Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a rectifier. The rectifier may include: a rectifier circuit formed with current valves with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches; and a switching controller driving the MEMS switches to switch and open. The switching controller opens the MEMS switches when a voltage feeding the rectifier falls below a minimum distance from a zero voltage.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a rectifier. The rectifier may include: a rectifier circuit formed with current valves with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches; and a switching controller driving the MEMS switches to switch and open. The switching controller opens the MEMS switches when a voltage feeding the rectifier falls below a minimum distance from a zero voltage.

A converter apparatus and methods of operation thereof are disclosed. In an example, a converter unit of a bipole converter apparatus comprising a neutral connection having a breaker switch is disclosed. In the event of a DC fault, the fault condition may be monitored and it is determined whether a breaker switch operation condition is met. The breaker switch is opened when the breaker switch operation condition is met. In one example, the breaker switch operation condition may comprise a current level.

A wireless power transmitting device may transmit power wirelessly to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may be a portable electronic device with an array of wireless power receiving coils that receive wireless power from wireless power transmitting coils in the wireless power transmitting device. Each receiving coil in the array of wireless power receiving coils may be coupled to a respective rectifier. Control circuitry of the wireless power receiving device may be configured to determine which rectifiers to enable for synchronous rectification. The control circuitry may be configured to enable at least one rectifier based on the alternating-current voltages produced by each coil in the array of receiving coils. The control circuitry may also be configured to enable at least one rectifier based on the output current from each rectifier.

A wireless power transmitting device may transmit power wirelessly to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may be a portable electronic device with an array of wireless power receiving coils that receive wireless power from wireless power transmitting coils in the wireless power transmitting device. Each receiving coil in the array of wireless power receiving coils may be coupled to a respective rectifier. Control circuitry of the wireless power receiving device may be configured to determine which rectifiers to enable for synchronous rectification. The control circuitry may be configured to enable at least one rectifier based on the alternating-current voltages produced by each coil in the array of receiving coils. The control circuitry may also be configured to enable at least one rectifier based on the output current from each rectifier.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a rectifier. The rectifier may include: a rectifier circuit formed with current valves with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches; and a switching controller driving the MEMS switches to switch and open. The switching controller opens the MEMS switches when a voltage feeding the rectifier falls below a minimum distance from a zero voltage.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a rectifier. The rectifier may include: a rectifier circuit formed with current valves with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches; and a switching controller driving the MEMS switches to switch and open. The switching controller opens the MEMS switches when a voltage feeding the rectifier falls below a minimum distance from a zero voltage.

A converter apparatus and methods of operation thereof are disclosed. In an example, a converter unit of a bipole converter apparatus comprising a neutral connection having a breaker switch is disclosed. In the event of a DC fault, the fault condition may be monitored and it is determined whether a breaker switch operation condition is met. The breaker switch is opened when the breaker switch operation condition is met. In one example, the breaker switch operation condition may comprise a current level.

Wall mountable touch panels are described. In one embodiment, a wall mountable touch panel for controlling a load device includes a touch sensor configured to receive a user touch input and to control the load device based on the user touch input and a power interface configured to receive a low-voltage direct current (DC) power signal for powering the touch sensor. Other embodiments are also described.

Wall mountable touch panels are described. In one embodiment, a wall mountable touch panel for controlling a load device includes a touch sensor configured to receive a user touch input and to control the load device based on the user touch input and a power interface configured to receive a low-voltage direct current (DC) power signal for powering the touch sensor. Other embodiments are also described.