A method of controlling a multi-phase power converter having a plurality of power stage circuits coupled in parallel, can include: obtaining a load current of the multi-phase power converter; enabling corresponding power stage circuits to operate in accordance with the load current, such that a switching frequency is maintained within a predetermined range when the load current changes; and controlling the power stage circuits to operate under different modes in accordance with the load current, such that the switching frequency is maintained within the predetermined range when the load current changes.

A method of controlling a multi-phase power converter having a plurality of power stage circuits coupled in parallel, can include: obtaining a load current of the multi-phase power converter; enabling corresponding power stage circuits to operate in accordance with the load current, such that a switching frequency is maintained within a predetermined range when the load current changes; and controlling the power stage circuits to operate under different modes in accordance with the load current, such that the switching frequency is maintained within the predetermined range when the load current changes.

The three-phase synchronous rectifier for battery charger on board vehicle comprises: three rectification units provided with respective inputs connected to respective phases of a permanent magnet generator and with respective outputs connected to a battery of a vehicle; wherein the rectification units are configured to receive at input respective phase currents of the generator and to supply at output rectified currents; and wherein each of the rectification units comprises a current sensor connected to a respective phase of the generator and a respective output circuit connected to the battery and operatively connected to said current sensor; the current sensor being configured to receive at input a respective phase current and the output circuit being configured to be piloted by means of the current sensor to generate the rectified currents; wherein the current sensor comprises at least one toroidal element made of a magnetic material crossed by a lead which conveys the phase current and at least one Hall effect sensor connected to the toroidal element and to the output circuit.

The three-phase synchronous rectifier for battery charger on board vehicle comprises: three rectification units provided with respective inputs connected to respective phases of a permanent magnet generator and with respective outputs connected to a battery of a vehicle; wherein the rectification units are configured to receive at input respective phase currents of the generator and to supply at output rectified currents; and wherein each of the rectification units comprises a current sensor connected to a respective phase of the generator and a respective output circuit connected to the battery and operatively connected to said current sensor; the current sensor being configured to receive at input a respective phase current and the output circuit being configured to be piloted by means of the current sensor to generate the rectified currents; wherein the current sensor comprises at least one toroidal element made of a magnetic material crossed by a lead which conveys the phase current and at least one Hall effect sensor connected to the toroidal element and to the output circuit.

Methods and apparatus for detecting a zero inductor current to control switch transitions for a power converter. An example method includes outputting a first voltage and a first current, receiving the first voltage and output a second voltage into an input of a comparator, when the second voltage is above a third voltage, outputting a first output voltage, when the second voltage is below the third voltage, outputting a second output voltage, determining when the first current is zero based the output of the comparator, enabling a set of switches based on when the first current is zero.

Methods and apparatus for detecting a zero inductor current to control switch transitions for a power converter. An example method includes outputting a first voltage and a first current, receiving the first voltage and output a second voltage into an input of a comparator, when the second voltage is above a third voltage, outputting a first output voltage, when the second voltage is below the third voltage, outputting a second output voltage, determining when the first current is zero based the output of the comparator, enabling a set of switches based on when the first current is zero.

A charging apparatus includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a switch unit, a control unit, and a communication unit. The switch unit is turned on or turned off to control whether the first terminal is coupled to the second terminal. The control unit sets a first time from the switch unit receiving a control signal to the switch unit actually being turned on or turned off. The control unit and the electric vehicle mutually transmit a communication signal through the communication unit. The control unit calculates a second time when the current reaches to a zero point based on an abnormal state indicated by the communication signal, and calculates a third time when the switch unit operates at the zero point based on the first time and the second time, and provides the control signal to turn off the switch unit at the third time.

A charging apparatus includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a switch unit, a control unit, and a communication unit. The switch unit is turned on or turned off to control whether the first terminal is coupled to the second terminal. The control unit sets a first time from the switch unit receiving a control signal to the switch unit actually being turned on or turned off. The control unit and the electric vehicle mutually transmit a communication signal through the communication unit. The control unit calculates a second time when the current reaches to a zero point based on an abnormal state indicated by the communication signal, and calculates a third time when the switch unit operates at the zero point based on the first time and the second time, and provides the control signal to turn off the switch unit at the third time.

Embodiments of the present application disclose a multi-level inverter clamping modulation method and apparatus, and an inverter. Switching elements of an inverter are controlled when an output voltage of the inverter crosses zero, and switching elements in each inverter bridge arm of an active clamp multi-level inverter include an internal tube, an external tube, and a clamping tube. The internal tube and the external tube are connected in series between a positive bus and a negative bus, the clamping tube is connected between a common terminal of the internal tube and the external tube and a bus, the internal tube is a low-frequency switching element, and the external tube and the clamping tube are high-frequency switching elements.

Embodiments of the present application disclose a multi-level inverter clamping modulation method and apparatus, and an inverter. Switching elements of an inverter are controlled when an output voltage of the inverter crosses zero, and switching elements in each inverter bridge arm of an active clamp multi-level inverter include an internal tube, an external tube, and a clamping tube. The internal tube and the external tube are connected in series between a positive bus and a negative bus, the clamping tube is connected between a common terminal of the internal tube and the external tube and a bus, the internal tube is a low-frequency switching element, and the external tube and the clamping tube are high-frequency switching elements.