Patent ID: 6856523
Filing Date: 2005-02-15
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
1. A Direct Current-to-Direct Current (DC/DC) voltage converter comprising: a transformer being operative to receive an input supply voltage at a primary winding and generate an output voltage at a secondary winding; a power switch in series with the primary winding, the power switch receives a power switch drive signal with voltage level transitions that switch the power switch between an “ON” state that applies the input supply voltage across the primary winding and an “OFF” state that removes the input supply voltage from across the primary winding; a clamp device that limits a peak voltage at a common node of the primary winding and the power switch, the clamp device receives a clamp device drive signal with voltage level transitions that switch the clamp device between “ON” and “OFF” states that are generally opposed to the “ON” and “OFF” states of the power switch; and a level shifter that shifts the voltage level transitions of the clamp device drive signal from a first voltage level range to a second voltage level range to drive the clamp device with a voltage that is outside a voltage range of the input supply voltage.