A switching power supply apparatus includes a PFM control circuit that outputs a clock signal Set such that a switching frequency of a switching element varies in accordance with a load state. The clock signal Set determines a turn-on timing of the switching element. A reference value of a current flowing through the switching element determines a turn-off timing of the switching element. A modulation signal is applied to the turn-off timing of the switching element to modulate one of a peak value of a drain current flowing through the switching element and an on-time of the switching element. Input control is performed separately on the clock signal Set and the modulation signal. Accordingly, even when the clock signal Set and the modulation signal contribute to each other to offset each other, modulation effects are not cancelled.

A transformer and an LLC resonant converter are provided. The transformer includes first and second cores configured to include a pair of outer foots and a middle foot positioned between the outer foots, and to induce a magnetic field formation; first and second inductor winding parts configured to include a conductor surrounding a circumference of each of the pair of outer foots of the first core, and to be connected in series with each other; and first and second transformer winding parts configured to include a conductor surrounding a circumference of each of the pair of outer foots of the second core, wherein the pair of outer foots of the first core face the pair of outer foots of the second core, the middle foot of the first core faces the middle foot of the second core, and the first core and the second core are disposed to be spaced apart from each other.

A power transfer device includes a first power supply node, a second power supply node, and an oscillator circuit configured to convert an input DC signal across the first power supply node and the second power supply node into an AC signal on a differential pair of nodes comprising a first node and a second node in response to a control signal. The oscillator circuit includes a regulated power supply node and an active shunt regulator circuit configured to clamp a peak voltage level across the regulated power supply node and the second power supply node to a clamped voltage level. The clamped voltage level is linearly related to a first voltage level on the first power supply node.

A power transfer device includes a first power supply node, a second power supply node, and an oscillator circuit configured to convert an input DC signal across the first power supply node and the second power supply node into an AC signal on a differential pair of nodes comprising a first node and a second node in response to a control signal. The oscillator circuit includes a regulated power supply node and an active shunt regulator circuit configured to clamp a peak voltage level across the regulated power supply node and the second power supply node to a clamped voltage level. The clamped voltage level is linearly related to a first voltage level on the first power supply node.

A thermal increase system includes a cavity, a first electrode disposed in the cavity, a second electrode disposed in the cavity, and a self-oscillator circuit that produces a radio frequency signal that is converted into electromagnetic energy that is radiated into the cavity by the first and second electrodes. The self-oscillating circuit includes the first electrode and the second electrode. In an embodiment, the first electrode is a first plate in a capacitor structure and the second electrode is a second plate in the capacitor structure. The cavity and a load contained within the cavity operates as a capacitor dielectric of the capacitor structure. A resonant frequency of the self-oscillator circuit is at least partially determined by a capacitance value of the capacitor structure.

A thermal increase system includes a cavity, a first electrode disposed in the cavity, a second electrode disposed in the cavity, and a self-oscillator circuit that produces a radio frequency signal that is converted into electromagnetic energy that is radiated into the cavity by the first and second electrodes. The self-oscillating circuit includes the first electrode and the second electrode. In an embodiment, the first electrode is a first plate in a capacitor structure and the second electrode is a second plate in the capacitor structure. The cavity and a load contained within the cavity operates as a capacitor dielectric of the capacitor structure. A resonant frequency of the self-oscillator circuit is at least partially determined by a capacitance value of the capacitor structure.

A DC-DC converter and method are provided for converting a low voltage DC input to a higher voltage DC output. The DC-DC converter has an oscillator with a first relatively voltage sensitive and relatively low power transistor and a second relatively voltage insensitive and relatively high power transistor, the oscillator producing an AC signal from the low voltage DC input. The inclusion of the voltage sensitive transistor allows the oscillator to turn on at a relatively low voltage. The inclusion of the higher power transistor allows the oscillator to operate at a higher power once it turns on. The DC-DC converter can be used for converting energy harvested from low voltage sources.

The invention relates to a connection device (10) for charging a battery device on a vehicle, having an electrical alternating current interface (20) for receiving an alternating current connector and a direct current interface (30) for receiving a direct current connector (130), wherein the direct current interface (30) has a cover flap (40) which is mounted movably between a closed position (SP) which covers the direct current interface (30) and an open position (FP) which exposes the direct current interface (30). According to the invention, the direct current interface (30) has a catch mechanism (50) with a catch means (52) on the cover flap (40), said catch means locking with a mating catch means (54) of the cover flap (40) when in the open position (FP), wherein the mating catch means (54) has an actuating section (56) with which the direct current connector (130) makes contact and which unlocks the catch device (50) when the direct current connector is received in the direct current interface (30).

A power transfer device includes an oscillator circuit having a first node, a second node, and a control terminal. The oscillator circuit includes a cascode circuit comprising transistors having a first conductivity type and a first breakdown voltage. The cascode circuit is coupled to the control terminal, the first node, and the second node. The oscillator circuit includes a latch circuit coupled between the cascode circuit and a first power supply node. The latch circuit includes cross-coupled transistors having the first conductivity type and a second breakdown voltage. The first breakdown voltage is greater than the second breakdown voltage. The oscillator circuit may be configured to develop a pseudo-differential signal on the first node and the second node. The pseudo-differential signal may have a peak voltage of at least three times a voltage level of an input DC signal on a second power supply node.

The present description concerns a DC/DC converter including: a transformer (2) having a primary winding (21) forming part of a self-oscillating circuit (6); a controllable circuit of application of a first DC voltage (Vin) across the self-oscillating circuit; and a circuit (8) of energy detection at the secondary (22) of the transformer.