A passive boost network configured to boost and output an AC power signal having a predetermined frequency, can include: an input port; an output port configured to provide the AC power signal; first and second passive components coupled in series between first and second terminals of the input port; a third passive component coupled in series with the second passive component between first and second terminals of the output port; and where the first passive component is one of a capacitor and an inductor, and the second and third passive components are each the other of the capacitor and the inductor.

A passive boost network configured to boost and output an AC power signal having a predetermined frequency, can include: an input port; an output port configured to provide the AC power signal; first and second passive components coupled in series between first and second terminals of the input port; a third passive component coupled in series with the second passive component between first and second terminals of the output port; and where the first passive component is one of a capacitor and an inductor, and the second and third passive components are each the other of the capacitor and the inductor.

A passive boost network configured to boost and output an AC power signal having a predetermined frequency, can include: an input port; an output port configured to provide the AC power signal; first and second passive components coupled in series between first and second terminals of the input port; a third passive component coupled in series with the second passive component between first and second terminals of the output port; and where the first passive component is one of a capacitor and an inductor, and the second and third passive components are each the other of the capacitor and the inductor.

A passive boost network configured to boost and output an AC power signal having a predetermined frequency, can include: an input port; an output port configured to provide the AC power signal; first and second passive components coupled in series between first and second terminals of the input port; a third passive component coupled in series with the second passive component between first and second terminals of the output port; and where the first passive component is one of a capacitor and an inductor, and the second and third passive components are each the other of the capacitor and the inductor.

AC/DC converter wherein a three-phase trans former (2) comprises a plurality of first secondary windings (4-a, 4-b, . . . 4-n) magnetically linked with a first primary winding (3-T), a plurality of second secondary windings (5-a, 5-b, . . . 5-n) magnetically linked with a second primary winding (3-S) and a plurality of third secondary windings (6-a, 6-b, . . . 6-n) magnetically linked with a third primary winding (3-R). There is provided a plurality of first, second and third reconfigurable connection modules each of which is respectively connected on the input side with a first, a second and a third secondary winding; the outputs of the first reconfigurable connection modules being connected in series to one another, the outputs of the second reconfigurable connection modules being connected in series to one another and the outputs of the third reconfigurable connection modules are connected in series to one another. Each reconfigurable module comprises electronic switches selectively controllable so that three connections can be made, including a direct connection, wherein the voltage supplied at the input of the reconfigurable connection module is transferred to its output with the same polarity, a bypass connection, wherein the output of the re configurable connection module is short-circuited and the output voltage at the module is substantially equal to zero, and a reverse connection, wherein the voltage supplied at the input of the re configurable connection module is transferred to its output with reversed polarity.

AC/DC converter wherein a three-phase trans former (2) comprises a plurality of first secondary windings (4-a, 4-b, . . . 4-n) magnetically linked with a first primary winding (3-T), a plurality of second secondary windings (5-a, 5-b, . . . 5-n) magnetically linked with a second primary winding (3-S) and a plurality of third secondary windings (6-a, 6-b, . . . 6-n) magnetically linked with a third primary winding (3-R). There is provided a plurality of first, second and third reconfigurable connection modules each of which is respectively connected on the input side with a first, a second and a third secondary winding; the outputs of the first reconfigurable connection modules being connected in series to one another, the outputs of the second reconfigurable connection modules being connected in series to one another and the outputs of the third reconfigurable connection modules are connected in series to one another. Each reconfigurable module comprises electronic switches selectively controllable so that three connections can be made, including a direct connection, wherein the voltage supplied at the input of the reconfigurable connection module is transferred to its output with the same polarity, a bypass connection, wherein the output of the re configurable connection module is short-circuited and the output voltage at the module is substantially equal to zero, and a reverse connection, wherein the voltage supplied at the input of the re configurable connection module is transferred to its output with reversed polarity.