Abstract: Various embodiments of a DC plant controller and methods of selecting among multiple power sources. In one embodiment, the DC plant controller includes: (1) a source identifier configured to identify power sources couplable to a common DC bus, (2) a source prioritizer coupled to the source identifier and configured to prioritize the power sources based on at least one criterion, (3) an output characteristic assigner coupled to the source prioritizer and configured to place ones of the power sources on standby based on a calculated battery holdup time.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a DC plant. In one embodiment, the DC plant includes (1) power sources couplable to a common DC bus, (2) rectifiers and DC-DC converters associated with the power sources and (3) a DC plant controller. The DC plant controller includes a source identifier configured to identify the power sources, a source prioritizer coupled to the source identifier and configured to prioritize the power sources based on at least one criterion, and an output characteristic assigner coupled to the source prioritizer.

Abstract: An intermediate bus architecture power system includes a bus converter that converts an input voltage into a bus voltage on an intermediate bus and a point-of-load converter that supplies an output voltage from the bus voltage on the intermediate bus. Additionally, the intermediate bus architecture power system includes a decision engine optimizing controller that controls a system variable to improve an overall system performance based on a monitored system variable or a system constraint. In another aspect, a method of operating an intermediate bus architecture power system includes converting an input voltage into a bus voltage on an intermediate bus and converting the bus voltage on the intermediate bus into an output voltage. The method also includes controlling a system variable to improve overall system performance based on a monitored system variable or a system constraint.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a DC plant controller and methods of selecting among multiple power sources.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a DC plant. In one embodiment, the DC plant includes (1) power sources couplable to a common DC bus, (2) rectifiers and DC-DC converters associated with the power sources and (3) a DC plant controller. The DC plant controller includes a source identifier configured to identify the power sources, a source prioritizer coupled to the source identifier and configured to prioritize the power sources based on at least one criterion, and an output characteristic assigner coupled to the source prioritizer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a DC plant controller, methods of selecting among multiple power sources and DC plants incorporating the DC plant controller or the method. In one embodiment, the DC plant controller includes: (1) a source identifier configured to identify power sources couplable to a common DC bus, (2) a source prioritizer coupled to the source identifier and configured to prioritize the power sources based on at least one criterion and (3) an output characteristic assigner coupled to the source prioritizer and configured to assign output characteristics to the power sources that differ from one another as a function of the priority.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a DC plant controller, methods of selecting among multiple power sources and DC plants incorporating the DC plant controller or the method. In one embodiment, the DC plant controller includes: (1) a source identifier configured to identify power sources couplable to a common DC bus, (2) a source prioritizer coupled to the source identifier and configured to prioritize the power sources based on at least one criterion and (3) an output characteristic assigner coupled to the source prioritizer and configured to assign output characteristics to the power sources that differ from one another as a function of the priority.

Abstract: A circuit for, and method of, changing transient response characteristics of a DC/DC converter module having an output rail pin and a trim pin and a distributed power conversion system incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes a reactive component coupled to the output rail pin and the trim pin of the DC/DC converter module and configured to interact with at least one network internal to the DC/DC converter module to change the transient response characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a capacity of a battery in a battery string that provides power to a load. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a power converter, having an input couplable across the battery and an output couplable across the battery string, that is adapted to transfer power from the battery to the load over a period of time and (2) a voltage sensor, associated with the power converter, that measures voltages of the battery during the period of time, wherein the voltages indicate the capacity of the battery.

Abstract: For use with a battery plant coupled to a source of electrical power and having a power bus coupled to a load, the battery plant including a battery string coupled across a pair of rails of said power bus, a battery management system, method of operation therefor and battery plant employing the same. In one embodiment, the battery management system includes a DC/DC converter, couplable in series with the battery string, adapted to condition a voltage provided to the battery string as a function of a characteristic of the battery string. The battery management system also includes a switching circuit, coupled across the DC/DC converter, adapted to selectively decouple the DC/DC converter from the battery string thereby allowing the battery string to power the load.

Abstract: A bus holdup circuit for a module of a distributed power system, a method of bolstering bus voltage and a distributed power system employing the circuit or the method. In one embodiment, wherein the module has a backplane interface adapted to be removably coupled to a DC backplane of the distributed power system, the bus holdup circuit includes: (1) an energy storage circuit, coupled across the backplane interface, adapted to store and dissipate energy to bolster a voltage across the DC backplane and (2) an inrush limiting circuit, series-coupled to the energy storage circuit, adapted to limit an inrush current to the module.

