An AC to DC converter includes a plurality of rectifier circuits connected in series to an AC voltage source at an input side to collectively receive an output voltage of the AC voltage source; and a plurality of switching units respectively connected to the plurality of rectifier circuits, each of the switching units having a semiconductor switching device, a diode, and a capacitor, and performing ON/OFF switching of the semiconductor switching device provided therein to step up a voltage received from the corresponding rectifier circuit, each of the switching units supplying the stepped-up voltage to said capacitor through said diode so that a resulting DC across said capacitor can be provided, as a DC output voltage of the switching unit, to a respective load to be connected to terminals of said capacitor.

The present application relates to switching power supplies and in particular to AC to DC switch mode power supplies, to methods of power factor correction for same and to devices and circuits that may be used generally in same. The application describes a number of multi-level approaches and circuits.

The present application relates to switching power supplies and in particular to AC to DC switch mode power supplies, to methods of power factor correction for same and to devices and circuits that may be used generally in same. The application describes a number of multi-level approaches and circuits.

A semiconductor device and the like with low power consumption are provided. In a semiconductor device including an electrostatic actuator group, an OS transistor and a capacitor are provided in each electrostatic actuator, and a power supply voltage supplied from the outside is boosted in each electrostatic actuator. The use of the OS transistor can retain the boosted voltage for a long period even after the supply of the power supply voltage is stopped. The use of the OS transistor can miniaturize the capacitor.

Multiphase lighting fixtures having one or more light emitting diode (LED) light sources are provided. In one example implementation, a light fixture includes one or more light sources, such as LED light sources. The light fixture includes a power conversion circuit. The power conversion circuit can be configured to receive a multiphase input power comprising three or more alternating current (AC) phases. The power conversion circuit can be further configured to convert the multiphase input power to rectified output for powering the one or more light sources. In some example implementations, the DC rectified output can have a voltage ripple of less than about 7%, such as less than about 3%.

Multiphase lighting fixtures having one or more light emitting diode (LED) light sources are provided. In one example implementation, a light fixture includes one or more light sources, such as LED light sources. The light fixture includes a power conversion circuit. The power conversion circuit can be configured to receive a multiphase input power comprising three or more alternating current (AC) phases. The power conversion circuit can be further configured to convert the multiphase input power to rectified output for powering the one or more light sources. In some example implementations, the DC rectified output can have a voltage ripple of less than about 7%, such as less than about 3%.

A method for actuating an AC/DC voltage converter is specified, which has a DC voltage output between which at least one series circuit of at least two capacitors and at least one series circuit of n switching elements-is arranged, where n≧4. A connecting point of the switching elements is connected to a connection of an AC voltage input between n/2 switching elements. Two diodes are connected in an antiparallel arrangement to the two switching elements lying closest to the connecting point. In addition, a connecting point of the capacitors is connected to a connecting point of the diodes. An output voltage at the DC voltage output and a potential of the connecting point of the capacitors or diodes are provided as controlled variables, an input current at the AC voltage input is provided as a manipulated variable and the switching elements are provided as an actuating element of a control loop. In addition, a controller for implementing the method and an AC/DC voltage converter containing such a controller are specified.

A method for actuating an AC/DC voltage converter is specified, which has a DC voltage output between which at least one series circuit of at least two capacitors and at least one series circuit of n switching elements-is arranged, where n≧4. A connecting point of the switching elements is connected to a connection of an AC voltage input between n/2 switching elements. Two diodes are connected in an antiparallel arrangement to the two switching elements lying closest to the connecting point. In addition, a connecting point of the capacitors is connected to a connecting point of the diodes. An output voltage at the DC voltage output and a potential of the connecting point of the capacitors or diodes are provided as controlled variables, an input current at the AC voltage input is provided as a manipulated variable and the switching elements are provided as an actuating element of a control loop. In addition, a controller for implementing the method and an AC/DC voltage converter containing such a controller are specified.

A polarity-selectable high voltage direct current power supply including a first drive assembly that transforms a first low voltage DC input into a first medium voltage alternating current output; a first HV output assembly that transforms the first LV AC output into a first HV DC output, wherein the first HV output assembly defines a first input stage; a polarity selector coupled between the second output junction of the first drive assembly and the first and second input stages of the first HV output assembly, the polarity selector operable between a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein in the first configuration the first HV DC output has a positive polarity; and wherein in the second configuration the first HV DC output has a negative polarity.

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.