Abstract: An asymmetric multi-converter power supply including a first converter and a second converter coupled to provide power to an output node. A control circuit is coupled to the second converter and is configured to selectively enable the second converter depending upon a voltage at the output node. The control circuit may be configured to enable the second converter only in response to determining that the voltage at the output node is not within a predetermined range. Alternatively, the first converter is configured to provide power through a first series inductor and the second converter is configured to provide power to the output node through a second series inductor. The second series inductor having a smaller inductance than the first series inductor. Additionally, the second converter may be characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of the first converter.

Abstract: Switched-mode power supply having a series circuit of an electronic switch (T1) and the primary winding (W1) of a transformer (TX1). The power supply also has a switching snubber device in which, when the electronic switch (T1) is switched off, the energy in the primary winding (W1) is stored in a capacitor (C1). According to the invention, the switching snubber device has a further electronic switch (D1, T2) which remains switched on until the energy stored in the capacitor (C1) is fed back again into the transformer (TX1).

Abstract: Dissipative clamping apparatuses and methods for electrical circuits. In one aspect of the invention, In one aspect of the invention, a method includes switching a power supply input on an energy transfer element, regulating a power supply output by switching the power supply input on the energy transfer element, clamping a voltage on the energy transfer element to a clamp voltage and varying the clamp voltage in response to the power supply input. In another aspect, an electrical circuit includes a dissipative clamp circuit coupled to an input of the electrical circuit. An inductive element is coupled between the dissipative clamp circuit and an output of the electrical circuit. A switch is coupled in series with the inductive element.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for a video display device including a power transformer for inducing a voltage with respect to an input voltage by using an interaction occurring between a primary coil and a secondary coil; a switching circuit unit for controlling the voltage to be induced at the secondary coil of the power transformer by switching on/off a current flowing along the primary coil of the power transformer; first and second TVS diodes serially connected to each other; first and second resistors parallel connected to the respective first and second TVS diodes; a capacitor parallel connected to both ends of the first and second TVS diodes connected to each other and being charged with the transient voltage in the reverse direction that is supplied through the primary coil of the power transformer; and a diode for forming a passage of current in one direction when the capacitor is charged.

Abstract: A switching power supply apparatus which has an input power source; a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding, an input winding and a magnetic flux canceling winding being connected to the secondary winding in series; a main switch for switching an electric current going through the primary winding; a bypassing capacitor for bypassing the primary winding; a sub switch for clamping a surge voltage, which is generated in the primary winding; a clamping circuit constituted of the sub switch and a clamping capacitor, a first rectifying switch for rectifying an electric current going through the secondary winding and the magnetic flux canceling winding during when the main switch is being OFF; a second rectifying switch for rectifying an electric current going through the magnetic flux canceling winding during when the main switch is being ON; and a smoothing capacitor for smoothing an electric current going through the magnetic flux canceling winding; and the magnetic flux canceling winding is p

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an inverter circuit including a power arm ensuring a high breakdown voltage and having low probability of malfunction. In a power arm element consisting of a switching element and a diode connected in inverse-parallel connection thereto, n free wheeling diodes (n≧2) connected in series are connected in inverse-parallel connection to a switching element (1b). A breakdown voltage between an anode and a cathode of each free wheeling diode is defined to be 1/n of a breakdown voltage of the switching element (1b). That is, the breakdown voltage of each free wheeling diode is reduced to 1/n to reduce a thickness of a n− drift region. A transient voltage characteristic during flow of a free wheeling current can be thereby kept low. The drop in the breakdown voltage is compensated with the n free wheeling diodes connected in series, to thereby ensure breakdown voltage of a degree approximately the same as that of the switching element.

Abstract: An actively controlled regenerative snubber configuration for use in unipolar brushless direct current motors comprises a first inductor, a first switch and a capacitor, all of which are connected in series to a positive voltage supply and in parallel with a second inductor and a second switch. The regenerative snubber is used to maintain constant voltage across the switches to prevent braking of the motor through conduction of motor back EMF and to return excess energy stored in the motor phase coils to the positive voltage supply. The return of energy to the positive rail is done in a manner so as to minimize conducted electromagnetic interference at the power leads.

Abstract: A power converter apparatus, such as a DC—DC converter, includes a switch that controls current transfer between an input port and an inductance. A control circuit is operative, while current is being transferred between the inductance and a clamping circuit, to control the switch responsive to a current in the inductance. For example, the control circuit may include a current sensor configured to be coupled in series with the inductance and a switch control circuit operative to control the first switch responsive to a current sense signal generated by the current sensor. The switch control circuit may be operative to prevent transition of the switch from the first state to the second state until the current sense signal meets a predetermined criterion, e.g., a signal state indicative of a desired current condition, such as a current approximating zero or a current reversal. Related operating methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A universal switching power supply for generating one or more output voltage levels wherein the power supply is operable over a range of AC and DC input supply voltages. The universal switching power supply achieves a ratio between the highest voltage and lowest voltage of at least 27. The universal switching power supply also features an intrinsically safe output. The intrinsically safe output circuitry comprises a multi-layer PCB with a planar core transformer.

