Dual input DC-to-DC power converter

• US 20040004402A1
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Artesyn Technologies Incorporated (Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Artesyn Technologies Incorporated (Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kippley, Robert H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,833,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/82
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/10 Parallel operation of dc sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads

Abstract

A dual input power converter. The dual input power converter includes a transformer, a first primary circuit, and a second primary circuit. The transformer includes a first primary winding and a second primary winding. The first primary circuit is for coupling a first power source to the first primary winding. The second primary circuit is for coupling a second power source to the second primary winding.

Claims

1. A dual input power converter, comprising:

a transformer having a first primary winding and a second primary winding;

a first primary circuit for coupling a first power source to the first primary winding; and

a second primary circuit for coupling a second power source to the second primary winding.

2. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the first primary circuit includes a first switching device for coupling the first power source to the first primary winding.

3. The power converter of claim 2, wherein the first switching device includes a field-effect transistor.

4. The power converter of claim 2, wherein the second primary circuit includes a second switching device for coupling the second power source to the second primary winding.

5. The power converter of claim 4, wherein the second switching device includes a field-effect transistor.

6. The power converter of claim 4, wherein the first primary circuit is electrically isolated from the second primary circuit.

7. The power converter of claim 6, wherein the first power source is electrically isolated from the second power source.

8. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the first primary circuit includes first and second switching devices for coupling the first power source to the first primary winding.

9. The power converter of claim 8, wherein the first and second switching devices include field-effect transistors.

10. The power converter of claim 8, wherein the second primary circuit includes third and fourth switching devices for coupling the second power source to the second primary winding.

11. The power converter of claim 10, wherein the third and fourth switching devices include field-effect transistors.

12. The power converter of claim 10, wherein the first primary circuit is electrically isolated from the second primary circuit.

13. The power converter of claim 12, wherein the first power source is electrically isolated from the second power source.

14. The power converter of claim 10, wherein the first primary circuit further includes:

a first current rectifier connected to a first terminal of the first primary winding; and

a second current rectifier connected to a second terminal of the first primary winding.

15. The power converter of claim 14, wherein the first primary circuit further includes a capacitor connected to the first current rectifier.

16. The power converter of claim 14, wherein the second primary circuit further includes:

a third current rectifier connected to a first terminal of the second primary winding; and

a fourth current rectifier connected to a second terminal of the second primary winding.

17. The power converter of claim 16, wherein the second primary circuit further includes a capacitor connected to the third current rectifier.

18. The power converter of claim 1, further comprising:

a first current sense transformer connected in series with the first primary winding; and

a second current sense transformer connected in series with the second primary winding.

19. A dual input power converter, comprising:

a transformer having a first primary winding and a second primary winding;

a first current sense transformer connected in series with the first primary winding;

a second current sense transformer connected in series with the second primary winding;

a first primary circuit including at least one switching device for coupling a first power source to the first primary winding; and

a second primary circuit including at least one switching device for coupling a second power source to the second primary winding.

20. The power converter of claim 19, wherein:

the first primary circuit includes two switching devices for coupling the first power source to the first primary winding; and

the second primary circuit includes two switching devices for coupling the second power source to the second primary winding.

21. The power converter of claim 20, wherein the first primary circuit further includes:

a first current rectifier connected to a first terminal of the first primary winding; and

a second current rectifier connected to a second terminal of the first primary winding, and wherein the second primary circuit further includes;

a third current rectifier connected to a first terminal of the second primary winding; and

a fourth current rectifier connected to a second terminal of the second primary winding.

22. The power converter of claim 21, wherein the first primary circuit includes a first capacitor connected to the first current rectifier, and wherein the second primary circuit includes a second capacitor connected to the third current rectifier.