Generalized AC-DC synchronous rectification techniques for single- and multi-phase systems

• US 8,711,593 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2008
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ConvenientPower HK Limited
• Original Assignee: ConvenientPower HK Limited
• Inventors: Hui, Ron Shu Yuen, Liu, Xun, Choi, Wai Pong, Ho, Wing Choi
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhang, Jue
• Application Number:
  US12/274,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20100046264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,986 Days
• Field of Search: 363/21.06, 363125-127
• US Class Current: 363/126
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0085 Partially controlled bridges
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/08 Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/219 in a bridge configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/2195 the switches being synchronously commutated at the same frequency of the AC input voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/06 Modifications for ensuring a fully conducting state
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/302 in field-effect transistor switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/74 by the use, as active elements, of diodes by the use of more than one type of semiconductor device H03K17/567; by the use of tunnel diodes H03K17/58; by the use of negative resistance diodes H03K17/70
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/307 circuits simulating a diode, e.g. threshold zero
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/10 Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Abstract

Various circuit configurations and topologies are provided for single and multi-phase, single-level or multi-level, full and half-bridge rectifiers in which diodes are replaced by combinations of voltage-controlled self-driven active switches, current-controlled self-driven active switches and inductors in order to reduce the effects of conduction loss in the diodes.

Claims

1. A rectifier configured to provide synchronous rectification with either a current-source or a voltage-source, said rectifier comprising:

a first circuit element coupled between a first input node and a first output node;

a second circuit element coupled between a second input node and the first output node;

a third circuit element coupled between a second output node and the first input node, the second and third circuit elements forming a first group;

a fourth circuit element coupled between the second output node and the second input node, the first and fourth circuit elements forming a second group;

wherein at least one of the circuit elements is a self-driven current-controlled active switch comprising;

a sensing resistor for sensing a current direction and providing a signal to a gate drive circuit based on the current direction,

an active switch,

a comparator comprising a first input pin,

a voltage bias between the first input pin and the sensing resistor, and also between the first input pin and the active switch, and

wherein each circuit element comprises one from the group consisting of a diode, an inductor, a capacitor, a voltage-controlled active switch, or the self-driven current-controlled active switch.

2. The rectifier of claim 1 wherein said voltage-controlled active switch is driven by an input alternating current voltage provided to said switch by a gate drive circuit.

3. The rectifier of claim 1 wherein said active voltage-controlled switch comprises a power MOSFET.

4. The rectifier of claim 1 wherein said rectifier is configured to receive a current source.

5. The rectifier of claim 1 wherein said rectifier is configured to receive a voltage source.

6. The rectifier of claim 1 wherein said rectifier comprises only current-controlled active switches and/or diodes in each circuit element.

7. A rectifier configured to provide synchronous rectification with either a current-source or a voltage-source, said rectifier comprising:

a first circuit element coupled between a first input node and a first output node;

a second circuit element coupled between a second input node and the first output node;

a third circuit element coupled between a second output node and the first input node, the second and third circuit elements forming a first group;

a fourth circuit element coupled between the second output node and the second input node, the first and fourth circuit elements forming a second group;

wherein at least one of the circuit elements is a self-driven current-controlled active switch comprising;

a sensing resistor for sensing a current direction and providing a signal to a gate drive circuit based on the current direction,

a comparator, and

a capacitor coupled between the sensing resistor and the comparator; and

wherein each circuit element comprises one from the group consisting of a diode, an inductor, a capacitor, a voltage-controlled active switch, or the self-driven current-controlled active switch.

8. The rectifier of claim 7 wherein said voltage-controlled active switch is driven by an input alternating current voltage provided to said switch by a gate drive circuit.

9. The rectifier of claim 7 wherein said active voltage-controlled switch comprises a power MOSFET.

10. The rectifier of claim 7 wherein said rectifier is configured to receive a current source.

11. The rectifier of claim 7 wherein said rectifier is configured to receive a voltage source.

12. The rectifier of claim 7 wherein said rectifier comprises only current-controlled active switches and/or diodes in each circuit element.