Double-Ended Dual Magnetic DC-DC Switching Power Converter with Stacked Secondary Windings and AC-Coupled Outputs

Abstract

All else being equal, the double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC ("voltage doubler") topology provides twice the output voltage of a conventional topology. Voltage doublers differ in that the dual magnetic circuit secondary configurations are stacked in series compared to conventional topologies where the secondary configurations are parallel. The output current is AC coupled rather than DC coupled to the load, resulting in double the output voltage. Because of the AC coupling, the voltage doubler is configured to automatically maintain balance of the secondary capacitors. During magnetic reset, the primary winding is shorted and both synchronous rectifier switches are closed. Transformer action connects the output capacitors to the output, ensuring that charge equalization ensures that the voltages on each capacitor are equal.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Cross-reference to related art This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 546,642, filed December 9, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0002] The present invention relates to DC-DC power conversion, and more particularly to a double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC switching power converter (SPC). [Background technology]

[0003] A DC-DC power converter is a power processing circuit that converts an unregulated DC input voltage to a regulated DC output voltage, usually at a different level, to power a load. A wide variety of topologies for DC-DC converters have been introduced over the years, not all of which are suitable for step-up or bus conversion applications. Furthermore, the need for small size and high efficiency imposes further limitations on the available topologies. Small size means high power density, which is the ratio of the output power capability to the volume of the converter.

[0004] A DC-DC switching power converter (SPC) includes an energy storage section, a switching control circuit such as a pulse width modulator (PWM), a primary switch, and a rectifier. The energy storage section generates a current and a regulated DC output voltage in response to selective application of a DC input voltage. The switching control circuit, primary switch, and rectifier control the application of the DC input voltage to the energy storage section to set the value of the regulated DC output voltage.

[0005] Power density is a key characteristic of power converters. To achieve high power density, losses must be low and the magnetic elements must be optimized. In ultra-high density power converters, the magnetic elements are usually implemented in a planar fashion to achieve the most compact size with fewer unnecessary parasitic elements. Optimization of the planar magnetics with a reduction in the total number of turns is desired to achieve the converter performance.

[0006] Double-ended DC-DC SPC is well known in the art and is a basic topology for achieving high power density. Examples include half-bridge converters and full-bridge converters. A feature of double-ended converters is that the input power is applied to the primary side with opposite polarity on alternate switching cycles, thereby reducing the RMS (root-mean-square) current compared to single-ended topologies.

[0007] Double-ended dual magnetic SPCs offer the advantages of conventional half-bridge and full-bridge converters with the added benefit of magnetic integration, whereby the transformer and energy storage magnetic elements are combined into dual opposed interleaved elements that are summed at the output. Because the secondary configuration of the dual magnetic circuits is parallel and the total output current is always directly coupled to the output (DC coupled) in this topology, the output capacitor only acts as a filter element and does not directly support the output voltage under any state of converter operation.

[0008] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the conventional topology of a double-ended dual magnetic SPC 10 includes a pair of transformers T1, T2 and a double-ended input circuit 12 (switches S1, S2, S3, and S4) for generating an AC voltage Vin across the primary windings 14, 16 of the transformers T1, T2 as per the conventional double-ended configuration. T1, T2 are a combination of a transformer and an inductor. The second transformer T2 acts as a filter inductor for the first transformer T1 during a first on-period of the switches S1, S4, and the first transformer T1 acts as a filter inductor for the second transformer T2 during a second on-period of the switches S2, S3. As shown in Figure 1B, the transformer is not ideal and includes an inductance Lmag in parallel with the primary winding and a series inductance Lk. As used herein, the "primary winding current" i1 (or i2) is the current flowing through the inductance Lmag.

[0009] Each transformer T1, T2 includes a secondary winding 18 or 20, and the primary to secondary turns ratio N=Np / Ns of the two transformers T1, T2 may be identical. Each secondary winding 18, 20 is connected to a switch (S5, S6) to allow energy transfer as in the case of a forward converter, and also to release stored energy as in the case of a flyback converter. The operation of these two transformers may occur simultaneously. An output capacitor Cout 22 is connected across the load (not shown) to provide output filtering. For a conventional topology, the output voltage Vout is given by: Vout=Vin*(D / 2*N) (1) where D is the duty factor (the fraction of time that S1 is close to the period of the signal clock) and N is the turns ratio between the primary and secondary windings.

[0010] US Patent No. 6,765,810 discloses a switching pattern incorporating control of synchronous rectifier switches S5, S6. The synchronous rectifier switches replace the conventional passive diode rectifiers in the output rectification stage, resulting in reduced losses and improved efficiency. In this particular implementation, while the primary magnetics are disconnected from the power supply Vin, the switching pattern opens all four primary switches (S1, S2, S3, S4) and closes the synchronous rectifier switches S5, S6 to reset the magnetics. Energy may circulate within the primary circuit during the reset period.

