Zero voltage switching power converter
US5173846A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M3/33576
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit for utilizing the magnetizing current in the transformer of a converter to reset the transformer's core and to provide a zero-voltage-switching condition on the converter's primary switch is disclosed. The power converter includes a transformer having a primary winding and a second winding, the secondary winding being coupled to an output load and a primary switch connected in series between the primary winding and a voltage source. The closing of the primary switch causes energy to be stored in the transformer and the opening of the primary switch causes the energy to be released from the transformer. The utilization circuit includes a series combination of a storage capacitor and a first switch coupled in parallel with one of the transformer's windings to capture the energy released from the transformer. The captured energy is used to reset the transformer's core and to create a zero voltage switching condition across the primary switch. A second switch means is connected in series with the secondary winding of the transformer and is operated to prevent the loading effects of the secondary from interrupting the creation of the zero-voltage switching condition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.