Abstract: The present invention provides a switched-mode power converter with regulation demand pulses sent across a galvanic isolation barrier.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a compound power converter in which the majority of power passes from input to output through only a single stage of power conversion. At least one embodiment includes a main converter with an auxiliary output. The auxiliary output energizes a reservoir that provides input power for a supplemental converter capable supplying the main output. The supplemental converter improves regulation and can provide holdover power for Power Factor Correction (PFC) or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) operation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a level-shifter for driving a high-side power switch with sub-nanosecond timing integrity, without requiring a high-side gate-drive power supply, is provided. A drive source is connected to the gate of a power switch through a common-mode choke, and the latter level-shifts the common-mode voltage of the drive signal to the common-mode level of the power switch. The same level-shifter may also be used to drive a low-side power switch to avoid ground bounce.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a compound power converter in which the majority of power passes from input to output through only a single stage of power conversion. At least one embodiment includes a main converter with an auxiliary output. The auxiliary output energizes a reservoir that provides input power for a supplemental converter capable supplying the main output. The supplemental converter improves regulation and can provide holdover power for Power Factor Correction (PFC) or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) operation.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a power converter and method for controlling same, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an inductive reactor, and at least two ports for the movement of electrical energy. Any energy-moving port may be made unipolar, bidirectional, bipolar, or bidirectionally bipolar. Ports may be equipped with sensing circuitry to allow the converter output to be controlled responsively to an input signal. The disclosure may be configured to be used in many ways, for example, as a power-supply, as an amplifier, or as a frequency converter. The disclosure may comprise energy predictive calculating means to obtain excellent transient response to line and load variations. The disclosure may also include a switch to create a low impedance path around the inductor to allow current to recirculate through the inductor when it is not needed at any of the ports.

Abstract: The invention provides a power converter and method for controlling same, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an inductive reactor, and at least two ports for the movement of electrical energy. Any energy-moving port may be made unipolar, bidirectional, bipolar, or bidirectionally bipolar. Ports may be equipped with sensing circuitry to allow the converter output to be controlled responsively to an input signal. The invention may be configured to be used in many ways, for example, as a power-supply, as an amplifier, or as a frequency converter. The invention may comprise energy predictive calculating means to obtain excellent transient response to line and load variations. The invention may also include a switch to create a low impedance path around the inductor to allow current to recirculate through the inductor when it is not needed at any of the ports.

Abstract: The present invention provides a switched-mode power converter with regulation demand pulses sent across a galvanic isolation barrier.

Abstract: A switched-mode buck power converter includes a power source, a first switch, an inductor for storing energy, a diode or second switch, and control circuitry. The inductor has a first end connected to an output node of the power converter, wherein the first switch is connected between the power source and a second end of the inductor. The diode or second switch is connected, at the second end of the inductor, between the first switch and a common node of the power converter. The control circuitry is configured to (i) characterize per cycle energy demand of the power converter, (ii) characterize per cycle inductive energy of the power converter, and (iii) compare the characterized energy demand to the characterized inductive energy to control the first switch.

Abstract: A switched-mode power converter power converter, in one preferred embodiment with eight switches connected between three ports and an inductive element, with a donor (charging) port, a receptor port (load) and donor/receptor port (storage) operated so that energy may be switch between any of the ports regardless of the polarity and magnitude of the inductor current at the beginning of a chopping cycle. In one embodiment of the invention power conversion and power factor correction are accomplished in a single stage.

Abstract: The invention provides a power converter and method for controlling same, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an inductive reactor, and at least two ports for the movement of electrical energy. Any energy-moving port may be made unipolar, bidirectional, bipolar, or bidirectionally bipolar. Ports may be equipped with sensing circuitry to allow the converter output to be controlled responsively to an input signal. The invention may be configured to be used in many ways, for example, as a power-supply, as an amplifier, or as a frequency converter. The invention may comprise energy predictive calculating means to obtain excellent transient response to line and load variations. The invention may also include a switch to create a low impedance path around the inductor to allow current to recirculate through the inductor when it is not needed at any of the ports.

Abstract: The present invention provides a voltage regulator/power converter capable of bidirectional power propagation, fitted with controls capable of raising and lowering voltages with unprecedented speed and accuracy. The bidirectional capability allows energy stored in capacitors to be returned to system power sources. In one embodiment of the invention power is supplied from a power source (on a first port of the power converter) to the load (on a second port of the power converter) through the converter and then, when load voltage is reduced or turned off, energy in the load capacitance is returned from to the power source. In an alternative embodiment energy from load capacitance is stored or used by a device on a third port of the power converter.

