AC-to-DC voltage conversion and charging circuitry
First Claim
1. An apparatus including voltage conversion and charging circuitry for converting an alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for charging a battery, comprising:
- first and second input electrodes to convey an AC voltage;
first and second output electrodes to convey a DC output voltage;
AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry coupled to said first and second input electrodes and responsive to said AC voltage by providing a first converted DC voltage;
a first capacitance coupled to said AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry and responsive to said first converted DC voltage by charging to a first charged DC voltage;
first DC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry coupled to said first capacitance and responsive to said first charged DC voltage by providing a second converted DC voltage which is greater than said first charged DC voltage;
a second capacitance coupled to said first DC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry and responsive to at least said second converted DC voltage by charging to a second charged DC voltage; and
second DC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry coupled to said second capacitance and responsive to said second charged DC voltage by providing said DC output voltage which is less than said second charged DC voltage;
wherein, during an absence of said first converted DC voltage following said charging of said first capacitance to said first charged DC voltage, said first DC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry is further responsive to said second charged DC voltage by substantially maintaining said first charged DC voltage on said first capacitance for at least a predetermined time interval.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Voltage conversion and charging circuitry and method for converting an alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for charging an energy storage element (e.g., battery or supercapacitor). An output capacitance, which is initially charged quickly for use in the slower charging of a battery, also maintains the charge on an input capacitance which provides power for the charging control circuitry during such charging process. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the DC charging current is substantially constant during a first time interval following which the DC charging power is substantially constant during a second time interval.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus including voltage conversion and charging circuitry for converting an alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for charging a battery, comprising:
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first and second input electrodes to convey an AC voltage; first and second output electrodes to convey a DC output voltage; AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry coupled to said first and second input electrodes and responsive to said AC voltage by providing a first converted DC voltage; a first capacitance coupled to said AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry and responsive to said first converted DC voltage by charging to a first charged DC voltage; first DC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry coupled to said first capacitance and responsive to said first charged DC voltage by providing a second converted DC voltage which is greater than said first charged DC voltage; a second capacitance coupled to said first DC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry and responsive to at least said second converted DC voltage by charging to a second charged DC voltage; and second DC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry coupled to said second capacitance and responsive to said second charged DC voltage by providing said DC output voltage which is less than said second charged DC voltage; wherein, during an absence of said first converted DC voltage following said charging of said first capacitance to said first charged DC voltage, said first DC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry is further responsive to said second charged DC voltage by substantially maintaining said first charged DC voltage on said first capacitance for at least a predetermined time interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus including voltage conversion and charging circuitry for converting an alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for charging a battery, comprising:
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AC-to-DC voltage converter means for receiving and converting an AC voltage to a first converted DC voltage; first capacitor means for receiving said first converted DC voltage and in response thereto charging to a first charged DC voltage; first DC-to-DC voltage converter means for receiving and converting said first charged DC voltage to a second converted DC voltage which is greater than said first charged DC voltage; second capacitor means for receiving at least said second converted DC voltage and in response thereto charging to a second charged DC voltage; and second DC-to-DC voltage converter means for receiving and converting said second charged DC voltage to a DC output voltage which is less than said second charged DC voltage; wherein, during an absence of said first converted DC voltage following said charging of said first capacitance to said first charged DC voltage, said first DC-to-DC voltage converter means is further for receiving said second charged DC voltage and in response thereto substantially maintaining said first charged DC voltage on said first capacitor means for at least a predetermined time interval.
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19. A method for converting an alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for charging a battery, comprising:
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converting an AC voltage to a first converted DC voltage; receiving said first converted DC voltage and in response thereto charging a first capacitance to a first charged DC voltage; converting said first charged DC voltage to a second converted DC voltage which is greater than said first charged DC voltage; receiving at least said second converted DC voltage and in response thereto charging a second capacitance to a second charged DC voltage; converting said second charged DC voltage to a DC output voltage which is less than said second charged DC voltage; and during an absence of said first converted DC voltage following said charging of said first capacitance to said first charged DC voltage, receiving said second charged DC voltage and in response thereto substantially maintaining said first charged DC voltage on said first capacitance for at least a predetermined time interval.
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Specification