Modular DC Power Supply with Independent Output Converters

• US 20150021996A1
• Filed: 01/14/2013
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Augesky, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 11,342,851 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/31
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/577 for plural loads
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/007 Plural converter units in cascade push-pull DC/DC converters with pre-regulator H02M3/3374; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC stage including a high frequency transformer H02M7/4807; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC conversion stage generating periodically varying voltages H02M7/4826
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/008 Plural converter units for generating at two or more independent and non-parallel outputs, e.g. systems with plural point of load switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/327 against abnormal temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/4208 Arrangements for improving power factor of AC input
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1584 with a plurality of power processing stages connected in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33523 with galvanic isolation between input and output of both the power stage and the feedback loop
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33561 having more than one ouput with independent control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/10 Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Abstract

A power supply with a DC-DC converter and a switching converter comprises an intermediate circuit and at least one output switching regulator. The intermediate circuit has an intermediate circuit voltage, and is connected to a supply voltage via the DC-DC converter. The at least one output switching regulator is connected to the intermediate circuit, and configured to supply, on the output side, a regulated output voltage.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A power supply with a DC-DC converter and a switching converter, comprising:

an intermediate circuit with an intermediate circuit voltage, wherein the intermediate circuit is connected to a supply voltage via the DC-DC converter; and

at least one output switching regulator connected to the intermediate circuit and configured to supply, on the output side, a regulated output voltage.

25. The power supply of claim 24, wherein the DC-DC converter is controlled using a controller, and wherein the controller is supplied with a measured value of the instantaneous intermediate circuit voltage to limit the intermediate circuit voltage to a predefined lower value and to a predefined upper value.

26. The power supply of claim 24, wherein the output switching regulator includes a current regulator which limits an output current to an adjustable maximum value.

27. The power supply of claims 24, wherein the output switching regulator is supplied with a switch-off signal that causes the output switching regulator to switch off with a time lag after a predefined output current limit value has been exceeded.

28. The power supply of claim 27, wherein the output switching regulator is connected to a timer which outputs the switch-off signal if a predefined output current limit value is exceeded for a predefined period.

29. The power supply of claim 27, further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting a critical temperature, and wherein the switch-off signal is output if a predefined output current limit value is exceeded and if the critical temperature reaches a limit value.

30. The power supply of claim 24, wherein the intermediate circuit voltage is set as an extra-low voltage.

31. The power supply of claim 24, wherein the DC-DC converter is constructed as a resonant converter.

32. The power supply of claim 24, wherein a power factor correction circuit is connected upstream of the DC-DC converter for connection to a supply network.

33. The power supply of claim 24, wherein at least two output switching regulators are connected to the intermediate circuit.

34. The power supply of claim 33, wherein the at least two output switching regulators have a shared output voltage regulator.

36. The power supply of claim 33, wherein a plurality of the at least two output switching regulators is controlled using a shared control unit.

37. The power supply of claim 36, wherein, as a parameter, the control unit is supplied with an instantaneous load of the DC-DC converter, and wherein the control unit controls the output switching regulator as a function of the parameter.

38. The power supply of claim 37, wherein a prioritization is provided for controlling the at least two output switching regulators.

39. The power supply of claim 36, wherein the shared control unit includes an interface for communication with a bus system to send reporting data and/or receive control data.

40. The power supply of claim 24, further comprising a basic device with a housing, and wherein the housing has contacts to which the intermediate circuit voltage is applied so an expansion module with at least one further output switching regulator can be connected to the basic device using these contacts.

41. The power supply of claim 40, wherein the basic device includes a separate control unit, wherein an interface is provided on the housing of the basic device, and wherein a control unit of the expansion module can be connected to the control unit of the basic module using the interface.

42. The power supply of claim 24, wherein each of the at least one output switching regulator is constructed as a step-down switching regulator.

43. A method for operating a power supply of claim 24, comprising:

specifying an upper value and a lower value for the intermediate circuit voltage to a controller for controlling the DC-DC converter; and

specifying a desired output voltage value to a controller for controlling the at least one output switching regulator.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein an output current limit value is specified to the at least one output switching regulator, and wherein, in the case of an output current value greater than the output current limit value, the output current is limited to this maximum output current limit value.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein an excess current limit value is specified to the at least one output switching regulator, wherein the excess current limit value is a multiple of the output current limit value, and wherein, before a limitation to the output current limit value in the event the excess current limit value is reached, the output current is limited to the excess current limit value until a critical temperature inside the power supply reaches a limit value or until a predefined period has elapsed.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the at least one output switching regulator is switched off after a given period in limiting operation.

35. The power supply of 33, wherein each of the at least two output switching regulators has a separate output voltage regulator with different desired output voltages.