Abstract: To reduce switching losses, an inverter circuitry of this disclosure may operate using triangular current mode (TCM) control for the semiconductor devices to achieve zero voltage switching (ZVS) at the turn-on of the semiconductor switches. In contrast to other techniques, such as operating the inverter circuitry in continuous conduction mode (CCM), switching devices experience hard switching (usually associated to body-diode hard commutation) at turn-on, and therefore experience the associated switching losses. The inverter circuitry of this disclosure is controlled by processing circuitry, which is configured to apply a smart frequency modulation scheme that enables TCM operation.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a fabricator fabricates a core of a circuit component to include magnetic permeable material. The fabricator further produces the circuit component to include multiple electrically conductive paths extending through the core of the magnetic permeable material. In one arrangement, the multiple electrically conductive paths include a first electrically conductive path and a second electrically conductive path. The fabricator fabricates the circuit component and, more specifically, the core of the magnetic permeable material to include at least one cutaway portion operative to reduce inductive coupling between the first electrically conductive path and the second electrically conductive path disposed in the core.

Abstract: To reduce switching losses, an inverter circuitry of this disclosure may operate using triangular current mode (TCM) control for the semiconductor devices to achieve zero voltage switching (ZVS) at the turn-on of the semiconductor switches. In contrast to other techniques, such as operating the inverter circuitry in continuous conduction mode (CCM), switching devices experience hard switching (usually associated to body-diode hard commutation) at turn-on, and therefore experience the associated switching losses. The inverter circuitry of this disclosure is controlled by processing circuitry, which is configured to apply a smart frequency modulation scheme that enables TCM operation.

Abstract: A method for operating a power converter and a control circuit are disclosed. The method includes, in a power converter including an input, a converter stage, a first switch connected between the input and the converter stage, a second switch connected between input nodes of the converter stage, and an output capacitor connected between output nodes of the converter stage: detecting an operating state of the power converter; and operating the power converter in a first operating mode when the power converter is in a first operating state. Operating the power converter in the first operating mode includes regulating an input current received at the input by a switched-mode operation of the first and second electronic switches.

Abstract: This disclosure includes novel ways of implementing a power supply that powers a load. More specifically, a power supply includes a bidirectional power converter and a controller. The controller monitors a magnitude of an input voltage supplied from an input voltage source to a load. Based on a magnitude of the input voltage, the controller switches between a first mode of operating the bidirectional power converter to charge an energy storage resource using (a portion of power provided by) the input voltage and a second mode of producing a backup voltage from the energy storage resource to power the load as a substitute to the input voltage such as when the input voltage is below a threshold value.

Abstract: A power module includes: a power input terminal; a power output terminal at a same side of the power module as the power input terminal; a first power stage configured to receive an input voltage from the power input terminal and output a phase current at a switch node of the first power stage, the first power stage including an inductor that includes a conductor extending through a magnetic core, the conductor having a first end which is electrically connected to the switch node and a second end opposite the first end; and a first metal clip electrically connecting the second end of the conductor to the power output terminal such that power is delivered to and from the power module at the same side of the power module. A method of producing the power module and electronic assembly that includes the power module are also described.

Abstract: A voltage regulator module includes: power input and output terminals at a same side of the voltage regulator module; a first power stage configured to receive an input voltage from the power input terminal and output a phase current at a switch node of the first power stage, the first power stage including an inductor having a vertical conductor embedded in a magnetic core, the vertical conductor having a first end which is electrically connected to the switch node and a second end opposite the first end; and a first metal clip which electrically connects the second end of the vertical conductor to the power output terminal such that power is delivered to and from the voltage regulator module at the same side of the voltage regulator module. A method of producing the voltage regulator module and electronic assembly that includes the voltage regulator module are also described.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an inductor device includes a core fabricated from multiple different types of magnetically permeable material. The inductor device includes an electrically conductive path extending through the core. A magnetic permeability of the core varies in magnitude depending on a distance with respect to the electrically conductive path.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an inductor device comprises: core material and one or more electrically conductive paths. The core material is magnetically permeable and surrounds (envelops) the one or more electrically conductive paths. Each of the electrically conductive paths extends through the core material of the inductor device from a first end of the inductor device to a second end of the inductor device. The magnetically permeable core material is operative to confine (guide, carry, convey, localize, etc.) respective magnetic flux generated from current flowing through a respective electrically conductive path. The core material stores the magnetic flux energy (i.e., first magnetic flux) generated from the current flowing through the first electrically conductive path.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a power supply or other suitable entity includes a controller. The controller receives a target ripple current value indicative of a ripple current associated with an output voltage and corresponding output current of a power converter powering a load. The controller selects a switching frequency of operating the power converter as a function of a magnitude of the received target ripple current value. The controller applies the selected switching frequency to switches in the power converter to produce the output current with a magnitude of the ripple current as indicated by the target ripple current value.

