DC-DC converter having magnetic feedback

• US 20060097711A1
• Filed: 11/09/2004
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Brandt, Randy L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,378,828 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/282
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 30/06 characterised by the structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 30/10 Single-phase transformers H01F30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/40 Means for preventing magnetic saturation
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/156 with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators

Abstract

A DC-DC converter suitable for multiple converter circuit topologies is disclosed. The DC-DC converter utilizes magnetic feedback of the output load current to provide broad inductance control of a magnetic element, while inhibiting saturation of the switched winding or windings of the magnetic element.

Claims

1. A DC-DC converter comprising:

a pulse width modulator switch that receives an input voltage and provides a modulated voltage;

a power filter in electrical communication with the pulse width modulator switch that filters the modulated voltage to facilitate use thereof by a load; and

a magnetic element coupled so as to use load current to provide feedback for output voltage regulation.

2. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic element comprises a magnetic material and two orthogonal windings.

3. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic element comprises an inductor of the power filter

4. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic element comprises a low profile magnetic material.

5. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic element has a variable inductance that facilitates closed loop feedback control of an output voltage of the DC-DC converter.

6. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic element uses magnetic feedback effected by the load current to vary an inductance of the magnetic element.

7. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic element uses magnetic feedback effected by a load current to vary an inductance of the magnetic element while inhabiting saturation of a winding of the magnetic element.

8. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic element uses magnetic feedback effected by a load current to vary an inductance of the magnetic element, the feedback being negative feedback.

9. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the pulse width modulator comprises an enhancement mode, n-channel, metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor.

10. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the power filter comprises at least one of an inductor and a capacitor.

11. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the power filter comprises an inductor and a capacitor.

12. The DC-DC converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the power filter comprises an inductor and a capacitor, the capacitor being configured to provide current to a load while the inductor is being charged and the inductor being configure to provide current to the load while the inductor is being discharged.

13. The DC-DC converter as recited in claims 1, further comprising a rectifier coupled so as to allow current to flow in a manner that charges a capacitor and also so as to inhibit the capacitor from discharging through the pulse width modulation switch.

14. A DC-DC converter comprising a magnetic element that is configured to provide feedback to regulate an output voltage thereof.

15. A DC-DC converter comprising a variable inductance configured to compensate for load current variations.

16. A voltage regulator comprising:

an inductor, the inductor comprising;

a first winding across which a voltage is applied; and

a second winding through which output current flows from a load, the second winding be substantially orthogonal with respect to the first winding.

17. A method for regulating DC voltage, the method comprising varying an inductance of an inductor of a power filter.

18. A method for performing DC-DC conversion, the method comprising:

applying a DC input voltage to a pulse width modulator switch;

pulse width modulating the DC input voltage to provide a pulse width modulated voltage;

power filtering the pulse width modulated voltage to provide a filtered voltage;

applying the filtered voltage to a load; and

providing feedback representative of at least one of a load current and a load voltage to the a magnetic element so as to cause the magnetic element to enhance voltage regulation.

19. The method as recited in claims 18, wherein the magnetic element comprises an inductor of a power filter.

20. The method as recited in claims 18, wherein the magnetic element comprises a magnetic material and has two orthogonal windings.

21. The method as recited in claims 18, wherein the magnetic element has a variable inductance that facilitates closed loop feedback control of an output voltage of the DC-DC converter.

22. The method as recited in claims 18, wherein the magnetic element uses magnetic feedback effected by an output load current to vary an inductance of the magnetic element.

23. The method as recited in claims 18, wherein the magnetic element uses magnetic feedback effected by an output load current to vary an inductance of the magnetic element while inhabiting saturation of windings of the magnetic element.

24. The method as recited in claims 18, wherein the magnetic element uses magnetic feedback effected by an output load current to vary an inductance of the magnetic element, the feedback being negative feedback.