Low power converter

• US 9,214,867 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2014
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triune Systems, LLC (Semtech Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Triune Systems, LLC (Semtech Corporation)
• Inventors: Teggatz, Ross, Smith, Brett, Atrash, Amer, Chen, Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
• Application Number:
  US14/230,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20140211514A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 363/16, 363/20, 363/21.01, 363/21.04, 363/21.07, 363/84, 363/89, 363/97, 363/131
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0032 Control circuits allowing low power mode operation, e.g. in standby mode
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33507 with automatic control of the output voltage or current, e.g. flyback converters H02M3/33561, H02M3/33569 take precedence
• 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

An AC to DC converter system is disclosed in which a conversion circuit for converting an AC input signal to a DC output signal is operably coupled with an enabling circuit designed for sensing and output parameter indicative of the presence or absence of a load at the DC output. The system is designed so that the conversion circuit operates in an inactive standby state when there is no load, and in an active state for supplying DC power when a load is present. The enabling circuit is configured to operate using low power.

Claims

1. An AC to DC converter system comprising:

an input configured for receiving an AC power input signal;

a conversion circuit for converting the AC input signal to a DC output signal, the conversion circuit operably coupled with the input and to an output for outputting the DC output signal; and

an enabling circuit configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to a load switch, wherein the enabling circuit is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to sensed change in a monitored output associated with the load switch.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the load switch further comprises a mechanical switch.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the load switch further comprises a proximity switch.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the enabling circuit is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to sensed change in an output parameter.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the load switch further comprises a load control switch.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the load switch further comprises a dedicated load switch.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the load switch further comprises a load power switch.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the enabling circuit is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to sensed change in a load.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the enabling circuit is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to sensed change in a load connected to the output.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the enabling circuit is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to sensed change in a load connected to an output of the AC to DC converter system.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein a load of the load switch is not the conversion circuit.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the load switch controls a load that is independent of the conversion circuit.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the load switch controls a load that is powered by the conversion circuit.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the enabling circuit is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to sensed change in a load connected to the output of the conversion system.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the enabling circuit is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to sensed change in a monitored state associated with the load switch.

16. An AC to DC converter system comprising:

an input configured for receiving an AC power input signal;

a conversion circuit for converting the AC input signal to a DC output signal, the conversion circuit operably coupled with the input and to an output for outputting the DC output signal; and

an enabling circuit configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to a load switch, wherein the enabling circuit is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to sensed change in a state of an output jack associated with the load switch.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the enabling circuit is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to sensed change in a load switch.