Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a power converter that includes an inductance and a switched-capacitor network that cooperate to transform a first voltage into a second voltage features a controller, a switched-capacitor terminal for connection to the switched-capacitor network, and switches. at least one of which connects to the switched-capacitor terminal.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to power converters, and may more particularly relate to multi-stage hybrid power converters, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second pluralities of switches, a controller for controlling these switches, gate-drivers for driving switches from the first plurality of switches, and first and second terminals configured for coupling to corresponding first and second external circuits at corresponding first and second voltages. During operation, the controller causes the first plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions result in the second voltage being maintained at a value that is a multiple of the first voltage. The controller also causes the second plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions resulting in capacitors being coupled or decoupled from the second voltage. The gate drivers derive, from the capacitors, charge for causing a voltage that enables switches from the first plurality of switches to be driven.

Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a switching network that controls interconnections between pump capacitors in a capacitor network that has a terminal coupled to a current source, and a charge-management subsystem. In operation, the switching network causes the capacitor network to execute charge-pump operating cycles during each of which the capacitor network adopts different configurations in response to different configurations of the switching network. At the start of a first charge-pump operating cycle, each pump capacitor assumes a corresponding initial state. The charge-management subsystem restores each pump capacitor to the initial state by the start of a second charge-pump operating cycle that follows the first charge-pump operating cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing electric power includes a power-converter having a path for power flow between first and second power-converter terminals. During operation the first and second power-converter terminals are maintained at respective first and second voltages. Two regulating-circuits and a switching network are disposed on the path. The first regulating-circuit includes a magnetic-storage element and a first-regulating-circuit terminal. The second regulating-circuit includes a second-regulating-circuit terminal. The first-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to the first switching-network-terminal and the second-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to the second switching-network-terminal. The switching network is transitions between a first switch-configuration and a second switch-configuration. In the first switch-configuration, charge accumulates in the first charge-storage-element at a first rate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of energy storage elements for use in power converters are described. In one example embodiment, briefly, an integrated circuit (IC) for use with a power converter may comprise a first layer comprising a first set of devices disposed on a device face thereof; a second layer comprising a second set of devices disposed on a device face thereof; a first interconnect structure to be disposed between the first layer and an electrical interface, the first interconnect structure to electrically couple the first set of devices to one or more thru vias; and a second interconnect structure to be disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the second interconnect structure to electrically couple the second set of devices to the one or more thru vias. Likewise, in some instances, one or more thru vias may extend through at least one of the following: the first layer; the second layer; or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a transformation stage for transforming a first voltage into a second voltage. The transformation stage includes a switching network, a filter, and a controller. The filter is configured to connect the transformation stage to a regulator. The controller controls the switching network.

Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a switching network that controls interconnections between pump capacitors in a capacitor network that has a terminal coupled to a current source, and a charge-management subsystem. In operation, the switching network causes the capacitor network to execute charge-pump operating cycles during each of which the capacitor network adopts different configurations in response to different configurations of the switching network. At the start of a first charge-pump operating cycle, each pump capacitor assumes a corresponding initial state. The charge-management subsystem restores each pump capacitor to the initial state by the start of a second charge-pump operating cycle that follows the first charge-pump operating cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a first voltage into a second voltage includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter having a selectable conversion gain. The power converter has switch elements configured to electrically interconnect capacitors to one another and/or to the first or second voltage in successive states. The switch elements are configured to interconnect at least some capacitors to one another through the switch elements. A controller causes the reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter to transition between first and second operation modes. The controller minimizes electrical transients arising from transition between modes. In the first operating mode, the power converter operates with a first conversion gain. In the second operating mode, it operates with a second conversion gain.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing electric power to a load includes a power converter that accepts electric power in a first form and provides electric power in a second form. The power converter comprises a control system, a first stage, and a second stage in series. The first stage accepts electric power in the first form. The control system controls operation of the first and second stage. The first stage is either a switching network or a regulating network. The second stage is a regulating circuit when the first stage is a switching network, and a switching network otherwise.

