Patent · US Expired

Low level, high efficiency DC/DC converter

US5822200A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
18References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 21, 1997
Grant dateOct 13, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 21, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S323/906
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A DC-to-DC converter suitable for use in light-powered electronic systems. The DC electrical output from a solar cell is stepped-up in a chopper-type inverter that is driven by a gated oscillator. The output from the inverter is then rectified and is adapted to be applied to a load through a series connected switch whose on/off state is determined by the output from a voltage regulator. Connected between the rectifier and the series switch are energy storage capacitors which become charged when the series switch is open and which provide energy to the load when the series switch is closed. Feedback from the regulator circuitry controls the on/off state of the gated oscillator and, therefore, the energy delivered by the inverter. Further circuitry is provided for signaling a light transmitting device that the fiber-optic link delivering energy to the photo cell is intact.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.