Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining information enabling a characteristic like determination of maximum power point of a power source, the apparatus including at least an inductor and a capacitor, the information enabling the determination of the characteristic of the power source being obtained by monitoring the voltage charge of the capacitor, and a mechanism discharging the capacitor through the inductor prior to the monitoring of the charge of the capacitor.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for obtaining information enabling the determination of a characteristic like the maximum power point of a power source, characterized in that the apparatus for obtaining information enabling the determination of the characteristic of the power source comprises means for monitoring the voltage on an inductor linked to the power source in order to obtain information enabling the determination of the characteristic of the power source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the output voltage of a boost converter including a number n of bridge devices connected in series, each bridge device including plural switches and a capacitor. The method and apparatus provide control of the switches according to a selected periodical matrix pattern including a number N of time intervals, N being a positive integer greater than 2, and in that in each time interval, the voltage between the input and the output of each ith bridge device with i from one to n, is equal to one of a null value, a number ki times a positive value, and minus the number ki times the positive value, the positive value being the result of the division of the output voltage of the boost converter including the n bridge devices by the number of time intervals N of the periodical matrix pattern.

Abstract: A method for controlling the switches of a boost converter composed of plural bridge devices connected in series, each bridge device being composed of a capacitor and plural switches. The method includes: controlling the switches of each bridge device of at least a part of the plural bridge devices according to a given periodical pattern during a first time period, and controlling, during a second time period following the first time period, the switches of each bridge device of the at least part of the plural bridge devices according to a periodical pattern previously used for controlling the switches of another bridge device of the at least part of the plural bridge devices during the first time period.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining information enabling a characteristic like determination of maximum power point of a power source, the apparatus including at least an inductor and a capacitor, the information enabling the determination of the characteristic of the power source being obtained by monitoring the voltage charge of the capacitor, and a mechanism discharging the capacitor through the inductor prior to the monitoring of the charge of the capacitor.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for obtaining information enabling the determination of a characteristic like the maximum power point of a power source, characterised in that the apparatus for obtaining information enabling the determination of the characteristic of the power source comprises means for monitoring the voltage on an inductor linked to the power source in order to obtain information enabling the determination of the characteristic of the power source.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining information enabling determination of a maximum power point of a power source providing at a first time period a direct current, the apparatus including at least a capacitor, a mechanism for charging the capacitor during a second time period and for discharging the capacitor in a third time period, and a mechanism for monitoring voltage and current variations on the capacitor. During the first time period, the direct current does not go through the mechanism for charging the capacitor.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for discharging the capacitors of a boost converter composed of a number n of bridge devices connected in series, the boost converter is connected to electric direct current providing means, each bridge device is composed of plural switches and a capacitor. The method comprises the steps of setting the switches of the bridge devices in n?1 different configurations in order to discharge the capacitors of n?1 different bridge devices within n?1 consecutive periods of time.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for controlling the output voltage of a boost converter composed of a number n of bridge devices (B, B2, B3) connected in series, each bridge device being composed of plural switches (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32) and a capacitor (C1, C2, C3). The apparatus comprises means for controlling the switches according to one periodical pattern being decomposed in a number N of time intervals and in that in each time interval, the voltage between the input and the output (B, B2, B3) of each ith bridge device with i from one to n, is equal to a null value, or a number ki times a positive value, or minus the number ki times the positive value, the positive value being the result of the division of the output voltage of the boost converter composed of n bridge (B1, B2, B3) devices by the number of time intervals of the periodical pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of a snubber circuit in a system in which an input voltage is processed using at least switches controlled with at least one periodical pattern. The input voltage is applied to the snubber circuit when the operation of the snubber circuit is enabled. The apparatus includes: a mechanism determining a periodical pattern to be used for controlling the switches, the periodical pattern modifying the input voltage; a mechanism disabling the operation of the snubber circuit; a mechanism controlling the switches with the determined periodical pattern; a mechanism checking if the input voltage is compatible with a given value; and a mechanism enabling the operation of the snubber circuit when the input voltage is compatible with the given value.