Inductorless DC-DC bus converter for high-density power rails
This technology is a highly efficient circuit for converting one voltage level to another — for example, stepping 48V down to 12V — using a clever arrangement of four switches and capacitors acting as a voltage divider, with no transformer required. Instead of the traditional approach of using magnetic components (inductors or transformers) as the primary conversion element, it relies on capacitors switching in coordinated pairs to split or multiply voltage with very low energy loss. An optional output inductor can be added to squeeze out even more efficiency. The design can also be run in reverse to step voltage up, and multiple units can be chained together to reduce output ripple.
What you could build
A compact, high-efficiency DC-DC bus converter chip or module for data center power distribution racks, telecom equipment, and electric vehicle battery management systems, sold to power electronics OEMs and system integrators.
Who in Virginia should care
Northern Virginia data center operators and power electronics firms supplying them would have direct interest in high-efficiency bus converters for 48V rack power architectures.
Readiness: Lab validated
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
- Ming Xu, Julu Sun, Fred C. Lee
- Granted
- June 29, 2010
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 7746041
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.