Active Power Buffer Circuit for Smaller AC-DC Power Supplies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AC-DC power supplies are often too large for smaller electronic devices due to the physical volume required for power buffering capacitors, making it difficult to incorporate them within the device's housing while meeting power demands.
Innovation Solution
An AC-DC power converter design incorporating an active power buffer with an energy storage capacitor and switching devices that operate as a bi-directional buck-boost converter, along with a control system featuring multiple control loops for regulating voltage and power factor, allowing for a more compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional power buffering capacitors are used, then power supply capacity is sufficient, but physical volume becomes too large for smaller electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional passive mechanical capacitor-based power buffering system with an active electronic power buffer system using switching devices (MOSFETs or IGBTs), control circuitry, and a smaller energy storage capacitor. This substitution enables dynamic control of power flow while reducing the physical volume required for energy storage, as the active switching components can rapidly charge and discharge the capacitor to meet power demands without requiring the capacitor itself to be large.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through switching devices that can rapidly switch between on and off states, controlled by control circuitry that responds to load conditions. This dynamic system allows the power buffer to adapt its energy storage and release characteristics in real-time, enabling a smaller capacitor to provide the same effective power buffering as a larger static capacitor would have provided traditionally.
2Volume of moving object
If power supply size is reduced, then it can fit within smaller electronic devices, but power buffering capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical capacitor-based power buffering system with an active electronic power buffer system using switching devices (MOSFETs or IGBTs), control circuitry, and a smaller energy storage capacitor. This substitution enables dynamic control of power flow while reducing the physical volume required for energy storage, as the active switching components can rapidly charge and discharge the capacitor to meet power demands without requiring the capacitor itself to be large.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through control circuitry that monitors the state of the energy storage capacitor and the load conditions, then adjusts the switching devices accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the power buffer maintains adequate power delivery capability by dynamically adjusting the charge and discharge cycles of the capacitor, compensating for the reduced physical size of the energy storage component.
3Quantity of substance
If large capacitors are used for power buffering, then energy storage capacity is sufficient, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical capacitor-based power buffering system with an active electronic power buffer system using switching devices (MOSFETs or IGBTs), control circuitry, and a smaller energy storage capacitor. This substitution enables dynamic control of power flow while reducing the physical volume required for energy storage, as the active switching components can rapidly charge and discharge the capacitor to meet power demands without requiring the capacitor itself to be large.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through switching devices that can rapidly switch between on and off states, controlled by control circuitry that responds to load conditions. This dynamic system allows the power buffer to adapt its energy storage and release characteristics in real-time, enabling a smaller capacitor to provide the same effective power buffering as a larger static capacitor would have provided traditionally.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a physically smaller power supply that meets the power demands of smaller electronic devices while maintaining efficiency and stability, reducing the need for large capacitors and improving transient response.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage capacitor and one or more switching devices selectively coupling the energy storage capacitor to the output of the power converter so as to alternately store energy in and discharge energy from the energy storage capacitor
Implementation Method 2
The DC-DC converter stage can be a flyback converter. The flyback converter can employ a split magnetics arrangement having two or more flyback transformers
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter can include a DC-DC converter having an output with an active power buffer coupled thereto. The active power buffer can include an energy storage capacitor and one or more switching devices selectively coupling the capacitor to the output to alternately store energy in and discharge energy from the capacitor. Control circuitry can include a DC-DC converter control loop that operates the DC-DC converter to regulate an average voltage across the capacitor and an active power buffer control loop that operates the one or more switching devices of the active power buffer to regulate an output voltage of the power converter. The DC-DC converter control loop can include a relatively slower control loop that controls the DC-DC converter during steady state load conditions and at least one relatively faster control loop that controls the DC-DC converter during transient load conditions.