Low voltage D.C. to D.C. converter

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In recognition of the problems intrinsic to the conventional driven and self-oscillating d.
c.
to d.
c.
converters: It is an object of the present invention to provide a d.
c.
to d.
c.
converter that operates with an ordinary inexpensive single primary transformer; It is a further object of the present invention to minimize or eliminate current spikes in a d.
c.
to d.
c.
converter by preventing the transformer from saturating; and It is a further object of the present invention to provide a d.
c.
converter that can operate with a relatively low d.
c.
voltage source.
The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a d.
c.
to d.
c.
converter for converting a first d.
c.
voltage to a second d.
c.
voltage comprising: a transformer including at least a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding comprised of first and second end leads and a center lead, the center lead being connected to a d.
c.
voltage source; and means for repetitively and alternately grounding the first and second end leads to generate a current between the center lead and a grounded one of the first and second end leads and to generate an autotransformer voltage across a nongrounded one of the first and second primary end leads, said means for repetitively and alternately grounding comprising: first and second voltage controlled switches connected between ground and the first and second end leads, respectively, the first and second voltage controlled switches having first and second control inputs, respectively, for activating the voltage controlled switches; means for connecting the first end lead to the second control input and means for connecting the second end lead to the first control input, whereby the autotransformer voltage generated across the nongrounded end lead is provided to the control input of the voltage controlled switch connected to the grounded end lead to maintain the latter voltage controlled switch in an activated state; and control means for alternately connecting the first and second control inputs to ground to turn off the voltage controlled switches before the transformer saturates