[0011] Other patterns for switching the full-bridge double-ended dual magnetic converter are also possible. For example, a pattern of shorting the primary terminals of the dual opposing magnetic elements during states B and D can be used to minimize losses during the transition from state A to state B and state C to state D. During states B and D, the primary terminals of T1 and T2 are shorted by closing S2 and S4. This approach better confines the energy during the reset period. Other means of shorting the primary terminals of T1 and T2 can also be implemented. For example, S1 and S3 can be closed during states B and D, or the shorting can alternate between S1, S3 and S2, S4 in alternating cycles. Various patterns to achieve partial or complete shorting of the primary side can be developed by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The following is a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description and claims that are presented later.

[0013] The present invention provides a different topology for double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC, hereafter referred to as "voltage doubler" for simplicity, which provides twice the output voltage of the conventional topology, all other conditions being equal. The voltage doubler differs in that the secondary configurations of the dual magnetic circuit are stacked in series, as compared to the conventional topology, where the secondary configurations are parallel. When the secondary outputs are in series, the state table is significantly different in that the output capacitors (C1, C2) of each secondary winding provide energy to the output on alternate half cycles. The output current of the voltage doubler is AC coupled to the load during A and C states, as compared to the DC coupled case. Due to the series configuration, the output voltage Vout is split equally on the secondary side, so that for a particular set of conditions (Vin, D, and N), the output voltage Vout=Vin*(D / N) is twice that of the conventional topology.

[0014] Because the output capacitors (C1 and C2) store energy before delivering it to the load, the voltages at C1 and C2 can drift from the ideal condition of VC1=VC2=Vout / 2, for example, due to different timing and component tolerances and transient events at the input or output. This is not an issue in DC-coupled conventional topologies. The voltage doubler is configured to automatically maintain the secondary capacitor balance. During states B and D, the primary winding is shorted and both synchronous rectifier switches are closed. The transformer action connects capacitors C1 and C2 to the output, and charge equalization ensures that the voltages on each capacitor are equal. Thus, charge balance between the output capacitors is automatically forced every cycle. The reset periods in states B and D are used for both magnetic reset and output capacitor charge balancing.

[0015] In one embodiment, a "conversion cell" includes a transformer having a primary winding and at least one secondary winding, each winding connected across a pair of terminals. Each secondary winding is connected to an output capacitor and a synchronous rectifier switch (SRS) to form a loop. The voltage doubler includes first and second conversion sections, each section including one or more conversion cells that can be separated, paralleled, serially connected, or a combination thereof to support multiple outputs, increased power delivered to a load, or increased voltage. The first and second sections are "stacked" to serially connect the primary windings and serially connect the effective output capacitance across one or more outputs.

[0016] The control circuit controls the primary switches to generate an AC input voltage Vin across the series-connected primary windings in states A and C, and to disconnect the input voltage Vin and short the primary windings in states B and D. In states A and C, the control circuit switches the synchronous rectifier switches of the first and second transformer sections inversely to alternately connect the secondary windings to the output, AC-couple the secondary winding currents through the effective output capacitances C1eff and C2eff, and provide output currents at each output on alternate half cycles of the AC input voltage Vin such that the output voltage Vout=VC1eff+VC2eff. In states B and D, the control circuit closes both synchronous rectifier switches to connect the effective output capacitances C1eff and C2eff to the output, and equalize the voltages VC1eff and VC2eff. Vout=Vin*(D / Neff), where D is the duty ratio and Neff is the effective turns ratio of the first and second transformers.

[0017] In the basic topology, each converter section includes a single converter cell with a single secondary winding. Output capacitors C1 and C2 are connected in series across the single output to produce Vout=VC1+VC2=Vin*(D / N), where N is the turns ratio of the first and second transformers.

[0018] In another embodiment, the voltage doubler is configured to generate O outputs (O>1) from a single pair of transformers T1 and T2. Each conversion section includes a single conversion cell with P=O secondary windings. The P loops in the first and second sections are "stacked" and connected in series to generate Vout(i)=VC(i)+VC2(i) for i=1 to O. The output voltages may be the same or different depending on the number of turns in each secondary winding. In this configuration, a single transformer pair is used to power multiple loads. Each load can draw power as needed, as long as the total load power does not exceed the power rating of the voltage doubler. Alternatively, the voltage doubler can be configured using a conversion cell with a single secondary winding (P=1) and support O outputs by adding additional transformer pairs.

