Circuit and associated method for reducing power consumption in an a power transformer
AssigneeAvago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
InventorsJulie Elizabeth Fouquet, Richard K.K. Lum, Richard A. Baumgartner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and circuit is provided for reducing power consumption in a power transformer, typically incorporated into an electrical or electronic device such as a consumer device. In an embodiment, a detection/isolation circuit is coupled to an input of a power transformer/rectifier via a switching device. The switching device can be, for example, a solid state relay. The detection/isolation circuit is configured to sense the occurrence of no-load conditions in the power transformer and responsively disengage the power transformer from a coupled source of power (e.g., wall outlet) via the coupled switching device.
Claims25
A circuit for reducing power consumption in a power transformer during low-load and no-load conditions, the circuit comprising:
- a first switching device coupled to an input of the power transformer, said switching device configured to disengage said power transformer from a power source upon detecting said no-load and low-load conditions on said power transformer;
- a rectifier coupled to an output of said power transformer, said rectifier for rectifying an output voltage of said power transformer;
- an energy storing device coupled in parallel to an output of said rectifier, said energy storing device for storing energy during a load condition and for providing energy during said low-load and no-load conditions;
- a voltage sense module coupled to said energy storing device, for continuously monitoring a voltage on said energy storing device and for outputting a first control signal upon detecting a low voltage condition on said energy storing device;
- a current sense module coupled to an output of said power transformer, said current sense module for detecting a load on said power transformer and for outputting a second control signal upon detecting said load condition;
- a control circuit for receiving said first control signal from said voltage sense module and for receiving said second control signal from said current sense module and for outputting a close switch signal to said switching device in response to receiving said first and second control signals.
A method for reducing power consumption in a power transformer during low-load and no-load conditions, the method comprising:
- (a) monitoring an output of said power transformer to identify a first transition from a load condition to one of a no-load or low-load condition on said power transformer;
- (b) monitoring an output of said power transformer to identify a second transition from one of said no-load or low-load condition to said load condition;
- (c) opening a switching device to disengage said power transformer from a power source upon identifying said first transition at said monitoring step (a);
- (d) closing said first switching device to engage said power transformer to said power source upon identifying said second transition at said monitoring step (b);
- and
- (e) continuously repeating said monitoring steps (a) and (b).
A device having reduced power consumption during low-load and no-load conditions, the circuit comprising:
- a rectifier for converting AC to DC power;
- a power transformer coupled to said rectifier;
- a power reduction circuit for reducing power consumption during said low-load and no-load conditions, the power reduction circuit comprising:
- (a) a first switching device coupled to an input of the power transformer, said switching device configured to disengage said power transformer from a power source upon detecting said no-load and low-load conditions on said power transformer;
- (b) an energy storing device coupled in parallel to an output of said power transformer, said energy storing device for storing energy during a load condition and for providing energy during said low-load and no-load conditions;
- (c) a voltage sense module coupled to said capacitor, for continuously monitoring a voltage on said energy storing device and for outputting a first control signal upon detecting a low voltage condition on said energy storing device;
- (d) a current sense module coupled to an output of said power transformer, said current sense module for detecting a load on said power transformer and for outputting a second control signal upon detecting said load condition;
- and
- (e) a control circuit for receiving said first control signal from said voltage sense module and for receiving said second control signal from said current sense module and for outputting a close switch signal to said switching device in response to receiving said first and second control signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.