18489639. THREE-LEVEL BUCK CONVERTER CONFIGURABLE FOR TWO-LEVEL BUCK CONVERTER MODE OPERATION simplified abstract (QUALCOMM Incorporated)

THREE-LEVEL BUCK CONVERTER CONFIGURABLE FOR TWO-LEVEL BUCK CONVERTER MODE OPERATION

Organization Name

QUALCOMM Incorporated

Inventor(s)

Sanghwa Jung of Los Gatos CA (US)

Chunping Song of Palo Alto CA (US)

Ta-Tung Yen of San Jose CA (US)

Yue Jing of Santa Clara CA (US)

THREE-LEVEL BUCK CONVERTER CONFIGURABLE FOR TWO-LEVEL BUCK CONVERTER MODE OPERATION - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18489639 titled 'THREE-LEVEL BUCK CONVERTER CONFIGURABLE FOR TWO-LEVEL BUCK CONVERTER MODE OPERATION

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a three-level buck converter circuit that can transition between a three-level buck converter mode and a two-level buck converter mode, along with methods for regulating power using such a circuit.

• The circuit includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch, along with capacitive and inductive elements.
• A control circuit is coupled to the three-level buck converter circuit to control its operation between the two modes.

• • Potential Applications:**
• Power supplies
• Renewable energy systems
• Electric vehicles
• Industrial automation

• • Problems Solved:**
• Efficient power regulation
• Flexibility in power conversion modes
• Improved control over power output

• • Benefits:**
• Higher efficiency in power conversion
• Flexibility in adapting to different power requirements
• Enhanced control over power output levels

Original Abstract Submitted

A three-level buck converter circuit configurable to transition between a three-level buck converter mode and a two-level buck converter mode and methods for regulating power using such a circuit. One example power supply circuit generally includes a three-level buck converter circuit and a control circuit coupled to the three-level buck converter circuit and configured to control operation of the three-level buck converter circuit between a three-level buck converter mode and a two-level buck converter mode. The three-level buck converter circuit generally includes a first switch, a second switch coupled to the first switch via a first node, a third switch coupled to the second switch via a second node, a fourth switch coupled to the third switch via a third node, a first capacitive element coupled between the first node and the third node, and an inductive element coupled between the second node and an output node.