Multi-phase Power Converter Coupled Inductor Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-phase power converters with coupled inductors suffer from energy loss and inefficiency due to current ripple in the common magnetic core and unequal average currents delivered by phase circuits, which degrades the overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The power converter circuit employs a control circuit to initiate active periods for phase circuits, ensuring that currents in coupled inductors are out of phase, reducing losses in the magnetic core and allowing for equal average current delivery to a load by varying on-time and off-time periods based on voltage levels and reference voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multi-phase power converters use coupled inductors with common magnetic core, then the device area is reduced, but energy loss increases due to current ripple in the common magnetic core
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing pulse frequency modulation where phase circuits are activated in alternating periods. The control circuit initiates active periods for first and second phase circuits, with each phase performing multiple on-time periods separated by off-time periods. This periodic activation pattern allows currents in coupled inductors to be out of phase, reducing magnetic core losses while maintaining compact coupled inductor structure.
2Area of stationary object
If multi-phase power converters use coupled inductors, then device area is reduced, but efficiency deteriorates due to unequal average currents delivered by phase circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit implements periodic action by initiating active periods for phase circuits in an alternating pattern. Each phase circuit performs multiple on-time periods separated by off-time periods within each active period. This periodic modulation ensures that after a particular time period, currents in the first and second coils are out of phase, allowing both phases to deliver equal average currents to the load, thereby improving overall efficiency while maintaining the area benefits of coupled inductors.
3Power
If phase circuits operate simultaneously without phase separation, then power delivery is maximized, but current ripple in magnetic core increases causing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling phase circuits to operate in alternating active periods with on-time and off-time periods separated by specific time intervals. This periodic operation ensures currents are out of phase, reducing magnetic core losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that while phases are separated to reduce losses, the combined power delivery remains maximized. The control circuit coordinates multiple phase circuits operating in alternating patterns, so that when one phase is in off-time period, another phase can be in on-time period, maintaining continuous power delivery to the load.
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 approach enhances the efficiency of the power converter by minimizing current ripple and ensuring equal average current delivery, thereby improving the overall performance and reducing energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
a first coil included in a pair of coupled inductors that includes the first coil, a second coil, and a common magnetic core
Implementation Method 2
By having the first and second currents out of phase, loss in the common magnetic core may be reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter circuit that includes multiple phase circuits may employ coupled inductors to generate a particular voltage level on a regulated power supply node. Based on a comparison of a voltage level of the regulated power supply node and a reference voltage, the power converter circuit may initiate an active period, during which the phase circuits source respective currents to the regulated power supply node via corresponding coils included in the coupled inductor. After a time period has elapsed following an initiation of the active period, the operation of the phase circuits is adjusted so that the respective currents flowing in the coils of the coupled inductor are out of phase.