Power converter having temperature compensated output power

• US 7,139,181 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2005
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobility Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Afzal, Ejaz, Mollo, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US11/256,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20060044859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 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 power converter reducing a maximum available output power during extreme operating temperature conditions. The output power is adapted to be reduced during higher operating temperatures to maintain the power converter housing within acceptable operating temperatures. The power converter may then increase the available operating power as the converter housing temperature is reduced such that an acceptable output power is available during higher operating temperatures, rather than simply turning off the power converter during the excessive temperature condition.

Claims

1. A power converter, comprising:

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

a second circuit configured to a DC input voltage to a second DC voltage;

a temperature sensor configured to generate a signal as a function of a temperature; and

a third circuit configured to receive the first and second DC voltages and, in response thereto, provide a DC output voltage at an output, wherein the third circuit is configured to provide a maximum available output power as a function of the temperature sensor signal.

2. The power converter as specified in claim 1 wherein the third circuit is configured to reduce the maximum available output power as the temperature sensor senses the temperature exceeding a first predetermined temperature.

3. The power converter as specified in claim 1 further comprising a housing, the third circuit being disposed in the housing.

4. The power converter as specified in claim 3 wherein the temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.

5. The power converter as specified in claim 4 wherein the third circuit is configured to reduce the maximum available output power as a function of the housing temperature.

6. The power converter as specified in claim 5 wherein the third circuit is configured to variably reduce the maximum available output power as a function of the temperature.

7. The power converter as specified in claim 6 wherein the third circuit is configured to reduce the maximum available output power to zero when the temperature exceeds a second predetermined temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature.