Patent ID: 6979982

Claim:
A switched-current power converter comprising a quantity m (where m is a positive integer) of constant current sources, a quantity m of switching means, and an output capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the second terminal of the output capacitor being connected to return, the m constant current sources each having a current input that is connected to return, the m constant current sources each having a current output, the m constant current sources having equal currents, the m switching means each having a switch input that is connected to the current output of one of the m constant current sources, the m switching means each having a first switch output that is connected to return, the m switching means each having a second switch output that is connected to the first terminal of the output capacitor, the m switching means each having a first switch state in which the current from the one of the m constant current sources to which it is connected is switched to return, and the m switching means each having a second switch state in which the current from the one of the m constant current sources to which it is connected is switched to the output capacitor further comprising an output voltage control means for operating the m switching means in response of the state of a voltage on the output capacitor wherein the voltage control means comprises a first comparator means responsive to an over voltage state of the voltage on the output capacitor, and a second comparator means responsive to an under voltage state of the voltage on the output capacitor, an up-down counter means and a quantity m of switch driver means, each of the m switch driver means being connected to one of the switching means for controlling the state of the m switching means, the m switch driver means being responsive to a count of the up-down counter, the up-down counter means being responsive to the first and second comparator means such that if there is an under voltage condition of the voltage on the output capacitor, the count of the up-down counter means will increase and more of the m switching means will be in the second switch state, and if there is an over voltage condition of the voltage on the output capacitor, the count of the up-down counter means will decrease and fewer of the m switching means will be in the second switch state.