Inductor protection during fast transient response in isolated voltage converters

An isolated voltage converter configured to provide output power to a load, and comprising:

• primary side switches;
• a transformer coupled to the primary side switches and having a transformer core;
• an output inductor interposed between the transformer and the load;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• switch the primary side switches using a first switching period and a first duty cycle during an initial steady state interval;
• detect a load transient event associated with an increased power requirement of the load;
• responsive to detection of the load transient event, switch the primary side switches using a second switching period and a second duty cycle, such that a current flowing through the output inductor is increased at a maximum allowable rate during a ramp-up interval, so as to accommodate the increased power requirement of the load;
• during the ramp-up interval, detect that the current has reached a maximum current threshold;
• and
• responsive to detection that the current has reached the maximum current threshold, switch the primary side switches using a third switching period and a third duty cycle, during a current-limited interval, in order to maintain the current within a ripple current band between the maximum current threshold and a reduced current threshold, wherein the third duty cycle differs from the second duty cycle.