Abstract: A switching circuit, a method of processing power and a single stage power factor corrector employing the switching circuit or the method. In one embodiment, the switching circuit includes: (1) a power switch coupled to a primary winding of a transformer; and (2) an active clamp coupled to the power switch. The active clamp includes: (2a) series-coupled first and second capacitors, coupled across the power switch and the primary winding, having opposing polarities thereacross, and (2b) a clamping switch coupled to a node between the series-coupled first and second capacitors. The clamping switch opens to allow energy stored in the first capacitor to be transferred to an output of the power converter via the second capacitor. The clamping switch further closes to allow energy stored in the second capacitor to be transferred to the output.

Abstract: A controller or a method for regulating a non-isolated power factor corrector and a power factor corrector employing the controller or the method. The power factor corrector is adapted to provide a DC output voltage at an output thereof. The power factor corrector has first and second power switches, coupled to an input thereof, that receive unrectified AC power. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) a sensor, coupled proximate the input, that senses a polarity of the unrectified AC power and (2) a drive circuit, coupled to the sensor, that: (2a) closes the first power switch and modulates the second power switch to regulate the DC output voltage when the polarity is negative, and (2b) closes the second power switch and modulates the first power switch to continue to regulate the DC output voltage when the polarity is positive.

Abstract: An AC active clamp, a method of operating the same and a power factor corrector employing the AC active clamp or the method. The power factor corrector has a primary switching circuit coupled to a primary winding of an isolation transformer and a rectifier coupled to a secondary winding of the isolation transformer. The primary switching circuit has first and second power switches configured to receive unrectified AC power. In one embodiment, the AC active clamp includes a switching circuit having first and second clamping switches series coupled in opposition and a capacitor coupled to the switching circuit. The switching circuit and the capacitor are coupled across at least a portion of the primary winding and are configured to mitigate adverse effects of a reverse recovery phenomenon associated with the rectifier and to effect substantially zero voltage switching of the first and second power switches of the primary switching circuit.

Abstract: For use with a power converter couplable to a source of electrical energy, the converter having a power switch that conducts intermittently to transfer energy from the source to an inductive element, and a freewheeling diode that alternately conducts with the power switch to transfer energy to an output of the converter, an active clamp and a method of operating the active clamp. In one embodiment, the active clamp includes: (1) an inductor, coupled in series with the freewheeling diode, and (2) a series-coupled capacitor and clamping switch, coupled in parallel with the inductor, that cooperate therewith to mitigate adverse effects of reverse recovery currents associated with the freewheeling diode and enable substantially zero voltage switching of the power and clamping switches.

Abstract: A circuit associated with a power converter, a method of operation thereof and a power converter employing the circuit or the method. The power converter has a primary switching circuit coupled to a tapped primary winding of an isolation transformer and a rectifier coupled to a secondary winding of the isolation transformer. The circuit is coupled across a tapped portion of the tapped primary winding. In one embodiment, the circuit includes: (1) an inductor, configured to reduce current spikes in the primary switching circuit caused by a reverse recovery phenomenon associated with the rectifier and to effect substantially zero voltage switching of a power switch of the primary switching circuit; and (2) a diode, coupled to the inductor via the tapped portion, configured to clamp a voltage across the rectifier. The tapped portion is configured to enable energy from the inductor to be recovered within the power converter.

Abstract: A boost converter, a method of converting power and a power supply incorporating the boost converter or the method.

Abstract: A secondary active clamp for a power converter, a method of actively clamping energy of the power converter and a power converter employing the clamp or the method. The power converter has a primary switching circuit coupled to a primary winding of an isolation transformer and a rectifier coupled to a secondary winding of the isolation transformer. In one embodiment, the clamp includes (1) an inductor coupled in series with a freewheeling diode of the rectifier and (2) a series-coupled capacitor and clamping switch coupled in parallel with the inductor. The series-coupled capacitor and clamping switch cooperate with the inductor to mitigate adverse effects of a reverse recovery phenomenon associated with the rectifier and to effect substantially zero voltage switching of a power switch of the primary switching circuit.

Abstract: A single stage power converter, a method of processing rectified AC power, and a power supply incorporating the converter or the method. In one embodiment, the converter is couplable via a rectifier to a source of AC power, has a filter capacitor and an isolation transformer with a primary winding, and includes: (1) a significant energy storage device coupled to the primary winding, (2) a first switch, coupled to the primary winding, that conducts intermittently to couple the primary winding to the rectifier to transfer a portion of rectified AC power to a magnetizing inductance of the isolation transformer and (3) a second switch, coupled between the primary winding and the significant energy storage device, that conducts alternately with the first switch, the first and second switches substantially zero-voltage switching and the converter correcting a power factor of the AC power.