Abstract: In a power converter, a regulator that receives a first voltage couples to a switched-capacitor converter that provides a second voltage. Slew-control circuitry controls slew rate within the switched-capacitor converter during operation thereof. A controller controls the operation of both the regulator and the switched-capacitor converter.

Abstract: In a power converter, a switching network having switches that operate at a common frequency and duty cycle interconnects circuit elements. These circuit elements include capacitors that are in a capacitor network and a magnetic filter. When connected to the capacitors by a switch from the switching network, the magnetic filter imposes a constraint upon inter-capacitor charge transfer between the capacitors to maintain the filter's second terminal at a voltage. The switching network transitions between states. These states include a first state, a second state, and a third state. In both the first state and the third state, the first magnetic-filter terminal couples to the capacitor network. In the second state, which occurs between the first and third state, the switches ground the first magnetic-filter terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second pluralities of switches, a controller for controlling these switches, gate-drivers for driving switches from the first plurality of switches, and first and second terminals configured for coupling to corresponding first and second external circuits at corresponding first and second voltages. During operation, the controller causes the first plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions result in the second voltage being maintained at a value that is a multiple of the first voltage. The controller also causes the second plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions resulting in capacitors being coupled or decoupled from the second voltage. The gate drivers derive, from the capacitors, charge for causing a voltage that enables switches from the first plurality of switches to be driven.

Abstract: A cascade multiplier includes a switch network having switching elements, a phase pump, and a network of pump capacitors coupled with the phase pump and to the switch network. The network of pump capacitors includes first and second capacitors, both of which have one terminal DC coupled with the phase pump, and a third capacitor coupled with the phase pump through the first capacitor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a power converter that includes an inductance and a switched-capacitor network that cooperate to transform a first voltage into a second voltage features a controller, a switched-capacitor terminal for connection to the switched-capacitor network, and switches. at least one of which connects to the switched-capacitor terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching between powering a load from a battery and powering the load from another power source includes a battery manager and a switched-capacitor network, wherein the switched-capacitor network comprises a plurality of capacitors, first and second switch sets, and a controller, wherein the controller causes the switched-capacitor network to transition between a first state and a second state.

Abstract: In a power converter, a regulator that receives a first voltage couples to a switched-capacitor converter that provides a second voltage. Slew-control circuitry controls slew rate within the switched-capacitor converter during operation thereof. A controller controls the operation of both the regulator and the switched-capacitor converter.

Abstract: An apparatus having a power converter circuit having a first active layer having a first set of active devices disposed on a face thereof, a first passive layer having first set of passive devices disposed on a face thereof, and interconnection to enable the active devices disposed on the face of the first active layer to be interconnected with the non-active devices disposed on the face of the first passive layer, wherein the face on which the first set of active devices on the first active layer is disposed faces the face on which the first set of passive devices on the first passive layer is disposed.

Abstract: Operating a charge pump in which switches from a first set of switches couple capacitor terminals to permit charge transfer between them and in which switches from a second set of switches couple capacitor terminals of capacitors to either a high-voltage or a low-voltage terminal includes cycling the switches through a sequence of states, each state defining a corresponding configuration of the switches. At least three of the states define different configurations of the switches. During each of the configurations, charge transfer is permitted between a pair of elements, one of which is a first capacitor and another of which is either a second capacitor or the first terminal.

Abstract: In a power converter, a switching network having switches that operate at a common frequency and duty cycle interconnects circuit elements. These circuit elements include capacitors that are in a capacitor network and a magnetic filter. When connected to the capacitors by a switch from the switching network, the magnetic filter imposes a constraint upon inter-capacitor charge transfer between the capacitors to maintain the filter's second terminal at a voltage. The switching network transitions between states. These states include a first state, a second state, and a third state. In both the first state and the third state, the first magnetic-filter terminal couples to the capacitor network. In the second state, which occurs between the first and third state, the switches ground the first magnetic-filter terminal.