AC line filter and AC-to-DC rectifier module

摘要

An AC line filter module includes AC-to-DC rectification circuitry. The rectification circuitry includes four low forward voltage rectifiers coupled together as two high-side rectifiers and two low-side rectifiers, where each low forward voltage rectifier includes an NPN bipolar transistor and a parallel-connected diode. A current splitting pair of inductors splits a return current so that a portion of the current is supplied to the collector of an NPN bipolar transistor that is on, and so that the remainder of the current is supplied to the base of the transistor that is on. Both low-side rectifiers are driven by these current splitting inductors. A pair of base current return diodes provides base current return paths. Due to the use of NPN bipolar transistors and no PNP bipolar transistors, manufacturing cost is reduced and efficiency is improved as compared to an implementation that uses low forward voltage rectifiers having PNP transistors.

主权项

1. An Alternating Current Line Filter/Rectifier Module (ACLF/RM) comprising:
a first Direct Current (DC) output module terminal; a second DC output module terminal; a first NPN bipolar transistor having a base, collector, and emitter; a first diode having a cathode coupled to the emitter of the first NPN bipolar transistor and having an anode coupled to the collector of the first NPN bipolar transistor; a second NPN bipolar transistor having a base, collector and emitter, wherein the emitter of the second NPN bipolar transistor is coupled to the emitter of the first NPN bipolar transistor; a second diode having a cathode coupled to the emitter of the second NPN bipolar transistor and having an anode coupled to the collector of the second NPN bipolar transistor; a third NPN bipolar transistor having a base, collector, and emitter, wherein the emitter of the third NPN bipolar transistor is coupled to the collector of the first NPN bipolar transistor; a third diode having a cathode coupled to the emitter of the third NPN bipolar transistor and having an anode coupled to the collector of the third NPN bipolar transistor; a fourth NPN bipolar transistor having a base, collector, and emitter, wherein the collector of the fourth NPN bipolar transistor is coupled to the collector of the third NPN bipolar transistor, wherein the emitter of the fourth NPN bipolar transistor is coupled to the collector of the second NPN bipolar transistor; a fourth diode having a cathode coupled to the emitter of the fourth NPN bipolar transistor and having an anode coupled to the collector of the fourth NPN bipolar transistor; a first Alternating Current (AC) input module terminal; a second AC input module terminal, wherein the first and second AC input module terminals are adapted to receive an AC input voltage signal onto the ACLF/RM such that a rectified version of the AC input voltage signal is output by the ACLF/RM across the first and second DC output module terminals.