Power conversion array applying small sequentially switched converters in parallel

A power conversion array comprising:

• an input capacitance;
• an output capacitance;
• a plurality of converters each having an input coupled in parallel to said input capacitance and an output coupled in parallel to said output capacitance, each of said converters for converting an input voltage to an output voltage using switched-mode power conversion, said plurality of converters operating at a conversation frequency and being phase shifted across one period of said conversion frequency so that each converter is switched on in a time overlapping relationship with at least one other of said plurality of converters;
• and
• a control circuit and a clock circuit, said clock circuit generating a clock signal at said frequency of operation of said plurality of converters, said clock circuit being coupled to said control circuit, said control circuit providing a regulated control pulse to a delay circuit for generating a plurality of sequentially delayed switching pulses and coupled to each of said converters to sequentially switch said converters with said switching pulses;
• whereby input and output current and voltage ripple is substantially reduced, frequency of operation of said array increased, and power capacity increased.

A method of providing switched mode power conversion between an input capacitance and output capacitance comprising the steps of:

• providing an input power signal;
• sequentially coupling said input power signal through N switched mode converters coupled in parallel between said input and output capacitances;
• generating a plurality of switching signals through a cascaded delay, and sequentially switching each one of said plurality of switched mode converters with a corresponding sequence of said switching signals, said input power signal being switched with an operating frequency having a time interval period T and being sequentially coupled through each of said N switched mode converters by the resulting predetermined phase shifts of operation of each converter within said period at intervals of T/N in at least partially time overlapping relationship;
• and
• providing an output power signal at said output capacitance coupled in parallel with said outputs of said plurality of converters,
• whereby high power operation at high frequency is obtained without frequency, size and temperature limitations.

A method of providing switched mode power conversion between an input capacitance and output capacitance comprising the steps of:

• providing an input power signal;
• sequentially coupling said input power signal through N switched mode converters coupled in parallel between said input and output capacitances;
• generating a plurality of switching signals through a cascaded delay, and sequentially switching each one of said plurality of switched mode converters with a corresponding sequence of said switching signals, said input power signal being switched with an operating frequency having a period and being sequentially coupled in the same sequence to the output capacitance in response to the outstanding signals through each of said plurality of switched mode converters by the resulting predetermined phase shifts of operation of each converter within said period in at least partially time overlapping relationship;
• and
• providing an output power signal at said output capacitance coupled in parallel with said outputs of said plurality of converters,
• whereby high power operation at high frequency is obtained without frequency, size and temperature limitations.