Described examples include DC to DC converters and systems with switching circuitry formed by four series-connected switches, inductors connected between the ends of the switching circuitry and corresponding output nodes, and with a flying capacitor coupled across interior switches of the switching circuitry and a second capacitor coupled across the ends of the switching circuitry. A control circuit operates the switching circuit to control a voltage signal across the output nodes using a first clock signal and a phase shifted second clock signal to reduce output ripple current and enhance converter efficiency using valley current control. The output inductors are wound on a common core in certain examples.

A current mode switching regulator circuit and operating method includes a variable duty cycle power switch controller, a voltage feedback loop that provides a feedback signal based on the output voltage, a current feedback loop that provides a current sense signal based on the output current, and an offset circuit having an external signal input and coupled to the current feedback loop. The power switch controller controls the switching regulator circuit to generate an output voltage and an output current. The offset circuit is configured to provide an offset output control signal, independently of the voltage feedback loop, to control the power switch controller so as to vary a duty cycle of the power switch controller based on the current sense signal and an external offset signal applied to the external signal input.

A current mode switching regulator circuit and operating method includes a variable duty cycle power switch controller, a voltage feedback loop that provides a feedback signal based on the output voltage, a current feedback loop that provides a current sense signal based on the output current, and an offset circuit having an external signal input and coupled to the current feedback loop. The power switch controller controls the switching regulator circuit to generate an output voltage and an output current. The offset circuit is configured to provide an offset output control signal, independently of the voltage feedback loop, to control the power switch controller so as to vary a duty cycle of the power switch controller based on the current sense signal and an external offset signal applied to the external signal input.

A method for charging an energy storage element of a vehicle using a charging apparatus which provides a charging current (I.sub.L) and a charging voltage (U) at an operating point. The charging apparatus has a plurality of energy supply modules connected in parallel, having the following method steps: in an optimization step, a distribution of the charging current (I.sub.L) to the energy supply modules connected in parallel, in the case of which the charging apparatus has a maximum overall efficiency, is respectively determined for a plurality of predefined operating points; in a charging step which follows the optimization step, a distribution of the charging current (I.sub.L) to the individual energy supply modules of the charging apparatus, in the case of which the charging apparatus has a maximum overall efficiency, is selected on the basis of a predefined charging current (I.sub.L) and a predefined charging voltage (U).

A method for charging an energy storage element of a vehicle using a charging apparatus which provides a charging current (I.sub.L) and a charging voltage (U) at an operating point. The charging apparatus has a plurality of energy supply modules connected in parallel, having the following method steps: in an optimization step, a distribution of the charging current (I.sub.L) to the energy supply modules connected in parallel, in the case of which the charging apparatus has a maximum overall efficiency, is respectively determined for a plurality of predefined operating points; in a charging step which follows the optimization step, a distribution of the charging current (I.sub.L) to the individual energy supply modules of the charging apparatus, in the case of which the charging apparatus has a maximum overall efficiency, is selected on the basis of a predefined charging current (I.sub.L) and a predefined charging voltage (U).

Systems and methods for operating a light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit are provided. Aspects include providing an interleaved boost converter including a first boost converter and a second boost converter, the second boost converter interleaved with the first boost converter, operating a first switching element to control a first boost convertor in the LED driver circuit, wherein the first boost convertor is in an ON state responsive to the first switching element being in an ON state, operating a second switching element to control a first boost convertor in the LED driver circuit, wherein the second boost convertor is in an ON state responsive to the first switching element being in an ON state, providing a set of LEDs, wherein the interleaved boost converter provides a step-up voltage to the set of LEDs.

Systems and methods for operating a light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit are provided. Aspects include providing an interleaved boost converter including a first boost converter and a second boost converter, the second boost converter interleaved with the first boost converter, operating a first switching element to control a first boost convertor in the LED driver circuit, wherein the first boost convertor is in an ON state responsive to the first switching element being in an ON state, operating a second switching element to control a first boost convertor in the LED driver circuit, wherein the second boost convertor is in an ON state responsive to the first switching element being in an ON state, providing a set of LEDs, wherein the interleaved boost converter provides a step-up voltage to the set of LEDs.

An electrical circuit and a method for regulating current and providing a circuit breaker to the electrical circuit. The circuit includes a bidirectional cell including a set of forward switches for power flow during a forward mode of operation and a set of reverse switches for providing reverse power flow during a reverse mode of operation, a control inductor for controlling current flow during the reverse mode of operation, and a voltage clamping switch configured to provide the control inductor in the circuit during the reverse mode of operation and remove the control inductor from the circuit during the forward mode of operation. The circuit is operated in at least the reverse mode of operation.

An electrical circuit and a method for regulating current and providing a circuit breaker to the electrical circuit. The circuit includes a bidirectional cell including a set of forward switches for power flow during a forward mode of operation and a set of reverse switches for providing reverse power flow during a reverse mode of operation, a control inductor for controlling current flow during the reverse mode of operation, and a voltage clamping switch configured to provide the control inductor in the circuit during the reverse mode of operation and remove the control inductor from the circuit during the forward mode of operation. The circuit is operated in at least the reverse mode of operation.

A power control device comprises the following elements. An input assembly has a switch and is electrically connected to a first actuator, and generates a trigger signal according to a state of the switch or a control signal inputted from the first actuator. A calculating assembly is electrically connected to the input assembly and outputs a first signal from a control output terminal and a second signal from a feedback output terminal when the calculating assembly receives the trigger signal. An output assembly is electrically connected to the control output terminal of the calculating assembly for receiving the first signal and changes a power-on/off state of a controlled device when a voltage level of the first signal changes. A feedback assembly is electrically connected to the feedback output terminal of the calculating assembly and outputs a feedback signal to the first actuator according to the second signal.