Generalized circuit topology of voltage level multiplier modules (VLMMs) for use with multilevel inverters (MLIs) and power converter circuits comprising at least one VLMM and a MLI are described herein. The VLMM is configured to receive a first output voltage from the MLI having a first number of voltage levels and to generate a second output voltage having a second number of voltage levels. If the first number of voltage levels is M, and the VLMM is N-fold voltage level multiplier, then second number of voltage levels is M×N+1. Switching pattern generators for use with the VLMM and modulation methods for controlling switching elements of the VLMM are also described herein.

There is described a method of controlling a single inductor multiple output, SIMO, switching converter, the method comprising (a) counting, for each output of the multiple outputs of the SIMO switching converter, a period of time during which an output voltage at the respective output is below a corresponding individual threshold value, (b) identifying that output among the multiple outputs of the SIMO switching converter for which the counted period of time is longest, and (c) connecting the identified output to the single inductor of the SIMO switching converter to supply current from the single inductor of the SIMO switching converter to the identified output. Furthermore, a corresponding controller is described.

Power delivery of an image modality system for transferring power from a transmission unit (e.g., stationary unit) to a reception unit (e.g., a moving and/or rotating unit). A modulated electric signal comprising at least two modulated characteristics (e.g., such as amplitude and frequency) is configured to (e.g., concurrently) supply power to both high voltage and lower voltage components (216, 222) of the reception unit. An auxiliary component (316) is configured to utilize a first of the modulated characteristics (e.g., amplitude) to adjust/regulate a voltage applied to the lower voltage component (s), and a filter component (324) (e.g., such as a frequency selective circuit) is configured to utilize a second of the modulated characteristics (e.g., frequency) to adjust/regulate a voltage applied to the high voltage component (s).

A multiple-output DC-DC converter has a first and a second DC-DC sub-converter, each DC-DC subconverter may be a buck, boost, or buck-boost converter having a primary energy-storage inductor. Each DC-DC subconverter drives a separate output of the multiple-output converter and typically has a separate feedback control circuit for controlling output voltage and/or current. The converter has a common timing circuit to maintain a phase offset between the first and DC-DC subconverters. The primary energy storage inductors of the first and second DC-DC converter are magnetically coupled to raise an effective ripple frequency of the converter and simplify output filtering.

A voltage regulation circuit can include: a power stage circuit with a single inductor and a plurality of output circuits; each output circuit having an output control switch configured to control a duration of an on time of the output circuit, and an output switch control circuit configured to control the output control switch in accordance with an output voltage sampling signal, a reference current signal that represents an output current of the output circuit, and a clock signal, in order to maintain an output voltage of the output circuit as constant and to decrease interference from load variations of any other of the plurality of output circuits; and where the output control switches are controlled to be on in sequence in each switching period.

An isolated power conversion apparatus has an isolation transformer, a series circuit including a load and an inductor connected in series with each other, the series circuit being disposed on a secondary side of the isolation transformer, and one or a plurality of switching means disposed between the series circuit and the secondary side of the isolation transformer, the switching means being bidirectional. This apparatus sends out power from a DC power supply of a primary side of the isolation transformer toward the load as DC power or AC power of an arbitrary polarity, or regenerates and supplies the DC power or AC power from the load to the DC power supply.

A single inductor positive and negative voltage output device, which not only reduces a chip area, but also meets mutual independent application needs of positive and negative voltage output load currents, which includes an inductor L, one end of the inductor L is connected to the drain of a first PMOS power switch M1 and to the drain of a third NMOS power switch M3 respectively, the other end of the inductor L is connected to the drain of a second NMOS power switch M2 and to the source of a fourth PMOS power switch M4 respectively, the gates of M1, M2, M3 and M4 are respectively connected to a drive circuit (1), the source of M1 is connected to a power supply terminal VIN, the source of M2 is connected to a ground terminal (6), the source of M3 is connected to a negative voltage output end VON, the drain of M4 is connected to a positive voltage output end VOP, the negative voltage output end VON is connected to ground terminal by a negative terminal capacitor CON, the positive voltage output end VOP is connected to ground terminal by a positive terminal capacitor COP, the positive voltage output end VOP by a positive terminal feedback circuit and the negative voltage output end VON by a negative terminal feedback are respectively connected to the drive circuit (1) by a logic control circuit (15).

A boost DC-DC power converter comprising a semiconductor switch arrangement comprising a plurality of series connected semiconductor switches. A first capacitor is connected between a first intermediate node of a first leg of the semiconductor switch arrangement and a second intermediate node of a second leg of the semiconductor switch arrangement. A control circuit is coupled to respective control terminals of the plurality of semiconductor switches. A load sensor is configured to detect a load current and/or a load voltage of a load circuit connectable to at least a first DC output voltage of the DC-DC power converter. The control circuit being further configured to adjusting one or more operational parameters of the boost DC-DC power converter based on the detected load current and/or load voltage.

A voltage converter provides a positive voltage and a negative voltage with a single inductor. The voltage converter has a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch switched periodically, wherein each switching period comprise a first time period, a second time period and a third time period, and wherein: during the first time period, the first switch and the fourth switch are turned on, whereas the second switch and the third switch are turned off; during the second time period, the first switch and the third switch are turned on, whereas the second switch and the fourth switch are turned off; and during the third time period, the second switch and the fourth switch are turned on, whereas the first switch and the third switch are turned off.

A switched mode power converter comprising a main inductor and a half bridge for providing an inductor current is described. The power converter comprises a first output power switch for directing the inductor current to a first output port and bypass circuitry for making at least part of the inductor current available for controlling the switching state of at least one of the power switches. Furthermore, the power converter comprises a control unit configured to control the first output power switch such that the inductor current is directed to the first output port within different first time intervals. Furthermore, the bypass circuitry is controlled to make the inductor current available for controlling the switching state of the at least one power switch during a non-overlapping time interval.