Dc-to-Dc power converter with integrated magnetic power transformer

A dc-to-dc power converter for delivering continuous and controlled power to a load, comprising:

• first and second controllable switching devices having a junction therebetween, each of said first and second controllable switching devices including a parasitic gate to source capacitance, parasitic gate to drain capacitance, output capacitance and an intrinsic diode;
• first and second power supplies having a junction therebetween;
• a power transformer having a primary winding, first and second secondary windings and inductances in series with said primary winding and each of said first and second secondary windings, said secondary windings each being connected to a rectifying circuit connected to the load to supply a controllable current to the load, said primary winding connected between said junction between said first and second controllable switching devices and said junction between said first and second power supplies;
• a first drive circuit connected to said first controllable switching device;
• a second drive circuit connected to said second controllable switching device;
• a drive transformer having a primary winding and first and second secondary windings, said first secondary winding connected to said first drive circuit, said second secondary winding connected to said second drive circuit;
• a control circuit connected to said drive transformer primary winding for alternately actuating and deactuating said first and second drive circuits;
• said first drive circuit actuating said first controllable switching device, such that said first drive circuit begins to charge the effective parasitic gate to source capacitance of said first controllable switching device without reaching the gate to source voltage threshold until current through said inductances and said primary winding of said power transformer discharges the effective output capacitance of said first controllable switching device, and thereafter said intrinsic diode of said first controllable switching device begins to conduct;
• said second drive circuit actuating said second controllable switching device, such that said second drive circuit device begins to charge the effective parasitic gate to source capacitance of said second controllable switching device without reaching the gate to source voltage threshold until current through said inductances and said primary winding of said power transformer discharges the effective output capacitance of said second controllable switching device, and thereafter said intrinsic diode of said second controllable switching device begins to conduct;
• and
• said first and second controllable switching devices thereby continuously deliver controllable power to the load.