Abstract: An asymmetric multi-converter power supply including a first converter and a second converter coupled to provide power to an output node. A control circuit is coupled to the second converter and is configured to selectively enable the second converter depending upon a voltage at the output node. The control circuit may be configured to enable the second converter only in response to determining that the voltage at the output node is not within a predetermined range. Alternatively, the first converter is configured to provide power through a first series inductor and the second converter is configured to provide power to the output node through a second series inductor. The second series inductor having a smaller inductance than the first series inductor. Additionally, the second converter may be characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of the first converter.

Abstract: A switching power supply circuit reduces the capacity of the capacitor on the load side, reducing its size, weight, and cost. The switching power supply circuit has a pair of diodes connected in series, a pair of MOSFETs connected in series, a pair of capacitors connected in series, a snubber capacitor connected in parallel with the pair of diodes, the pair of MOSFETS, and the pair of capacitors. The circuit can include a pair of additional capacitors, connected respectively in parallel with the MOSFETS, to allow the MOSFETs to execute a zero-voltage switching. The circuit also includes an AC input terminal connected to the mutual connection point of the pair of diodes, a transformer including a primary winding having one end connected to the mutual connection point of the pair of MOSFETS, and the other end connected to the mutual connection point of the pair of capacitors. The primary winding has a center tap connected to another AC input terminal.

Abstract: Dissipative clamping apparatuses and methods for electrical circuits. In one aspect of the invention, In one aspect of the invention, a method includes switching a power supply input on an energy transfer element, regulating a power supply output by switching the power supply input on the energy transfer element, clamping a voltage on the energy transfer element to a clamp voltage and varying the clamp voltage in response to the power supply input. In another aspect, an electrical circuit includes a dissipative clamp circuit coupled to an input of the electrical circuit. An inductive element is coupled between the dissipative clamp circuit and an output of the electrical circuit. A switch is coupled in series with the inductive element.

Abstract: A switching power supply comprises a transformer 3, a switching circuit 1, an output rectifier circuit, an output smoothing circuit, and a snubber circuit. A snubber capacitor 17 has one terminal connected to the one terminal of a snubber diode 19. The other end of the snubber capacitor is led to an output winding 4 of the transformer, while the other terminal of the snubber diode is led to the other of the electrode of an output rectifier diode 7. A snubber inductor 23 has one end connected to the connecting point of the snubber capacitor and the snubber diode, and the other end is. connected to the input side of the output smoothing circuit. The polarity of the diode is arranged to establish a charging loop circulating through the snubber diode, the snubber capacitor and the output winding of the transformer, so as to provide a reduced loss, in a cycle in which the voltage appearing at the output winding of the transformer is the reverse direction to the output rectifier diode.

Abstract: A new ZVS (zero-voltage-switching) snubber circuit suitable for high power boost converters used as power factor correction circuits used in AC-to-DC modules. The ZVS circuit comprises a main switch, an auxiliary switch, a load circuit, a reset circuit, a first diode, a blocking diode, and a first capacitor. The switches and the capacitor are connected in parallel. The circuit includes a blocking diode having an anode terminal connected to a drain terminal of the auxiliary switch and a cathode terminal connected to the reset circuit. At turn-off, the current tail of the main switch is taken over by the auxiliary switch. The ZVS circuit keeps the collector-emitter voltage of main switch almost zero, so that the turn-off loss is minimized.

Abstract: Dissipative clamping apparatuses and methods for electrical circuits. In one aspect of the invention, In one aspect of the invention, a method includes switching a power supply input on an energy transfer element, regulating a power supply output by switching the power supply input on the energy transfer element, clamping a voltage on the energy transfer element to a clamp voltage and varying the clamp voltage in response to the power supply input. In another aspect, an electrical circuit includes a dissipative clamp circuit coupled to an input of the electrical circuit. An inductive element is coupled between the dissipative clamp circuit and an output of the electrical circuit. A switch is coupled in series with the inductive element.

Abstract: The invention is a DC-DC converter in which the voltage across the main switch due to the leakage inductance of the transformer is clamped and a pair of capacitors play the role of lossless turn-off snubbers to recycle the leakage energy of the transformer instead of dissipating the energy so as to improve the circuit efficiency. The DC-DC converter has a voltage source which is connected to a switch. A transformer first primary winding is in series with a first capacitor. This winding and capacitor are connected across the voltage source and switch. A transformer second primary winding is in series with a second capacitor. They are also connected across the voltage source and switch. The transformer first and second primary windings have first and second leakage inductances respectively. A first diode has one terminal connected to terminals of the transformer first primary winding and the first capacitor.

Abstract: An switching converter, having a transformer having primary, secondary and auxiliary windings, an actively controlled switch, a capacitor and a first passive switch in series across the primary, the auxiliary winding of the transformer and a second passive switch being connected in series to the node between the capacitor and first passive switch, with the active switch being connected to a side of the primary winding opposite the first passive switch. The method energizes a transformer core with the primary winding and discharges a capacitor during an ON state; and clamps a voltage across the active switch with the capacitor, and transfers magnetizing energy to the secondary winding during an OFF state, to efficiently transfer energy corresponding to a switching transient to the load while limiting maximum active switch voltage.

