Method and apparatus for high efficiency ac/dc conversion of low voltage input

a low-voltage input, high-efficiency technology, applied in the direction of power conversion systems, efficient power electronics conversion, climate sustainability, etc., can solve the problems of affecting the efficiency of low-voltage conversion, approach can suffer from the same voltage threshold limit, etc., to reduce ripple and mitigate forward-bias voltage drop

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-11-27
UNIV OF FLORIDA RES FOUNDATION INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The solution achieves maximum efficiencies of 92% at 1 V input and exceeds 70% at 200 mV input, with a compact design smaller than a penny, effectively rectifying low-voltage inputs with reduced ripple and power consumption, suitable for magnetic induction energy harvester systems.

Problems solved by technology

Passive junction-based semiconductor diode bridges are generally not suitable for input voltage levels under 0.5 V, due to the forward-bias voltage drop associated with the diodes.
However, this approach can suffer from the same voltage threshold limit of other self-driven synchronized rectifiers, and the minimum rectifiable input voltage was reported in the Peters et al. reference to be only 1.25 V.

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus for high efficiency ac/dc conversion of low voltage input
  • Method and apparatus for high efficiency ac/dc conversion of low voltage input
  • Method and apparatus for high efficiency ac/dc conversion of low voltage input

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Embodiment Construction

[0020]Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for providing a low-power AC / DC converter designed to operate with very low input voltage amplitudes. Specific embodiments can operate with input voltages less than or equal to 1 V, less than or equal to 200 mV, and as low as 20 mV, respectively. Embodiments of the subject low-power AC / DC converter can be utilized in magnetic induction energy harvester systems. With reference to a specific embodiment, a maximum efficiency of 92% was achieved for a 1 V input, and efficiencies exceeding 70% were achieved for a 200 mV input. FIG. 7 shows, adjacent a penny, a top view of a two-sided printed circuit board on which an embodiment of the subject AC / DC converter, using discrete components resides. The circuit, which has a top surface area (1.54 cm2) smaller than a penny, functioned properly when connected to a magnetic energy harvester device operating below 200 mV input.

[0021]FIGS. 1A-1B show a bridge voltage double...

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Abstract

Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for providing a low-power AC / DC converter designed to operate with very low input voltage amplitudes. Specific embodiments can operate with input voltages less than or equal to 1 V, less than or equal to 200 mV, and as low as 20 mV, respectively. Embodiments of the subject low-power AC / DC converter can be utilized in magnetic induction energy harvester systems. With reference to a specific embodiment, a maximum efficiency of 92% was achieved for a 1 V input, and efficiencies exceeding 70% were achieved for a 200 mV input. A specific embodiment functioned properly when connected to a magnetic energy harvester device operating below 200 mV input.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 950,564, filed Nov. 19, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 262,803, filed Nov. 19, 2009, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, including any figures, tables, or drawings.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002]Efficient AC / DC rectification of low voltages is important for the realization of fully-functional vibrational energy harvesting systems. Microwatt to milliwatt motional / vibrational energy harvesting systems can utilize low-power power management circuits. Vibrational energy harvesters can utilize ac / dc converter circuits that can operate at low input power and low voltage with acceptable efficiency (>80%). Attention has been given to circuits for piezoelectric harvesters [Ottman, G. K., Hofmann, H. F., Bhatt, A. C. and Lesieutre, G. A., 2002, Adaptive piezoelectric energy har...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H02M7/06
CPCH02M7/06H02M7/217H02M7/2195Y02B70/10
InventorCHENG, SHUORAO, YUAN
OwnerUNIV OF FLORIDA RES FOUNDATION INC