Abstract: The magnetic device consists of a planar winding board, which contains the windings for both the inductor and the transformer. Thus, this invention centers on integrating the windings of multiple magnetic devices, not integrating the cores. By connecting the transformer secondary winding directly to the output inductor winding without using any intermediate headers and/or termination pins or conductive copper traces, both electrical path and the termination resistance will be minimized. Furthermore, the number of headers or termination pins required will also be reduced, which helps to not only alleviate the issue associated with co-planarity of the termination pins, but also reduce the cost of the material and manufacturing.

Abstract: The magnetic device consists of a planar winding board, which contains the windings for both the inductor and the transformer. Thus, this invention centers on integrating the windings of multiple magnetic devices, not integrating the cores. By connecting the transformer secondary winding directly to the output inductor winding without using any intermediate headers and/or termination pins or conductive copper traces, both electrical path and the termination resistance will be minimized. Furthermore, the number of headers or termination pins required will also be reduced, which helps to not only alleviate the issue associated with co-planarity of the termination pins, but also reduce the cost of the material and manufacturing.

Abstract: The invention presents a highly efficient, tightly regulated DC-to-DC converter which can be used in various applications, especially multiple output converters. The converter uses a buck converter to produce an intermediate bus voltage. A current-fed double ended circuit, such as bridge or push-pull circuit, couples to the buck converter to provide power to outputs. The double ended circuit operates at about 50% duty. The secondary output filter inductor is not required. With 50% duty cycle operation, the secondary rectifiers are easily controlled by either a self-driven or an external driven circuit. The secondary windings can also be stacked up to simplify the transformer design. In addition, bias voltages needed for control circuitry can also be obtained by adding extra windings to the power transformer and extra rectifier devices.

Abstract: The invention presents a highly efficient, tightly regulated DC-to-DC converter which can be used in various applications, especially multiple output converters. The converter uses a buck converter to produce an intermediate bus voltage. A current-fed double ended circuit, such as bridge or push-pull circuit, couples to the buck converter to provide power to outputs. The double ended circuit operates at about 50% duty. The secondary output filter inductor is not required. With 50% duty cycle operation, the secondary rectifiers are easily controlled by either a self-driven or an external driven circuit. The secondary windings can also be stacked up to simplify the transformer design. In addition, bias voltages needed for control circuitry can also be obtained by adding extra windings to the power transformer and extra rectifier devices.

Abstract: Compared with the prior art, the invention offers several extra benefits in addition to providing a dc current signal from a sensed peak current signal. First, the control switch is referenced to the ground, and therefore floating drive for the series switch in the prior art is not necessary. Second, the peak current signal is always available regardless of the status of the control switch. By separating the peak and average current signals, the converter can be better controlled and both peak current mode control and current sharing control can be optimized. Finally, referencing the peak current and average current signals to the different grounds provides freedom to implement different control schemes.

Abstract: For use in a power converter having a rectifier coupled to an output thereof, a snubber circuit including an energy storage device coupled to the rectifier that moderates a voltage across the rectifier and a method of moderating the voltage. In one embodiment, the snubber circuit includes: (1) a first switch that regulates a voltage across the energy storage device, (2) an inductor, coupled to the first switch, that provides a discharge path for energy stored in the energy storage device when the first switch is conducting and (3) a second switch that recovers energy stored in the inductor to the output when the first switch is not conducting. The snubber circuit thereby reduces voltage stress across the rectifier during a current limit mode of operation.

Abstract: Magnetic-free DC/DC converters, methods of operation thereof and a computer system employing at least one converter. In one embodiment, the converter includes: (1) an input capacitor coupled to a DC input of the converter, (2) a first switch coupled between the input capacitor and an output of the converter to transfer electrical power from the DC input to the output when the first switch is closed, (3) an output capacitor coupled in parallel with the output of the converter, (4) a second switch coupled in parallel with the input capacitor to short the input capacitor when the second switch is closed and (5) a switching controller circuit, coupled to the first and second switches, that provides complementary control signals to the first and second switches that are a function of an output voltage of the converter.