[0019] In another embodiment, the voltage doubler is configured to increase the output power that can be delivered to the load at Vout. Each conversion section includes Q conversion cells, each with a single secondary winding. The Q loops are connected in parallel within a given conversion section, which allows the Q transformers to provide additional current through the effective capacitance and deliver more power to the load. Furthermore, splitting the power among multiple transformers reduces losses. Alternatively, the output power delivered to the load may not change, but each conversion cell is only required to provide ½Q of the output power.

[0020] In another embodiment, the voltage doubler is configured to increase the output voltage Vout that can be supplied to the load. Each conversion section includes R conversion cells, each with a single secondary winding. R loops are connected in series within a given conversion section, and R transformers supply current through an effective capacitance to multiply the voltage generated by each conversion section by R. If one conversion cell per section generates the output voltage Vout, this configuration generates an output voltage Vout*=R*Vout. Alternatively, Vout may not change, but each conversion cell only needs to provide 1 / 2R*Vout.

[0021] In a common topology, each of the conversion sections may contain (O / P)*Q*R conversion cells that may be provided isolated, parallel connected, series connected, or a combination thereof within each conversion section to support O outputs of increased power delivered to the load or increased output voltage delivered to the load. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1A] As mentioned above, this is a schematic diagram of a known embodiment of a double ended dual magnetic DC-DC switching power converter (SPC) where the output current is DC coupled to the output. [Figure 1B] As mentioned above, this is a schematic diagram of a known embodiment of a double ended dual magnetic DC-DC switching power converter (SPC) where the output current is DC coupled to the output. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a voltage doubler in which the secondary windings are stacked and the output current is AC-coupled to the output. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a state diagram for an embodiment of a voltage doubler in which the secondary windings are stacked and the output current is AC-coupled to the output. [Figure 2C] 1 is an example switching pattern for one embodiment of a voltage doubler in which the secondary windings are stacked and the output current is AC-coupled to the output. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of an equivalent circuit of the voltage doubler shown in FIG. 2A in state A. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an equivalent circuit of the voltage doubler shown in FIG. 2 in state B. [Diagram 5] 1 is a table of alternative switching patterns that provide three modes of operation. [Figure 6] 1 is an embodiment of a converter cell including a single transformer having a single primary winding and P secondary windings. [Figure 7]An embodiment of a voltage doubler in which a pair of P=2 conversion cells is configured to generate a pair of output voltages from a single transformer pair. [Figure 8] 1 is a voltage doubler embodiment in which P=1 converter cells are connected in parallel to introduce an additional transformer pair and increase the output power delivered to the load at Vout. [Figure 9] A voltage doubler embodiment in which P=1 converter cells are connected in series to introduce an additional transformer pair and increase Vout at the load. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present invention provides a different topology for double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC, hereafter referred to as "voltage doubler" for simplicity, which provides twice the output voltage of the conventional topology, all other conditions being equal. The voltage doubler differs in that the secondary configurations of the dual magnetic circuit are stacked in series, as compared to the conventional topology, where the secondary configurations are parallel. When the secondary outputs are in series, the state table is significantly different in that the output capacitors (C1, C2) of each secondary winding provide energy to the output on alternate half cycles. The output current of the voltage doubler is AC coupled to the load during A and C states, as compared to the DC coupled case. Due to the series configuration, the output voltage Vout is split equally on the secondary side, so that for a particular set of conditions (Vin, D, and N), the output voltage Vout=Vin*(D / N) is twice that of the conventional topology.

[0024] Because the output capacitors (C1 and C2) store energy before delivering it to the load, the voltages at C1 and C2 can drift from the ideal condition of VC1=VC2=Vout / 2, for example, due to different timing and component tolerances and transient events at the input or output. This is not an issue in DC-coupled conventional topologies. The voltage doubler is configured to automatically maintain the secondary capacitor balance. During states B and D, the primary winding is shorted and both synchronous rectifier switches are closed. The transformer action connects capacitors C1 and C2 to the output, and charge equalization ensures that the voltages on each capacitor are equal. Thus, charge balance between the output capacitors is automatically forced every cycle. The reset periods in states B and D are used for both magnetic reset and output capacitor charge balancing.

[0025] A "conversion cell" includes a transformer having a primary winding and at least one secondary winding, each winding connected across a pair of terminals. Each secondary winding is connected to an output capacitor and a synchronous rectifier switch (SRS) to form a secondary loop. A voltage doubler includes first and second conversion sections, each section containing one or more conversion cells that can be separated, paralleled, serially connected, or a combination thereof to support multiple outputs, increased power delivered to a load, or increased voltage. The first and second sections are "stacked" to serially connect the primary windings and serially connect the effective output capacitance across one or more outputs.

