Patent ID: 8384298
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: H02M,H05B,Y02B

Abstract:
1. A resonant inverter, comprising: an inverter circuit, wherein the inverter circuit receives power from a power source to power a load; an inverter output, wherein the inverter output transmits power to a load coupled to the inverter output, wherein the power is received from the inverter circuit; a current sensor, wherein the current sensor detects a current in the load coupled to the inverter output and wherein the current sensor includes a charge pump circuit, wherein the charge pump circuit is activated when the current sensor detects a current in the load coupled to the inverter output, and wherein the charge pump circuit is inactive when the current sensor detects no current in the load coupled to the inverter output; a sleep circuit, wherein the sleep circuit controls the inverter circuit, and wherein the sleep circuit places the resonant inverter in a non-continuous mode of operation, such that power is not continuously transmitted from the inverter circuit via the inverter output to the load, when the current sensor detects a current in the load below a threshold current; an auxiliary power supply, wherein the auxiliary power supply, when coupled to the sleep circuit, provides power to the sleep circuit such that the sleep circuit maintains the resonant inverter in a continuous mode of operation, and wherein the auxiliary power supply, when decoupled from the sleep circuit, provides no power to the sleep circuit such that the sleep circuit places the resonant inverter in a non-continuous mode of operation; and a comparator circuit having a first and second input and an output, wherein the charge pump circuit is coupled to the first input and a reference signal is coupled to the second input, and wherein the auxiliary power supply is coupled to the output, such that, when the charge pump circuit is activated, the comparator couples the auxiliary power supply to the sleep circuit, and when the charge pump circuit is inactive, the comparator decouples the auxiliary power supply from the sleep circuit.