Multiphase zero-volt-switching resonant DC-DC regulator

Details Multiphase zero-volt-switching resonant DC-DC regulator Multiphase zero-volt-switching resonant DC-DC regulator

2001-10-31

2002-11-26

Sterrett, Jeffrey (Department: 2838)

Electric power conversion systems

Current conversion

Including d.c.-a.c.-d.c. converter

C363S127000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06487095

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to power sources, and more particularly to DC-DC regulators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
DC-DC regulators are well known in the art. FIG.
1
. illustrates a conventional DC-DC regulator. The conventional DC-DC regulator
100
is a variable frequency resonant DC-DC regulator. The regulator
100
comprises a pull-pull driver
102
with a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)
124
, a zero-current switch
104
(ZCS) with switching transistors
126
and
128
, a resonant circuit
130
with transformer
106
(TI) and a capacitor
108
(C
2
), a synchronous rectifier
132
, a sensing circuit
134
with resistors
112
and
114
and an error amplifier
116
, and an opto-coupler
118
with a diode
120
and a transistor
122
.
The DC output voltage is sensed by R
1
112
and R
2
114
and fed to the error amplifier
116
. The error amplifier
116
compared the DC output voltage against VREF. The output of the error amplifier
116
drives a current proportional to the error voltage through the opto-coupler diode
120
of the opto-coupler
118
, which then develops a voltage across the transistor
122
of the opto-coupler
118
. This variable voltage so developed is applied to the VCO
124
which changes the frequency of the push-pull driver
102
.
To maintain a constant DC output voltage, the conventional DC-DC regulator
100
changes the frequency of the push-pull driver
102
to maintain zero current switching (ZCS) operation. However, this prevents the push-pull transistors of the ZCS from operating in ZCS mode over the full range of operations. This may result in the loss of zero-current switching, high dissipation in the regulator, and unpredictable behavior due the wide range of frequencies.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved DC-DC regulator. The improved DC-DC regulator should maintain a substantially constant DC output voltage without changing the frequency of the oscillator. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A multiphase zero-volt switching (ZVS) resonant DC-DC regulator includes: a zero-volt switch (ZVS); a DC output voltage means; a variable resonant circuit; a synchronous rectifier; and a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit senses a DC output voltage at the DC output of the regulator. The regulator uses the resonant circuit in conjunction with the sensing circuit to provide a substantially constant DC output voltage at a fixed frequency. If the sensing circuit senses a change in the DC output voltage, then a resonant frequency of the regulator is changed by the variable resonant circuit. This allows the oscillator of the regulator to maintain a fixed frequency, thus ensuring the availability of zero-volt switching over the full range of operation. The regulator also has the advantages of low power loss, reduced ripple, and a very fast transient response time.


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