Dc-to-Dc converter using inductive-energy storage for voltage transformation and regulation

A nondissipatively regulated dc-to-dc converter that operates very efficiently at high frequencies is presented. The circuit is characterized by a small number of power handling components, many of which perform multiple duties. Only one power transistor is used, and the characteristics of the main power handling magnetic element of the circuit are such that this element is not only able to provide voltage transformation but also to perform certain filtering functions which in conventional converters normally require a separate filter inductor. Two different methods of nondissipative closed-loop regulation are presented-one involving control of the duty cycle of the power switch, and the other involving magnetic-amplifier control of the average output current. Certain design considerations are presented, and a test circuit is described.