A universal power converter of the present application may include a link stage between an input stage and an output stage that operates at a higher frequency than the frequency of the input power source. As a result, a more compact capacitor may be used, thus reducing the size of the power converter. In some embodiments, the link stage may be a partially resonant link that permits zero current switching (ZCS). ZCS operation may reduce switching losses during operation. Universal power converters of the present application utilizing ZCS may be implemented using naturally commutated switches, such as silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs), instead of transistor switches. Such power converters utilizing SCRs may be more reliable than power converters utilizing transistor switches. Additionally, control circuitry required to operate such power converters may be simplified. Accordingly, a more compact, efficient, and reliable universal power converter may be achieved.

An input line connected current controlled bridge is dynamically coupled to an output line connected voltage controlled bridge of a single stage bidirectional isolated resonant power supply using a synchronous average harmonic current controller. A bridge current sensor measures low frequency and switching current across nodes of the current controlled bridge. Synchronous average harmonic bridge current is controlled using superimposed non-modulated and modulated feedback respectively to track a line current command and linearize coupling to the voltage controlled bridge. A power factor correction signal drives the line current command to regulate DC voltage busses. A feedforward and feedback trim circuit generates a command to the voltage controlled bridge to track input line voltage with attenuated harmonics. The single stage power supply has a defined interface to synchronize and regulate power sharing for one or more modules.

The present invention is directed to Bidirectional Multimode Power Converter which employs a high frequency dynamically varying amplitude modulation and voltage steering method to convert the source AC or DC voltages to output AC or DC voltages, with programmable output voltage levels, output voltage frequency and duration. The inrush current control, turning off the idle converter, line voltage brown out protection, soft start, high pre-charge voltage generation, soft shut down of converter, dimming operation modes are inherent characteristics of the Bidirectional Multimode power converter. The Bidirectional Multimode Power Converters of the present invention facilitates bidirectional conversion and coupling multiple bidirectional sources and or loads.

The Bidirectional Multimode Power Converter of the present invention supports local and remote control for changing operational characteristics of the converter on demand or on a programmed time of the day for a specified duration of time.

Methods and systems for controlling voltage output in power converters between two or more portals, where any or all portals can be DC, single phase AC, or multi-phase AC. The present methods involve determining a reference output voltage V.sub.I, measuring the output voltage V.sub.E over a power cycle, comparing V.sub.I to V.sub.E to calculate a delta voltage V. V can then be multiplied by a scaling parameter k to determine a current command I.sub.E. I.sub.E can then be used by a current control module in a power converter to control output current. The present methods can be implemented as an algorithm embedded in an FPGA controller connected to the power converter.

Disclosed is an electromagnetic induction type power supply device, which generates electric power through an electromagnetic induction method using a transformer from current flowing through a transmission line, can adjust an output thereof by detecting and feeding back the output, enables a transformer and a power converting unit to be added or removed as necessary. The electromagnetic induction type power supply device includes a transformer module including a plurality of transformers for outputting electric power by inducing, in an electromagnetic induction method, secondary current from primary current flowing through a transmission line; a power source module including a plurality of power converting units for converting the electric power output from the plurality of transformers to direct current power and outputting the converted power; and a power summing unit for summing the direct current power output from the plurality of transformers and providing the summed power to a load.

An apparatus includes a DC-to-AC converter comprising a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The apparatus also includes a DC-to-DC converter comprising a third output. The DC-to-AC converter is configured to receive a DC input voltage from a DC power source, and to produce a first alternating output voltage at the first output terminal, and a second alternating output voltage at the second output terminal. The DC-to-DC converter is configured receive a DC input voltage from the DC power source, and to step down the DC input voltage at the third output.

Methods and systems for bi-directional multi-port power conversion systems and applications are disclosed. In some sample embodiments, current-modulating power converters can be used to provide conversion between synchronous and asynchronous power. In some sample embodiments, current-modulating power converters can perform power conversion can be performed to and from three-phase AC with an active neutral line. In some sample embodiments, current-modulating power converters can convert between synchronous and asynchronous power and also support three-phase AC with active neutral.

Methods and systems for a startup self-test for bidirectional power converters. Voltage levels across bidirectional switches in a bidirectional power converter can be compared at various points in a circuit to determine whether a given switch is operating correctly.

A solid state power transformer is described for converting an input power signal at a first phase or voltage to an output signal of a second voltage or opposite phase by the use of bidirectional solid state switches switched at a high carrier frequency to produce a double-sideband, suppressed-carrier representation of the input power signal, which is then synchronously demodulated using further similar switches to produce the desired output. It is further disclosed that multiple instances of the above with relative phase-staggering of the switching frequency may be operated in parallel and activated or deactivated according to output current demand to provide maximum efficiency over a wide range of current and power levels.

A power converter arrangement for power conversion in a single-phase power network, where the power converter arrangement comprises an input filter coupled to a first phase terminal to receive a first AC voltage, the input filter being configured to filter the first AC voltage to provide an input voltage; an electrical switching network comprising an array of bidirectional switches and an output terminal, the array of bidirectional switches being configured to generate a switched voltage from the input voltage at the output terminal. The electrical switching network comprises a decoupling capacitor to reduce undesirable oscillations at the output terminal; and a resonant circuit configured to convert the switched voltage into a supply voltage for supplying a load.