Method and related device for charging at the same voltage two or more capacitors connected in series

A method of charging, at a same voltage of a charge voltage source, at least two capacitors coupled in series, the method comprising:

• charging a charge circuit device comprising at least one of a pump capacitor and an inductor, by coupling the charge circuit device to the charge voltage source during first synchronized ON phases of a first and of a second periodic control signal;
• coupling the charge circuit device in parallel to one of the capacitors during synchronized ON phases of the second and of a third periodic control signal;
• charging again the charge circuit device during second synchronized ON phases of the first and second periodic control signals;
• coupling the charge circuit device in parallel to another of the capacitors during synchronized ON phases of a fourth and a fifth periodic control signal;
• and
• generating the periodic control signals from a master clock signal, the periodic control signals having periods that are multiples of a period of the master clock signal.

A method of charging, at a same voltage of a charge voltage source, at least two capacitors coupled in series, the method comprising:

• charging a charge circuit device by coupling the charge circuit device to the charge voltage source during a first phase;
• coupling the charge circuit device in parallel to one of the capacitors during a second phase;
• charging again the charge circuit device during a third phase;
• coupling the charge circuit device in parallel to another of the capacitors during a fourth phase;
• and
• generating periodic control signals, to define the phases, based upon a clock signal.

A device for charging, with a charge voltage source, at least two capacitors coupled in series, the device comprising:

• a charge circuit device comprising at least one of a pump capacitor and an inductor for transferring electrical energy from the charge voltage source to a selected one of the capacitors coupled in series;
• an array of circuit configuration switches, each controlled by a respective periodic control signal for coupling the charge circuit device to the charge voltage source and successively, in parallel, to the selected one of the capacitors;
• a control signal circuit for generating the periodic control signals from a clock signal to operate the array of circuit configuration switches;
• and
• a control block for monitoring a voltage on each of the capacitors, and to manage the control signal circuit to generate respective periodic control signals for coupling the charge circuit device to the selected capacitor.

A device for charging, with a charge voltage source, at least two capacitors coupled in series, the device comprising:

• a charge circuit device for charging a selected one of the capacitors connected in series via the charge voltage source;
• an array of circuit configuration switches, each controlled by a respective periodic control signal for selectively connecting the charge circuit device to the charge voltage source and the selected one of the capacitors;
• a control signal circuit for generating the periodic control signals to operate the array of circuit configuration switches so that
• the charge circuit device is connected to the charge voltage source during first synchronized ON phases of a first and of a second periodic control signal,
• the charge circuit device is connected in parallel to one of the capacitors during synchronized ON phases of the second and of a third periodic control signal,
• the charge circuit device is charged again during second synchronized ON phases of the first and second periodic control signals, and
• the charge circuit device is connected in parallel to another of the capacitors during synchronized ON phases of a fourth and a fifth periodic control signal.