Abstract: Described is a hybrid electronic and magnetic structure that enables a transformer with fractional and reconfigurable effective turns ratios (e.g. 12:0.5, 12:2/3, 12:1, and 12:2) and hereinafter referred to as a Variable-Inverter-Rectifier-Transformer (VIRT). A VIRT is valuable in converters having wide operating voltage ranges and high step-up/down, as it offers a means to reduce turns count and copper loss within a transformer while facilitating voltage doubling and quadrupling. Such characteristics are beneficial for reducing the size of a transformer stage in many power electronics applications, such as USB wall chargers. In embodiments, a VIRT comprises a plurality of switching cells distributed around a magnetic core and coupled to half-turns wound through that core. By controlling operating modes of the switching cells, it is possible to gain control over flux paths and current paths in the transformer.

Abstract: Described is a hybrid electronic and magnetic structure that enables a transformer with fractional and reconfigurable effective turns ratios (e.g. 12:0.5, 12:2/3, 12:1, and 12:2) and hereinafter referred to as a Variable-Inverter-Rectifier-Transformer (VIRT). A VIRT is valuable in converters having wide operating voltage ranges and high step-up/down, as it offers a means to reduce turns count and copper loss within a transformer while facilitating voltage doubling and quadrupling. Such characteristics are beneficial for reducing the size of a transformer stage in many power electronics applications, such as USB wall chargers. In embodiments, a VIRT comprises a plurality of switching cells distributed around a magnetic core and coupled to half-turns wound through that core. By controlling operating modes of the switching cells, it is possible to gain control over flux paths and current paths in the transformer.

Abstract: Described is a hybrid electronic and magnetic structure that enables a transformer with fractional and reconfigurable effective turns ratios (e.g. 12:0.5, 12:?, 12:1, and 12:2) and hereinafter referred to as a Variable-Inverter-Rectifier-Transformer (VIRT). A VIRT is valuable in converters having wide operating voltage ranges and high step-up/down, as it offers a means to reduce turns count and copper loss within a transformer while facilitating voltage doubling and quadrupling. Such characteristics are beneficial for reducing the size of a transformer stage in many power electronics applications, such as USB wall chargers. In embodiments, a VIRT comprises a plurality of switching cells distributed around a magnetic core and coupled to half-turns wound through that core. By controlling operating modes of the switching cells, it is possible to gain control over flux paths and current paths in the transformer.

Abstract: A module for interconnecting a pair of DC sources or a pair of DC loads into a DC bus includes: a first port for each source or load; a switching cell for each first port, each cell having a pair of terminals and a switching node; a second port operatively connected to the DC bus and having a pair of terminals, one of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of one of the cells and the other of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of the other of the cells; and a filter inductor connected between the switching nodes of the cells. Systems including the module and methods utilizing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A module for interconnecting a pair of DC sources or a pair of DC loads into a DC bus includes: a first port for each source or load; a switching cell for each first port, each cell having a pair of terminals and a switching node; a second port operatively connected to the DC bus and having a pair of terminals, one of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of one of the cells and the other of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of the other of the cells; and a filter inductor connected between the switching nodes of the cells. Systems including the module and methods utilizing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A module for interconnecting a pair of DC sources or a pair of DC loads into a DC bus includes: a first port for each source or load; a switching cell for each first port, each cell having a pair of terminals and a switching node; a second port operatively connected to the DC bus and having a pair of terminals, one of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of one of the cells and the other of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of the other of the cells; and a filter inductor connected between the switching nodes of the cells. Systems including the module and methods utilizing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described is a hybrid electronic and magnetic structure that enables a transformer with fractional and reconfigurable effective turns ratios (e.g. 12:0.5, 12:?, 12:1, and 12:2) and hereinafter referred to as a Variable-Inverter-Rectifier-Transformer (VIRT). A VIRT is valuable in converters having wide operating voltage ranges and high step-up/down, as it offers a means to reduce turns count and copper loss within a transformer while facilitating voltage doubling and quadrupling. Such characteristics are beneficial for reducing the size of a transformer stage in many power electronics applications, such as USB wall chargers. In embodiments, a VIRT comprises a plurality of switching cells distributed around a magnetic core and coupled to half-turns wound through that core. By controlling operating modes of the switching cells, it is possible to gain control over flux paths and current paths in the transformer.

Abstract: A module for interconnecting a pair of DC sources or a pair of DC loads into a DC bus includes: a first port for each source or load; a switching cell for each first port, each cell having a pair of terminals and a switching node; a second port operatively connected to the DC bus and having a pair of terminals, one of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of one of the cells and the other of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of the other of the cells; and a filter inductor connected between the switching nodes of the cells. Systems including the module and methods utilizing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A module for interconnecting a pair of DC sources or a pair of DC loads into a DC bus includes: a first port for each source or load; a switching cell for each first port, each cell having a pair of terminals and a switching node; a second port operatively connected to the DC bus and having a pair of terminals, one of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of one of the cells and the other of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of the other of the cells; and a filter inductor connected between the switching nodes of the cells. Systems including the module and methods utilizing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A module for interconnecting a pair of DC sources or a pair of DC loads into a DC bus includes: a first port for each source or load; a switching cell for each first port, each cell having a pair of terminals and a switching node; a second port operatively connected to the DC bus and having a pair of terminals, one of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of one of the cells and the other of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of the other of the cells; and a filter inductor connected between the switching nodes of the cells. Systems including the module and methods utilizing the system are also disclosed.