Apparatus and methods for control of discontinuous-mode power converters
US9787179B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B70/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switching power converter comprising an inductor and one or more switches and configured to operate in a discontinuous operating mode comprises a clamp circuit connected to the ends of the inductor for trapping energy in the inductor during a clamp period. The clamp circuit comprises a first and a second clamp switch connected in series, the clamp circuit arranged and configured to block a voltage of either polarity when both switches are OFF; conduct a current of either polarity when both switches are ON; conduct uni-directionally in one direction when one of the clamp switches is ON; and conduct uni-directionally in the other direction when the other one of the clamp switches is ON. A controller turns the one or more switches ON and OFF to transfer energy from the input to the inductor and from the inductor to the output during an energy transfer phase.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.