# US 2014/0191582 A1 · Power Converter Circuit with AC Output and at Least One Transformer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191582 A1 - Document ID: US20140191582A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/736,796 - Filed: 2013-01-08 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08 - Assignees: Infineon Technologies Austria AG - Applicants: Infineon Technologies Austria AG - Inventors: Gerald Deboy; Yi Tang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191582A1 ## CPC - H02M 7/48: using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode - H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators} - H02M 7/4807: {having a high frequency intermediate AC stage} - H02M 7/537: using semiconductor devices only, e.g. single switched pulse inverters - H02J 3/388: Arrangements for the handling of islanding, e.g. for disconnection or for avoiding the disconnection of power - H02J 2101/24: Photovoltaics - H02J 2101/25: {involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources} - H02M 1/0077: {Plural converter units whose outputs are connected in series} - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - 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) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A power converter circuit includes a synchronization circuit that is configured to generate at least one synchronization signal. A series circuit includes a number of converter units configured to output an output current. At least one of the converter units includes a transformer and is configured to generate an output current such that a frequency or a phase of the generated output current is dependent on the synchronization signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power converter circuit, comprising: a synchronization circuit configured to generate at least one synchronization signal; and a series circuit comprising a plurality of converter units configured to output an output current; wherein a first converter unit of the plurality of converter units comprises a transformer and is configured to generate an output current such that a frequency or a phase of the generated output current is dependent on the synchronization signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power converter circuit of claim 1, wherein the power converter circuit is configured to receive an external voltage; and wherein the synchronization circuit is configured to generate the synchronization signal based on a voltage level of the external voltage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The power converter circuit of claim 2, wherein the synchronization circuit is configured to generate the synchronization signal such that there is a phase difference between the external voltage and the synchronization signal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The power converter circuit of claim 3, wherein the phase difference is substantially equal to zero. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The power converter circuit of claim 1, wherein the first converter unit comprises: a first converter configured to receive a direct voltage and to output a direct voltage; and a second converter configured to receive the direct voltage output by the first converter and to generate the output current. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The power converter circuit of claim 5, wherein the first converter comprises a topology selected from the group consisting of: a flyback converter topology; a two-transistor forward (TTF) converter topology; a phase-shift zero-voltage switching (PS ZVS) converter topology; and an LLC converter topology. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The power converter circuit of claim 1, wherein the first converter unit comprises a converter configured to receive a direct voltage and to output a rectified current based on the synchronization signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The power converter circuit of claim 7, wherein the first converter unit further comprises an unfolding bridge configured to receive the rectified current and to generate the output current. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The power converter circuit of claim 7, further comprising an unfolding bridge coupled to the series circuit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The power converter circuit of claim 7, wherein the converter comprises a topology selected from the group consisting of: a flyback converter topology; a two-transistor forward (TTF) converter topology; a phase-shift zero-voltage switching (PS ZVS) converter topology; and an LLC converter topology. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The power converter circuit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of converter units share one transformer. ### Claim 12 A method, comprising: generating a synchronization signal by a synchronization circuit; outputting an output current by a series circuit that comprises a plurality of converter units, wherein one of the converter units comprises a transformer; and generating an output current by at least one of the plurality of converter units such that a frequency or a phase of the generated output current is dependent on the synchronization signal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving an external voltage, wherein the synchronization signal is generated based on a voltage level of the external voltage by the synchronization circuit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the synchronization signal is generated such that there is a phase difference between the external voltage and the synchronization signal by the synchronization circuit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the phase difference is substantially equal to zero. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: receiving a direct voltage by a first converter in one of the converter units; outputting a direct voltage by the first converter; and receiving the direct voltage from the first converter by a second converter in one of the converter units and generating the output current by the second converter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the first converter comprises a topology selected from the group consisting of: a flyback converter topology; a two-transistor forward (TTF) converter topology; a phase-shift zero-voltage switching (PS ZVS) converter topology; and an LLC converter topology. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a direct voltage and outputting a rectified current based on the synchronization signal by a converter in one of the converter units. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving the rectified current and generating the output current by an unfolding bridge. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the converter comprises a topology selected from the group consisting of: a flyback converter topology; a two-transistor forward (TTF) converter topology; a phase-shift zero-voltage switching (PS ZVS) converter topology; and an LLC converter topology. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of converter units share one transformer. ### Claim 22 A power converter circuit, comprising: means for generating at least one synchronization signal; means for outputting an overall output current; and means for outputting an output current such that at least one of a frequency and a phase of the generated output current is dependent on the synchronization signal, wherein the means for outputting the output current comprise a transformer.