Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Plural load circuit systems – Transformer connections
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-01-23
Riley, Shawn (Department: 2838)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Plural load circuit systems
Transformer connections
C323S222000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177736
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a DC/DC converter and, more particularly, to a DC/DC converter for a fuel cell.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fuel cells have been used as a power source in many applications. Fuel cells have also been proposed for use in electrical vehicular power plants to replace internal combustion engines. However, many electric-powered vehicles require both a primary operating voltage and an auxiliary operating voltage. Typically, such vehicles require a high primary operating voltage, e.g. 400 volts DC, and a low auxiliary operating voltage, e.g. 12 volts DC. Conventional fuel cell arrangements provide a single supply power. Thus, supplying such dual operating voltages from a conventional fuel cell arrangement presents output voltage level problems.
As a partial solution, DC/DC boost converters, sometimes referred to as DC/DC step-up converters, have been proposed to increase the fuel cell supply voltage up to the required primary operating voltage, 400 VDC. However, conventional DC/DC boost converters do not supply the required auxiliary operating voltage, 12 VDC. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a DC/DC converter for receiving power from a fuel cell and producing both a primary and auxiliary output voltage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a DC/DC converter for a fuel cell. The converter includes an input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell and an output node for providing a first DC output voltage. A first inductor includes a first winding having a first terminal and a second terminal, with the first terminal coupled with the input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell. A switch is coupled between the second terminal of the first winding and ground. A control circuit switches the switch between an open position and a closed position. A first capacitor is coupled between the output node and ground. A first diode is coupled between the second terminal of the first winding and the output node for preventing current from flowing from the first capacitor to the second terminal of the first winding. A second winding is disposed in a transformer relationship with the first winding for producing a second output voltage. Preferably, the converter also includes an AC/DC circuit for rectifying AC voltage from the second winding and providing a constant second DC output voltage.
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Deschere Linda M.
General Motors Corporation
Riley Shawn
Simon A. Luke
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