DC-DC power converter with overshoot protection
US9997992B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B70/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A DC-DC power converter converts a DC input voltage at an input node into a DC output voltage at an output node. The converter has a main control loop that generates control signals used to control series-connected p-type and n-type switches that selectively connect an inductor to the input node or to ground while operating the converter in either a continuous-conduction mode (CCM) or a discontinuous-conduction mode (DCM). Zero-crossing detection (ZCD) circuitry detects when the inductor current reaches zero and generates a ZCD control signal used to control the n-type switch to inhibit negative inductor currents during the DCM mode. Overshoot-protection (OP) circuitry detects when the DC output voltage gets too high and generates an OP control signal used to control the n-type switch to inhibit overshoot conditions at the output node that can result from CCM-to-DCM mode transitions and from sudden reductions in output current loading.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.