Abstract: A switching power amplifier including a full bridge rectifier 10 having switches 20, 22, 24, 26, 30 and 32 connected on either side of the full bridge rectifier 10, provided to produce a five level waveform synthesis. Auxiliary switches 30 and 32 allow each half of the full bridge 10 to switch between three distinct voltage levels. Therefore, the third and fifth harmonics are eliminated, and further, the remaining harmonics are greatly suppressed. MOSFETs, bipolar transistors, vacuum tubes, etc., can be employed for the switches 20, 22, 24, 26, 30 and 32 depending upon the application of the circuit.

Abstract: A snubber circuit for accepting current from the load at times when switching elements of a bridge switching amplifier are being turned off was described incorporating a capacitor and diode for directing the current back to the power supply wherein the capacitor is precharged by an inductor and capacitor and at least one diode to provide resonant charging of the capacitor. A switch is also provided for activating or deactivating the snubber circuit in response to a control signal. The snubber circuit overcomes the problem of excessive power dissipation in resistors of conventional snubber circuits.