Adjustable non-dissipative voltage boosting snubber network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A snubber circuit comprising:
- a voltage multiplier coupled between a first power rail and a second power rail, the voltage multiplier storing energy from the first power rail and consequently boosting a voltage between the first and second power rail, and then discharging at least some of the energy and consequently reducing the voltage between the first and second power rail;
a first unidirectional switch coupled between the first power rail and the voltage multiplier and allowing current to pass from the first power rail to the voltage multiplier, but blocking current attempting to pass from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail through the first unidirectional switch;
a first current limiter coupled in parallel to the first unidirectional switch between the first power rail and the voltage multiplier, the first current limiter providing a low-resistance current path from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail and limiting a rate of change of current that the voltage multiplier discharges to the first power rail; and
a second unidirectional switch coupled in series with the first current limiter and allowing current to pass from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail, but blocking current attempting to pass into the voltage multiplier through the first current limiter.
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Abstract
This disclosure describes a non-dissipative snubber circuit configured to boost a voltage applied to a load after the load'"'"'s impedance rises rapidly. The voltage boost can thereby cause more rapid current ramping after a decrease in power delivery to the load which results from the load impedance rise. In particular, the snubber can comprise a combination of a unidirectional switch, a voltage multiplier, and a current limiter. In some cases, these components can be a diode, voltage doubler, and an inductor, respectively.
50 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A snubber circuit comprising:
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a voltage multiplier coupled between a first power rail and a second power rail, the voltage multiplier storing energy from the first power rail and consequently boosting a voltage between the first and second power rail, and then discharging at least some of the energy and consequently reducing the voltage between the first and second power rail; a first unidirectional switch coupled between the first power rail and the voltage multiplier and allowing current to pass from the first power rail to the voltage multiplier, but blocking current attempting to pass from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail through the first unidirectional switch; a first current limiter coupled in parallel to the first unidirectional switch between the first power rail and the voltage multiplier, the first current limiter providing a low-resistance current path from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail and limiting a rate of change of current that the voltage multiplier discharges to the first power rail; and a second unidirectional switch coupled in series with the first current limiter and allowing current to pass from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail, but blocking current attempting to pass into the voltage multiplier through the first current limiter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating a snubber circuit, the method comprising:
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storing energy from a first power rail in a voltage multiplier, the voltage multiplier coupled between the first power rail and a second power rail; boosting a voltage between the first and second power rails as a consequence of the storing; discharging at least some of the energy stored in the voltage multiplier to the first power rail, thereby reducing the voltage between the first and second power rails; enabling current to pass from the first power rail to the voltage multiplier via a first unidirectional switch coupled between the first power rail and the voltage multiplier; blocking current from passing from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail via the first unidirectional switch; providing a low-resistance current path from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail through a first current limiter in parallel to the first unidirectional switch; limiting a rate of change of current that the voltage multiplier discharges to the first power rail through the first current limiter; and enabling current to pass from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail via the first current limiter and a second unidirectional switch, and blocking current from passing from the first power rail to the voltage multiplier via the first current limiter and the second unidirectional switch. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification