EXTERNAL ADJUSTMENT OF A DRIVE CONTROL OF A SWITCH
Granted: July 27, 2023
Application Number:
20230238909
A switch controller coupled to control a transistor. The switch controller comprising an interface coupled to receive a command signal in response to an event sensed in a control system. The command signal is representative of a first command to control the transistor with a first drive strength or a second command to control the transistor with a second drive strength. The switch controller is coupled to adjust a fall time or a rise time, or to adjust both the fall time and the rise…
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SENSING RESONANT CIRCUIT SIGNALS TO ENHANCE CONTROL IN A RESONANT CONVERTER
Granted: June 29, 2023
Application Number:
20230208306
Apparatus and methods for sensing resonant circuit signals to enhance control in a resonant converter are described herein. A buffer circuit coupled in parallel with or across a resonant component (e.g., a transformer) input port avails a buffered primary port signal for use in resonant conversion. The buffered primary port signal is a comprehensive signal including information relating to both input voltage and input power; and it may be used to advantageously enhance switching and…
ACTIVE DISCHARGE OF AN ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM
Granted: May 25, 2023
Application Number:
20230158896
Discharge systems for electric vehicles and electric vehicles having discharge systems. In one implementation, a discharge system for an electric vehicle includes a step-down power converter configured to step down an input voltage to an output voltage; discharge circuitry coupled to the output of the step-down power converter, wherein the discharge circuitry is reversibly driveable to load the step-down power converter; an input component configured to receive input that originated from…
ACTIVE DISCHARGE OF AN ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM
Granted: May 25, 2023
Application Number:
20230158896
Discharge systems for electric vehicles and electric vehicles having discharge systems. In one implementation, a discharge system for an electric vehicle includes a step-down power converter configured to step down an input voltage to an output voltage; discharge circuitry coupled to the output of the step-down power converter, wherein the discharge circuitry is reversibly driveable to load the step-down power converter; an input component configured to receive input that originated from…
SILICON CARBIDE JUNCTION FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS
Granted: May 11, 2023
Application Number:
20230147746
Silicon carbide (SiC) junction field effect transistors (JFETs) are presented herein. A deep implant (e.g., a deep p-type implant) forms a JFET gate (106). MET gate and MET source (108) may be implemented with heavily doped n-type (N+) and heavily doped p-type (P+) implants, respectively. Termination regions may be implemented by using equipotential rings formed by deep implants (e.g., deep p-type implants).
SILICON CARBIDE JUNCTION FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS
Granted: May 11, 2023
Application Number:
20230147746
Silicon carbide (SiC) junction field effect transistors (JFETs) are presented herein. A deep implant (e.g., a deep p-type implant) forms a JFET gate (106). MET gate and MET source (108) may be implemented with heavily doped n-type (N+) and heavily doped p-type (P+) implants, respectively. Termination regions may be implemented by using equipotential rings formed by deep implants (e.g., deep p-type implants).
PULSE SHARING CONTROL FOR ENHANCING PERFORMANCE IN A MULTIPLE OUTPUT POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM
Granted: April 27, 2023
Application Number:
20230128836
Pulse sharing control to enhance performance in multiple output power converters is described herein. During a switching cycle, an energy pulse is provided to more than one port (i.e., output) using pulse sharing transfer. Pulse sharing transfer may enhance performance by reducing audible noise due to subharmonics and by reducing a root mean square current of one or more secondary currents. A primary switch is closed to energize an energy transfer element via a primary current. Energy…
A CIRCUIT PATH CONFIGURATION FOR ENHANCING OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION IN A SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY
Granted: April 20, 2023
Application Number:
20230117578
Presented herein is a circuit path configuration for enhancing overvoltage protection in a switching power supply, the switching power supply comprising a bridge rectifier, a primary side switch, and a controller. The circuit path configuration implements input OVP by availing a clamping voltage indicative of a drain-to-source voltage of the primary side switch. The bridge rectifier provides a rectified voltage to a first node. The primary side switch comprises a drain; and the drain is…
Magnet with Multiple Discs
Granted: March 30, 2023
Application Number:
20230103189
A magnet comprising a center disc having a center disposed as a center of the magnet, a face of the center disc is substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the magnet. The magnet further comprises a first plurality of outer discs disposed around the center disc in a bundled rod construction, a face of each of the first plurality of outer discs substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the magnet, wherein the center disc and each disc of the first plurality of outer discs…
CONTROLLER FOR MULTI-OUTPUT SINGLE MAGNETIC COMPONENT CONVERTER
Granted: March 16, 2023
Application Number:
20230081920
A control system for use in a power converter having a plurality of outputs comprising a primary switching control block, a secondary control block, and a multi-output control block. The primary switching control block is coupled to control switching of a primary switch. The secondary control block is coupled to control switching of a synchronous rectifier switch. The multi-output control block is coupled to control switching of at least one pulse transfer switch coupled to one of the…
