Switching Power Supply Parallel Leg Control for Loss Distribution

The patent implements periodic action by sequentially enabling switching devices in different legs at different times within each switching cycle. The controller enables switching devices in a rotating sequence across multiple legs, where each leg is enabled for one switching cycle and then skipped for the next cycle. This periodic sequential enabling ensures that power losses are evenly distributed among all paralleled devices over time, preventing any single device from bearing excessive losses and failing prematurely, while maintaining the increased overall power rating provided by the parallel configuration.

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the switching operation across multiple separate legs, each with its own switching device. Instead of having all devices switch simultaneously at high frequency, the controller segments the switching duty by enabling one leg at a time in sequence. This segmentation reduces the cumulative switching losses because not all devices are transitioning simultaneously, thereby reducing the total switching losses even at high switching frequencies while maintaining efficient power conversion.

The patent inverts the conventional synchronization approach. Instead of attempting to synchronize all switching devices to turn on and off simultaneously through complex feedback and timing adjustment circuits, the controller deliberately enables devices in a simple sequential pattern where each leg is enabled for one cycle and skipped the next. This inverted approach achieves reliable power loss distribution without requiring complex synchronization routines, thereby improving reliability while minimizing control circuit complexity.