# US 10,374,505 B2 · Power coupler > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,374,505 B2 - Document ID: US10374505B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/551,057 - Filed: 2015-12-16 - Published: 2018-02-01 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2004-12-16 - Applicants: John Wood - Inventors: John Wood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10374505B2 ## CPC - H02M 1/08: Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters - H02M 5/225: {comprising two stages of AC-AC conversion, e.g. having a high frequency intermediate link} - H02M 5/458: using semiconductor devices only - H02M 7/217: using semiconductor devices only - H03H 11/28: Impedance matching networks - H02M 1/0048: {Circuits or arrangements for reducing losses (using snubbers H02M1/34)} - 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 - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - H03H: IMPEDANCE NETWORKS, e.g. RESONANT CIRCUITS; RESONATORS (waveguides, resonators, lines or other devices of the waveguide type H01P) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract We disclose herein a power coupler for connecting AC or DC electrical circuits having different voltages, current or impedance levels. The power coupler comprise a first switching device; a second switching device coupled with the first switching device; a power transformer comprising a first core winding and a second core winding; a first capacitance coupled between the terminals of the first core winding; a second capacitance coupled between the terminals of the second core winding; and a third capacitance coupled between the first and second cores windings. The power transformer is coupled with the first and second switching devices. The power coupler is configured to reduce switching power loss using an adiabatic technique and by selecting appropriate switching time of the switching devices. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power coupler for connecting AC or DC electrical circuits having different voltages, current or impedance levels, the power coupler comprising: a power transformer comprising a first core winding and a second core winding, the first core winding and the second core winding having equal numbers of turns, the power transformer configured to have: a first capacitance between two terminals of the first core winding; a second capacitance between two terminals of the second core winding; and a third capacitance between the first and second cores windings; a first switching device configured to control current flow through the first core winding; a second switching device configured to control current flow through the second core winding, the second switching device arranged in series with the first switching device; wherein the power coupler is configured to operate the first switching device and the second switching device synchronously and selecting switching time of the switching devices so that resonant time constants are synchronized with the switching time, thereby reducing switching power loss by interchanging magnetic and capacitive energy between the first, second and third capacitance and a transformer inductance between the first core winding and second core winding of the power transformer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power coupler according to claim 1, further configured to stepwise charge a capacitance on gates of the first and second switching devices using a multi-level DC supply via a further transformer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The power coupler according to claim 1, wherein the first and second switching devices each comprise a plurality of switches. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The power coupler according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of switches are arranged in a half bridge configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The power coupler according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of switches are arranged in a full bridge configuration. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The power coupler assembly incorporating a plurality of power couplers according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of power couplers are interleaved with one another. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The power coupler assembly according to claim 6, wherein a first power coupler of the plurality of power couplers is configured to operate its respective switching devices in a different phase compared with a second power coupler of the plurality of power couplers. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The power coupler assembly according to claim 6, wherein said interleaved plurality of power couplers are configured to provide continuous primary to secondary high bandwidth power coupling. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The power coupler assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first core winding and the second core winding of the power transformer have a common core. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The power coupler assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a voltage tap coupled with each power coupler. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The power coupler according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of switches comprise series connected inverse power transistors.