Coupled Split Path Power Conversion Architecture
Power converters are used for direct current (DC) distribution systems, computers, telecommunications, data centers, transportation, lighting, displays, and medical applications that require high power density and quick response.
Researchers
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coupled split path power conversion architecture
United States of America | Granted | 10,644,503
Figures
The coupled split path (CSP) power conversion circuit 10 includes a power distributor 12, a CSP circuit 16 and an optional power combiner 18. The system is configured to receive signals from one or more input signal sources 14a – 14N. The power distributor receives the signals and distributes to the CSP circuit. The power distributor modulates the provided power and distributes to multiple paths to interface with the CSP circuit.
The CSP circuit 22 comprises N inverter cells 24a-24N each having a pair of inputs corresponding to inputs of the CSP circuit 16. The outputs of the inverter cells are coupled to corresponding ones of M rectifier cells 26a-26M through a magnetic coupling or a transformer 28. The transformer functions to step up/down the provided voltage and to provide isolation between the inverter cells and rectifier cells.
Technology
The invented power converter includes a coupled split path (CSP) power conversion circuit and a power distributor circuit. The CSP power conversion circuit includes inverter cells, a transformer and rectifier cells, and is connected to the power distributor circuit to split power provided from one or more sources into multiple voltage domains. By splitting the power into the multiple voltage domains with use of the invented structure, the impact of parasitic losses in circuit operation is reduced and the operation range of each voltage domain is compressed.
Problem Addressed
Traditional magnetic converters such as forward converters or flyback converters are generally simple, low-cost and easy to control. However, there is a continued trend to operate power converters at ever increasing switching frequencies. As switching frequencies increase, the converter timing becomes difficult to satisfy, and parasitic losses become significant. Furthermore, it becomes more challenging for designs of the power converter systems due to requirements for achieving high performance in efficiency, power density, ac line synchronization, total harmonic distortion (THD) or power factor, over a wide operating range of universal line input voltages.
Advantages
- Efficiency over an operating voltage range which is wider than that of prior
- Reduced inductor size
- Reduced parasitics at high frequency
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