High frequency power distribution system

• US 5,444,608 A
• Filed: 04/14/1994
• Issued: 08/22/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Astec International Limited (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Hubbard, Carl, Edwards, Gary A., Bannard, Douglas R., Jain, Praveen K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US08/233,600
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 363/17, 363/34, 363/41, 363/65, 363/67, 363/95, 363/98, 363/131, 363/132, 307/82
• US Class Current: 363/17
• 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 3/01 Resonant DC/DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33573 Full-bridge at primary side of an isolation transformer
• 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

Novel high frequency power distribution systems are disclosed. The system of the present invention uses a relatively high frequency AC (e.g. 100 kHz or higher) and distributes it by a high frequency bus which includes magnetic coupling. AC/DC converters are magnetically connected to the bus by way of associated magnetic coupling and rectify the AC to obtain DC power to be used by a respective load. The bus includes an inductive element which, in one embodiment, forms a series resonant circuit with a capacitive element of the AC/DC converter when it is magnetically connected to the bus.

Claims

1. A high frequency power distribution system comprising:

a high frequency AC power supply for supplying a substantially sinusoidal voltage and sinusoidal current at a substantially constant high frequency;

a high frequency power distribution circuit connected to the AC power supply at one end and having a plurality of parallel first magnetic coupling means at other ends, each of the first magnetic coupling means containing a series inductive element;

a plurality of AC/DC converters, each having a second magnetic coupling means and a series capacitive element, each of the second magnetic coupling means capable of being magnetically coupled to a corresponding one of the first magnetic coupling means; and

a plurality of loads, each connected to the respective AC/DC converter.

2. A high frequency power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the series inductive element and series capacitive element form a series resonant circuit when the first and second magnetic coupling means are magnetically coupled, the series resonant circuit being tuned to a relatively high frequency.

3. A high frequency power distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second magnetic coupling means comprise windings of predetermined turns so that when the windings of the first and second magnetic coupling means are positioned close to one another, they couple magnetically to transfer electrical energy from one to the other.

4. A high frequency power distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the high frequency AC power supply comprises a DC/AC inverter operating at a relatively high frequency.

5. A high frequency power distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the relatively high frequency is higher than 100 kHz.

6. A high frequency power distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the series inductive element is an integral part of the winding.