Various embodiments are directed to a voltage clamp system comprising: a rectifier; a protected node, a reference node, and one or more internal nodes, coupled to the rectifier; a power converter, coupled to the rectifier via the one or more internal nodes; and one or more output nodes coupled to the power converter and configured to couple to a power sink. The rectifier and the power converter are configured to output power via one or more output nodes coupled to the rectifier, and to limit a component of the voltage between the protected node and the reference node.

Various embodiments are directed to a switch circuit comprising: two terminal nodes, comprising an upper node and a lower node; a plurality of switch modules, connected in series between the upper node and the lower node, wherein each of the switch modules comprises a switch, a rectifier, and a capacitor; a connecting circuit, coupled to the switch modules; and a power converter, coupled to the connecting circuit and to a power sink. The switch circuit is configured to limit a voltage or a component of a voltage in the switch circuit, and to recover power from the limiting of the voltage, wherein recovering the power comprises diverting power from the switch modules via the connecting circuit to the power converter, and the power converter outputting the power to the power sink.

A supply device for a high-power load includes a DC/DC voltage converter disposed between a high-voltage side and a low-voltage side. The DC/DC voltage converter includes a first sub-converter and a second sub-converter. The sub-converters are connected to one another in a converter series circuit between first and second primary-side DC voltage poles. The second sub-converter is connected between first and second secondary-side DC voltage poles. The sub-converters each have at least one AC voltage terminal connected to one another by a coupling device to permit an exchange of electrical power between the first and second sub-converters. The secondary-side DC voltage poles are configured for connection to the high-power load. An arrangement for converting electrical energy into chemical energy with gas generation includes the supply device.

This semiconductor device is provided with: a substrate which has, on a principal surface thereof, an input unit for inputting an alternating current power from the exterior, a ground connection unit for connecting to ground formed on the exterior, an output unit for outputting a post-adjustment direct current power to the exterior, and a semiconductor layer; a first Schottky barrier diode formed in a first region of the semiconductor layer so that a cathode electrode is connected to the input unit and so that an anode electrode is connected to the ground connection unit; a second Schottky barrier diode formed in a second region of the semiconductor layer so that a cathode electrode is connected to the output unit and so that an anode electrode is connected to the input unit; and a third Schottky barrier diode formed in a third region of the semiconductor layer so that a cathode electrode is connected to the output unit and so that an anode electrode is connected to the ground connection unit.

This semiconductor device is provided with: a substrate which has, on a principal surface thereof, an input unit for inputting an alternating current power from the exterior, a ground connection unit for connecting to ground formed on the exterior, an output unit for outputting a post-adjustment direct current power to the exterior, and a semiconductor layer; a first Schottky barrier diode formed in a first region of the semiconductor layer so that a cathode electrode is connected to the input unit and so that an anode electrode is connected to the ground connection unit; a second Schottky barrier diode formed in a second region of the semiconductor layer so that a cathode electrode is connected to the output unit and so that an anode electrode is connected to the input unit; and a third Schottky barrier diode formed in a third region of the semiconductor layer so that a cathode electrode is connected to the output unit and so that an anode electrode is connected to the ground connection unit.

A power converter and an operation method of the power converter are provided. The power converter includes a rectifier, a boost circuit, a current sensor, and a processor. The rectifier rectifies an AC power to generate a rectified power. The boost circuit includes a boost inductor. The boost circuit boosts the rectified power to generate an output power. The current sensor senses an inductor current value at the boost inductor to generate a sensed value corresponding to the inductor current value. The processor generates a first reference value according to an output voltage value of the output power, an input impedance value, and a first value. When the sensed value is greater than the first reference value, the processor enters a first operation mode to cause the sensed value to be not less than the first reference value.

A power converter and an operation method of the power converter are provided. The power converter includes a rectifier, a boost circuit, a current sensor, and a processor. The rectifier rectifies an AC power to generate a rectified power. The boost circuit includes a boost inductor. The boost circuit boosts the rectified power to generate an output power. The current sensor senses an inductor current value at the boost inductor to generate a sensed value corresponding to the inductor current value. The processor generates a first reference value according to an output voltage value of the output power, an input impedance value, and a first value. When the sensed value is greater than the first reference value, the processor enters a first operation mode to cause the sensed value to be not less than the first reference value.

A power supply converter can include: an AC-DC linear circuit configured to rectify an AC input voltage to generate a DC voltage, and to transfer the input energy to an output terminal thereof during at least part of a time interval when the DC voltage is greater than an output voltage thereof, in order to generate a first output voltage and a first output current; and a conversion circuit configured to convert the first output voltage to a second output voltage, and to convert the first output current to a second output current for a load.

A power supply converter can include: an AC-DC linear circuit configured to rectify an AC input voltage to generate a DC voltage, and to transfer the input energy to an output terminal thereof during at least part of a time interval when the DC voltage is greater than an output voltage thereof, in order to generate a first output voltage and a first output current; and a conversion circuit configured to convert the first output voltage to a second output voltage, and to convert the first output current to a second output current for a load.

A switching regulator converts an AC input voltage into an output voltage, to power a load. The switching regulator includes a power stage having a main power switch. The main power switch has different ON time durations under different AC input voltage conditions and different load currents.