Abstract: A modular power supply. A plurality of power supply modules and a system control circuit for controlling the power supply modules are provided. Each power supply module has a power circuit coupled to a power input of the module for receiving an input power current and produces an output power current at a power output of the module. The power circuits each include at least one switching element for switching the input power current or the output power current of a module. The power circuits further include a control circuit input that is coupled directly to the respective said switching device. The system control circuit includes a control circuit output bus for connecting to the control circuit inputs of each of the power modules and provides a respective signal to each module for directly controlling the respective switching devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a magnetic component on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has at least one inner layer including a trace that forms a winding of the magnetic component. Another winding of the magnetic component is formed by a length of wire that is disposed externally to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A transformer group in which a multitude of transformers are used to supply energy to a single load. The transformers are connected in series; in order to assist in providing a “flux equalizing” affect, the invention includes a flux equalizer circuit. The flux equalizer circuit provides a series of flux windings. Each flux winding is associated with a single transformer. The windings are arranged in parallel. In this manner, a balancing of the output of the transformers is obtained; the power output from each transformer is “sensed” by its associated flux winding which is “shared” with the other transformers via their own associated flux winding. Power is process then through the secondary windings, rectifiers, and output filters to a common load.

Abstract: A new packaging technology which improves the electrical and mechanical performance of the circuits using magnetic elements. High frequency current loops generate electromagnetic fields which are radiated or induce high frequency current in the rest of the circuit. To reduce the radiated field, these loops have been minimized by locating the high frequency switching components close to each other and very close to the magnetic elements. By separating the high frequency switching electronic components from the rest of the electronic components and locating them on the same multilayer PCB where the magnetic element is constructed, optimal results are obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a signal through a power magnetic structure. A power magnetic core has one or more windings for transmitting power, and two windings for transmitting a signal or auxiliary power. The signal or auxiliary power windings are looped around features of the core so as to cancel the effect of magnetic flux circulating in the core as a result of currents flowing through the one or more power windings.

Abstract: A transformer providing low output voltage. A transformer core has two outer leg portions and a center portion. A primary winding has a first portion looped around one of the legs so that a current passed through the first winding will produce a magnetic flux in that leg that circulates in either the right hand or left hand sense. A second portion of the input signal winding is looped around the other leg in the opposite sense. This provides for a magnetic flux circulating through the two outer leg portions in the same sense, and provides that the magnetic flux circulating through the center portion is zero. The secondary winding is preferably provided as a fractional loop around one of the outer legs.

Abstract: A current sensing cell, using PCB trace-loops, with the loops either contained in a single layer—horizontal loops, or in two separate layers—vertical loops interconnected by vias into a single two-pole inductive component. The horizontal loop-sensor cell will be used sideways, next to a planar conductor carrying a current parallel to the sensor traces, so as to collect the magnetic field lines on the side of the planar conductor, where they come closer together. The vertical loop sensor cell will be used on top or bottom of a planar conductor carrying current parallel to the cell, so as to collect the magnetic field lines going across the conductor, or between two parallel conductors, carrying parallel current of opposite sense, so as to collect the magnetic field lines that run in between the two conductors, summing up the two fields.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for initial charging of the output capacitors of a three-phase three-point pulsed rectifier system. According to the invention, a thyristor is arranged in each phase between the input terminal and is connected in the current flow direction to the anode of the freewheeling diode, and an initial charging path is connected in parallel with this thyristor. The circuit for actuating the thyristor is activated after completion of the initial charging; the reference voltage is applied to the negative input of the comparator.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter which can be operated alternately as a step-up converter in a first direction of energy flow and as a step-down converter in a second direction of energy flow is disclosed. Potential isolation between the low-voltage side and the high-voltage side of the converter is achieved by a magnetic compound unit, which has not only a transformer function but also an energy store function. The converter operates as a push-pull converter in both directions of energy flow. The DC/DC converter can be used for example in motor vehicles with an electric drive fed by fuel cells.