Abstract: A multi-output DC to DC converter can have complex control requirements in CCM mode because of the differing load requirements of the outputs. A multi-output DC to DC converter having a single coil or inductor and a freewheel switch is described. A controller measures the duration of the freewheel phase. The controller increases the current supplied to the DC to DC converter in the following duty-cycle if the duration is less than a first value, and decreases the current supplied to the inductor in the following duty-cycle if the duration is greater than a second value.

Abstract: A voltage converter connectable to a power source (PS) and a load (LD) provides a regulated output voltage (Vout) from a voltage (Vin) power source by switchable current paths including an inductive element (L). The voltage converter includes a plurality of switching elements for switching the current paths of the voltage converter as a forward-phase current path when the input voltage corresponds to the output voltage, as an up-phase current path when the input voltage is lower than the output voltage, and as a down-phase current path when the input voltage is higher than the output voltage. A central controller controls a switching state of the plurality of switching elements, a current sensing unit including a comparator for sensing a current flowing through at least one of the switching elements, and a plurality of processing units for processing the current sensing.

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly is disclosed which comprises a string formed from a plurality of series-connected photovoltaic generators, and a hierarchical structure of power-exchange units, which each exchange power between neighbouring photovoltaic generators or groups of photovoltaic generators. The photovoltaic generators may be individual solar cells or a plurality of series-connected solar cells arranged as a segment. To compensate for differences in output between segments for instance due to partial shading, power-exchange units, such as DC-DC converters, are arranged across neighbouring segments, such that each power-exchange unit effectively sources or sinks current between neighbouring segments to current-match the string. To avoid unnecessary “rippling” of power matching along many power-exchange units and the associated power loss due to many power-exchange units operating at less than 100% efficiency, the power-exchange units are arranged in a hierarchical structure.

Abstract: A photovoltaic unit is disclosed comprising a plurality of sub-units connected in series, each sub-unit having a main input and a main output, which main output is connected to the respective main input of a neighbouring sub-unit, each sub-unit further comprising a segment comprising one or more series-connected solar cells, and a supplementary power unit, wherein the supplementary power unit is configured to at least one of receive power from or supply power to the neighbouring sub-unit. The supplementary power unit is preferably a DC-DC converter, and arranged to exchange energy between neighbouring segments, without requiring a high-voltage connection across the complete string (of more than 2 segments). The converter may be inductive or capacitive. A DC-DC converter configured for use in such a unit is also disclosed, as is a method of controlling such a photovoltaic unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DC to DC converter system (100), which comprises converter means (110) and control means (120). The switching sequence of the first, second and third switching means (S1, S2, S3) is controlled by the control means (120) in such a manner that, during the on-time of the second switching device (S2), the first current (II) that flows through the inductive storage element (L) of the converter means (110) can be indirectly measured through the first voltage (VC1) across the capacitive storage element (C1), which is being charged with a second current (12) proportional to the input voltage (Vin) of the converter means (110) and provided by the current source (CS). Thus, the on-time of the second switching means (S2) varies inversely proportional to the input voltage (Vin).

Abstract: A voltage converter connectable to a power source (PS) and a load (LD) provides a regulated output voltage (Vout) from a voltage (Vin) power source by switchable current paths including an inductive element (L). The voltage converter includes a plurality of switching elements for switching the current paths of the voltage converter as a forward-phase current path when the input voltage corresponds to the output voltage, as an up-phase current path when the input voltage is lower than the output voltage, and as a down-phase current path when the input voltage is higher than the output voltage. A central controller controls a switching state of the plurality of switching elements, a current sensing unit including a comparator for sensing a current flowing through at least one of the switching elements, and a plurality of processing units for processing the current sensing.

Abstract: A method for an up-down converter which is based on a buck converter during the current down-conversion phase (?2, ?3 and ?5, ?6, respectively) of the coil (L1) supplies an output (B) with a relatively high output voltage (UB), where UB>Uin. The down-conversion phase of the coil current (IL1) comprises at least two different down-conversion phases (?2, ?3 and ?5, ?6, respectively). A method for an up-down converter, which converter is based on a boost converter, supplies during the current up-conversion phase (?7, and ?10, respectively) of the coil (L2) an output (D) which has a relatively low output voltage (UD) with power, where UD>Uin. The up-conversion phase of the coil current (IL2) comprises at least two different current reduction phases (?7, ?8 and ?10, ?11, respectively).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of energizing a polyphase motor by means of a plurality of coils (E1, E2, E3), each coil intended to be excited by means of a control signal (I1, I2, I3). The method in accordance with the invention comprises the following steps: identifying the control signal having the largest absolute value, and connecting the corresponding coil to a reference-potential terminal (VCC or GND). The invention enables the losses caused by switching operations in the power stages energizing the coils to be reduced, and to increase the efficiency of the power supply device of the motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of energizing a polyphase motor by means of a plurality of coils (E1, E2, E3), each coil intended to be excited by means of a control signal (I1, I2, I3).