Methods and apparatus for a cascade converter using series resonant cells with zero voltage switching
First Claim
1. A method of providing power to a load, the method comprising the unordered steps of:
- providing a first series resonant converter (SRC);
operably coupling a second SRC to the first SRC in a cascade connected arrangement;
operably coupling first and second zero voltage switching (ZVS)-assistance networks between the first SRC and the second SRC, the first and second ZVS-assistance networks providing first and second ZVS-assistant currents flowing from each ZVS-assistance network to the cascade connected arrangement of SRCs;
receiving, at the cascade connected arrangement of first and second SRCs, power from a power source; and
supplying, from the cascade connected arrangement of first and second SRCs, an output voltage to the load in response to receiving power from the power source.
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Abstract
A method of providing power to a load is provided. A first series resonant converter is provided. A second SRC is operably coupled to the first SRC in a cascade connected arrangement. First and second zero voltage switching (ZVS)-assistance networks are operably coupled between the first SRC and the second SRC, such that the first and second ZVS-assistance networks are providing first and second ZVS-assistant currents flowing from each ZVS-assistance network to the cascade connected arrangement of SRCs. Power from a power source is received at the cascade connected arrangement of first and second SRCs, power from a power source. The cascade connected arrangement of first and second SRCs supplies an output voltage to the load in response to receiving power from the power source.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing power to a load, the method comprising the unordered steps of:
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providing a first series resonant converter (SRC); operably coupling a second SRC to the first SRC in a cascade connected arrangement; operably coupling first and second zero voltage switching (ZVS)-assistance networks between the first SRC and the second SRC, the first and second ZVS-assistance networks providing first and second ZVS-assistant currents flowing from each ZVS-assistance network to the cascade connected arrangement of SRCs; receiving, at the cascade connected arrangement of first and second SRCs, power from a power source; and supplying, from the cascade connected arrangement of first and second SRCs, an output voltage to the load in response to receiving power from the power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A dual power converter, comprising:
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a first series resonant converter (SRC) operably coupled to a second SRC in a cascade connected arrangement; and first and second zero voltage switching (ZVS)-assistance networks operably coupled between the first and second SRCs. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of balancing the voltage between first and second series resonant converter (SRC) cells connected in series to a common high voltage (HV) input, where the first and second SRC cells are configured such that they do not share the same load, the method comprising:
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sensing at least one variable signal from the first SRC cell, wherein the variable signal comprises at least one signal selected from the group consisting of input voltage, input current, output voltage, and output current; based on the value of the sensed variable signal, activating at least one respective AC/DC converter coupled to the output of the first respective SRC cell; coupling the output of the first activated AC/DC converter associated with the first SRC cell so as to increase the power at a DC output of the second SRC cell; and changing the input voltage value of at least one of the first and second SRC cells so as to restore the input voltage balance between the first and second SRC cells.
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12. A voltage balancing circuit, comprising:
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a first series resonant converter (SRC) cell, the first SRC cell comprising an input, a DC output, and a first AC/DC converter connected in parallel with the output of the first SRC cell, the first AC/DC converter having an output; a second SRC cell operably coupled in series with the first SRC cell, the second SRC cell comprising an input, a DC output, and a second respective power exchange circuit that includes a second respective AC/DC converter connected in parallel with the output of the second SRC cell, the second AC/DC converter having a DC output, wherein the output of the first AC/DC converter is operably coupled so as to be parallel with the DC output of the second SRC cell, and the output of the second AC/DC converter is operably coupled so as to be in parallel with the DC output of the first SRC cell; a controller in operable communication with the first and second SRC cells, the controller configured to; sense at least one variable signal from each respective SRC cell, wherein the variable signal comprises at least one signal selected from the group consisting of input voltage, input current, output voltage, and output current; and activate, based on the value of the sensed variable signal, at least one of the first and second AC/DC converters coupled to the output of a respective SRC cell, wherein the activated AC/DC converter operates so as to change the input voltage value of the respective SRC cell to which its output is connected, wherein the changing of the input voltage value restores an input voltage balance between the first and second SRC cells.
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13. A multi-cell power converter, comprising:
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a plurality of groups of cells, each group operably coupled to a common input voltage source and being constructed and arranged to be capable of providing power to a respective load, wherein each group of cells comprises; a plurality of dual power converter cells connected in series, each power converter cell including a ZVS assistance network and being operably coupled to a respective transformer via a respective set of primary windings; and an output rectifier portion, wherein each respective power converter cell in the plurality of power converter cells is coupled to the output rectifier portion via a respective set of secondary windings on each respective transformer, wherein each respective set of secondary windings is connected in parallel; and a controller in operable communication with at least a portion of the plurality of groups of cells, the controller providing regulation for each respective load connected to each respective group with which the controller is in operable communication, wherein the controller receives at least one of a voltage signal, a current signal, and a power signal from each group with which it is in operable communication and, based at least in part on the at least one of a voltage signal, a current signal, and a power signal, provides a corresponding control signal to the respective group. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of providing power to multiple loads from a single voltage source, the method comprising:
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connecting a plurality of power converter cells in a cascade connected arrangement to form a plurality of groups of cells, wherein each power converter cell in each group is associated with a ZVS assistance network and is operably coupled to a respective transformer via a respective set of primary windings, and wherein each group of cells is operably coupled to a common input voltage source; operably coupling each respective power converter cell in the group to an output rectifier portion via a respective set of secondary windings on each respective transformer, wherein each respective set of secondary windings is connected in parallel; sampling at least a portion of the power-related signals in the group; and regulating each respective load operably coupled to each respective group, based at least in part on the sampled power related signals. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification