Abstract: A packaging technology in which power switching elements, such as field-effect transistors (FETs), can be oriented in a vertical position relative to the printed circuit board (PCB) on which the product is mounted. The power die including the switching element(s) can essentially stand “on end” so that they take up very little PCB area. Multiple dies can be positioned this way, and the dies can be attached to a heat sink structure, which is designed to take the heat generated by the dies onto the top of the package. The heat sink structure can be attached to a structure to route the power and analog signals properly to the desired pins/leads/balls of the finished product. Using these techniques can result in a significant increase in the power density (both PCB space and solution volume) of power switching elements, e.g., FETs.

Abstract: A packaging technology in which power switching elements, such as field-effect transistors (FETs), can be oriented in a vertical position relative to the printed circuit board (PCB) on which the product is mounted. The power die including the switching element(s) can essentially stand “on end” so that they take up very little PCB area. Multiple dies can be positioned this way, and the dies can be attached to a heat sink structure, which is designed to take the heat generated by the dies onto the top of the package. The heat sink structure can be attached to a structure to route the power and analog signals properly to the desired pins/leads/balls of the finished product. Using these techniques can result in a significant increase in the power density (both PCB space and solution volume) of power switching elements, e.g., FETs.

Abstract: An energy storage stack balancing circuit may balance a set of serially connected energy storage devices. An electronic switching system may control the delivery of energy into and out of the inductor. A controller may control the electronic switching system so as to cause energy to be transferred: from one of the energy storage devices into the inductor and then out of the inductor and into a different one, a subset, or all of the energy storage devices; or from a subset of the energy storage devices into the inductor and then out of the inductor and into one, a different subset, or all of the energy storage devices; or from all of the energy storage devices into the inductor and then out of the inductor and into one or a subset the energy storage devices.

Abstract: An energy storage stack balancing circuit may balance a set of serially connected energy storage devices. An electronic switching system may control the delivery of energy into and out of the inductor. A controller may control the electronic switching system so as to cause energy to be transferred: from one of the energy storage devices into the inductor and then out of the inductor and into a different one, a subset, or all of the energy storage devices; or from a subset of the energy storage devices into the inductor and then out of the inductor and into one, a different subset, or all of the energy storage devices; or from all of the energy storage devices into the inductor and then out of the inductor and into one or a subset the energy storage devices.

Abstract: A power converting system produces an input signal regulated with respect to an input signal. The power converting system has a first inductive element having a first node coupled to an input node, and a second inductive element having a first node coupled to an output node. A first switching element is coupled to a second node of the first inductive element. A first capacitive element is coupled between the second node of the first inductive element and of the second inductive element. A control circuit sets a duty cycle of the first switching element to a first value for providing the output signal of a first polarity responsive to the input signal of the first polarity, and to set the duty cycle of the first switching element to a second value for providing the output signal of a second polarity responsive to the input signal of the first polarity.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter configurable for operating as a multiphase DC/DC. A controller produces a master drive signal for controlling a primary power switch to produce the output DC signal at a desired level. Multiple secondary power stages are coupled between the input and the output nodes for producing an output DC signal. Each of the multiple secondary power stages has at least one secondary power switch responsive to the input DC signal for producing the output DC signal. An expander system configures the DC/DC converter for operation in a multiphase DC/DC conversion mode. The expander system is responsive to the master drive signal for producing multiple slave drive signals respectively supplied to the multiple secondary power stages for controlling secondary power switches. The slave drive signals have phases shifted with respect to the master drive signal and with respect to each other.

Abstract: A power converting system is responsive to an input signal to produce an output signal regulated with respect to the input signal. The power converting system has an input node for receiving the input signal, an output node for producing the output signal, and first and second inductive elements. The first inductive element has a first node coupled to the input node, the second inductive element has a first node coupled to the output node. A first switching element is coupled to a second node of the first inductive element. A first capacitive element is coupled between the second node of the first inductive element and a second node of the second inductive element. A control circuit is provided for controlling the first switching element.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter configurable for operating as a multiphase DC/DC. A controller produces a master drive signal for controlling a primary power switch to produce the output DC signal at a desired level. Multiple secondary power stages are coupled between the input and the output nodes for producing an output DC signal. Each of the multiple secondary power stages has at least one secondary power switch responsive to the input DC signal for producing the output DC signal. An expander system configures the DC/DC converter for operation in a multiphase DC/DC conversion mode. The expander system is responsive to the master drive signal for producing multiple slave drive signals respectively supplied to the multiple secondary power stages for controlling secondary power switches. The slave drive signals have phases shifted with respect to the master drive signal and with respect to each other.

