Inverters that interface dc and ac power sources and loads are provided. An example application is solar power systems, in which a dc source of power is an array of solar panels; the inverter converts the dc power supplied by these panels to ac power that is fed into the utility grid. Another example is battery energy storage; the inverter changes the dc power of the batteries into ac power that is fed into the grid, and also can convert (rectify) ac power from the grid for charging the batteries. In one embodiment, for example, an inverter comprises slow switches that generate a three-level ac voltage, followed by a plurality of fast-switching half-bridges that introduce high-frequency pulse-width modulation into a plurality of ac output voltages.

A switching power supply device includes first to fourth switches sequentially connected in series, an inductor, a first capacitor whose first end is connected to a connection node of the first switch and the second switch and whose second end is connected to a connection node of the third switch, the fourth switch, and the inductor, a second capacitor whose first end is connected to a connection node of the second switch and the third switch, and a controller that controls switching on and off of the first to fourth switches. In at least one of a first pair configured with the first switch and the third switch and a second pair configured with the second switch and the fourth switch, the controller shifts a timing of switching from off to on between two switches.

The technology described herein is directed to a DC input power supply unit with an auxiliary boost control circuit (or controller) that facilitates continuous supply of power to a standby output load of the power supply unit in a bootloader mode. More specifically, the auxiliary boost circuit (or controller) is configured to assume control of a primary power boost stage from a primary controller in a bootloader mode so that the power supply unit can continue to supply power to the standby output with a protection function regardless of the state of the power supply unit or primary controller.

A method of managing power and a power management circuit operable in a plurality of modes are presented. The power management circuit includes a three terminals switching converter coupled to a controller. The switching converter has a single inductor, two sets of switches, a bypass switch and a transition switch. The first set of switches is coupled to an input terminal. The second set of switches is coupled to a battery terminal. The bypass switch is coupled between the battery terminal and a load terminal. The single inductor is provided between a first switching node and a second switching node. The transition switch is provided between the first switching node and the battery or the load terminal. A controller is configured to select a mode of operation by changing a state of at least one of the bypass switch and the transition switch.

A converter can include: (i) a first switch having a first terminal for receiving an input voltage, and a second terminal coupled to a first terminal of a second switch; (ii) an inductor having a first terminal coupled to a common node of the first and second switches, and a second terminal coupled to a first terminal of a third switch, where second terminals of the second and third switches are coupled to ground; and (iii) a plurality of output channels coupled to a common node of the inductor and the third switch, where the converter operates in a buck-boost mode, a buck mode, or a boost mode based on the relationship between the input voltage and output voltages of the plurality of output channels.

A power conversion apparatus connected to three or more voltage units, includes three or more power conversion circuits connected to respective units of the three or more voltage units; and a multiport transformer connected to the three or more power conversion circuits at mutually different ports, in which at least one voltage unit of the three or more voltage units is an electrical load.

A power converter is disclosed. The power converter includes a Single-Input-Multiple-Output (SIMO) device includes a first transistor connected to an input and a first end of an inductor, a second transistor connected to a second end of the inductor and a first output, and a third transistor connected to the second end of the inductor and a second output. The power converter also includes a controller connected to the SIMO device and is configured to maintain a minimum inductor current through the inductor between charging cycles and to cause the minimum inductor current to transition to a charging inductor current during a charging cycle. The charging inductor current is based on a difference between an output voltage signal and a target voltage signal.

Voltage dividing circuitry is provided for use in a voltage converter for converting at least one input Direct Current, DC voltage to a plurality of output DC voltages. The voltage dividing circuitry including a voltage input port to receive an input DC voltage and an inductor having an input-side switch node and an output-side switch node. The output side switch node is connectable to one of a plurality of voltage output ports to supply a converted value of the input DC voltage as an output DC voltage. The flying capacitor interface has a plurality of switching elements and at least one flying capacitor, the flying capacitor interface to divide the input DC voltage to provide a predetermined fixed ratio of the input DC voltage at the input-side switch node of the inductor. A voltage converter and a power management integrated circuit having the voltage dividing circuitry are also provided.

An object is to obtain a power conversion device that can stabilize output voltage to a DC load. A power conversion device includes an AC/DC conversion unit having a power conversion circuit composed of a plurality of first semiconductor switching elements connected in a fill-bridge form, and a full-bridge chopper circuit unit having a full-bridge chopper circuit composed of a plurality of second semiconductor switching elements connected in a full-bridge form, and connected to a positive terminal and a negative terminal. A neutral point of an AC filter capacitor unit and a neutral point of a DC filter capacitor unit are connected via a neutral point line.

A power converter comprising a single-ended primary-inductor converter (“SEPIC”) includes a first inductive element (L1) and a second inductive element (L2) that are arranged, in the usual way, to provide a first, non-isolated load. The power converter further includes an isolated load circuit comprising a third inductive element (L3) connected to a second output for delivery a second, isolated load. The third inductive element (L3) is coupled to the first inductive element (L1) and/or the second inductive element (L2) to transfer power to the isolated load circuit to deliver the second load, and wherein the first inductive element (L1), the second inductive element (L2) and the third inductive element (L3) are each wound around a single magnetic core.