Abstract: A transformer has a primary winding made from a first conducting trace formed on a first multilayer printed circuit board, and a secondary winding made from a second conducting trace formed on a second multilayer printed circuit board. The primary winding is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding. The windings are etched as traces in copper layers of the PC boards as spirals. The spiral of one copper layer is connected to the spiral of a different copper layer by a via, or vias, formed through the insulating layer of the PC board. The vias are drilled, cleaned, and plated with conducting material, for example copper. By using multiple layers, and by connecting spiral windings of each layer to the windings of the next layer by use of vias, any number of turns can be built into a primary winding, or into a secondary winding.

Abstract: A power supply has a digital input to receive Voltage Identification codes (VID codes). A microprocessor within the power supply reads the VID codes and outputs, in response to the VID codes, a digital to analog converter code (DAC code). A digital to analog converter receives the DAC codes, and outputs a reference voltage. A DC to DC unit receives the reference voltage and also receives power from a standard power supply, and the DC to DC unit generates output power at a selected output voltage in response to the reference voltage. A test stand measures the output voltage, and the test stand adjusts the DAC code generated by the microprocessor in response to the VID code in order to supply power at the desired output voltage by the power supply, in response to a desired input VID code. The test stand adjusts the DAC code generated by the microprocessor in response to the VID code so that a particular VID code causes the DC to DC unit to generate output power at the voltage specified by the VID code.

Abstract: A synch FET power supply uses a plurality of electronic switches to periodically connect the primary of a transformer to a direct current input source of power to generate a time varying magnetic field. The time varying magnetic field is coupled to two secondary windings. An electronic switch connected to each secondary winding periodically connects its secondary to the other output terminal. A reference voltage is applied to the control circuits, and the control circuits adjust the switches so that the output voltage tracks the reference voltage. Logic AND gates control the “turn on” signals to the electronic switches in the secondary circuits so that the secondary windings are not connected to an output terminal until a “synch FET enable” signal is applied to the AND gates.

Abstract: An inductor is formed by two traces on a multilayer PC board passing through a ferromagnetic “E” shaped core. The first trace is the positive output bus of the DC power supply, and the second trace is the negative output bus of the DC power supply. Sense lines used to sense voltage levels in the load are put through the same opening in the ferromagnetic “E” core as an output bus trace. The sense lines are traces in a level of the multilevel PC board.

Abstract: The invention replaces a snubber resistor with a two diodes and a load. The electric charge stored in the snubber capacitor on each cycle of the switch is then caused by a first diode to flow through the load, rather than to flow through a snubber resistor. A second diode provides a charging path for the snubber capacitor. The load uses the electric power which would be wasted in the snubber resistor.

Abstract: An inductor for a computer power supply module is provided. The inductor includes a one-piece, single turn winding formed of a material for conducting heat and electrical current. The material having at least about five times the amount of electrically conductive material necessary for conducting electrical current.

Abstract: A power supply module for a computer is provided. The module includes a multilayer pc board, heat generating electrical components disposed on the board, logic elements disposed on the board and a heat sink. The module also includes thermal conducting structure disposed coupled to the pc board and thermally coupled to the heat sink and to the heat generating electrical components for transferring heat from the heat generating electrical components to the heat sink.

Abstract: A full bridge and half bridge dc-dc converter including a primary side having switching devices connected to a transformer, and a primary side controller, a secondary side including switching devices connected to a secondary side of the transformer, an inductor, and secondary side controller, a central control synchronizing the primary side controller and the secondary side controller, and a set of rules for controlling the primary side and secondary side switches such that a utilization rate exceeds fifty percent.

Abstract: As a substantially constant charge current is applied to a battery, the voltage is periodically measured and the slope of the voltage characteristic is calculated. The minimum slope of the bottom peak of the slope profile is dynamically identified and, as appropriate, updated and stored. With each identification and update of the minimum slope, a trigger threshold between the minimum slope and top peak is defined, and then stored, by adding a trigger value to the minimum slope. A termination threshold or value between the minimum slope and the trigger threshold may also be calculated and stored with each such identification and update of the minimum slope. When the calculated slope, increasing from the bottom peak, reaches the trigger threshold, the method is armed--as by setting a trigger threshold flag--so that when the calculated slope thereafter once again passes through the trigger threshold and then reaches the termination threshold, full-current charging of the battery is terminated.