DC-DC Converter Control for Constant Current to Pulsed Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems for pulsed loads are inefficient and costly due to the use of multiple converters and heavy filters, which fail to optimally manage the pulsating power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that control a power supply by generating signals informative of voltage and current to maintain a predefined relationship, allowing a single-stage DC-DC converter to efficiently manage pulsed loads without heavy filters, ensuring stable and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple intermediate converters and heavy filters are used to mitigate the impact of pulsating load requirements, then the power supply can handle pulsed loads, but the system becomes costly and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the heavy filters and multiple intermediate converters from the power supply system. By using a single DC-DC converter with a specifically designed control method that processes pulsating load current requirements, the system achieves reliable pulsed load handling without the complex filtering infrastructure that would otherwise be necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters of the DC-DC converter to optimize it for pulsed load conditions. By adjusting the control method to process pulsating current requirements directly, the system maintains reliability while reducing device complexity, as the converter operates in a modified mode rather than requiring additional hardware components.
2Reliability
If multiple intermediate converters and heavy filters are used to mitigate the impact of pulsating load requirements, then the power supply can handle pulsed loads, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive heavy filters and multiple intermediate converters from the system architecture. By relying on a single DC-DC converter with advanced control processing, the manufacturing cost is reduced while maintaining the ability to handle pulsed loads reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The single DC-DC converter is designed to perform multiple functions: it handles both the power conversion and the pulsating load current mitigation that would otherwise require separate dedicated components. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and manufacturing cost while preserving reliability.
3Device complexity
If a single-stage DC-DC converter is used without heavy filters, then manufacturing costs are reduced and efficiency is improved, but the power supply must efficiently manage pulsating power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the control parameters and operating mode of the single DC-DC converter to enable it to handle pulsating power requirements. By changing how the converter processes and responds to pulsating load currents, it gains the adaptability needed to manage variable power demands without requiring additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow the single DC-DC converter to continuously monitor and adjust to pulsating load conditions. This feedback-enabled control provides the adaptability normally associated with complex multi-stage systems, allowing the simplified hardware to respond dynamically to changing power requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided systems and methods comprising, for a power supply which has an output electrically coupled to at least one pulsed load, generating a signal VOV informative of a voltage VOUT at the output of the power supply, generating a signal VI<sub2>load </sub2>informative of a current Iload required by the at least one pulsed load, wherein, for at least one given period of time, the current Iload comprises a series of pulses, generating a signal VI<sub2>in </sub2>informative of a current Iin at an input of the power supply, feeding the signal VOV, the signal VI<sub2>load </sub2>and the signal VI<sub2>in </sub2>to a controller of the power supply, and controlling, by the controller, the current Iin such that the signal VI<sub2>in </sub2>which is informative thereof, meets a predefined relationship with the signals VOV and VI<sub2>load</sub2>.