Low forward voltage rectifier using capacitive current splitting
First Claim
1. A method of manufacture comprising:
- (a) providing a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a bipolar transistor and a diode, such that the first capacitor is connected between a first node and a base of the bipolar transistor, such that the second capacitor is connected between the first node and a collector of the bipolar transistor, such that an anode of the diode is coupled to the collector of the bipolar transistor, and such that a cathode of the diode is coupled to an emitter of the bipolar transistor at a second node, wherein the first capacitor, the second capacitor, the bipolar transistor, and the diode are parts of a switching power converter circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Low Forward Voltage Rectifier (LFVR) circuit includes a bipolar transistor, a parallel diode, and a capacitive current splitting network. The LFVR circuit, when it is performing a rectifying function, conducts the forward current from a first node to a second node provided that the voltage from the first node to the second node is adequately positive. The capacitive current splitting network causes a portion of the forward current to be a base current of the bipolar transistor, thereby biasing the transistor so that the forward current experiences a low forward voltage drop across the transistor. The LFVR circuit sees use in as a rectifier in many different types of switching power converters, including in flyback, Cuk, SEPIC, boost, buck-boost, PFC, half-bridge resonant, and full-bridge resonant converters. Due to the low forward voltage drop across the LFVR, converter efficiency is improved.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of manufacture comprising:
(a) providing a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a bipolar transistor and a diode, such that the first capacitor is connected between a first node and a base of the bipolar transistor, such that the second capacitor is connected between the first node and a collector of the bipolar transistor, such that an anode of the diode is coupled to the collector of the bipolar transistor, and such that a cathode of the diode is coupled to an emitter of the bipolar transistor at a second node, wherein the first capacitor, the second capacitor, the bipolar transistor, and the diode are parts of a switching power converter circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A switching power converter circuit comprising:
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a bipolar transistor having a base, a collector, and an emitter; and means for receiving a current from a first node and for capacitively splitting the current so that a first portion of the current is supplied by the means to the base of the bipolar transistor and so that a second portion of the current is supplied by the means to the collector of the bipolar transistor such that the means is coupled between the first node and the base and the collector of the bipolar transistor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification