Dual input AC and DC power supply having a programmable DC output utilizing a modular programmable feedback loop

• US 6,937,490 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2004
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobility Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: MacDonald, Gilbert, Smith, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US10/790,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20040170039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 363/37, 363/65, 363/142, 307/64, 307/66, 307/72, 307/73, 307/75
• US Class Current: 363/142
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/009 having two or more independently controlled outputs for DC-DC converter with intermediate AC H02M3/33561
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/10 Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/156 with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33561 having more than one ouput with independent control
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/3385 with automatic control of output voltage or current H02M3/33561 takes precedence

Abstract

A dual input AC/DC power converter (10) having dual inputs (12, 14) adapted to receive both an AC and DC input and provide a selectable DC voltage output (16) and a second DC output (18). The dual input AC/DC power converter (10) comprises a power converter circuit (20) having an AC-to-DC converter (22), a DC-to-DC booster converter (24), a feedback circuit (26), a filter circuit (25) and a DC-to-DC buck converter (28). Advantageously, the power converter (10) resolves many of system management problems associated with carrying all of the different interface components necessary to power a wide variety of mobile products from either an AC or DC power supply. In addition, the power converter (10) also advantageously includes dual output voltage terminals (16/18) to allow for multiple mobile devices of varying power requirements to be powered, simultaneously, by a single converter.

Claims

1. A power converter, comprising:

a first circuit converting an AC input voltage to a first DC voltage;

a second circuit converting a DC input voltage to a second DC voltage; and

an third circuit having a feedback loop and receiving said first and second DC voltages and, in response thereto, providing a selectable DC output voltage at a first output, wherein said selectable DC output voltage is established as a function of a removable program module, the removable program module selectively establishing a resistor as a part of the feedback loop of the third circuit.

2. The power converter of claim 1 wherein said first and second DC voltages are substantially the same and are provided to a common node.

3. The power converter of claim 1 wherein the third circuit comprises a pulse-width modulator (PWM), the resistor establishing a duty cycle of the PWM.

4. The power converter of claim 1 wherein the resistor is disposed in the removable program module.