System and method for reducing power consumption in a power supply circuit

Abstract

A system for reducing power consumption in a power supply circuit including: a transformer including: a core; a first winding including a first end and a second end of a first wire wound on the core; a second winding including a first end and a second end of a second wire, wherein the second wire has a larger cross-section than the first wire and the second end of the first wire is connected to the first end of the second wire; an input electrically connecting the first and second windings to the power supply circuit; and an output for connecting to a load; and a controller connected to the transformer for controlling an output voltage at the output, wherein the output voltage is less than a supply voltage at the input, to reduce the power consumption of the load.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 127,836, filed Jul. 30, 2014, which is a U.S. national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No. PCT / AU2012 / 000780, filed Jun. 29, 2012, which claims priority to Australian patent application no. 2011902560, filed Jun. 29, 2011, and Australian patent application no. 2011904992, filed Nov. 30, 2011, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to a system and method for reducing power consumption in a power supply circuit, and in particular for substantially adjusting a supply voltage, and consequently supply power, relative to an internal load and an external voltageBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Reducing the amount of electrical power consumed by electrical devices is becoming increasingly important, not only for cost considerations, but also due to envi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system effectively reduces power consumption by adjusting the output voltage within predetermined limits, minimizing performance impact on devices, reducing environmental strain, and lowering costs compared to traditional solutions, while maintaining high current carrying capacity and stability.

Problems solved by technology

However all of these technologies are expensive and create a minor interruption in the supply voltage as a result of their break-before-make technology.

If the supply voltage is interrupted in this fashion, overload conditions may occur in the electrical device.

Auto-transformers, being fixed-ratio, non-isolating transformers, in their generic design are not capable of ensuring a fixed range of voltage output in an environment with fluctuating input voltage.

Therefore, E and I auto-transformers are not ultimately suitable for widespread applications in energy reduction solutions.

Clearly any voltage below 205V is inappropriate for use in normal mains power, as an under voltage scenario may occur and risk damage to equipment.

Variacs may be useful in laboratory testing for example, however are an impractical and prohibitively expensive solution for some other applications which require only an isolated range of voltage.

In addition, variacs that are rated for use at 50 amps for example are extremely heavy and are typically oil cooled.

However, this circuit will not be able to handle large currents when controlling the voltage to a home of factory for example.

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