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US 5,350,997 AGranted
Step-up voltage converter with overcurrent protection
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsMohammad-Reza Ghotbi, Tony R. Larson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A step-up converter is utilized to convert a first lower input voltage to a second higher output voltage. The circuit includes a soft start capability such that ringing due to excessive voltage and current is substantially eliminated. In addition, this converter includes an overcurrent protection mechanism if a load failure or other overcurrent condition occurs.
Claims19
A circuit for converting a first voltage to a second voltage and driving a load, the circuit comprising:
- a voltage source;
- an inductance coupled to the voltage source;
- a capacitance coupled between the voltage source and the inductance, the capacitance being coupled in parallel with the load;
- a first switching means coupled between the inductance and the voltage source;
- a second switching means coupled between the first switching means and the capacitance;
- a resistance means coupled to the inductance;
- a third switching means coupled to the resistance means and the voltage source;
- means for controlling the first, second, and third switching means, the controlling means during normal operation causes the first and second switching means to switch in a complementary fashion and causes the third switching means to remain open, the controlling means during a first soft start cycle step causing the first switching means to remain open and causing the second and third switching means to operate in a complementary fashion, the controlling means during a second soft start cycle step causing the third switching means to remain open and causing the first and second switches to operate in a complementary manner until steady state operation is achieved;
- and
- an overcurrent protection circuit, the overcurrent protection circuit including means for sensing the output current of the converting circuit and providing that sensed signal to the controlling means;
- and means for modifying the operation of the converting circuit if an overcurrent condition is sensed.
8 more elements
A step-up converter for converting a source voltage into a higher output voltage for driving a load;
- step-up converter comprising:
- a voltage source;
- an inductor coupled to the voltage source;
- a capacitor coupled between the voltage source and the inductor, the capacitor being in parallel fashion with the load;
- a first switch coupled in series between the inductor and the voltage source;
- a second switch coupled in series between the first switch and the capacitor;
- a resistor coupled in series with the inductance and the voltage source and a third switch;
- a third switching means coupled to the resistor and the voltage source;
- a control system for controlling the operation of the first, second and third switches;
- the control system during normal operation of the converter causing the first and second switches to operate in a complementary fashion and causing the third switch to remain open, the control system during a first soft start cycle step causing the first switch to remain open and causing the second and third switch to operate in a complementary fashion, the control system during a second soft start cycle step causing the third switch to remain open and causing the first and second switches to operate in a complementary manner until steady-state operation is achieved;
- and
- an overcurrent protection circuit, the overcurrent protection circuit including means for sensing the output current of the converter and providing that sensed signal to the control system;
- and means for modifying the operation of the converter if an overcurrent condition is sensed.
10 more elements
A circuit for converting a first voltage to a second voltage and driving a load, the circuit comprising:
- a voltage source;
- an inductance coupled to the voltage source;
- a capacitance coupled between the voltage source and the inductance, the capacitance being coupled in parallel with the load;
- a first switching means coupled between the inductance and the voltage source;
- a second switching means coupled between the first switching means and the capacitance;
- a resistance means coupled to the inductance;
- a third switching means coupled to the resistance means and the voltage source;
- means for controlling the first, second, and third switching means;
- and
- an overcurrent protection circuit, the overcurrent protection circuit including means for sensing the output current of the converting circuit and providing that sensed signal to the controlling means;
- and means for modifying the operation of the converting circuit if an overcurrent condition is sensed.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.