[0026] 2A, 2B, and 2C, 3, and 4, an embodiment of the basic topology of the voltage doubler 100 includes a pair of stacked conversion sections 102 and 104 for generating an AC voltage Vin that is converted to a DC output voltage Vout at an output 108 to power a load (not shown) according to a conventional double-ended configuration, and a double-ended input circuit 106 (switches S1, S2, S3, and S4). Each of the conversion sections 102 and 104 includes one more conversion cell 110 and 112, respectively (only one in this configuration). The conversion cell 110 includes a first transformer T1 having a primary winding 114 and a secondary winding 116. A secondary loop 118 connects the secondary winding 116, the output capacitor C1, and the SRSS5. The conversion cell 112 includes a second transformer T2 having a primary winding 120 and a secondary winding 122. The secondary loop 124 connects the secondary winding 122, the output capacitor C2, and SRSS5. C1 and C2 are preferably, but not necessarily, equal. The turns ratio N=Np / Ns, where Np is the primary winding and Ns is the secondary winding, is the same for both cells. By convention, each of the primary and secondary windings may be a single winding or a combination of parallel and series windings. The transformer sections 102 and 104 are "stacked" to connect the primary windings 114 and 120 in series and the output capacitors C1 and C2 in series between the output 108 and ground.

[0027] T1, T2 are a combination of a transformer and an inductor. The second transformer T2 acts as a filter inductor for the first transformer T1 during the first on-period of the switches S1, S4, and the first transformer T1 acts as a filter inductor for the second transformer T2 during the second on-period of the switches S2, S3. As shown previously in FIG. 1B, the transformer is not ideal and includes an inductance Lmag in parallel with the primary winding and a series inductance Lk. The "primary winding current" i1 (or i2) defined previously is the current flowing through the inductance Lmag.

[0028] Secondary winding currents i3 and i4 flow through secondary windings 116 and 122, respectively, and i5 and i6 flow through output capacitors C1 and C2, respectively, forming a load current i7 at output 108.

[0029] Generally, there are three operating modes that can be described by four states, A, B, C, and D, as shown in state table 126 of Figure 2B. The basic modes are: 1: connect the input power supply Vin to the dual opposing magnetic primary windings with a given polarity while the secondary windings connect to the associated output capacitors through closed secondary switches; 2: short the primary windings while simultaneously connecting both secondary windings to the associated output capacitors through closed secondary switches; 3: same as mode 1, but with reversed polarity, with the opposite secondary winding connected to the associated output capacitor through a closed secondary switch. A cycle consists of four states, where the cycle is mode 1 followed by mode 2 followed by mode 3 followed by mode 2 followed by mode 1 and so on.

[0030] A control circuit 126 controls switches S1, S2, S3, and S4 to generate an AC input voltage Vin across the series-connected primary windings in states A and C, and to disconnect the input voltage Vin and short-circuit the primary windings in states B and D.

[0031] In states A and C, the control circuit alternately switches the synchronous rectifier switches of the first and second conversion sections to alternately connect the secondary winding to the output and AC-couples the secondary winding currents (e.g., i3 / 2 and i4 / 2) through the effective output capacitors C1 and C2 to provide an output current i7 at the output 108 on alternate half cycles of the AC input voltage Vin such that the output voltage Vout=VC1+VC2. As shown in FIG. 3, the equivalent circuit 130 of the voltage doubler in state A shows that 1 / 2Vout is supported by the output capacitor C1 (VC1=Vout / 2) with an AC-coupled load current i7=i5=i4 / 2 provided by a current source 132 of the secondary winding current i4 through the output capacitor C1 providing the other half. Half of the secondary winding current i4 is used as current i6 to recharge the output capacitor C2 and returns to i4, and half of the secondary winding current i4 is provided to the load and returns as i5 to discharge the output capacitor C1 and returns to i4. In state C, the equivalent circuit is inverted, with C2 supporting 1 / 2Vout and AC-coupled load current i7 = i6 = i3 / 2 providing the other half. Thus, in comparison to conventional topologies, the output current of the voltage doubler is AC-coupled to the load during states A and C.

[0032] Thus, the voltage doubler produces an output voltage Vout that is twice that of the conventional topology, i.e. Vout=Vin*(D / N) (2) where D is the duty ratio and N is the turns ratio of the first and second transformers. All else being equal, the voltage doubler 100 produces an output voltage Vout that is twice that of the conventional topology. For a constant power, the load current delivered is half that of the conventional topology.

