Converter topologies with multiple windings

• US 5,818,702 A
• Filed: 06/06/1997
• Issued: 10/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Faulk, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Bao Q.
• Application Number:
  US08/870,520
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 363/15, 363/16, 363/21, 363/131, 363/20
• US Class Current: 363/16
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/005 using Cuk converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1557 Single ended primary inductor converters [SEPIC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/28 using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33569 having several active switching elements H02M3/3353 takes precedence

Abstract

Converter topologies in which two separate switching transistors and two capacitors are used on the input side. Preferably the two transistors are switched alternately, to alternately pull down different nodes in an inductor-capacitor chain. Two capacitors are interposed in series between an input inductor on the input and a transformer primary winding. Preferably the two transistors are connected with their parasitic diodes in opposite senses, so that one can source current from a first node to ground when off, and the other can sink current from a second node to ground when off.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a power supply containing at least one power converter circuit;

a programmable processor and a memory, connected to be powered by said power supply; and

at least one user input device, and at least one output device;

wherein said power converter circuit comprises;

an input winding operatively connected at a first end thereof to an input power terminal;

an output winding inductively coupled to said input winding, and operatively connected to provide current at an output terminal;

an intermediate capacitor and a primary winding, both connected in series with said input winding;

a switch connected to selectably vary the voltage of a node between said input and primary windings; and

a secondary winding connected in parallel with said output winding, and inductively coupled to said primary winding but not to said input winding.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein all said windings are wound on a low-profile integrated magnetic structure which includes multiple separate flux paths, and some of said windings are decoupled from others of said windings.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein all said windings are wound on a common magnetic structure.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said power output terminals are configured to provide power to a computer system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said power output terminals are configured to provide power to an electrical storage and recharging system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said switch is a VDMOS power transistor.

7. A computer system comprising:

a power supply containing at least one power converter circuit;

a programmable processor and a memory, connected to be powered by said power supply; and

at least one user input device, and at least one output device;

wherein said power converter circuit comprises;

an input winding operatively connected at a first end thereof to an input power terminal;

a first intermediate capacitor, a second intermediate capacitor, and a primary winding, all jointly connected in series with said input winding;

first and second switches connected to selectably vary the voltage of first and second nodes of one of said intermediate capacitors; and

a secondary winding inductively coupled to said primary winding and to said input winding, and operatively connected to provide current at an output terminal.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein all said windings are wound on a low-profile integrated magnetic structure which includes multiple separate flux paths, and some of said windings are decoupled from others of said windings.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said power output terminals are connected to provide power to a portable computer system.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said power output terminals are operatively connected to charge a battery.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one said capacitor is electrolytic.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein all said windings are wound on a common magnetic structure.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein each said switch is a VDMOS power transistor.

14. A computer system comprising:

a power supply containing at least one power converter circuit;

a programmable processor and a memory, connected to be powered by said power supply; and

at least one user input device, and at least one output device;

wherein said power converter circuit comprises;

an input winding operatively connected at a first end thereof to an input power terminal;

an output winding inductively coupled to said input winding, and operatively connected to provide current at an output terminal;

a first intermediate capacitor, a second intermediate capacitor, and a primary winding, all jointly connected in series with said input winding;

first and second switches connected to selectably vary the voltage of first and second nodes of one of said intermediate capacitors; and

a secondary winding connected in parallel with said output winding, and inductively coupled to said primary winding but not to said input winding.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein all said windings are wound on a low-profile integrated magnetic structure which includes multiple separate flux paths, and some of said windings are decoupled from others of said windings.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said power output terminals are connected to provide power to a portable computer system.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said power output terminals are operatively connected to charge a battery.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein all said windings are wound on a common magnetic structure.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one said capacitor is electrolytic.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein said switch is a VDMOS power transistor.