Multiple Output Isolated DC/DC Power Converters

Abstract

Methods of regulating an output voltage of a multi-output isolated power converter are disclosed. One method includes allowing the output voltage to vary unregulated when the output voltage is below a threshold value and preventing the output voltage from increasing when the output voltage reaches the threshold value. Additional methods and multi-output power supplies are also disclosed.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A multi-output power supply comprising:
 a regulated power converter for converting an input voltage to an intermediate voltage;   an isolated power converter for converting the intermediate voltage to a plurality of output voltages, the isolated power converter having an unregulated primary side switching circuit and a plurality of secondary side rectification circuits, the unregulated primary side switching circuit coupled to the intermediate voltage and a plurality of primary windings of a plurality of transformers, each of the plurality of secondary side rectification circuits coupled to a secondary winding of one of the plurality of transformers and providing one of the plurality of output voltages.   
     
     
         34 . The power supply of  claim 33  wherein the plurality of secondary side rectification circuits are unregulated. 
     
     
         35 . The power supply of  claim 34  wherein each of the plurality of secondary side rectification circuits includes at least one diode rectifier. 
     
     
         36 . The power supply of  claim 33  configured such that at least two of the plurality of output voltages are different voltages when the power supply is operating. 
     
     
         37 . The power supply of  claim 33  wherein each of the plurality of secondary side rectification circuits includes at least one synchronous rectifier. 
     
     
         38 . The power supply of  claim 37  wherein each of the plurality of output voltages is unregulated when the power supply is operating and such output voltage is below an associated threshold voltage. 
     
     
         39 . The power supply of  claim 38  wherein each of the plurality of output voltages is regulated by delaying the turn-on time of the associated synchronous rectifier when the power supply is operating and such output voltage reaches the associated threshold voltage. 
     
     
         40 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method of regulating an output voltage of a multi-output isolated power converter, the method comprising:
 allowing the output voltage to vary unregulated when the output voltage is below a threshold value;   preventing the output voltage from increasing when the output voltage reaches the threshold value.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein preventing the output voltage from increasing includes preventing transfer energy from an energy storage element to an output of the power converter. 
     
     
         46 . A method of converting an input voltage to a plurality of output voltages in an isolated DC/DC power converter including a plurality of transformers, a switching circuit coupled to the plurality of transformers and a plurality of output circuits coupled to the plurality of transformers, the method comprising:
 switching, with the switching circuit, the input voltage across a primary winding of each of the plurality of transformers to generate a secondary voltage across a secondary winding of each of the plurality of transformers;   rectifying the secondary voltage of each of the plurality of transformers by a respective one of the plurality of output circuits.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the plurality of output voltages include at least two different output voltages.