POWER CONVERTER CONTROLLER WITH BRANCH SWITCH
Granted: February 16, 2023
Application Number:
20230051129
A first controller for a power converter, the first controller comprising a driver, supply terminal, branch switch and branch control. The driver configured to provide a drive signal to turn ON and turn OFF a power switch. The power switch includes a first switch and a second switch coupled in a cascode configuration. The supply terminal coupled to a bypass capacitor that provides operating power to the first controller, wherein the bypass capacitor has a bypass voltage. The branch…
POWER CONVERTER CONTROLLER WITH BRANCH SWITCH
Granted: February 16, 2023
Application Number:
20230051129
A first controller for a power converter, the first controller comprising a driver, supply terminal, branch switch and branch control. The driver configured to provide a drive signal to turn ON and turn OFF a power switch. The power switch includes a first switch and a second switch coupled in a cascode configuration. The supply terminal coupled to a bypass capacitor that provides operating power to the first controller, wherein the bypass capacitor has a bypass voltage. The branch…
POWER CONVERTER CONTROLLER WITH BRANCH SWITCH
Granted: February 16, 2023
Application Number:
20230051129
A first controller for a power converter, the first controller comprising a driver, supply terminal, branch switch and branch control. The driver configured to provide a drive signal to turn ON and turn OFF a power switch. The power switch includes a first switch and a second switch coupled in a cascode configuration. The supply terminal coupled to a bypass capacitor that provides operating power to the first controller, wherein the bypass capacitor has a bypass voltage. The branch…
CONTROL OF A RESONANT CONVERTER USING SWITCH PATHS DURING POWER-UP
Granted: January 12, 2023
Application Number:
20230010711
Control of a resonant power converter using switch paths during power-up is described herein. During power-up, a first switch path sinks current away from a resonant capacitor while a second switch path sources current to a high-side capacitor. In this way the high-side capacitor may predictably charge to sufficient bootstrap voltage for steady state operation. Additionally, a third switch path may control current to a low-side capacitor.
CONTROL OF A RESONANT CONVERTER USING SWITCH PATHS DURING POWER-UP
Granted: January 12, 2023
Application Number:
20230010711
Control of a resonant power converter using switch paths during power-up is described herein. During power-up, a first switch path sinks current away from a resonant capacitor while a second switch path sources current to a high-side capacitor. In this way the high-side capacitor may predictably charge to sufficient bootstrap voltage for steady state operation. Additionally, a third switch path may control current to a low-side capacitor.
DISCHARGE PREVENTION OF THE POWER SWITCH IN A POWER CONVERTER
Granted: December 15, 2022
Application Number:
20220399825
A power converter including a controller to control a synchronous rectifier (SR) switch. The controller includes a request control circuit and a discharge prevention circuit. The request control circuit is configured to generate a request signal in response to an output of the power converter. The request control circuit generates a secondary control signal to control the SR switch. The discharge prevention circuit is configured to prevent a parasitic capacitance discharge of a power…
PROTECTING SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHES IN SWITCHED MODE POWER CONVERTERS
Granted: December 8, 2022
Application Number:
20220393676
Driver circuitry for driving a power semiconductor switch having a control input and main terminals is described. The driver circuitry includes control terminal driver circuitry coupled to the control input and configured to provide a drive signal, a sense terminal coupled to the main terminal, a current mirror coupled to the sense terminal to mirror a current input into the sense terminal during turn-off, a first current comparator configured to compare a current signal received from…
CORE ASSEMBLIES FOR MAGNETIC SATURATION DETECTOR WITHOUT REQUIREMENT FOR DC BIAS
Granted: November 10, 2022
Application Number:
20220359117
Magnetic core assemblies include a skewing feature that introduces transverse components into the power flux density vector are disclosed herein. A magnetic core assembly comprises a lower core having a center section and an upper core having a center section. The center sections are aligned to form a center post. A power winding that receives current is wrapped around the center post. The core assembly further comprises a power flux density vector that has transverse and non-transverse…
MAGNETIC SATURATION DETECTOR WITH SINGLE AND MULTIPLE TRANSVERSE WINDINGS
Granted: September 29, 2022
Application Number:
20220308094
Magnetic saturation detectors for power converters are presented herein. An energy transfer element has an input power winding wrapped around a center post. Single or multiple transverse windings are positioned perpendicular to the input power winding and coupled to receive a transverse current that provides a transverse magnetic flux density within the energy transfer element. The transverse magnetic flux density produces a transverse voltage waveform. A voltage detection circuit is…
ENERGY TRANSFER ELEMENT INCLUDING A COMMUNICATION ELEMENT
Granted: September 29, 2022
Application Number:
20220311345
An energy transfer element that provides galvanic isolation in a power controller is disclosed herein. A magnetic core assembly has an aperture. A first power winding is positioned within the magnetic core assembly. A first communication winding and a second communication winding are positioned within the aperture such that both the first and second communication windings are perpendicular to the first power winding. The magnetic flux density produced by current in the first power…