Abstract: This invention provides a means and method for preventing unwanted semiconductor turn-on and turn-off, caused by a high rate of voltage change, without significantly affecting the desired ON and OFF transitions of the semiconductor. According to this invention, time is provided during either or both bistable ON and OFF semiconductor states, during which the semiconductor gate is allowed to float, neither being driven ON or OFF, and circuitry for lowering gate-node impedance at non-transitional times to prevent state disruptions by dV/dT is provided.

Abstract: A switched-mode power converter power converter, in one preferred embodiment with eight switches connected between three ports and an inductive element, with a donor (charging) port, a receptor port (load) and donor/receptor port (storage) operated so that energy may be switch between any of the ports regardless of the polarity and magnitude of the inductor current at the beginning of a chopping cycle. In one embodiment of the invention power conversion and power factor correction are accomplished in a single stage.

Abstract: A power-conversion regulator comprising an inductive reactor, an output filter reactor, and a switch for admitting energy to the inductive reactor, additionally comprises computation circuitry responsive to the flux in the inductive reactor, to a reference signal, to an output voltage, and sometimes to an output load current, for computing the quantity of energy that must be supplied to a load and to the output filter reactor to regulate the output voltage or current to a desired relationship with the reference signal during each chopping waveform cycle driving the switch. As the inductive reactor is charged from an input energy source, the computation circuitry predicts whether the energy in the inductive reactor has become adequate for the regulation.

Abstract: A common-mode choke level-shifter drives a power switch with sub-nanosecond timing integrity without requiring a high-side gate-drive power supply. The same level-shifter may also be used to drive a low-side switch to avoid ground bounce effects.

Abstract: In a switched-mode buck power converter, superior regulation with excellent transient response is provided when per-cycle energy demand is determined and balanced with per-cycle inductive energy supply to control per-cycle inductive energy charging. Such per cycle inductive energy calculation is improved through the prediction of pedestal energy during operating periods of Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM). Further, recovery from severe transients sometimes straddles multiple chopping cycles. Such recovery is best obtained by preserving energy balance information from one or more un-recovered chopping cycles, to be used to restore energy balance in subsequent cycles. Significant improvement over prior art converters may be obtained even when the energy balance data used for control and recovery are imprecise approximations of true energy demand and supply.

Abstract: The invention provides a power converter and method for controlling same, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an inductive reactor, and at least two ports for the movement of electrical energy. Any energy-moving port may be made unipolar, bidirectional, bipolar, or bidirectionally bipolar. Ports may be equipped with sensing circuitry to allow the converter output to be controlled responsively to an input signal. The invention may be configured to be used in many ways, for example, as a power-supply, as an amplifier, or as a frequency converter. The invention may comprise energy predictive calculating means to obtain excellent transient response to line and load variations. The invention may also include a switch to create a low impedance path around the inductor to allow current to recirculate through the inductor when it is not needed at any of the ports.

Abstract: A power-conversion regulator comprising an inductive reactor, an output filter reactor, and a switch for admitting energy to the inductive reactor, additionally comprises computation circuitry responsive to the flux in the inductive reactor, to a reference signal, to an output voltage, and sometimes to an output load current, for computing the quantity of energy that must be supplied to a load and to the output filter reactor to regulate the output voltage or current to a desired relationship with the reference signal during each chopping waveform cycle driving the switch. As the inductive reactor is charged from an input energy source, the computation circuitry predicts whether the energy in the inductive reactor has become adequate for the regulation.

Abstract: This invention provides a means and method for preventing unwanted semiconductor turn-on and turn-off, caused by a high rate of voltage change, without significantly affecting the desired ON and OFF transitions of the semiconductor. According to this invention, time is provided during either or both bistable ON and OFF semiconductor states, during which the semiconductor gate is allowed to float, neither being driven ON or OFF, and circuitry for lowering gate-node impedance at non-transitional times to prevent state disruptions by dV/dT is provided.

Abstract: A power-conversion regulator comprising an inductive reactor, an output filter reactor, and a switch for admitting energy to the inductive reactor, additionally comprises computation circuitry responsive to the flux in the inductive reactor, to a reference signal, to an output voltage, and sometimes to an output load current, for computing the quantity of energy that must be supplied to a load and to the output filter reactor to regulate the output voltage or current to a desired relationship with the reference signal during each chopping waveform cycle driving the switch. As the inductive reactor is charged from an input energy source, the computation circuitry predicts whether the energy in the inductive reactor has become adequate for the regulation.