PRIMARY SIDE CONTROL CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR ULTRA-LOW IDLE POWER OPERATION
First Claim
1. A primary circuit configured to facilitate an ultra-low idle power mode in a power supply, said primary circuit comprising:
- a modulator configured for modulating input power to transfer power from a primary side of a transformer to a secondary side of said transformer; and
an energy storage circuit coupled to said modulator; and
a control circuit configured to monitor at least one of a ripple current in said energy storage circuit, temperature of lossy components in said primary circuit, or a current flow through switch circuits within said primary circuit and to control said primary circuit such that said primary circuit is substantially disabled in response to said control circuit determining that substantially no load exists.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and circuit for reducing power consumption during idle mode to ultra-low levels, such as about 1/10th to 1/1000th or less of active power is disclosed. An ultra-low idle power supply comprises a primary circuit, a secondary circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit monitors behavior of the primary circuit and determines whether an idle state or no load condition exists, and if so the primary circuit is disengaged. The control circuit may monitor at least one of a ripple current in an energy storage circuit, temperature of lossy components in the primary circuit, or a current flow through switch circuits within the primary circuit. By disengaging the primary circuit, the power consumption of the ultra-low idle power supply is reduced to ultra-low levels.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A primary circuit configured to facilitate an ultra-low idle power mode in a power supply, said primary circuit comprising:
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a modulator configured for modulating input power to transfer power from a primary side of a transformer to a secondary side of said transformer; and an energy storage circuit coupled to said modulator; and a control circuit configured to monitor at least one of a ripple current in said energy storage circuit, temperature of lossy components in said primary circuit, or a current flow through switch circuits within said primary circuit and to control said primary circuit such that said primary circuit is substantially disabled in response to said control circuit determining that substantially no load exists. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A power supply comprising:
a control circuit on a primary circuit of said power supply, wherein said control circuit is configured to monitor at least one of a ripple current in an energy storage circuit, temperature of lossy components in said primary circuit, or a current flow through switch circuits within said primary circuit and to control said primary circuit such that said primary circuit is substantially disabled in response to an idle power mode being detected. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for providing ultra-low power operation of a power supply comprising:
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monitoring, using a control circuit in communication with a primary circuit on a primary side of said power supply, at least one of a ripple current in an energy storage circuit, temperature of lossy components in said primary circuit, or a current flow through switch circuits within said primary circuit of said power supply and determining if substantially no load condition exists; and substantially disabling, using said control circuit, said primary circuit of said power supply in response to said substantially no load condition being detected. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A power supply comprising:
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a control circuit on a primary side of said power supply, wherein said control circuit is configured to monitor a ripple current in an energy storage circuit within a primary circuit and to control said primary circuit such that said primary circuit is substantially disabled in response to an idle power mode being detected; and a standby switch configured to transition said power supply from an ultra-low idle power mode to an active mode or a normal idle mode.
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Specification