Abstract: A multi-layer power converter assembly includes a transformer in which a secondary winding is magnetically coupled to a primary winding of the transformer. The multi-layer power converter assembly further includes an intermediary layer such as including a substrate disposed between the primary winding and the secondary winding. A circuit (such as one or more circuit components) disposed in the intermediary layer is coupled between a first node of the secondary winding and a second node of the secondary winding. The novel power converter assembly as discussed herein provides new degrees of freedom with respect to placing secondary side windings, paralleling them, and reducing hence AC and DC resistances in a respective power converter assembly. The power converter assembly supports more power dense transformers through vertical integration rather than spreading into the x-y plane through matrix transformer constructions.

Abstract: A power supply includes a first power converter stage and a second power converter stage. The first power converter stage includes a first transformer winding; the second power converter stage includes a second transformer winding. The first power converter stage converts an input voltage into an intermediate voltage. The second power converter stage converts the intermediate voltage into first current contributing to generation of the output voltage. A circuit path in the power supply provides coupling of the first transformer winding in the first power converter to the second winding in the second power converter stage. Series connectivity of the first winding and the second winding provided by the circuit path creates a trans-inductance path between the first power converter stage and the second power converter stage.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a fabricator receives magnetic permeable material and fabricates an apparatus to include a multi-dimensional arrangement of electrically conductive paths to extend through the magnetic permeable material. Each of the electrically conductive paths is a respective inductive path.

Abstract: A method for operating a power converter arrangement and a corresponding controller are disclosed. The method includes operating the power converter arrangement in a surge mode, when a DC link voltage of the power converter arrangement reaches a first voltage threshold. The power converter includes a first power converter having an input and an output; a second power converter having an input and an output; and a DC link capacitor circuit coupled to the output of the first power converter and the input of the second power converter and providing the DC link voltage. Operating the power converter arrangement in the surge mode includes: deactivating the second power converter; and operating, at least temporarily, the first power converter in a reverse mode to transfer energy from the DC link capacitor circuit to the input of the first power converter.

Abstract: A voltage regulator module includes: power input and output terminals at a same side of the voltage regulator module; a first power stage configured to receive an input voltage from the power input terminal and output a phase current at a switch node of the first power stage, the first power stage including an inductor having a vertical conductor embedded in a magnetic core, the vertical conductor having a first end which is electrically connected to the switch node and a second end opposite the first end; and a first metal clip which electrically connects the second end of the vertical conductor to the power output terminal such that power is delivered to and from the voltage regulator module at the same side of the voltage regulator module. A method of producing the voltage regulator module and electronic assembly that includes the voltage regulator module are also described.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an inductor device comprises: core material and one or more electrically conductive paths. The core material is magnetically permeable and surrounds (envelops) the one or more electrically conductive paths. Each of the electrically conductive paths extends through the core material of the inductor device from a first end of the inductor device to a second end of the inductor device. The magnetically permeable core material is operative to confine (guide, carry, convey, localize, etc.) respective magnetic flux generated from current flowing through a respective electrically conductive path. The core material stores the magnetic flux energy (i.e., first magnetic flux) generated from the current flowing through the first electrically conductive path.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an inductor device comprises core material and at least a first electrically conductive path. The core material is fabricated from magnetically permeable material. The first electrically conductive path extends axially through the core material from a proximal end of the inductor device to a distal end of the inductor device. The core material is operable to confine first magnetic flux generated from first current flowing through the first electrically conductive path. The inductor device further includes a gap in the core material. The gap (gas or solid material) has a different magnetic permeability than the core material. Inclusion of the gap in the core material provides a way to tune an inductance of the inductor device and increase a magnetic saturation level of the inductor device. The core material includes any number of electrically conductive paths and corresponding gaps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a current source inverter that includes a combination of normally-on and normally-off switches configured to provide free-wheeling paths for current in case of loss of control signals or gate drive power.

Abstract: A voltage converter powers a load. The voltage converter includes a first power converter and a second power converter. The first power converter produces an intermediate voltage and a first output current derived from an input voltage. The first power converter supplies the intermediate voltage to the second power converter. The second power converter produces a second output current based on the intermediate voltage received from the first power converter. An output node of the voltage converter outputs a sum of the first output current and the second output current to produce an output voltage.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an inductor device comprises: core material and one or more electrically conductive paths. The core material is magnetically permeable and surrounds (envelops) the one or more electrically conductive paths. Each of the electrically conductive paths extends through the core material of the inductor device from a first end of the inductor device to a second end of the inductor device. The magnetically permeable core material is operative to confine (guide, carry, convey, localize, etc.) respective magnetic flux generated from current flowing through a respective electrically conductive path. The core material stores the magnetic flux energy (i.e., first magnetic flux) generated from the current flowing through the first electrically conductive path.