[0033] In states B and D, the control circuit closes both synchronous rectifier switches to connect the output capacitors C1 and C2 to the output 108, making the voltages VC1 and VC equal. The transformer action connects the capacitors C1 and C2 to the output, and the charge equalization makes the voltages on each capacitor equal. Thus, the charge balance between the output capacitors is automatically forced every cycle. The reset period in states B and D is used for both magnetic reset and output capacitor charge balance. As shown in FIG. 4, the equivalent circuit 140 of the voltage doubler in states B or D shows that during states B or D, the output capacitors C1 and C2 are connected with a current source 144 equal to (i3+i4) / 4 that supplies the load current i7 through the effective leakage inductance 142 (Lk*2) / N2 of the transformers T1 and T2. C1 and C2 are connected in series to form Vout. This resets the capacitor voltages and resets the charge imbalance between the two output capacitors.

[0034] 2C, one embodiment of a switching pattern 150 that can be applied to the voltage doubler 100 to generate the state table 126 is shown.

[0035] In state A, switches S1, S4, and S6 are on (closed) and switches S2, S3, and S5 are off (open), allowing a secondary winding current equal to the sum of the primary winding currents (i4=i1+i2) to flow through the secondary winding 122. Half of this current is AC-coupled through the output capacitor C2 to the output, where Vout=VC1+VC2.

[0036] In states B and D, switches S2, S4, S5, and S6 are on (closed) and switches S1 and S3 are off (open), disconnecting the input voltage Vin and shorting the primary windings 114 and 120. Closing SRS switches S5 and S6 connects the output capacitors C1 and C2 to the output and provides a load current i7=(i3+i4) / 4 equal to the sum of the secondary currents divided by 2, equalizing voltages VC1 and VC2 and setting up any charge imbalance between the capacitors.

[0037] In state C, switches S2, S3, and S5 are on (closed) and switches S1, S4, and S6 are off (open), which applies the opposite polarity input voltage to the primary winding, causing a secondary winding current equal to the sum of the primary winding currents (i3=i1+i2) to flow through the secondary winding 126. Half of this current is AC-coupled through the output capacitor C2 to the output, which is (Vout=VC1+VC2).

[0038] There are many different permutations of switching patterns supporting three different modes and four states, a number of which are shown in table 160 of FIG. 5 for voltage doubler topologies considering the transformer dot notations identified in various figures. These are configured in different or alternating ways to cycle S1, S2, S3, and S4 to achieve alternating polarity followed by short circuit conditions. Furthermore, the patterns can be modified according to the transformer dot notation. For example, in the dot notation shown in FIG. 2A, the primary junction of T1 and T2 is Vout, and during state A (S6 closed and S5 open), the primary of T1 has a voltage of Vin-Vout applied to it and the primary of T2 has Vout applied to it. When the transformer dot notation is modified, it can be devised that in the configuration in state A with S6 open and S5 closed, the primary of T1 has a voltage of Vout applied to it and the primary of T2 has a voltage of Vin-Vout applied to it. In this case, the primary junction of T1 and T2 becomes a square wave and in states A and C the voltage is Vin-Vout, and in states B and D the voltage is Vout.

[0039] The basic topology of the voltage divider shown in Figure 2A can be expanded or generalized to provide multiple outputs with the same or different Vout, to provide more power at each output, to provide higher output voltages Vout at each output, or combinations thereof. This is accomplished by providing multiple conversion cells in each conversion section and connecting the cells between sections (multiple outputs) or in parallel or series within a section (power or voltage boost).

[0040] 6, the converter cell 200 includes a single transformer 202 with a single primary winding 204 and P (P is an integer equal to or greater than 1) secondary windings 206. The cell includes P secondary loops 208, each connecting one of the secondary winding 206, the output capacitor 210, and the SRS 212. The package 214 includes a pair of terminals 1 and 2 on either side of the primary winding 204, a pair of terminals 3 and 4 on either side of the output capacitor 210 in the first secondary loop, a pair of terminals 5 and 6 on either side of the output capacitor 210 in the second secondary loop, etc.

[0041] To form the basic topology of the voltage doubler shown in Figure 2A, a single pair of P=1 converter cells are stacked, the primary converter cells are connected in series by connecting terminal 2 of the first converter cell to terminal 2 of the second converter cell, and the output capacitors are connected in series by connecting terminal 3 of the first converter cell to terminal 3 of the second converter cell. Terminal 4 of the first converter cell is connected to ground and terminal 4 of the second converter cell provides the output. A switching network can be connected to terminal 1 of both cells and driven to generate Vout=VC1+VC2=Vin*(D / N) at the output.

[0042] 7, in another embodiment, the voltage doubler 220 is configured to generate O outputs (O=2 in this example) from a single pair of transformers T1 and T2. Each conversion section 222, 224 includes a single conversion cell 200 with P=O=2 secondary windings. The two secondary loops in each of the first section 222 and the second section 224 are "stacked" and connected in series to generate Vout(i)=VC(i)+VC2(i) for i=1 to O when driven by a switching network 226. In this configuration, a single transformer pair is used to power multiple loads. Each load can draw power as needed, as long as the total load power does not exceed the power rating of the voltage doubler.

