed by depositing material on a second side of the substrate. The inductors have the same cross section and the paths of the conducting materials are mirror images and provide magnetic flux on a portion of the substrate when equal currents flow in the inductors.

Abstract: Generally, described herein are embodiments of control schemes for sensor-less operation and detection of CCM and DCM in a switching power converter. In one aspect, embodiments of a controller are described that utilize dual control loops and do not require sensing the inductor current or any current in the converter which eliminates or reduces the challenges and problems associated with current sensing. Advantages of embodiments of methods described herein become more significant when used in ultra high switching frequency converters since embodiments of the controller result in eliminating the need for high-speed low-noise current sensing circuitries, when used in on-chip integrated power converters where sensing accuracy may be a more significant issue compared to on-board power converters, and in power converters with paralleled modules since embodiments of the controller eliminate sensing circuitries in each of the modules.

Abstract: A controller for a power stage may adaptively control power switches to improve the efficiency of power consumption by the power stage and detect continuous conduction mode (“CCM”) and discontinuous conduction mode (“DCM”) operations of the power stage without instantaneous or cycle by cycle sensing and sampling of the output inductor current. Additionally, the controller may be used to facilitate the estimation of output inductor value, the peak inductor current value, and other information on converter operations.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems for a three mode wireless energy harvesting concept wherein a triceiver system with a single antenna can be configured to transmit wireless data, receive wireless data and exchange power with other devices. When not being used for exchanging power, the triceiver system with the single antenna can be operably connected to data transfer functions of a wireless device. When used for receiving power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting RF signals to electrical energy. When used for transmitting power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting electrical energy to RF signals.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, information about a power delivery stage is determined for a plurality of operating condition values. The determined information may then be stored in a dynamic look-up table of an adaptive tracking controller engine according to some embodiments. Other embodiments are described.