Abstract: A DC-DC converter comprises an input circuit that stores inductive energy that includes a first switch that releases the stored inductive energy. A transformer includes a primary winding that communicates with the input circuit and a secondary winding. An output circuit communicates with the secondary winding and that includes first and second output conductors and a first diode that communicates with one end of the secondary winding and the first output conductor. A second diode communicates with one end of the secondary winding and the second output conductor. A third diode communicates with an opposite end of the secondary winding and the first output conductor. A fourth diode communicates with an opposite end of the secondary winding and the second output conductor. A first capacitor is connected in parallel to the third diode. A second capacitor is connected in parallel to the fourth diode.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a first leg and a second leg. A controller employs hard switching in the first leg to reduce the conduction loss. The controller employs zero voltage in the second leg to reduce the switching loss.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a first leg and a second leg. A controller employs hard switching in the first leg to reduce the conduction loss. The controller employs zero voltage in the second leg to reduce the switching loss.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit having balancing switches that are actively driven to balance energy in a no-load condition. In some configurations, a current section of the power conversion circuit has switched inductors. The switched conductors are configured to produce a boosted output voltage from a voltage source when the current section is operated in a forward direction. A transformer of the power conversion circuit has a primary winding electrically coupled to the boosted output voltage and a secondary winding. A voltage section of the power conversion circuit is electrically coupled to the secondary winding and is configured to electrically couple to a load. The voltage section includes a plurality of balancing switches that are configured to be actively driven. The balancing switches are configured so that, when they are actively driven, a DC voltage can be provided to the load.

Abstract: A method (100) for cascading system level target to component level design objectives using machine learning and design synthesis techniques. The method (100) of the present invention uses machine learning techniques to build (106, 108) surrogate models from given system targets (102). The method then employs design synthesis methods to determine (110) a range of component level design objectives for the given system level targets using the surrogate models. The range of component level design objectives is fed back (112) to one of the surrogate models to determine (114) the component design objectives.

Abstract: A soft switching device for electric power switching applications includes a switching element and a soft switching active snubber. The soft switching active snubber includes a capacitor, a rectifier and a soft switching active reset circuit. The capacitor connects in series with the rectifier and both of which connects across the switching element. The soft switching active reset circuit, connected across the rectifier as well as the capacitor, is responsive to a reset signal for active resetting of the capacitor within the normal switching cycle of the switching element. Energy absorbed by the capacitor is recovered to the input voltage source or to the load. This occurs contemporaneous with the power switching operation of the switching element. With the active snubber, soft switching is provided for both the switching element and a snubber switch within the active reset circuit, for an efficient and reliable circuit operation.

Abstract: A snubber network for a power conversion circuit operated in discontinuous conduction mode includes a snubber capacitor, an isolation diode and an active reset circuit. The snubber capacitor is connected to the output of the isolation diode, both of which are connected across a main switch of the power conversion circuit. The active reset circuit, connected between the input and output of the isolation diode as well as the input and output of a boost diode, is responsive to a reset signal for active resetting of the snubber capacitor within the normal boost cycle of the power conversion circuit. Upon receipt of the reset signal, energy held by the snubber capacitor is recovered by the reset circuit and subsequently transferred to the output of the power conversion circuit with turn-off of the main switch of the power conversion circuit. This occurs contemporaneous with the power conversion circuit's delivery of converted power to its output.

Abstract: A full bridge DC to DC converter which provides zero voltage switching (ZVS) for one leg of the bridge and zero current switching (ZCS) for the other leg of the bridge is described. ZVS is achieved with parallel capacitors, while ZCS is achieved by using the reverse breakdown characteristics of the various diode and switching devices. This technique provides a significant reduction in the switching losses of the switching devices, which allows for higher power and frequency combinations.