Abstract: A power supply that provides a source of backup AC voltage and a method of operating thereof. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a transformer having main power and backup power windings and a secondary winding. The power supply also includes multiple stages, namely, (1) a primary power stage coupled to the main power winding, (2) a backup power stage coupled to the backup power winding and having a backup battery, one of the primary and backup power stages acting as a current fed source and (3) an AC power stage, coupled to the secondary winding, that provides a source of AC voltage. The power supply is operable in a normal mode of operation in which the primary power stage supplies power to the secondary winding and further supplies power to the backup power winding to allow the backup power stage to charge the backup battery.

Abstract: An asymmetrical half-bridge power converter and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the asymmetrical half-bridge power converter includes: (1) first and second power switches configured to be controlled by complementary drive signals having nominal first and second duty cycles of D and 1-D, respectively and (2) first and second capacitors, having intrinsic capacitance values proportional to 1-D and D, respectively, and intrinsic equivalent series resistance (ESR) values proportional to D and 1-D, respectively, configured to reduce input ripple current associated with the asymmetrical half-bridge power converter.

Abstract: For use with a flyback converter having a modulator for providing a main switch control signal thereto and main and cross-regulated output circuits, the cross-regulated output circuit subject to ringing and resulting voltage excursion, a voltage excursion controller and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) a delay circuit, coupled to the modulator, that generates a delay signal based on the main switch control signal and (2) an auxiliary switch, associated with the cross-regulated output circuit, that receives the delay signal and opens to isolate at least a portion of the ringing within said cross-regulated output circuit.

Abstract: For use with a power converter having a power supply control circuit, a current startup bias circuit and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the circuit includes: (1) a charge reservoir that receives and stores a trickle current during a startup period of the power converter, a voltage of the charge reservoir increasing as the charge reservoir stores the trickle current and (2) a latch, coupled to the charge reservoir, that activates when the voltage reaches a threshold to couple the charge reservoir to the power supply control circuit and initiate operation thereof.

Abstract: For use in a buck+boost DC/DC power converter having first and second switches, a switching controller, a method of controlling the first and second switches and buck+boost DC/DC power converters employing the switching controller or the method. In one embodiment, the switching controller includes: (1) a regulation circuit that provides a drive signal and (2) a drive signal generator, coupled to the regulation circuit, that generates a pulse of fixed duration based on the drive signal and provides the pulse and the drive signal to the first and second switches. In another embodiment, the switching controller further includes a comparison circuit that compares an input voltage with an output voltage and generates a control signal based thereon to a drive signal generator that routes a pulse and a drive signal to the first and second switches.

Abstract: A controller for a power switch having an isolated control terminal and coupled to a secondary winding of a drive transformer and a method of preventing spurious turn-on of the power switch. The controller includes: (1) a controllable switch, coupled between the secondary winding and the power switch, that alters a control voltage of the power switch in response to a characteristic of the secondary winding, and (2) a bias circuit coupled to the controllable switch and the power switch that provides a voltage differential between the controllable switch and the power switch to prevent spurious turn-on thereof.

Abstract: A power supply and method of operation thereof. In one embodiment, the power supply includes: (1) a primary side power switch, (2) an isolation transformer having a primary winding coupled to the primary side power switch, the primary side power switch conducting intermittently to transfer current from an input of the power supply to the isolation transformer, (3) a secondary side power switch, coupled to a secondary winding of the isolation transformer, that is operable to conduct within a conduction period of the primary side power switch to transfer current from the isolation transformer to an output of the power supply, a portion of the current being contained within the power supply during a nonconduction period of the secondary side power switch and (4) a capacitor, coupled to the secondary side power switch, that, circulates the portion toward the output during the nonconduction period.

Abstract: A power supply and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the power supply includes: (1) a DC-DC converter having an isolation transformer that conveys an alternating voltage of about a first frequency between a primary winding and at least one secondary winding thereof and (2) a four-quadrant inverter, coupled to one of the at least secondary winding, that converts a portion of the alternating voltage into a waveform having about a second frequency that is less than the first frequency, including: (2a) a bi-directional switch, coupled between an input and an output of the four-quadrant inverter and (2b) a controller, coupled to the switch, that activates the switch to couple the input to the output during a portion of a switching cycle of the alternating voltage to change voltages in the waveform.

Abstract: For use with a grounded power plant, capable of powering a load, having a power supply and a power distribution system, a protective circuit, including a voltage clamping device, coupled between a return conductor of the power distribution system and the ground, that attenuates voltage transients present in the return conductor of the power distribution system thereby preventing the voltage transients from damaging the load.