Abstract: A power converter including a processor, at least one component whose health in the power converter will degrade over time, and at least one alarm is disclosed. The processor is configured for monitoring the health of the component over time, and for activating the alarm when the monitored health of the component reaches a threshold level.

Abstract: A power converter including a processor and at least one component whose health in the power converter will degrade over time is disclosed. The processor is configured for monitoring the health of the component over time, and for generating a warning signal when the monitored health of the component reaches a threshold level. A method for monitoring the health of at least one component in a power converter is also disclosed. The method includes monitoring at least one performance characteristic of the power converter. The performance characteristic represents the health of the component. The method further includes comparing the monitored performance characteristic with stored data to determine whether the health of the component has reached a predetermined level, and generating a warning signal after determining the health of the component has reached the predetermined level.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a switching device having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal is disclosed. The control circuit includes a first diode for coupling to the first terminal of the switching device, a second diode for coupling to the second terminal of the switching device, a first transistor for coupling to the control terminal of the switching device, and a second transistor coupled to the second diode. The first transistor is coupled to the first diode. The control circuit is configured to allow current flow in only one direction between the first and second terminals of the switching device.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a switching device having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal is disclosed. The control circuit includes a first diode for coupling to the first terminal of the switching device, a second diode for coupling to the second terminal of the switching device, a first transistor for coupling to the control terminal of the switching device, and a second transistor coupled to the second diode. The first transistor is coupled to the first diode. The control circuit is configured to allow current flow in only one direction between the first and second terminals of the switching device.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed. The integrated circuit includes first and second transistors, first and second diodes, a first pin connected to the first transistor, a second pin connected to the second transistor, a third pin connected to the first diode, and a fourth pin connected to the second diode.

Abstract: A power supply having a control circuit for controlling an output of the power supply, and a voltage monitor circuit for detecting a voltage at a first location and providing the detected voltage to a second location in the control circuit independent of any difference in ground voltage between the first location and the second location. The control circuit is configured to control the output of the power supply in response to the detected voltage provided by the voltage monitor circuit.

Abstract: A method for detecting a performance degradation of a capacitor in a power converter is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a voltage across the capacitor, detecting the performance degradation of the capacitor based on the monitored voltage, and generating a warning signal after detecting the performance degradation of the capacitor. A power converter is including at least one capacitor and a processor operably coupled to the at least one capacitor for monitoring a voltage across the at least one capacitor is also disclosed. The processor is configured for detecting a performance degradation of the capacitor based, at least in part, on the monitored voltage, and for generating a warning signal after detecting the performance degradation of the at least one capacitor.

Abstract: A power converter including a processor and at least one component whose health in the power converter will degrade over time is disclosed. The processor is configured for monitoring the health of the component over time, and for generating a warning signal when the monitored health of the component reaches a threshold level. A method for monitoring the health of at least one component in a power converter is also disclosed. The method includes monitoring at least one performance characteristic of the power converter. The performance characteristic represents the health of the component. The method further includes comparing the monitored performance characteristic with stored data to determine whether the health of the component has reached a predetermined level, and generating a warning signal after determining the health of the component has reached the predetermined level.

Abstract: A power converter including a processor, at least one component whose health in the power converter will degrade over time, and at least one alarm is disclosed. The processor is configured for monitoring the health of the component over time, and for activating the alarm when the monitored health of the component reaches a threshold level.

Abstract: A power supply includes at least one current source for providing current and a reference voltage generator for providing a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage. A control circuit selectively couples the current to the power supply output as a function of a monitored voltage, the first reference voltage, and the second reference voltage.

Abstract: A method for operating a push-pull converter in an above resonant frequency operating mode, where the above resonant frequency operating mode produces a switching frequency that is higher than the natural operating resonant frequency of the converter circuit. As a result, the resonant period is longer than the turn-on period of each of the switches in the primary circuit. The push-pull converter has two power switches operating in alternating sequence. The push pull converter also includes a transformer with a primary winding coupled to the power switches and a secondary winding coupled to a secondary circuit, and an output capacitor. The method also includes generating an operating resonant frequency from a leakage inductance of the transformer in series with a an input capacitance; and generating a switching frequency for the power switches that is higher than the operating resonant frequency.

