Patent ID: 7843185
Filing Date: 2010-11-30
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
1. A direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) power converter comprising: an analog-to-digital converter adapted to be connected across a fuel cell to receive a fuel cell signal and to receive a plurality of analog signals, the analog-to-digital converter converting the fuel cell signal and the analog signals into a plurality of digital signals, a processor module connected to receive the digital signals and outputting a pulse width modulation signal based on the digital signals, a pulse width modulation module connected with the processor module to receive the pulse width modulation signal and for outputting a pulse width modulated power signal having a power level substantially equal to the power of the fuel cell, and a buck-boost circuit connected with the pulse width modulation module and having a buck power circuit that selectively adjusts the power level of the power signal, wherein the processor module is connected with the buck-boost circuit to selectively initiate the buck-boost circuit based on the plurality of digital signals, wherein analog-to-digital converter comprises a plurality of ports accepting a plurality of analog power signals and current signals that are converted to a plurality of digital power signals and current signals, the plurality of ports comprising a plurality of first channel ports, a plurality of second channel ports, a plurality of third channel ports, a field effect transistor temperature port connectable to receive a field effect transistor temperature signal, an ambient temperature port connectable to receive an ambient temperature signal, and a fuel cell voltage port connectable to receive a fuel cell input voltage from the fuel cell, wherein the plurality of first channel ports includes a first channel low input current port connectable to receive an analog first channel low input current signal, a first channel high input current port connectable to receive an analog first channel high input current signal, a first channel low output current port connectable to receive an analog first channel low output current signal, a first channel high output current port connectable to receive an analog first channel high output current signal, and a first channel output power port connectable to receive a first channel output power signal, wherein the plurality of second channel ports includes a second channel low input current port connectable to receive an analog second channel low input current signal, a second channel high input current port connectable to receive an analog second channel high input current signal, a second channel low output current port connectable to receive an analog second channel low output current signal, a second channel high output current port connectable to receive an analog second channel high output current signal, and a second channel output power port a second channel output power signal, wherein the plurality of third channel ports includes a third channel input current port connectable to receive an analog third channel input current signal, a third channel output current port connectable to receive an analog third channel output current signal, and a third channel output power port connectable to receive a third channel output power signal.