Hybrid power converter
AssigneeSilergy Technology
InventorMichael Grimm
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Abstract
Power converter circuits, structures, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hybrid converter can include: (i) a first switching device controllable by a control signal; (ii) an inductor coupled to the first switching device and an output; and (iii) a control circuit configured to receive feedback from the output for generation of the control signal to control the first switching device, where the control circuit includes a first detection circuit configured to detect first and second output conditions, the control circuit being configured to operate the first switching device in a switch control in response to the control signal when the first output condition is detected, and to operate the first switching device in a linear control region when the second output condition is detected.
Claims20
A hybrid converter configured to convert an input voltage into an output voltage that drives an external load, the hybrid converter comprising:
- a) a first switching device controllable by a first control signal;
- b) a second switching device controllable by a second control signal;
- c) an inductor coupled to said first and second switching devices and an output;
- and
- d) a control circuit configured to receive feedback from said output for detection of first and second output conditions and generation of said first and second control signals, wherein said control circuit is configured to operate said hybrid converter in a switching mode when said first output condition is detected, and to operate said hybrid converter in a linear mode or a combination mode based on a control mode of said hybrid converter when said second output condition is detected,
- e) wherein said combination mode comprises one of said first and second switching devices being configured to operate in said linear mode and another of said first and second switching devices being configured to operate in said switching mode.
A method of controlling voltage regulation, the method comprising:
- a) monitoring an output of a hybrid converter, said hybrid converter converting an input voltage to an output voltage using first and second switching devices, said monitored output providing feedback for regulating said output voltage;
- b) detecting first and second output conditions by said monitoring of said output;
- c) controlling said hybrid converter to operate in a switching mode when said first output condition is detected;
- and
- d) controlling said hybrid converter to operate in a linear mode or a combination mode based on a control mode of said hybrid converter when said second output condition is detected, wherein said combination mode comprises one of said first and second switching devices being configured to operate in said linear mode and another of said first and second switching devices being configured to operate in said switching mode.
A voltage conversion apparatus, comprising:
- a) means for monitoring an output of a hybrid converter for providing feedback for regulating a voltage on said output, wherein said hybrid converter comprises first and second switching devices;
- b) means for detecting first and second output conditions by said monitoring of said output;
- c) means for controlling said hybrid converter to operate in a switching mode when said first output condition is detected;
- and
- d) means for controlling said hybrid converter to operate in a linear mode or a combination mode based on a control mode of said hybrid converter when said second output condition is detected, wherein said combination mode comprises one of said first and second switching devices being configured to operate in said linear mode and another of said first and second switching devices being configured to operate in said switching mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.