AC-DC adapter and battery charger integration scheme

• US 20050024016A1
• Filed: 07/29/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: McDonad, Brent A., Breen, John J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,545,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

In a method and system for converting an alternating current (AC) input to a direct current (DC) output, an AC-DC adapter includes a rectifier module operable to receive the AC input and generate a first DC output. The AC-DC adapter includes a buck converter module operable to receive the first DC output and generate the DC output responsive to a control signal. A controller module, included in the AC-DC adapter is operable to receive a first feedback signal input indicative of a target voltage required by a load and a second feedback signal input indicative of the DC output to generate the control signal. The controller module adjusts the control signal responsive to the first and second feedback signal inputs so that the DC output is maintained to be within a predefined range of the target voltage.

Claims

1. A method for converting an alternating current (AC) input to a direct current (DC) output, the DC output providing power to a load, the method comprising:

receiving the alternative current (AC) input;

receiving a first feedback signal indicative of a target voltage required by the load;

receiving a second feedback signal indicative of the DC output; and

generating the DC output responsive to the first and second feedback signals, wherein the DC output is maintained within a predefined range of the target voltage.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a difference between the DC output and the target voltage is always positive while providing a charge to the load.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second DC output provides power to the load, wherein the load is a battery.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the DC output is suitable to charge the battery.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein upon a loss of the first feedback signal the second DC output is maintained to a predefined voltage.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the predefined voltage is equal to a previous voltage value of the DC output measured instantly prior to the loss of the first feedback signal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined range includes a minimum value slightly above 100% of the target voltage and a maximum value slightly below 125% of the target voltage.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first feedback signal is received from the load.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first feedback signal is received from a controller operable to control the load.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first feedback signal is received as a single digital signal, a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, an analog signal, a digital signal superimposed on another analog signal, or an SMBus signal.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the DC output is maintained at a predefined voltage upon completion of providing a charge to the load.

12. An integrated alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) adapter comprising:

a rectifier module operable to receive an AC input and generate a first DC output;

a buck converter module operable to receive the first DC output and generate a second DC output responsive to a control signal; and

a controller module operable to receive a first feedback signal input indicative of a target voltage required by a load and a second feedback signal input indicative of the second DC output, the controller adjusting the control signal responsive to the first and second feedback signal inputs, the adjusting of the control signal causing the buck converter module to maintain the second DC output to be within a predefined range of the target voltage.

13. The adapter of claim 12, wherein a difference between the second DC output and the target voltage is always positive.

14. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the second DC output provides power to the load, wherein the load is a battery.

15. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the second DC output is suitable to charge the battery.

16. The adapter of claim 12, wherein upon a loss of the first feedback signal the controller generates the control signal to maintain the second DC output to a predefined voltage.

17. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the predefined voltage is equal to a previous voltage value of the second DC output measured instantly prior to the loss of the first feedback signal.

18. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the predefined range includes a minimum value slightly above 100% of the target voltage and a maximum value slightly below 125% of the target voltage.

19. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the first feedback signal is received from the load.

20. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the first feedback signal is received from a another controller operable to control the load.

21. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the first feedback signal is received as a single digital signal, a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, an analog signal, a digital signal superimposed on another analog signal, or an SMBus signal.

22. An information handling system comprising:

a processor;

a system bus;

a memory coupled to the processor through the system bus; and

a power supply system operable to provide power to the processor, the bus and the memory, the power supply system being connectable to an alternating current (AC) power source, wherein the power supply system includes;

a rectifier module operable to receive the AC input and generate a first direct current (DC) output;

a buck converter module operable to receive the first DC output and generate a second DC output responsive to a control signal; and

a controller module operable to receive a first feedback signal input indicative of a target voltage required by the processor and a second feedback signal input indicative of the second DC output, the controller adjusting the control signal responsive to the first and second feedback signal inputs, the adjusting of the control signal causing the buck converter module to maintain the second DC output to be within a predefined range of the target voltage.