High efficiency bimodal power converter and method of operation thereof
US5793626A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M7/217
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A bimodal power converter, having an input couplable to a voltage source, provides a charging current to at least one of first and second serially-coupled output energy storage devices. The bimodal converter includes power switching circuitry, coupled to the input, for controlling the charging current conducted through the power converter and a mode selection circuit. The mode selection circuit includes a voltage sensing circuit for sensing an input voltage at the input of the power converter and a mode switching circuit, coupled to the voltage sensing circuit, for selecting an alternative one of a first and second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the charging current concurrently flows through both of the first and second output energy storage devices when the input voltage exceeds a threshold voltage. In the second mode of operation, the charging current alternates flowing through the first and second output energy storage devices when the input voltage is less than the threshold voltage. The mode selection circuit thereby decreases losses associated with components of the power converter. Concurrently, a duty cycle of the power switching circuitry reduces to de…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.