Abstract: A converter coupled to a DC voltage input and connectable to a load, includes a signal responsive switch coupled between a first circuit point and a second circuit point. In lieu of burst mode operation during low load conditions, the peak switch current is varied directly with load condition and a switch deactivation interval is varied inversely with load condition. The switch deactivation level is within a maximum level to avoid audio frequency band interference, while maintaining high efficiency operation throughout the load range.

Abstract: A circuit for charging a photoflash that preferably reduces the average input to the switching regulator in an efficient fashion is provided. The regulator includes a transformer. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The switching regulator also includes a switch that closes at the beginning of a first portion of the switching cycle and opens at the end of the first portion of the switching cycle. The second portion of the cycle may be to allow the secondary winding to release current into the load. The switch is adapted to allow the current to build up in the primary winding when the switch is closed. The switching regulator may also include a delay circuit that introduces a delay between the end of the second portion of the cycle and the beginning of the first portion of the next switching cycle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitor charging circuit that efficiently charges capacitive loads. In particular, circuits and techniques are preferably provided for using current from both the primary and secondary windings of a transformer to control ON-time and OFF-time of a switch. This arrangement preferably yields an adaptable ON-time and adaptable OFF-time switch that is capable of rapidly charging capacitor loads ranging from as low as zero volts to several hundred volts. The output voltage is preferably measured indirectly to prevent unnecessary power consumption. In addition, control circuitry can be provided to conserve power by ceasing the delivery of power to the capacitor load once the desired output voltage is reached. Control circuitry preferably operates an interrogation timer that periodically activates the power delivery cycle to maintain the capacitor output load in a constant state of readiness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitor charging circuit that efficiently charges capacitive loads. In particular, circuits and techniques are preferably provided for using current from both the primary and secondary windings of a transformer to control ON-time and OFF-time of a switch. This arrangement preferably yields an adaptable ON-time and adaptable OFF-time switch that is capable of rapidly charging capacitor loads ranging from as low as zero volts to several hundred volts. The output voltage is preferably measured indirectly to prevent unnecessary power consumption. In addition, control circuitry can be provided to conserve power by ceasing the delivery of power to the capacitor load once the desired output voltage is reached. Control circuitry preferably operates an interrogation timer that periodically activates the power delivery cycle to maintain the capacitor output load in a constant state of readiness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitor charging circuit that efficiently charges capacitive loads. In particular, circuits and techniques are preferably provided for using current from both the primary and secondary windings of a transformer to control ON-time and OFF-time of a switch. This arrangement preferably yields an adaptable ON-time and adaptable OFF-time switch that is capable of rapidly charging capacitor loads ranging from as low as zero volts to several hundred volts. The output voltage is preferably measured indirectly to prevent unnecessary power consumption. In addition, control circuitry can be provided to conserve power by ceasing the delivery of power to the capacitor load once the desired output voltage is reached. Control circuitry preferably operates an interrogation timer that periodically activates the power delivery cycle to maintain the capacitor output load in a constant state of readiness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitor charging circuit that efficiently charges capacitive loads. In particular, circuits and techniques are preferably provided for using current from both the primary and secondary windings of a transformer to control ON-time and OFF-time of a switch. This arrangement preferably yields an adaptable ON-time and adaptable OFF-time switch that is capable of rapidly charging capacitor loads ranging from as low as zero volts to several hundred volts. The output voltage is preferably measured indirectly to prevent unnecessary power consumption. In addition, control circuitry can be provided to conserve power by ceasing the delivery of power to the capacitor load once the desired output voltage is reached. Control circuitry preferably operates an interrogation timer that periodically activates the power delivery cycle to maintain the capacitor output load in a constant state of readiness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitor charging circuit that efficiently charges capacitive loads. In particular, circuits and techniques are preferably provided for using current from both the primary and secondary windings of a transformer to control ON-time and OFF-time of a switch. This arrangement preferably yields an adaptable ON-time and adaptable OFF-time switch that is capable of rapidly charging capacitor loads ranging from as low as zero volts to several hundred volts. The output voltage is preferably measured indirectly to prevent unnecessary power consumption. In addition, control circuitry can be provided to conserve power by ceasing the delivery of power to the capacitor load once the desired output voltage is reached. Control circuitry preferably operates an interrogation timer that periodically activates the power delivery cycle to maintain the capacitor output load in a constant state of readiness.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved vaccine against Brucella abortus which permits differentiation between vaccinated and field strain infected cattle. The vaccine can be administered in two different forms: (1) cell envelopes isolated from an O polysaccharide antigen deficient, stable transposon mutant of B. abortus or (2) an O polysaccharide antigen deficient, stable transposon mutant of B. abortus.