Abstract: An electronic circuit breaker has an input, an output, and a switch electrically connected between the input and the output. The electronic circuit breaker monitors the energy dissipated by the switch and opens the switch when the energy reaches a threshold value in order to protect the switch. The electronic circuit breaker also monitors the current through the switch and opens the switch when necessary to protect the load.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a plurality of DC-DC switching cells each configured to generate an output voltage in response to receiving a PWM control signal from the controller. The controller includes a plurality of output ports for outputting a plurality of PWM control signals, and at least one input port for receiving a plurality of output voltages from the plurality of switching cells. The controller is configured to sample the plurality of output voltages one at a time via a multiplexer and to regulate the output voltages in response to the sampling.

Abstract: A feedthrough capacitor assembly for attachment to a mount having an opening is disclosed. The assembly includes a feedthrough terminal adapted for insertion through said opening for coupling a signal from a first side of the mount to a second side of the mount. The assembly includes a first conductive region extending about and electrically coupled to the feedthrough terminal and a second conductive region extending about the first conductive region. A plurality of capacitors are electrically coupled between the first conductive region and the second conductive region. The plurality of capacitors are arranged about the feedthrough terminal with each capacitor having about the same capacitance as each of the other capacitors.

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, 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 circuit for use with a power amplifier that amplifies an input signal. The circuit may comprise an amplitude correction circuit and an open-loop switching regulator. The amplitude correction circuit may be configured to generate a corrected envelope signal from an input envelope signal that represents an envelope of the input signal. The open-loop switching regulator may be connected to the amplitude correction circuit and may be for powering the power amplifier based on the corrected envelope signal. According to various embodiments, the corrected envelope signal generated by the amplitude correction circuit is a function of the input envelope signal and an error voltage of the open-loop switching regulator.

Abstract: A switching power converter has at least one electronic power switch. To minimize switching losses and optimize efficiency, the gate drive voltage level used to drive the electronic power switch is optimized. In an aspect, a digital controller generates optimizes the gate drive voltage using efficiency optimization algorithms, which in an aspect are programmed in the digital controller. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the switching power supply has at least two electronic power switches coupled in parallel. Optimization algorithms are used to determine the optimum number of switched electronic power switches that are actively being switched at a given time in order to achieve optimized efficiency for condition changes, such as input voltage variation, load and environmental temperature changes. In an aspect, the algorithms are programmed in a digital controller chip.

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 method of producing a thermally conductive cover for an electric circuit assembly having a plurality of heat dissipating components is disclosed. The thermally conductive cover including a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one rib extending downwardly from the bottom surface. The method includes selecting a plurality of dimensions for the thermally conductive cover such that the bottom surface will be spaced above and extend over top sides of the plurality of heat dissipating components when the thermally conductive cover is installed over the electronic circuit assembly. The at least one rib will extend over and be spaced from the plurality of heat dissipating components when the thermally conductive cover is installed over the electronic circuit assembly. The method further includes producing the thermally conductive cover with the selected dimensions. Thermally conductive covers are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a pin for an electrical connector is provided. The pin includes a head that is fixedly mated with a shaft to form the pin.

Abstract: A power converter includes a controller having at least one input for monitoring a rate of change of an operating parameter of the power converter. The controller is configured for comparing the monitored rate of change of the operating parameter with an allowable rate of change for the operating parameter, and for generating a fault signal when the monitored rate of change of the operating parameter deviates from the allowable rate of change for the operating parameter. The operating parameter for which the rate of change is monitored may be, for example, a temperature, a current and/or a voltage in the power converter.

Abstract: A power converter includes a controller and at least one output terminal for providing an output voltage and an output current to a load. The controller is configured for monitoring the output voltage and the output current and calculating an efficiency of the power converter based on the monitored output voltage and output current. The controller is also configured to generate a fault signal after detecting a degradation in the power converter efficiency.

Abstract: A method of producing a thermally conductive cover for an electric circuit assembly having a plurality of heat dissipating components is disclosed. The thermally conductive cover including a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one rib extending downwardly from the bottom surface. The method includes selecting a plurality of dimensions for the thermally conductive cover such that the bottom surface will be spaced above and extend over top sides of the plurality of heat dissipating components when the thermally conductive cover is installed over the electronic circuit assembly. The at least one rib will extend over and be spaced from the plurality of heat dissipating components when the thermally conductive cover is installed over the electronic circuit assembly. The method further includes producing the thermally conductive cover with the selected dimensions. Thermally conductive covers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining a source of data received over a two-wire master-slave communication bus includes monitoring with a slave assembly a plurality of clock signals each generated by a master device and determining the source of data received over the two-wire master-slave communication bus based on the monitored clock signals. Examples of suitable slave assemblies and systems for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling an isolated switching power converter that includes a transformer with a primary side and a secondary side, at least one primary switch coupled to the primary side of the transformer and at least one synchronous rectifier coupled to the secondary side of the transformer is disclosed. The method includes turning on the synchronous rectifier a first fixed time after turning on the primary switch and turning off the synchronous rectifier a second fixed time after turning off the primary switch. Power converters for operation according to this method are also disclosed, including power converters without an output inductor.

Abstract: Methods of regulating an output voltage of a multi-output isolated power converter are disclosed. One method includes allowing the output voltage to vary unregulated when the output voltage is below a threshold value and preventing the output voltage from increasing when the output voltage reaches the threshold value. Additional methods and multi-output power supplies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reverse current control system for first power converter having a synchronous rectifier and an output inductance includes a reverse current module. The reverse current module monitors a first voltage that is based on an output voltage of the output inductance and a second voltage that is based on an input voltage of the output inductance. The reverse current module anticipates a reverse current condition based on the first and second voltages. When the reverse current condition exists, the reverse current module prevents current from flowing in reverse through the power converter.

Abstract: A multiphase DC to DC converter includes an input, an output, at least first and second converters, an inductor, an output capacitor, and a drive circuit. The drive circuit is configured for switching the first and second converters with a predetermined phase shift therebetween. The output capacitor is operatively coupled between the first and second converters and the output. The inductor can be placed either at the input side or the output side. When placed at the input side, the inductor is operatively coupled between an input capacitor and the first and second converters. When placed at the output side, the inductor is operatively coupled between the first and second converters and the output capacitor. The multiphase DC to DC converter is capable of achieving lossless switching transitions and negligible ripple current in the output capacitor.

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 switched current power converter includes an input power source, an output terminal, and a plurality of current stages. Each of the current stages includes a converter coupled to the input power source for providing a current and a switch circuit that selectively couples the current in such current stage to the output terminal. A control circuit decouples the input power source from the current stage converters upon detection of a low load condition. Optionally, the power converter includes a low load circuit responsive to the control circuit that selectively couples current to the output terminal during the low load condition.