Low forward voltage rectifier
First Claim
1. An electronic device comprising:
- a current transformer having a first winding and a second winding, the first winding having a first end and a second end, the second winding having a first end and a second end;
a bipolar transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, wherein the second terminal is a base terminal, wherein the second end of the first winding of the current transformer is coupled to the second terminal of the bipolar transistor, wherein the second end of the second winding of the current transformer is coupled to the first terminal of the bipolar transistor; and
a diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is coupled to the first terminal of the bipolar transistor, and wherein the cathode is coupled to the third terminal of the bipolar transistor; and
a package having a first package terminal and a second package terminal, wherein the first package terminal is coupled to the first end of the first winding of the current transformer, wherein the first package terminal is coupled to the first end of the second winding of the current transformer, wherein the second package terminal is coupled to the third terminal of the bipolar transistor, and wherein the package encapsulates the current transformer, the bipolar transistor, and the diode.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A Low Forward Voltage Rectifier (LFVR) includes a bipolar transistor, a parallel diode, and a base current injection circuit disposed in an easy-to-employ two-terminal package. In one example, the transistor is a Reverse Bipolar Junction Transistor (RBJT), the diode is a distributed diode, and the base current injection circuit is a current transformer. Under forward bias conditions (when the voltage from the first package terminal to the second package terminal is positive), the LFVR conducts current at a rated current level with a low forward voltage drop (for example, approximately 0.1 volts). In reverse bias conditions, the LFVR blocks current flow. Using the LFVR in place of a conventional silicon diode rectifier in the secondary of a flyback converter reduces average power dissipation and increases power supply efficiency.
20 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An electronic device comprising:
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a current transformer having a first winding and a second winding, the first winding having a first end and a second end, the second winding having a first end and a second end; a bipolar transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, wherein the second terminal is a base terminal, wherein the second end of the first winding of the current transformer is coupled to the second terminal of the bipolar transistor, wherein the second end of the second winding of the current transformer is coupled to the first terminal of the bipolar transistor; and a diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is coupled to the first terminal of the bipolar transistor, and wherein the cathode is coupled to the third terminal of the bipolar transistor; and a package having a first package terminal and a second package terminal, wherein the first package terminal is coupled to the first end of the first winding of the current transformer, wherein the first package terminal is coupled to the first end of the second winding of the current transformer, wherein the second package terminal is coupled to the third terminal of the bipolar transistor, and wherein the package encapsulates the current transformer, the bipolar transistor, and the diode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electronic device comprising:
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a bipolar transistor having an emitter, a base, and a collector; a diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is coupled to the collector of the bipolar transistor, and wherein the cathode is coupled to the emitter of the bipolar transistor; a package having a first package terminal and a second package terminal, wherein the second package terminal is coupled to the emitter of the bipolar transistor; and means for injecting a base current IB from the first package terminal into the base of the bipolar transistor when a collector current IC is flowing from the first package terminal and through the bipolar transistor from the collector to the emitter, and wherein the package encapsulates the bipolar transistor, the diode and the means for injecting. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
assembling a current transformer, a bipolar transistor, and a diode such that a first end of a first winding of the current transformer is coupled to a first package terminal of a package, such that a first end of a second winding of the current transformer is coupled to the first package terminal of the package, such that a second end of the first winding of the current transformer is coupled to a base of the bipolar transformer, such that a second end of the second winding of the current transformer is coupled to a collector of the bipolar transistor, such that an emitter of the bipolar transistor is coupled to a second package terminal of the package, 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 the emitter of the bipolar transistor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
Specification