Patent · US Expired

DC to DC converter with high efficiency for light loads

US5912552A · kind A · utility

218Cited by
138References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 12, 1997
Grant dateJun 15, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 12, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B70/10
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A DC to DC converter which maintains high efficiency over broad current ranges in a current mode switching regulator circuit without changing operational mode. A low ripple voltage is maintained over the entire load range and good voltage regulation is maintained with high efficiency. This is possible because the switching frequency is adjusted in accordance with the load without changing operational states, thus making it unnecessary to define plural states of operation. The timing of turning on the switch(es) varies since the switch(es) is (are) turned on when two set (ready) signals both become ready. For fixed frequency switching applications, switching pulses from a fixed frequency oscillator as a first set signal are skipped when a second set signal is not ready. On the other hand, for a variable frequency switching scheme which is implemented by driving the switching with a one-shot having a constant OFF time, the switching pulse is created after both set signals become active. A low pass filter is also used to dynamically adjust the minimum peak inductor current and to minimize ripple voltage for low load conditions so that a smaller output capacitor may be used.

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