Adaptive Intermediate Bulk Voltage Control for Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power conversion circuits face inefficiencies across the entire load range, particularly at light loads, due to high switching and core losses, and require large bulk capacitors for hold-up time, leading to excessive energy storage and dynamic performance issues when load changes suddenly.
Innovation Solution
Adaptive control of intermediate bulk voltage in power converters, varying it as a function of output power, input voltage, and hold-up time to minimize switching losses and optimize efficiency across the load range, using methods applicable to various power supply types including AC/DC, DC/DC, and AC/AC converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large bulk capacitors are used to ensure hold-up time, then reliability is improved, but device volume and energy storage increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic bulk voltage adjustment to reduce the energy storage requirement in bulk capacitors. By lowering the bulk voltage at light loads and during hold-up conditions, the system extends the effective hold-up time for a given capacitor size, thereby reducing the required capacitor volume while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bulk voltage parameter dynamically to optimize the trade-off between hold-up time and capacitor volume. By operating at reduced bulk voltage levels when full power is not required, the system achieves extended hold-up capability with smaller capacitors, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device volume.
2Loss of energy
If bulk voltage is reduced to improve light-load efficiency, then switching losses decrease, but dynamic performance deteriorates when load changes suddenly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that monitors load changes in real-time and rapidly adjusts the bulk voltage accordingly. When a sudden load increase is detected, the controller quickly raises the bulk voltage to maintain dynamic performance, while during steady light-load conditions, it reduces voltage to minimize losses. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between efficiency and response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring load current and power delivery conditions, then adjusting the bulk voltage based on this feedback. The control system responds to load transients by detecting changes in output current and rapidly modifying the intermediate voltage to maintain stable operation, thereby preserving dynamic performance while achieving efficiency improvements during steady-state light-load operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply having an specified hold-up time to take a input voltage and convert it to an output voltage, comprising: a first power stage to receive the input voltage; a second power stage to generate the output voltage and an output current; an intermediate charge storage device coupled between the first and second power conversion stages providing an intermediate output voltage in response to the input voltage; and a controller that controls the intermediate output voltage according to a voltage function that is associated with the hold-up time.