US 6,304,473 B1 · Operating a power converter at optimal efficiency

Abstract

A power converter control system is provided which combines a pulse train regulation control technique with a pulse train optimization technique, to control the output level of the power converter, while maintaining optimal performance for other power converter parameters. The power converter control system describe herein provides versatility not previously available in power converter control systems by providing features such as quasi-resonant mode control, discontinuous mode control, and/or power factor correction. A pulse optimizer adjusts or customizes, for example, the ON time, duty cycle or frequency of pulse train pulses output by a pulse generator. The adjusted pulses are gated by a pulse rate controller to selectively actuate a power switch, thereby regulating the output power level and optimize the overall performance of the power converter.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A power converter control system, comprising:

a power switch coupled to a power source, the power switch, when cycled ON and OFF, defining a pulse of power at a load;
a pulse generator coupled to said power switch, said pulse generator producing a pulse signal for cycling said power switch ON and OFF;
a pulse rate controller coupled between said power switch and said pulse generator, the pulse rate controller regulating an output power level at the load by controlling the rate of pulses from said pulse generator applied to aid power switch over time;
and
a pulse optimizer coupled to said pulse generator, said pulse optimizer adjusting said pulse signal output from said pulse generator to create power pulses that result in switching said power switch in a manner so as to optimize power converter operation dynamics.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Operating a power converter at optimal efficiency

Life of this patent

Operating a power converter at optimal efficiency

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25