Abstract: A system that, in a natural convection embodiment, comprises a structure having an output cord and a stand coupled thereto for mounting a power module in a substantially vertical orientation. The stand has a base with a first vertical piece extending therefrom to a first fin that is parallel to the base and having a second vertical piece extending from the base to a second fin that is parallel to the base. The power module plugging into the stand defines a first gap along an edge of the first fin adjacent to the first side of the power module and defines a second gap along an edge of the second fin adjacent to the second side of the power module. The stand allows vertical heat dissipation generated by the power module with air flow vertically through the first and second gaps. Alternatively, an air fan is included for forced convention.

Abstract: An electrical adapter having a manually retractable cable assembly where the electrical contacts of the retractable cable assembly are disposed along an axis of rotation to minimize the friction between the cable and contacts therein when the cable is extended and retracted. The electrical adapter includes a housing; an electrical plug assembly including an interchangeable module coupled to an adapter module, the interchangeable module having a plurality of prongs for receiving a first voltage when mated with an electrical receptacle, and a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the first voltage into a second voltage; and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter.

Abstract: An electrical adapter having a manually retractable cable assembly where the electrical contacts of the retractable cable assembly are disposed along an axis of rotation to minimize the friction between the cable and contacts therein when the cable is extended and retracted. The electrical adapter includes a housing; an electrical plug assembly including an interchangeable module coupled to an adapter module, the interchangeable module having a plurality of prongs for receiving a first voltage when mated with an electrical receptacle, and a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the first voltage into a second voltage; and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter.

Abstract: An electrical adapter is supported by a housing and includes an electrical plug assembly having an input for receiving a high voltage, a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the high voltage to a low voltage, and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter. The retractable cable assembly includes a cable coupled at one end to an electrical plug for outputting the low voltage to the electrical device, and is enabled to retract the cable. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable cable assembly includes slots defined within a bore of a cable reel to support a pair of first interengageable electrical contacts coupled to the other end of the low voltage cable. These electrical contacts rotationally mate with a pair of second interengageable electrical contacts disposed along the axis of rotation within the retractable cable assembly. One of the first contacts includes a pair of edges defining a gap therein.

Abstract: The use of synchronous rectifier MOSFETs in the secondary circuit of AC/DC converters is made possible in synchronous rectifier unfriendly topologies such as flyback converters by sensing the onset of forward current in the MOSFET drain-source circuit, optionally converting that current information into logic level signals, and using the information or signals to drive the gate of the synchronous rectifier MOSFET.

Abstract: Switching losses at high line in variable-input Class-D resonant DC-to-DC power converters regulated by changing the duty cycle of the switching transistors are avoided by making the turn-off time of the discharging switch dependent upon the current in the resonant transformer primary circuit, thereby preserving bidirectional zero-voltage switching. Losses due to asymmetrical high current pulses in one arm of the rectified output can be mitigated by use of MOSFETs as synchronous rectifiers to take the place of rectifying diodes.

Abstract: A power connector for coupling a power supply to an integrated circuit (IC) whose current requirements may vary abruptly over time to a power supply is disclosed. The male connector comprises parallel conductive plates separated by a thin sheet of insulation. A mounting structure positions the power supply a predefined distance above the surface of a PC board upon which is disposed the IC. The male connector is electrically coupled to the IC and mates with a female connector attached to the power supply. The parallel plate male connector improves the ability of the power supply to accomodate abrupt changes in the current requirements of the IC by several different mechanisms. First, voltage oscillations associated with abrupt changes in the current requirements of the IC are reduced by selecting the inductance of the male connector to be low, which corresponds to a comparatively wide width of the conductive plates and a comparatively thin insulation thickness separating the plates.

Abstract: The present invention is a mounting structure for a power supply. The mounting structure of the present invention allows power to be coupled from a power supply to a predetermined area on a motherboard adjacent one or more high power demand components, such as an IC microprocessor chip. The mounting structure includes a frame; a plurality of legs attached to the frame for supporting the frame on the motherboard; the ends of the legs opposite the frame being attached to the motherboard; a fastener coupled to the frame for releasably fastening the power supply to the mounting structure such that the power supply is positioned a predefined distance above the upper surface of the motherboard; and a plurality of power buses interconnecting the power supply and the motherboard at predetermined area on the motherboard adjacent a high power demand IC chip.