Inductor over-current protection using a volt-second value representing an input voltage to a switching power converter
US9178415B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2010 |
| Grant date | Nov 3, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M3/156
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power control system includes a switching power converter and a controller. The controller is configured to detect an over-current condition of an inductor current in the switching power converter using at least one non-inductor-current signal. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter does not have a resistor or resistor network to sense the inductor current. In at least one embodiment, the controller indirectly determines a state of the inductor current using at least one non-inductor-current signal. Potentially damaging inductor current values that are, for example, greater than a normal maximum value or at a value that causes a discontinuous conduction mode system to operate in continuous conduction mode represent exemplary inductor over-current conditions addressed by one embodiment of the power control system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.