Partial-power-processing architecture for bidirectional DC-DC
This technology is a new circuit architecture for DC-to-DC power converters that moves electricity more efficiently by splitting the power flow into a large 'majority' path and one or more smaller 'minority' paths. Only the minority paths are actively regulated, meaning the bulk of the power passes through without being processed twice, which reduces energy losses. A controller intelligently rotates regulation duties among multiple smaller circuits to spread heat and wear evenly. The result is a bidirectional converter — power can flow in either direction — that achieves tighter voltage control with less wasted energy than conventional designs.
What you could build
A high-efficiency bidirectional DC-DC converter module for electric vehicle onboard chargers, battery energy storage systems, or data center power supplies — sold to power electronics OEMs, EV drivetrain suppliers, or hyperscale data center infrastructure providers.
Who in Virginia should care
Northern Virginia data center operators and defense contractors with power electronics needs (e.g., Leidos, Northrop Grumman, AWS/Microsoft data center campuses) would be natural licensing or partnership targets.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Yuliang Cao, Minh Ngo, Ning Yan, Dong Dong, Rolando Burgos
- Granted
- March 29, 2022
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11290022
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.