[0043] For example, terminal 2 of the converter cell in converter section 222 is connected to terminal 2 of the converter cell in converter section 224, connecting the primary windings in series. Terminal 4 of the converter cell in converter section 222 is connected to terminal 3 of the converter cell in converter section 224, connecting the first secondary loops in each cell in series and providing a first output at terminal 3 of the converter cell in converter section 222. Terminal 6 of the converter cell in converter section 222 is connected to terminal 5 of the converter cell in converter section 224, connecting the second secondary loops in each cell in series and providing a second output at terminal 5 of the converter cell in converter section 222. The output voltages Vout_1 and Vout_2 may be the same or different depending on the number of turns in each secondary winding.

[0044] Now referring to FIG. 8, in another embodiment, the voltage doubler 230 is configured to increase the output power that can be delivered to the load without sacrificing Vout. Each conversion section 232, 234 includes Q conversion cells 200, each with a single secondary winding, where Q=2 in this example. The Q secondary loops are connected in parallel within a given conversion section. The conversion sections are "stacked" to serially connect the primary windings and serially connect the parallel combinations with effective capacitances C1eff and C2eff. When driven by the switching network 236, the Q transformers provide additional current to each secondary loop through the effective capacitances C1eff, C2eff to provide more power to the load without sacrificing the output voltage Vout. Additionally, splitting the power to multiple transformers reduces losses. Alternatively, the output power delivered to the load may not change, but each conversion cell is only required to provide ½Q of the output power.

[0045] For example, in converter section 232, terminal 2 of the upper converter cell 200 is connected to terminal 1 of the lower converter cell 200, and in converter section 234, terminal 1 of the upper converter cell 200 is connected to terminal 2 of the lower converter cell 200, connecting the primary windings in series. In each converter section, all of the terminals 3 of the converter cells are connected together and all of the terminals 4 are connected together, connecting the cells within each section in parallel. The output Vout is available at the junction of all terminals 3 of converter section 232, and terminal 4 of converter section 234 is grounded.

[0046] Now referring to FIG. 9, in another embodiment, the voltage doubler 240 is configured to increase the output voltage Vout that can be supplied to a load. Each conversion section 242, 244 includes R conversion cells, each with a single secondary winding, where R=2 in this example. Two secondary loops are connected in series within a given conversion section. The conversion sections 242, 244 are "stacked" to serially connect the primary windings and serially connect all four secondary loops. When driven by the switching network 246, the R transformers in each section provide current through each secondary loop and effective capacitance, multiplying the voltage generated by each conversion section by R. If one conversion cell per section generates the output voltage Vout, this configuration generates an output voltage Vout*=R*Vout. Alternatively, Vout may not change, but each conversion cell only needs to provide 1 / 2R*Vout.

[0047] For example, terminals 1 and 2 can be connected in the same manner as shown in Figure 8, connecting the primary windings in series. In each converter section, the output is taken at terminal 3 of the upper converter cell 200 and terminal 4 is connected to terminal 3 of the lower converter cell 200. The secondary loop is connected in series between the converter sections by connecting open terminal 4 from converter section 242 with open terminal 3 from converter section 244. The output is taken at terminal 3 from converter section 242 and terminal 4 from converter section 244 is grounded.

[0048] In a common topology, each of the conversion sections may contain (O / P)*Q*R conversion cells that may be provided isolated, parallel connected, series connected, or a combination thereof within each conversion section to support O outputs of increased power delivered to the load or increased output voltage delivered to the load.

[0049] While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. first and second conversion cells, each of which includes a transformer T1 or T2 having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and an output capacitor C1 or C2 and a synchronous rectifier switch S1 or S2 connected in a secondary loop to the secondary winding, the first and second conversion cells being stacked such that the primary windings are connected in series and the output capacitors C1 and C2 are connected in series across an output; an input circuit including a plurality of primary switches coupled to the series connected primary windings; a control circuit for controlling the plurality of primary switches to generate an AC input voltage Vin across the series connected primary windings in states A and C, and to disconnect the input voltage Vin and short out the primary windings in states B and D; in states A and C, the control circuit switches the synchronous rectifier switches S1 and S2 in opposite directions to alternately connect the secondary winding to the output to AC couple secondary winding current through output capacitors C1 and C2 on alternate half cycles of the AC input voltage Vin to provide an output current to the output such that output voltage Vout=VC1+VC2; In states B and D, the control circuit closes both synchronous rectifier switches to connect the output capacitors C1 and C2 to the output to equalize voltages VC1 and VC2; A double ended dual magnetic DC-DC switching power converter (SPC) where Vout=Vin*(D / N), where D is the duty ratio and N is the turns ratio of the first and second transformers.

