Patent ID: 9036376
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: H02J,H02M,Y02B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A power converter for converting input power into regulated output power, the power converter comprising: an input node for receiving the input power; a first output node for providing the regulated output power; a first switched-mode main regulator connected between the input node and the first output node to contribute main energy for regulation of the output power at the first output node; a first supplemental energy storage element; a first supplemental energy gating element connected between a first main inductive element of the first switched-mode main regulator and the first supplemental energy storage element; a first supplemental regulator connected between the first supplemental energy storage element and the first output node to contribute supplemental energy from the first supplemental energy storage element for the regulation of the output power at the first output node; and a controller configured to control the first switched-mode main regulator to (i) selectively operate an active first main energy gating element of the first switched-mode main regulator to energize the first main inductive element of the first switched-mode main regulator by admitting input current into the first main inductive element in proportion to input voltage at the input node and (ii) selectively operate an active second main energy gating element of the first switched-mode main regulator, wherein the controller selectively operates the active first and second main energy gating elements to allow energy to flow from the first main inductive element to (a) the first output node of the first switched-mode main regulator during at least one part of a control cycle of the first switched-mode main regulator during which energy does not flow from the first main inductive element to the first supplemental energy storage element and (b) the first supplemental energy storage element during at least another part of the control cycle of the first switched-mode main regulator during which energy does not flow from the first main inductive element to the first output node.