Method and apparatus for starting power converters
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
InventorsPatrick Chapman, Philip T. Krein, Jonathan Kimball, Theresa L. Flowers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A startup circuit for starting a power converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage includes a switch connected in series with a resistive element. The startup circuit is connected in parallel with a trigger switch in the power converter for enabling the power converter to generate the output voltage. When closed or activated, the switch in the startup circuit charges an energy storing device in the power converter. The energy storing device activates the trigger switch as the charge is released.
Claims31
An apparatus for starting a power converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, the power converter having at least an energy storing device and a trigger switch for enabling the power converter to generate the output voltage, said apparatus comprising:
- a first switch;
- and
- a resistive element connected in series with said first switch;
- wherein said first switch and said resistive element are connected in parallel with the trigger switch, the first switch charges the energy storing device when the first switch is closed, and the energy storing device activates the trigger switch as the charge on the energy storing device is released.
A power converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, comprising:
- an energy storing device arranged to be electrically connected to an input voltage source;
- a first switch for activating the power converter to generate the output voltage;
- a second switch electrically connected to said input voltage source;
- and
- a first resistive element connected in series with said second switch;
- wherein said second switch and said first resistive element are connected in parallel with the first switch, said second switch charges the energy storing device with the input voltage source when said second switch is closed, and said energy storing device activates said first switch as the charge is released.
A method for starting a power converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, the power converter having at least an energy storing device and a trigger switch for activating the power converter to generate the output voltage, said method comprising:
- connecting a startup circuit in parallel with the trigger switch and in electrical connection with the energy storing device;
- activating said start circuit to charge the energy storing device to a predetermined voltage;
- and
- deactivating said startup circuit to discharge the energy storing device;
- wherein the discharge of the energy storing device activates the trigger switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.