Boost inductor recirculation protection based on switch node detection method
US12418233B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2023 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M3/156
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided to supply a voltage (Vcc) to a primary IC in a switch-mode-power-supply following startup. Briefly, an input voltage (VIN) coupled through a boost-inductor to a switch-pin of the IC is sensed by isolating a DC component (VDC_BSW) of the voltage and checking if VIN is greater than a minimum VIN (VIN_MIN) by comparing VDC_BSW to a starting reference voltage (VREF_START) in the IC. If VDC_BSW is greater than VREF_START, a boost-switch in the IC through which the switch-pin is coupled to ground is cycled on and off to alternately store and discharge energy in the boost-inductor, boosting Vcc. Thereafter, VIN is checked against a maximum input voltage by comparing VDC_BSW to a reference voltage (VREF), greater than VREF_START, and if VDC_BSW is greater than VREF, boost is turned off by turning off and ceasing to cycle the boost-switch, protecting the boost-inductor from current runaway.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.