Circuits and methods encompassing a power converter that can be started and operated in a reversed unidirectional manner or in a bidirectional manner while providing sufficient voltage for an associated auxiliary circuit and start-up without added external circuitry for a voltage booster and/or a pre-charge circuit—that is, with zero external components or a reduced number of external components. Embodiments include an auxiliary circuit configured to selectively couple the greater of a first or a second voltage from a power converter to provide power to the auxiliary circuit. Embodiments include an auxiliary circuit configured to select a subcircuit coupled to the greater of a first or a second voltage from a power converter to provide an output for the auxiliary circuit. Embodiments include a charge pump including a gate driver configured to be selectively coupled to one of a first voltage node or second voltage node of the charge pump.

Circuits and methods encompassing a power converter that can be started and operated in a reversed unidirectional manner or in a bidirectional manner while providing sufficient voltage for an associated auxiliary circuit and start-up without added external circuitry for a voltage booster and/or a pre-charge circuit—that is, with zero external components or a reduced number of external components. Embodiments include an auxiliary circuit configured to selectively couple the greater of a first or a second voltage from a power converter to provide power to the auxiliary circuit. Embodiments include an auxiliary circuit configured to select a subcircuit coupled to the greater of a first or a second voltage from a power converter to provide an output for the auxiliary circuit. Embodiments include a charge pump including a gate driver configured to be selectively coupled to one of a first voltage node or second voltage node of the charge pump.

In described examples, a power management circuit includes a voltage sensor and a differential power converter. The voltage sensor is coupled in series with other voltage sensors between a high voltage bus and a ground bus. The voltage sensor senses a voltage across an impedance and outputs a control signal in response to the sensed voltage. The differential power converter is coupled in series with other differential power converters and in parallel with a load between the high voltage bus and the ground bus. The differential power converter is configured to increase or decrease a supplied current in response to a change in magnitude of the control signal.

The invention relates to a converter assembly comprising a DC voltage intermediate circuit (1) for providing a DC voltage V.sub.DC, comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and at least one machine converter (2) for converting the DC voltage V.sub.DC into a multi-phase AC voltage, wherein at least one energy storage capacitor (3, 3′) is arranged in the DC voltage intermediate circuit (1), and wherein a frequency-dependent resistor (4) which has a higher electrical resistance at high frequencies than at low frequencies is arranged in series with the energy storage capacitor (3, 3′).

The invention relates to a converter assembly comprising a DC voltage intermediate circuit (1) for providing a DC voltage V.sub.DC, comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and at least one machine converter (2) for converting the DC voltage V.sub.DC into a multi-phase AC voltage, wherein at least one energy storage capacitor (3, 3′) is arranged in the DC voltage intermediate circuit (1), and wherein a frequency-dependent resistor (4) which has a higher electrical resistance at high frequencies than at low frequencies is arranged in series with the energy storage capacitor (3, 3′).

An input terminal connected to both a terminal of the first device outputting a signal including a period of a low voltage greater than or equal to a predetermined period and a terminal of the second device outputting a periodic signal alternately repeating a high voltage and a low voltage less than the predetermined period via one signal line is included. When a signal input to the input terminal includes a period of a low voltage greater than or equal to the predetermined period, it is determined that a signal output from the first device is input.

A bypass circuit of an embodiment includes a switch that shorts-circuit between a first power conversion apparatus and a power storage apparatus. The switch is connected in parallel to a second power conversion apparatus. The first power conversion apparatus converts power generated from natural energy and outputs the converted power to a power distribution grid. The second power conversion apparatus converts surplus power that has not been converted by the first power conversion apparatus and charges the power storage apparatus with the converted power; or converts power discharged from the power storage apparatus and supplies the converted power to the first power conversion apparatus.

A control circuit is provided for a buck converter that includes at least an inductor coupled to an output of the buck converter. The control circuit includes a power switch configured for coupling to a line voltage and configured for charging the inductor, an input line voltage sampling circuit, and a constant-voltage (CV) and constant-current (CC) control module coupled to the power switch. During a charging period of the inductor, the CV and CC control module is configured to control the power switch to provide a constant output current by maintaining a constant peak inductor current, even when the input line voltage changes. During a discharging period of the inductor, the CV and CC control module is configured to monitor the sensed output voltage to control the power switch to provide a constant output voltage.

A control circuit is provided for a buck converter that includes at least an inductor coupled to an output of the buck converter. The control circuit includes a power switch configured for coupling to a line voltage and configured for charging the inductor, an input line voltage sampling circuit, and a constant-voltage (CV) and constant-current (CC) control module coupled to the power switch. During a charging period of the inductor, the CV and CC control module is configured to control the power switch to provide a constant output current by maintaining a constant peak inductor current, even when the input line voltage changes. During a discharging period of the inductor, the CV and CC control module is configured to monitor the sensed output voltage to control the power switch to provide a constant output voltage.

In described examples, a power management circuit includes a voltage sensor and a differential power converter. The voltage sensor is coupled in series with other voltage sensors between a high voltage bus and a ground bus. The voltage sensor senses a voltage across an impedance and outputs a control signal in response to the sensed voltage. The differential power converter is coupled in series with other differential power converters and in parallel with a load between the high voltage bus and the ground bus. The differential power converter is configured to increase or decrease a supplied current in response to a change in magnitude of the control signal.