Abstract: A power-factor corrected AC/DC converter has three half-bridge legs, electrically coupled with each other in parallel, each leg having a pair of switches. Each switch of the pair is electrically coupled to the other in series via a respective node that is electrically coupled through an inductor to an AC line. The converter has a fourth half-bridge leg electrically coupled with the other legs to form an electrically parallel circuit. The fourth leg has a pair of switches electrically coupled to each other in series via a fourth node, which is selectively electrically coupleable to a neutral or a second AC line. The converter has a controller that operates the three legs as a 3-channel interleaved AC/DC boost converter and couples the fourth node to the neutral or second AC line if the input is single-phase, and as a 3-phase AC/DC boost converter if the input is three-phase.

Abstract: A power-factor corrected AC/DC converter has three half-bridge legs, electrically coupled with each other in parallel, each leg having a pair of switches. Each switch of the pair is electrically coupled to the other in series via a respective node that is electrically coupled through an inductor to an AC line. The converter has a fourth half-bridge leg electrically coupled with the other legs to form an electrically parallel circuit. The fourth leg has a pair of switches electrically coupled to each other in series via a fourth node, which is selectively electrically coupleable to a neutral or a second AC line. The converter has a controller that operates the three legs as a 3-channel interleaved AC/DC boost converter and couples the fourth node to the neutral or second AC line if the input is single-phase, and as a 3-phase AC/DC boost converter if the input is three-phase.

Abstract: A single-stage AC/DC converter includes a boost PFC AC/DC converter and a half-bridge split-capacitor DC/DC converter. The boost PFC AC/DC converter includes a boost inductor, and the half-bridge split-capacitor DC/DC converter includes an inductor in series with a primary winding of a transformer. A method of operation of a single-stage AC/DC converter that includes a boost PFC AC/DC converter and a half-bridge split-capacitor DC/DC converter includes modulating a switching frequency of at least one switch. The method may further include maintaining a constant duty cycle, for example a duty cycle of 0.5. An implementation of the boost inductor in a boost PFC AC/DC converter of a single-stage AC/DC converter includes a variable boost inductor, such as two inductors of approximately equal inductance, and a boost inductor switching circuit, such as two single-pole, double-throw relays.

Abstract: An apparatus and method employs a rectifier, switches, and power converter that comprises a first stage, a second stage and a direct current (DC) bus between the first and second stages, to: in a first state supply rectified DC current to the first stage and a voltage adjusted current from the second stage to a load, for example a power storage device (e.g., secondary battery, ultra-capacitor(s)) at a relatively high voltage (e.g., 48 V for traction motor), and in a second state supply DC current to the first stage from the power storage device and supply a voltage adjusted current from the second stage, for example to a lower voltage DC bus or load (e.g., 12 V). The rectifier can, for example, receive grid or mains AC power.

Abstract: A single-stage AC/DC converter includes a boost PFC AC/DC converter and a half-bridge split-capacitor DC/DC converter. The boost PFC AC/DC converter includes a boost inductor, and the half-bridge split-capacitor DC/DC converter includes an inductor in series with a primary winding of a transformer. A method of operation of a single-stage AC/DC converter that includes a boost PFC AC/DC converter and a half-bridge split-capacitor DC/DC converter includes modulating a switching frequency of at least one switch. The method may further include maintaining a constant duty cycle, for example a duty cycle of 0.5. An implementation of the boost inductor in a boost PFC AC/DC converter of a single-stage AC/DC converter includes a variable boost inductor, such as two inductors of approximately equal inductance, and a boost inductor switching circuit, such as two single-pole, double-throw relays.

Abstract: An apparatus and method employs a rectifier, switches, and power converter that comprises a first stage, a second stage and a direct current (DC) bus between the first and second stages, to: in a first state supply rectified DC current to the first stage and a voltage adjusted current from the second stage to a load, for example a power storage device (e.g., secondary battery, ultra-capacitor(s)) at a relatively high voltage (e.g., 48 V for traction motor), and in a second state supply DC current to the first stage from the power storage device and supply a voltage adjusted current from the second stage, for example to a lower voltage DC bus or load (e.g., 12 V). The rectifier can, for example, receive grid or mains AC power.