Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Vincent E. Wiltse
  • Patent number: 6452815
    Abstract: This invention is an efficient and cost effective bi-directional DC/DC converter that can effectively reduce the switch voltage stress (such as a semiconductor) with an accelerated commutation circuit, and thus allowing a low-cost passive clamp circuit to be used. Specifically, the invention is a method and system to accelerate commutation for passive-clamped isolated boost converters, which can also be a boost mode in a bi-directional DC/DC converter. A primary circuit has a snubber comprising a diode, a capacitor and an energy dissipater (such as a resistor or small buck converter). The primary circuit can be a “full bridge converter” or a “push-pull converter” or an “L-type converter” configuration. The commutation of the present invention protects the primary circuit switches from voltage spikes during switching conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventors: Lizhi Zhu, Jih-Sheng Lai, Fred C. Lee