A power control system includes a battery system and a DC-DC converter with first, second, third, and fourth power switches. A second terminal of the first power switch is connected to a first terminal of the second power switch. A second terminal of the third power switch is connected to a first terminal of the fourth power switch. A first inductor includes a first terminal connected to the second terminal of the first power switch and the first terminal of the second power switch and a second terminal connected to the second terminal of the third power switch and the first terminal of the fourth power switch. A first bypass switch is connected in parallel to the first power switch. A second bypass switch is connected in parallel to the third power switch.

An apparatus for efficiently driving visual displays via light-emitting devices may include (1) at least one light-emitting device, (2) a buck driver circuit electrically coupled to the light-emitting device, wherein the buck driver circuit includes an inductor, and (3) a boost circuit electrically coupled between the buck driver circuit and a power source, wherein the boost circuit includes an additional inductor. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Described herein are improved converters, battery banks and power circuits. Also, described herein are systems that include a multi-directional buck-boost converter and multiple voltage sources, wherein the multiple voltage sources include at least three voltage sources. Also, described herein are systems that combine a high energy-density energy storage device and a high power-density energy storage device into a single device through programmable power conversion. Also, described herein are improved buck-boost converters (such as improved DC to DC buck-boost converters). And, described herein are systems that include a buck-boost converter for multiple power sources, for multiple loads, or for both multiple power sources and multiple loads. Some embodiments include a converter that includes or is connected to a bypass circuit. And, in some embodiments, when two or more of the multiple power sources or loads experience a similar voltage, such components can be directly connected by a bypass circuit.

A solar controller is configured to control a solar unit including a solar panel, a step-up and step-down DC-DC converter configured to receive electric power generated by the solar panel, convert the received electric power to a predetermined electric power, and output the predetermined electric power, and a regulator circuit provided between an output of the DC-DC converter and a ground potential. The solar controller includes one or more processors are configured to: acquire an input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter; acquire an input and output currents of the DC-DC converter; control the regulator circuit and a plurality of switching elements that respectively make up a plurality of arms included in the DC-DC converter; and determine whether an abnormality in each of the arms has occurred based on the input and output voltages or the input and output currents, that is acquired.

A detection circuit for a switching converter, whereby: the detection circuit is coupled in parallel with an output capacitor of the switching converter, and is configured to provide a detection branch coupled in parallel with the output capacitor during a first period of a switching cycle, in order to detect an output voltage of the switching converter; and an output voltage detection signal is generated according to the detected output voltage during a second period of the switching cycle. A switching converter can include the detection circuit and an integrated circuit.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to an adaptive combination power supply circuit. The adaptive combination power supply circuit may be capable of switching between performing as a three-level buck converter and as a divide-by-two charge pump. One example power supply circuit generally includes a first transistor; a second transistor coupled to the first transistor via a first node; a third transistor coupled to the second transistor via a second node; a fourth transistor coupled to the third transistor via a third node; a capacitive element having a first terminal coupled to the first node and a second terminal coupled to the third node; an inductive element having a first terminal coupled to the second node; and a switch having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the inductive element, the switch having a second terminal coupled to a second terminal of the inductive element.

A multi-port battery charge and discharge system used for battery pack charge and discharge. The multi-port battery charge and discharge system has a plurality of voltage converting circuits, each of which can operate in a charge mode to supply load and charge a battery pack or in a discharge mode to supply power sinks. The multi-port battery charge and discharge system further has at least one switch module providing an additional current signal to charge the battery pack.

A direct current (DC)-DC converter for converting an input voltage to a plurality of output voltages. The DC-DC converter includes an inductor, a plurality of output capacitors, a plurality of output switches, and a bootstrap capacitor. The inductor is configured to be charged by applying the input voltage to the inductor. Each of the plurality of output switches is connected between the inductor and a respective output capacitor of the plurality of output capacitors. The bootstrap capacitor is connected between the inductor and each of the plurality of output switches. The bootstrap capacitor is configured to convert the input voltage to an n.sup.th output voltage of the plurality of output voltages. The input voltage is converted to the n.sup.th output voltage by coupling the inductor to an n.sup.th output capacitor of the plurality of output capacitors through an n.sup.th output switch of the plurality of output switches.

Disclosed is a flying capacitor three-level converter, including a plurality of circuit units, wherein each of the plurality of circuit units includes: an input capacitor; a bridge arm, electrically connected with the input capacitor in parallel, wherein the bridge arm includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch electrically and sequentially connected in series; and a flying capacitor unit, wherein the flying capacitor unit includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor, and the first capacitor and the second capacitor are electrically connected in parallel and electrically connected with a series branch in parallel, and the series branch includes the second switch and the third switch; wherein the input capacitor, the first switch, the first capacitor and the fourth switch form a first switching loop, and the second capacitor, the second switch and the third switch form a second switching loop.

A buck-assisted split-source inverter including a DC link having two voltage rails, at least two pairs of series connected switches, a first connection point and a second connection point for receiving voltage terminals of a fuel cell, one of the two voltage rails forming the first connection point, a switch component and an inductor connected in series having a first end formed of a terminal of the switch component and a second end formed of a terminal of the inductor, the first end forming the second connection point for receiving a voltage terminal of a fuel cell. The inverter further including at least two first diodes, a second diode having first and second terminals, wherein the switch component is adapted to be controlled conductive when any one of the lower switches connected to voltage rail forming the first connection point is controlled conductive.