Abstract: The application relates to an electric converter for converting AC or DC input into an electric AC or DC output. A swap circuit with controllable electric switches serves to selectively swap connection of a plurality of DC power banks (DCBs) between an input terminal and an output terminal, thus selectively connecting the DCBs to an electric source or an electric load. The DCBs are formed as series of interconnected submodules (SMs) each having electric energy storage elements (ESEs) and a switching circuit for selectively by-passing or connecting the ESEs. By properly controlling the swap circuit and the switching of the SMs, the converter can be used for DC-AC, DC-DC, AC-DC, or AC-AC conversion, allowing multilevel output.

Abstract: An electric converter for converting AC or DC input into an electric AC or DC output. A swap circuit with controllable electric switches serves to selectively swap connection of a plurality of DC power banks (DCBs) between an input terminal and an output terminal, thus selectively connecting the DCBs to an electric source or an electric load. The DCBs are formed as series of interconnected submodules (SMs) each having one or more electric energy storage elements (ESEs) and a switching circuit for selectively by-passing or connecting the ESEs. The ESEs can be capacitors, batteries, super capacitors, or a combination of these. By properly controlling the swap circuit and the switching of the SMs, such as by taking into account the dead-time for the electric switches involved, the converter can be used for DC-AC, DC-DC, AC-DC, or AC-AC conversion, allowing multilevel output.