Multi-level switching power converters including bypass transistors and associated methods
US10734898B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2018 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B70/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multi-level switching power converter includes a string of N upper transistors and a string of N lower transistors, where N is an integer greater than one. The N upper transistors are electrically coupled in series between a first power node and a switching node, and the N lower transistors are electrically coupled in series between the switching node and a reference node. The multi-level switching power converter further includes N−1 flying capacitors, an inductor, a bypass transistor, and a controller. The bypass transistor is electrically coupled between the switching node and the reference node. The controller is configured to (a) control switching of the N upper transistors and the N lower transistors and (b) cause the bypass transistor to operate in its on state in response to all of the N lower transistors operating in their respective on states.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.