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 supply includes a first (main) power converter and a second (auxiliary) power converter disposed in parallel with the first power converter to produce an output voltage to power a dynamic load. The second power converter includes a primary inductive path magnetically coupled to a secondary inductive path. A controller controls a flow of first current through the primary inductive path of the second power converter to control flow of second current supplied by the secondary inductive path to the dynamic load. During steady state conditions, the first power converter produces the output voltage while the second power converter is deactivated. During transient load conditions, the second power converter provides current boost capability to maintain a magnitude of the output voltage within a desired range.

Abstract: A power converter and a power conversion method are disclosed. The power converter includes a plurality of resonant converter stages (1a, 1b, 1c) each Including an input (Ina, Inb, Inc) and an output (Outa, Outb, Outc); a rectifier circuit (6); and a control circuit (7) configured to control operation of the plurality of resonant converter stages (1a, 1b, 1c). The input (Ina, Inb, Inc) of each of the plurality of converter stages (1a, 1b, 1c) is configured to receive a respective input voltage (Vina, Vinb, Vinc). The rectifier circuit (6) is connected to the outputs (Outa, Outb, Outc) of the plurality of converter stages (1a, 1b, 1c) and is configured to provide an output signal (Vout, Iout) based on a cascaded voltage that is dependent converter stage output voltages (Vseca, Vsecb, Vsecc) provided at the outputs (Outa, Outb, Outc) of the resonant converter stages (1a, 1b, 1c).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a control circuit. The method includes operating a buffer circuit (1) in a first operating mode or a second operating mode. Operating the buffer circuit (1) in the first operating mode includes buffering, by a capacitor parallel circuit including a first capacitor (11) and a second capacitor (12), power (Po) provided by a power source (3) and received by a load (4). Operating the buffer circuit (1) in the second operating mode includes supplying power to the load (4) by the second capacitor (12), and regulating a first voltage (Upn) across the second capacitor (12), wherein regulating the first voltage (Upn) comprises transferring charge from the first capacitor (11) to the second capacitor (12).

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: An apparatus such as a power converter includes a first flying capacitor, a second flying capacitor, etc., an inductor, and a network of switches. The network of switches controls conveyance of energy from the multiple flying capacitors to the inductor. The inductor converts the received energy into an output voltage to power a load. A magnitude of the respective voltage on each of the flying capacitors is substantially the same.

Abstract: A first partial power converter implementation receives and converts an input voltage into multiple auxiliary voltages including a first auxiliary voltage and a second auxiliary voltage. The first partial power converter produces a first output voltage as a first summation of the first auxiliary voltage and the input voltage; the first partial power converter produces a second output voltage as a second summation of the second auxiliary voltage and the input voltage. A second partial power converter implementation as discussed herein receives a first auxiliary input voltage referenced with respect to an output voltage of the power converter. The second partial power converter also receives a second auxiliary input voltage referenced with respect to the output voltage. The second partial power converter converts the first auxiliary input voltage and the second auxiliary input voltage into the output voltage to power a load.

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: Disclosed is a method and apparatus. The method comprises generating an alternating voltage (Vmn) based on three alternating input voltages (Va, Vb, Vc) received at an input (a, b, c) of a power converter, wherein generating the alternating intermediate voltage (Vmn) comprises controlling waveforms of three input currents (Ia, Ib, Ic) received at the input (a, b, c) dependent on waveforms of the three alternating input voltages (Va, Vb, Vc).

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: 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: This disclosure includes novel ways of implementing a power supply that powers a load. A main battery source produces a main battery voltage; each of multiple auxiliary battery sources in a set produces a respective auxiliary battery voltage. A controller initially sets a battery supply voltage to the main battery voltage, the main battery voltage is supplied to a power converter. The controller then monitors a magnitude of the battery supply voltage and adjusts the battery supply voltage supplied to the power converter based on a comparison of the magnitude of the battery supply voltage with respect to a threshold level. The adjusted battery supply voltage is provided from a serial connection of the main battery source and a first auxiliary battery source in the set.

Abstract: A first partial power converter implementation receives and converts an input voltage into multiple auxiliary voltages including a first auxiliary voltage and a second auxiliary voltage. The first partial power converter produces a first output voltage as a first summation of the first auxiliary voltage and the input voltage; the first partial power converter produces a second output voltage as a second summation of the second auxiliary voltage and the input voltage. A second partial power converter implementation as discussed herein receives a first auxiliary input voltage referenced with respect to an output voltage of the power converter. The second partial power converter also receives a second auxiliary input voltage referenced with respect to the output voltage. The second partial power converter converts the first auxiliary input voltage and the second auxiliary input voltage into the output voltage to power a load.

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: Disclosed is a method for operating a rectifier circuit, a control circuit for operating a rectifier circuit, and a power converter. The method includes operating the rectifier circuit (2) in a PFC mode, wherein operating the rectifier circuit (2) in the PFC mode includes regulating an output voltage (Udc) of the rectifier circuit (2). Regulating the output voltage (Udc) includes operating a switch (26) of the rectifier circuit (2) at a fixed switching frequency (fsw), and regulating the output voltage (Udc) includes regulating the output voltage (Udc) dependent on at least one operating parameter of the rectifier circuit (2) such that the switch (26) is operated under ZVS conditions.

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: This disclosure includes novel ways of implementing a power supply that powers a load. A main battery source produces a main battery voltage; each of multiple auxiliary battery sources in a set produces a respective auxiliary battery voltage. A controller initially sets a battery supply voltage to the main battery voltage, the main battery voltage is supplied to a power converter. The controller then monitors a magnitude of the battery supply voltage and adjusts the battery supply voltage supplied to the power converter based on a comparison of the magnitude of the battery supply voltage with respect to a threshold level. The adjusted battery supply voltage is provided from a serial connection of the main battery source and a first auxiliary battery source in the set.

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: 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.