Factorized Power Converter With Discontinuous Pre-Regulation Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary power conversion systems struggle to provide high power density and efficiency while supporting large, fast current transients and maintaining circuit voltage within an acceptable range, particularly for low-voltage, high-current electronic systems.
Innovation Solution
A high-bandwidth factorized power system with a discontinuous-mode pre-regulator and a fixed-ratio power converter, utilizing a Sine-amplitude converter and a clamp circuit to regulate output voltage, featuring a controller that adjusts switch timing to ensure the output voltage remains above a threshold, and includes a comparator for cycle-by-cycle control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a factorized power system with pre-regulator and fixed-ratio converter is used, then power density and conversion efficiency are improved, but control bandwidth is insufficient to support large, fast current transients
Solution Approach 1:
The power conversion system is divided into two independent modules: a pre-regulator module (PRM) that converts input voltage to an intermediate voltage, and a fixed-ratio power converter module that converts the intermediate voltage to the final output voltage. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently - the PRM for efficiency and the fixed-ratio converter for fast transient response, thereby resolving the contradiction between conversion efficiency and control bandwidth.
2Volume of stationary object
If filtering capacitors are placed at the high input voltage of the VTM, then capacitor volume is reduced through capacitance multiplication, but voltage regulation bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate voltage node is introduced between the input source and the final output, creating a two-stage conversion process. The pre-regulator establishes this intermediate voltage with high efficiency, while the fixed-ratio converter uses it as a stable input to deliver fast transient response. This intermediary voltage level enables both reduced capacitor volume and high regulation bandwidth by decoupling the filtering requirements from the final output stage.
3Power
If discontinuous mode operation is used in the pre-regulator, then power density is improved, but output voltage ripple increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage ripple generated by discontinuous mode pre-regulator operation is segmented and handled separately by the fixed-ratio power converter stage. The PRM operates in discontinuous mode to achieve high power density, while the second stage converter processes the rippled input voltage and delivers clean, stable output voltage, thereby resolving the contradiction between power density and voltage stability.
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 system achieves high efficiency and power density with rapid response to load transients, maintaining output voltage stability and reducing ripple voltage, enabling operation at frequencies up to 1 MHz with minimal ripple.
Implementation Method 1
each operating cycle including an input phase during which energy is drawn from the input source and an output phase during which energy is delivered to the pre-regulator output
Implementation Method 2
The clamp circuit traps energy in the inductor by effectively short-circuiting the inductor during a portion of the operating cycle
Data Source
AI summary
A high bandwidth factorized power system comprises a discontinuous-mode regulator supplying the input of a fixed-ratio power converter providing an output voltage. The discontinuous-mode regulator delivers power to the fixed ratio converter in a series of operating cycles, each cycle comprising an input phase during which energy is drawn from the input source to an inductor and an output phase during which energy is delivered from the inductor to the regulator output. A controller begins the input phase of an operating cycle of the regulator after the end of the output phase upon sensing that the output voltage is below a minimum voltage threshold.