Importance

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Abstract

The power converter of this invention accomplishes zero voltage switching at both turn on and turn off transitions of a primary switch (206). A transformer (218) serves as both energy storage device and isolation mechanism. Inductance (216) placed in series with transformer (218) provides energy to drive the turn on resonant switching transition of switch (206). Additional energy storage is provided by a required primary side filter capacitor (220) and an output filter capacitor (224). During a first operational state in which switch (206) conducts, energy is transferred from power source (202) to transformer (218) and capacitor (220). During the first state, capacitor (224) supports a load (226). During a second operational state, a second primary switch (212) and a secondary switch (234) conduct and energy is transferred from capacitor (220) and transformer (218) to series inductance (216), capacitor (224) and load (226). The resonant transition from the first state to the second state is driven by some combination of stored energy in transformer (218) and inductor (216). The AC magnetizing currents and AC magnetic fields of transformer (218) can be made smaller than the average magnetizing current and the average magnetic field, respectively, and the converter can accomplish zero voltage switching at all line and load conditions.

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First Claim