2. 2. The double ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 1, wherein the output capacitor C1 is equal to the output capacitor C2.

3. 2. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 1, wherein in states A and C, with synchronous rectifier switch S1 or S2 open, the output capacitor C1 or C2 provides half of the output voltage Vout, and with synchronous rectifier switch S1 or S2 closed, the secondary winding current is AC-coupled through the opposing output capacitor C1 or C2 to provide the other half of the output voltage Vout, where VC1=VC2=Vout / 2.

4. 2. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 1, wherein in states B and D, the output capacitors C1 and C2 are connected in series through the effective leakage inductances of transformers T1 and T2 to form Vout, equalize VC1 and VC2, and reset the charge imbalance between the output capacitors C1 and C2.

5. 2. The double ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 1, wherein each transformer T1 and T2 includes P secondary windings, where P>1, each secondary winding is connected to an output capacitor C1 or C2 and a synchronous rectifier switch S1 or S2 in a secondary loop, and the P secondary loops in the first and second converter cells are stacked and series connected, respectively, to series connect effective output capacitances C1(i) ​​and C2(i), for i=1 to P, to generate an output voltage Vout(i)=VC1(i)+VC2(i) across each of the P outputs.

6. a first conversion section including Q>1 first conversion cells with the primary windings connected in series and the secondary loops connected in parallel to provide an effective output capacitance Ceff1; a second conversion section including Q second conversion cells in which the primary windings are connected in series and the secondary loops are connected in parallel to provide an effective output capacitance Ceff2; 2. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 1, wherein the first and second transformer sections are stacked to serially connect all the primary windings and serially connect the effective output capacitances Ceff1 and Ceff2 to generate an output voltage Vout=VCeff1+VCeff2.

7. a first conversion section including R>1 first conversion cells having the primary windings connected in series and the secondary loops connected in series to provide an effective output capacitance Ceff1; a second conversion section including R second conversion cells in which the primary windings are connected in series and the secondary loops are connected in series to provide an effective output capacitance Ceff2; 2. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 1, wherein the first and second transformer sections are stacked to serially connect all the primary windings and serially connect the effective output capacitances Ceff1 and Ceff2 to generate an output voltage Vout=VCeff1+VCeff2.

8. first and second conversion sections, each conversion section including at least one conversion cell, each conversion cell including a transformer having a primary winding and at least one secondary winding, one or more secondary loops each connecting one secondary winding, an output capacitor, and a synchronous rectifier switch, each conversion section including one or more secondary loops connected in parallel or series to define effective capacitances Ceff1(i) and Ceff2(i) of one or more outputs i, the first and second conversion sections stacked to series connect the primary windings and series connect effective output capacitances Ceff1(i) and Ceff2(i) across respective outputs; an input circuit including a plurality of primary switches coupled to the series connected primary windings; a control circuit for controlling the plurality of primary switches to generate an AC input voltage Vin across the series connected primary windings in states A and C, and to disconnect the input voltage Vin and short out the primary windings in states B and D; in states A and C, the control circuit switches the synchronous rectifier switches of the first and second conversion sections inversely to alternately connect the secondary windings to the outputs and AC-couple secondary winding currents through effective output capacitances Ceff1(i) and Ceff2(i) in alternate half cycles of the AC input voltage Vin to provide output currents to each of the one or more outputs such that an output voltage Vout(i)=VCeff1(i)+VCeff2(i); In states B and D, the control circuit closes both synchronous rectifier switches to connect output capacitances Ceff1(i) and Ceff2(i) to the respective outputs to equalize voltages VCeff1(i) and VCeff2(i); A double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC switching power converter (SPC) where Vout(i)=Vin*(D / Neff(i)), where D is the duty ratio and Neff(i) is the effective turns ratio of the transformer for each output.

9. 9. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 8, wherein in states A and C, with synchronous rectifier switch S1 or S2 open, the effective output capacitance C1eff or C2eff provides half of the output voltage Vout(i), and with synchronous rectifier switch S1 or S2 closed, the secondary winding current is AC-coupled through the opposing effective output capacitance C1eff or C2eff to supply the other half of the output voltage Vout, and VC1eff(i)=VC2eff(i)=Vout(i) / 2.

10. 9. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 8, wherein in states B and D, the effective output capacitances C1eff(i) and C2eff(i) are connected together through an effective leakage inductance of the transformer to equalize VC1eff(i) and VC2eff(i) and reset any charge imbalance between the effective output capacitances C1eff and C2eff.

