Feedbackless Resonant Isolated Converter for Power Supply Charge Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional isolated power converters require feedback signals across an isolation barrier, increasing cost and complexity due to the need for communication transformers or opto-couplers.
Innovation Solution
The development of feedbackless resonant isolated power converters, which regulate output voltage without secondary-to-primary feedback, using a resonant architecture where the primary side operates as a resonator and the secondary side as a resonant rectifier, allowing independent control and eliminating the need for feedback signals across the isolation barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If feedback signals are used across the isolation barrier, then output voltage regulation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to communication transformers or opto-couplers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the feedback signal transmission components (communication transformers or opto-couplers) from the isolated power converter system. By using resonant frequency coupling and impedance matching, the system achieves regulation without requiring physical feedback paths across the isolation barrier, thereby removing the complex and costly feedback mechanisms while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces resonant frequency coupling as an intermediary mechanism between primary and secondary sides. Instead of direct feedback signaling, the system uses the resonant characteristics of the transformer and tank circuit to indirectly sense and regulate output conditions, allowing regulation without direct communication across the isolation barrier.
2Device complexity
If feedback mechanisms are eliminated, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but maintaining output voltage regulation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the primary side circuit to self-regulate by monitoring its own resonant frequency and impedance characteristics. The resonant tank circuit naturally responds to load changes and output voltage variations through changes in its resonant behavior, allowing the system to automatically adjust and maintain regulation without external feedback signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits resonant oscillations and vibrational characteristics of the LC tank circuit to achieve regulation. By monitoring the resonant frequency and amplitude of the oscillating current and voltage in the primary circuit, the system can detect output conditions and adjust operation to maintain desired output voltage levels without requiring feedback components.
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
This solution reduces the size and cost of power converters by eliminating the need for feedback mechanisms, while maintaining efficient power transfer and regulation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a primary side resonator and a secondary side resonant rectifier in an isolated power converter are turned on. Power is transferred from the primary side to the secondary side of the isolated power converter
Implementation Method 2
resonant architecture where the primary side operates as a resonator and the secondary side as a resonant rectifier
Data Source
AI summary
A converter circuit includes a primary side having a resonator and a first control circuit configured to control the resonator. The converter circuit also includes a secondary side having a resonant rectifier and a second control circuit configured to control the resonant rectifier. The converter circuit further includes a transformer configured to electrically isolate the primary side from the secondary side. The second control circuit is configured to turn the resonant rectifier on and off. The first control circuit may be configured to detect when the resonant rectifier is off and, in response, turn the resonator off without using a feedback signal from the secondary side. The first control circuit may be configured to detect when the resonant rectifier is off by detecting when input power to the primary side decreases. The resonant rectifier could be turned on and off by detuning the resonant rectifier.