Low power converter

• US 9,793,814 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2015
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Triune Systems, LLC (Semtech Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Triune Systems, LLC (Semtech Corporation)
• Inventors: Teggatz, Ross E., Smith, Brett, Atrash, Amer, Chen, Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US14/970,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20160105115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• 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. A 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

a timer configured to cause the conversion circuit to switch between an inactive state and an active state in response to a conversion circuit idle period and between an active state and an inactive state in response to a predetermined “

on”

period.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the timer is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to a charge on a capacitor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the timer is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to a change in a circuit component.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the timer is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state to maintain a predetermined charge level of a capacitor.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the timer is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state to maintain an energy level of an energy storage device.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the timer is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state independent of a load.

7. A 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

a timer configured for switching the conversion circuit between an inactive state and an active state and an active state and an inactive state to maintain a charge on a capacitor during periods when a load is receiving no power from the conversion circuit.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the timer is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state for a predetermined minimum period.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the timer is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state for a variable minimum period.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the timer is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state as a function of the load.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the timer is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state as a function of a timing characteristic of the load.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein the timer is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state independent of the load.

13. A 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 external signal generator configured for switching the conversion circuit between an inactive state and an active state and an active state and an inactive state to maintain an energy state of an energy storage device during periods when a load is receiving no power from the conversion circuit.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the external signal generator is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to a charge on a capacitor.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the external signal generator is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to a change in a circuit component.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the external signal generator is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state in response to charge level of a capacitor.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the external signal generator is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state to maintain a charge on a capacitor.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the external signal generator is configured for switching the conversion circuit between an active state and an inactive state to maintain an energy level in an energy storage device.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein the external signal generator is a timer.