Power Supply Voltage Clipper and Tripler for Low Quiescent Consumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supplies and circuit designs fail to conform to stringent power conservation directives, necessitating the development of efficient energy-saving solutions for desktop computers and other devices during idle periods.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an electronic circuit comprising a transformer with a voltage clipper and tripler, coupled with a voltage regulator, which limits and triples alternating-current voltage to provide regulated direct-current voltages, enabling low power consumption and compliance with power conservation requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If existing power supply designs are used during idle periods, then devices can operate during non-use periods, but power consumption is too high to conform to power conservation directives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcompliance with power conservation directives
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply is divided into multiple operational modes (full-power mode and deep standby mode) with distinct circuit configurations. During idle periods, the system segments active components from inactive ones, enabling operation while consuming minimal power to meet conservation directives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply dynamically transitions between different operational states based on device usage. The circuit configuration changes from a first configuration during full-power operation to a second configuration during deep standby, optimizing power consumption for each state while maintaining compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by stationary object

If power supply enters deep standby mode to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to quickly transition to full-power mode may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransition speed between modes
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

During deep standby mode, the power supply maintains certain components in a prepared state rather than completely shutting them down. This preliminary action ensures that when transition to full-power mode is needed, the system can activate quickly without extensive reinitialization, balancing low power consumption with fast wake-up capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 allows for efficient energy conservation by maintaining regulated direct-current voltages while minimizing power consumption, enabling devices to transition seamlessly between deep standby and full-power modes, thus adhering to current and pending power conservation directives.

Implementation Method 1

A clipper circuit limits the alternating-current voltage applied to the primary side of the transformer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage clipping:

Implementation Method 2

A voltage tripler receives output from the secondary side of the transformer and a resulting unregulated voltage is coupled to a voltage regulator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage multiplication:

Implementation Method 3

A voltage regulator is electrically coupled to the voltage tripler and is configured to output one or more regulated direct-current voltages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS8723357B2Power supply having low quiescent consumption
Publication Date: 2014.05.13 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • US8723357B2 patent drawing
  • US8723357B2 patent drawing
  • US8723357B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Electronic circuitry and methods are provided. Electrical energy is coupled to a transformer by way of line filter of a power supply. A clipper circuit limits the alternating-current voltage applied to the primary side. A voltage tripler receives output from the secondary side of the transformer and a resulting voltage is coupled to a voltage regulator. At least one regulated direct-current voltage is output to a load and is maintained while a current pulse is applied to a predetermined device. The electronic circuitry conforms to pending power conservation requirements for computers and other equipment.