Abstract: A DC to DC voltage converter includes a first voltage converter module configurable to generate a first output at a first output voltage selected from two or more different voltages and a second voltage converter module configurable to generate a second output at a second output voltage selected from two or more different voltages. The first voltage converter module and the second voltage converter module have a common input. A common output combines the first output voltage from the first voltage converter module and the second output voltage from the second voltage converter module.

Abstract: AC to DC converters, more specifically Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuits, using a multi-level waveform and hybrid devices are presented. From an AC voltage input a multi-level waveform is generated, which is used to generate high and low DC output voltage levels. The multi-level waveform is connected to the DC outputs through a corresponding intermediate node by an initial switch, and from the intermediate node to the corresponding output by a hybrid device. The hybrid device includes a first current path, such as a series connected switch-diode pair, in parallel with second current path of a relatively faster and lower current device, such as a diode. The resultant arrangement can use devices having lower voltage ratings relative to typical PFC circuit designs.

Abstract: A DC to DC converter uses a multi-level boost converter topology. In addition to the input voltage being connected to an output node through a boost inductor in series with a pair of diodes, a bridge circuit generates a multi-level waveform on one side of flying capacitor, which is on the other side connected between the series connected diodes. The boost converter topology maintains low voltage stress on its components under abnormal conditions on the output node and allows for simple pre-charging of the flying capacitor.

Abstract: A device includes a first diode and a second diode connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal of a switching element, wherein the switching element is a unidirectional device and an anode of the first diode is directly connected to an anode of the second diode, a third diode connected between the first terminal and the second terminal of the switching element and a switch connected in parallel with the first diode.

Abstract: A device comprises a gate drive bridge coupled between a bias voltage of a power converter and ground and a transformer connected to the gate drive bridge, wherein the transformer comprises a primary winding connected to two legs of the gate drive bridge respectively and a plurality of secondary windings configured to generate gate drive signals for low side switches, high side switches and secondary switches of the power converter.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes an inductor having first and second terminals. The first terminal is configured to be coupled to a power source. The apparatus includes a pair of serially-coupled transistors coupled to the second terminal of the inductor. A transistor intermediate node is positioned between the pair of serially-coupled transistors. The apparatus includes a pair of serially-coupled diodes coupled to the second terminal of the inductor. A diode intermediate node is positioned between the pair of serially-coupled diodes. The apparatus includes a first capacitor coupled in parallel with the serially-coupled transistors and the serially-coupled diodes. The apparatus includes a sub-circuit having a second capacitor serially-coupled with an auxiliary transistor.

Abstract: System, device and method for exporting power are provided including at least one AC optimizer with plurality of DC inputs each connecting with respective one of plurality of DC sources, and independent maximum power point tracking (MPPT) performed for each respective DC source to extract power from each DC source for output and coupling to AC grid. When multiple AC optimizers are employed, with each AC optimizer having multiple DC inputs, each DC input can be connected to PV module with independent MPPT function. Since, each AC optimizer can serve multiple PV modules, significant cost saving and efficiencies can be achieved. Optionally, on PV sub-module level, each of the multiple DC inputs can be used as an independent MPPT channel for a PV sub-module cell string.

Abstract: A system comprises an input power stage coupled to a primary side of a transformer, an output power stage coupled to a secondary side of a transformer, a first common node capacitor and a common node resistor connected in series between a midpoint of the secondary side of the transformer and ground and a detector having an input connected to a common node of the first common node capacitor and the common node resistor, and an output connected to a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to dynamically adjust a switching frequency of the system based upon an output of the detector.

Abstract: A method includes generating a first ramp signal for controlling a first portion of a converter, generating a second ramp signal for controlling a second portion of the converter, controlling a state of a first switch of the first portion through comparing the first ramp signal to a control signal and a state of a first switch of the second portion through comparing the second ramp signal to the control signal and determining a switching cycle of the converter through comparing a current flowing through an inductor of the converter to a threshold.

Abstract: A system comprises a first inverter and a second inverter connected in parallel, a coupled inductor connected to outputs of the first inverter and the second inverter, wherein the coupled inductor comprises a plurality of windings formed by a single winding wire and an output filter coupled to an output of the coupled inductor.

Abstract: A device comprises a first diode and a second diode connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal of a switching element, wherein an anode of the first diode is directly connected to an anode of the second diode, a third diode connected between the first terminal and the second terminal of the switching element and a first switch connected in parallel with the first diode.