11. 9. The double ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 8, wherein each transformer includes multiple secondary windings, each secondary winding is connected to an output capacitor C1 or C2 and a synchronous rectifier switch S1 or S2 in a secondary loop, and corresponding multiple secondary loops in the first and second transformation sections are stacked and series connected, respectively, to series connect effective output capacitances C1(i) ​​and C2(i) and generate an output voltage Vout(i)=VC1(i)+VC2(i) for each of a plurality of outputs.

12. a first conversion section including a plurality of first conversion cells, the primary windings of which are connected in series and the secondary loops of which are connected in parallel, providing an effective output capacitance Ceff1; a second conversion section including the same plurality of second conversion cells, the primary windings connected in series and the secondary loops connected in parallel to provide an effective output capacitance Ceff2; 9. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 8, wherein the first and second transformer sections are stacked to serially connect all the primary windings and serially connect the effective output capacitances Ceff1 and Ceff2 to generate an output voltage Vout=VCeff1+VCeff2.

13. a first conversion section including a plurality of first conversion cells, the primary windings of which are connected in series and the secondary loops of which are connected in series, providing an effective output capacitance Ceff1; a second conversion section including a same plurality of second conversion cells in which the primary windings are connected in series and the secondary loop is connected in series to provide an effective output capacitance Ceff2; 9. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 8, wherein the first and second transformer sections are stacked to serially connect all the primary windings and serially connect the effective output capacitances Ceff1 and Ceff2 to generate an output voltage Vout=VCeff1+VCeff2.

14. first and second conversion sections, each conversion section including at least one conversion cell, each conversion cell including a transformer having a primary winding and P secondary windings, each of the P secondary loops connecting one secondary winding, an output capacitor, and a synchronous rectifier switch, each conversion section including Q secondary loops connected in parallel and R secondary loops connected in series with each of the Q secondary loops, defining effective capacitances Ceff1(i) and Ceff2(i) for i=1 to O for each of O outputs, where O, P, Q, and R are integers equal to or greater than 1, the first and second conversion sections being stacked to series connect the primary windings and series connect effective output capacitances Ceff1(i) and Ceff2(i) across each of the O outputs; an input circuit including a plurality of primary switches coupled to the series connected primary windings; a control circuit for controlling the plurality of primary switches to generate an AC input voltage Vin across the series connected primary windings in states A and C, and to disconnect the input voltage Vin and short out the primary windings in states B and D; in states A and C, the control circuit switches the synchronous rectifier switches of the first and second conversion sections inversely to alternately connect the secondary windings to the outputs and AC-couple secondary winding currents through effective output capacitances Ceff1(i) and Ceff2(i) in alternate half cycles of the AC input voltage Vin to provide output currents to each of the O outputs such that an output voltage Vout(i)=VCeff1(i)+VCeff2(i); In states B and D, the control circuit closes both synchronous rectifier switches to connect output capacitances Ceff1(i) and Ceff2(i) to their respective outputs to equalize voltages VCeff1(i) and VCeff2(i); A double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC switching power converter (SPC) where Vout(i)=Vin*(D / Neff(i)), where D is the duty ratio and Neff(i) is the effective turns ratio of the transformer of each of the O outputs.

15. 15. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 14, wherein in states A and C, the effective output capacitance Ceff1(i) or Ceff2(i) with synchronous rectifier switch S1 or S2 open provides half of the output voltage Vout(i), and the secondary winding current with synchronous rectifier switch S1 or S2 closed is AC-coupled through the opposing effective output capacitance Ceff1(i) or Ceff2(i) to provide the other half of the output voltage Vout(i), and VC1eff(i)=VC2eff(i)=Vout(i) / 2.

16. 15. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 14, wherein in states B and D, the effective output capacitances Ceff1(i) or Ceff2(i) are connected to each other through an effective leakage inductance of a transformer, and the transformer equalizes VC1 and VC2 to reset any charge imbalance between the effective output capacitances Ceff1(i) or Ceff2(i).

17. 15. The double ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 14, wherein O=P=Q=R=1.

18. 15. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 14, wherein P=0>1, each secondary winding is connected in a secondary loop to an output capacitor and a synchronous rectifier switch S1 or S2, and the P secondary loops in the first and second transformer sections are stacked and series connected across O outputs, respectively.

19. 15. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 14, wherein Q>1, and each transformer section includes a plurality of Q transformer cells with the primary windings connected in series and the secondary loops connected in parallel.

20. 15. The double-ended dual magnetic DC-DC SPC of claim 14, wherein R>1 and each transformer section includes a plurality of R transformer cells with the primary windings connected in series and the secondary loops connected in series.

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