Abstract: A high efficiency power converter and method of operation thereof. The high efficiency power converter includes a preregulator circuit that provides a regulated intermediate DC voltage to a low impedance output stage. The low impedance output stage includes first and second power transformers, where each of the power transformers has first and second primary windings of opposite polarity and a secondary winding. The low impedance output stage also includes first and second switches that alternatively couple the first primary windings of the first and second power transformers, respectively, to the regulated intermediate DC voltage. The low impedance output stage further includes first and second coupling capacitors that couple the second primary windings of the first and second power transformers to the second and first switches, respectively, and are utilized to reset the first and second power transformers with minimum losses.

Abstract: A self-oscillation type resonant flyback converter includes a series combination of a primary winding and a switching transistor. A secondary winding is connected to a power diode and to an output capacitor. A feedback winding is connected to a delay driving circuit comprising a delay diode, a constant-current diode and a capacitor. The delay driving circuit is provided to delay a positive feedback signal from said feedback winding, so that when said power diode becomes non-conducting, said delay diode becomes in the reverse conduction state, starting a free resonance period that concludes when the said delay diode becomes non-conducting and the switching transistor is achieved at zero voltage switching.

Abstract: Diode recovery current suppression circuits are disclosed for use with power supplies. A power supply circuit including the diode recovery current suppression circuit may include a main inductor and a main diode coupled to the end of the main inductor. In such a context, the diode recovery current suppression circuit can include (a) a set of additional inductive windings, (b) an auxiliary inductor, and (c) an auxiliary diode. The set of additional inductive windings are coupled to the end of the main inductor such that the diode recovery current suppression circuit is coupled in parallel with the main diode.

Abstract: A power inverter using a voltage driven switching element, capable of suppressing an excessive surge voltage which is generated on high-speed switching of IGBTs or MOSFETs, and suppressing radio frequency oscillation after the suppression of the surge voltage. The power inverter includes a switching element rendering a power path conducting and non-conducting, and a speeding-up circuit of a feedback path in an active clamping circuit added to the switching element.

Abstract: A power supply circuit employed in various types of electronic appliances, telecommunications equipment, and the like, is provided for generating a voltage pulse by resonance effect of a primary side of a transformer, and outputting the voltage pulse from a secondary side after raising a voltage thereof. The power supply suppresses fluctuations of electric current, and prevents noise from being propagated through a device powered by the supply. A control circuit actuates a second switching element into a non-conducting state while a first switching element is in a conducting state. The power supply switches the second switching element into a conducting state when voltage of a primary coil is greater than voltage of a driving power supply after an electric current flows in a first diode while the first switching element is in a non-conducting state.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter, and, more specifically, an active snubber circuit, method of operation thereof and power converter employing the same, and more specifically, a pulse width modulated DC-DC power converter which processes power from an input DC voltage source and delivers power to a load through an inductive energy storage component being alternatively connected to the input DC power source and to the load via electronic solid state switches.

Abstract: An active clamp circuit is provided on the primary side of a composite resonance type switching converter which has a voltage resonant converter on its primary side and a parallel resonance circuit on its secondary side, wherein a parallel resonance voltage pulse generated across a primary parallel resonance capacitor is clamped so that the level thereof is suppressed. Consequently, the withstand voltage requisite relative to any of the component elements such as switching elements and the primary parallel resonance capacitor employed in the power circuit can be selectively lowered.

Abstract: A voltage boost power converter circuit, having an input inductor, active switch, and a transformer having primary, secondary and auxiliary windings. A clamping capacitor and a first passive switch are in series across the primary winding. The auxiliary winding and a second passive switch are in series, connected to the node between the clamping capacitor and first passive switch. The active switch is connected between ground the primary winding. A bulk capacitor forms a series loop including the active switch and primary winding. The method efficiently resets a the transformer, by transferring power to a load through the primary winding, and discharging a clamping capacitor through a separate inductively linked winding of the transformer during an ON state; and clamping the active switch voltage with the clamping capacitor, charging the clamping capacitor with a leakage inductance of the transformer, and charging the bulk capacitor during an OFF state.

Abstract: A compact, economical and fast battery charger for Ni-CAD and Ni-MH batteries turns a current source into a controlled voltage source which keys off a signal representative of the voltage level of the battery during the charging process and turns the current source ON and OFF to assure that the battery during the charging process does not exceed a given voltage level. The apparatus includes in par a ballasting resistor in series with the battery to compensate for the low resistance of the battery and an open collector voltage comparator which establishes high and low voltage set points for turning the current source ON and OFF at the appropriate times. The method and apparatus includes a visual display responsive to a signal which produces on the visual display an indication of the state of charge of the battery during a charging cycle. A circuit board has a long U-shaped trace extending around a notch in the board, on each side of each is mounted on battery.