Abstract: A system comprises an input power stage coupled to a primary side of a transformer, an output power stage coupled to a secondary side of a transformer, a first common node capacitor and a common node resistor connected in series between a midpoint of the secondary side of the transformer and ground and a detector having an input connected to a common node of the first common node capacitor and the common node resistor, and an output connected to a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to dynamically adjust a switching frequency of the system based upon an output of the detector.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus that includes a first power converter stage connected to a first side of a first transformer, and a second power converter stage connected to a first side of a second transformer. The apparatus further includes an interleaved multi-bridge circuit connected to the second side of the first transformer and to the second side of the second transformer. The apparatus further includes a controller that is configured to operate the interleaved multi-bridge circuit in a parallel mode in which the second sides of the first and second transformers are in parallel at a DC terminal of the interleaved multi-bridge circuit and in a series mode in which the second sides of the first and second transformers are in series at the DC terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided involving a converter circuit. The converter circuit includes an inductor including a first terminal configured to be coupled to a power source, and a second terminal. Also included is a pair of serially-coupled transistors coupled to the second terminal of the inductor. The pair of serially-coupled transistors have a transistor intermediate node therebetween. Further included is a pair of serially-coupled diodes coupled to the second terminal of the inductor. The pair of serially-coupled diodes have a diode intermediate node therebetween. A first capacitor is coupled in parallel with the serially-coupled transistors and the serially-coupled diodes. Further, the converter circuit includes a sub-circuit having a second capacitor serially-coupled with an auxiliary transistor. The sub-circuit is coupled between the transistor intermediate node and the diode intermediate node.

Abstract: In an Input-Series-Output-Parallel (ISOP)-type power converter circuit, a DC-to-DC converter has a positive input coupled to a DC power source and a negative input connected to a negative output. A plurality of capacitors are coupled in series between a positive output of the converter and a circuit ground, the negative output of the converter coupled to a common node of first and second capacitors. A half-bridge inverter network is coupled between the positive output and a circuit ground, each inverter having an input respectively coupled to the first capacitor and the second capacitor. A plurality of resonant tanks are coupled to an output of a respective one of first and second half-bridge inverters. A transformer is coupled to outputs of the plurality of resonant tanks. A rectifier circuit is coupled to a secondary winding of the transformer to provide a DC output voltage.

Abstract: AC to DC converters, more specifically Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuits, using a multi-level waveform and hybrid devices are presented. From an AC voltage input a multi-level waveform is generated, which is used to generate high and low DC output voltage levels. The multi-level waveform is connected to the DC outputs through a correpsonding intermediate node by an initial switch, and from the intermediate node to the correpsonding output by a hybrid device. The hybrid device includes a first current path, such as a series connected switch-diode pair, in parallel with second current path of a relativley faster and lower current device, such as a diode. The resultant arrangement can use devices having lower voltage ratings relative to typical PFC cirucit designs.

Abstract: A hybid resonant DC to DC converter uses an LLC or other resonant structure on the primary side, applying a two state waveform to one end of the resonant structure and a multi-state waveform to the other end of the resonant structure. The waveforms are at or near the resonant resonant frequency and the output voltage level is regulated by varying the shape of the multi-state waveform by varying the duty cycle of the switches used to generate it. The allows the converter to operate near or at its optimal resonant point, resulting in higher efficiency, over a wide range of regulated output voltage levels.

Abstract: A multi-level inverter includes a direct current input, a first bidirectional switch, a second bidirectional switch, a third capacitor, and an inverter. The direct current input includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor connected in series between positive and negative terminals of the direct current input power supply. The inverter includes a first switching tube, a second switching tube, a third switching tube, and a fourth switching tube that are connected in series co-directionally between the positive and negative terminals of the direct current input power supply. One terminal of the first bidirectional switch is connected to a connection point between the third switching tube and the fourth switching tube.

Abstract: A method comprises generating a first ramp signal and a second ramp signal for controlling a buck converter portion and a boost converter portion of a buck-boost converter respectively, comparing the first ramp signal and the second ramp signal to a control signal, controlling the buck converter portion using the comparing the first ramp signal to the control signal and the boost converter portion using the comparing the second ramp signal to the control signal, comparing a current flowing through the inductor to a current threshold and terminating a switching cycle based upon the comparing the current flowing through the inductor to the current threshold.

Abstract: An embodiment apparatus comprises a magnetic core comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a first winding comprising a first portion wound around the first side and a second portion wound around the second side, a second winding comprising a third portion wound around the first side and a fourth portion wound around the second side, wherein the second portion and the fourth portion are coupled to each other.