Patent · US Active

Switching circuits for extracting power from an electric power source and associated methods

US9577426B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
30References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 23, 2014
Grant dateFeb 21, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 23, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/56
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An integrated circuit chip includes a first input port, a first output port, and first and second transistors electrically coupled in series across the first input port. The second transistor is also electrically coupled across the first output port and is adapted to provide a path for current flowing through the first output port when the first transistor is in its non-conductive state. The integrated circuit chip additionally includes first driver circuitry for driving gates of the first and second transistors to cause the transistors to switch between their conductive and non-conductive states. The integrated circuit chip further includes first controller circuitry for controlling the first driver circuitry such that the first and second transistors switch between their conductive and non-conductive states to at least substantially maximize an amount of electric power extracted from an electric power source electrically coupled to the first input port.

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