Adjustable non-dissipative voltage boosting snubber network
First Claim
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1. A snubber circuit comprising:
- first and second power rails that in combination provide an input and output of the snubber circuit;
a voltage multiplier coupled between the first power rail and the second power rail, the voltage multiplier boosting a voltage between the first and second power rail;
a first unidirectional switch coupled between the first power rail and the voltage multiplier and blocking current attempting to pass from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail through the first unidirectional switch; and
a first current limiter coupled 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.
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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.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A snubber circuit comprising:
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first and second power rails that in combination provide an input and output of the snubber circuit; a voltage multiplier coupled between the first power rail and the second power rail, the voltage multiplier boosting a voltage between the first and second power rail; a first unidirectional switch coupled between the first power rail and the voltage multiplier and blocking current attempting to pass from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail through the first unidirectional switch; and a first current limiter coupled 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. 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 via a change in current limiting device, 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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A snubber circuit comprising:
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a first power rail; a second power rail; an input of the snubber circuit comprising first ends of the first and second power rail; an output of the snubber circuit comprising second ends of the first and second power rail; a voltage multiplier coupled between the first power rail and the second power rail; a first unidirectional switch coupled between the first power rail and the voltage multiplier, and preventing current from passing from the voltage multiplier to the first power rail through the first unidirectional switch; and a first current limiter coupled between the voltage multiplier and the first power rail.
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Specification