Multi-stage power converters and power converter control methods
AssigneeVermillion Power Technologies Inc.
InventorRAYMOND KENNETH ORR
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Multi-stage power converters and power converter control methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, switching in one of the switching stages of a multi-stage power converter is at high frequency relative to a frequency of AC power, and switching of another one of the switching stages is at lower frequency relative to the frequency of the AC power. Switching control may also or instead be based on an m-bit digital word. A pulse width modulation output based on n least significant bits of the digital word is used to control switching in one of the switching stages, and further outputs based on (m−n) most significant bits of the digital word are used to control switching in other switching stages.
Claims22
An apparatus comprising:
- a first power interface;
- a second power interface;
- a multi-stage switching system, coupled to the first power interface and to the second power interface, the multi-stage switching system comprising a plurality of switching stages to convert between Direct Current (DC) power at the first power interface and Alternating Current (AC) power at the second power interface, the switching stages being coupled together in a circuit path across the second power interface;
- a controller, coupled to the multi-stage switching system, to control switching in one of the switching stages at high frequency relative to a frequency of the AC power, and to control switching of another one of the switching stages at lower frequency relative to the frequency of the AC power.
A method comprising:
- controlling, in a multi-stage switching system that is coupled to a first power interface and a second power interface and comprises a plurality of switching stages to convert between Direct Current (DC) power at the first power interface and Alternating Current (AC) power at the second power interface and coupled together in a circuit path across the second power interface, switching in one of the switching stages at high frequency relative to a frequency of the AC power,
- controlling switching of another one of the switching stages at lower frequency relative to the frequency of the AC power.
(canceled)
An apparatus comprising:
- a first power interface;
- a second power interface;
- a multi-stage switching system, coupled to the first power interface and to the second power interface, the multi-stage switching system comprising a plurality of switching stages to convert between Direct Current (DC) power at the first power interface and Alternating Current (AC) power at the second power interface, the switching stages being coupled together in a circuit path across the second power interface;
- a controller, coupled to the multi-stage switching system, to control switching in the switching stages based on a digital word that comprises m bits, wherein the controller is configured to generate a pulse width modulation (PWM) output based on n least significant bits of the digital word to control switching in one of the switching stages, and to generate further outputs based on (m−n) most significant bits of the digital word to control switching in switching stages other than the one of the switching stages.
22-39. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.