Abstract: A voltage converter (110, 210) having a first bidirectional voltage line (112, 212), a second bidirectional voltage line (114, 214), a power storage element (L1) arranged between the first bidirectional voltage line and the second bidirectional voltage line, a switch element electronically coupled to the power storage element, a controller (141) for controlling the switch, and the controller configured and arranged to adjust a current flow between the first voltage line and the second voltage line such that a voltage level on the second bidirectional voltage line is substantially maintained at a target DC voltage.

Abstract: A voltage converter (110, 210) having a first bidirectional voltage line (112, 212), a second bidirectional voltage line (114, 214), a power storage element (L1) arranged between the first bidirectional voltage line and the second bidirectional voltage line, a switch element electronically coupled to the power storage element, a controller (141) for controlling the switch, and the controller configured and arranged to adjust a current flow between the first voltage line and the second voltage line such that a voltage level on the second bidirectional voltage line is substantially maintained at a target DC voltage.

Abstract: A power supply (20) for providing a desired current to an electric load (23) broadly comprises: a current limiter (21) for providing a desired current; a current sensor (28) for determining the actual current supplied by the current limiter and providing a feedback signal (30, 31) to the current limiter for causing the current limiter to reduce the error between the desired and the actual currents; and a test circuit (24) for temporarily changing the actual current sensed by the current sensor to a level different from the desired current for causing the current limiter to adjust the magnitude of the current provided thereby; whereby the operation of the power supply may be tested. The invention also provides an improved method of operating such a power supply.

Abstract: A voltage converter (110, 210) having a first bidirectional voltage line (112, 212), a second bidirectional voltage line (114, 214), a power storage element (L1) arranged between the first bidirectional voltage line and the second bidirectional voltage line, a switch element electronically coupled to the power storage element, a controller (141) for controlling the switch, and the controller configured and arranged to adjust a current flow between the first voltage line and the second voltage line such that a voltage level on the second bidirectional voltage line is substantially maintained at a target DC voltage.

Abstract: A power supply (20) for providing a desired current to an electric load (23) broadly comprises: a current limiter (21) for providing a desired current; a current sensor (28) for determining the actual current supplied by the current limiter and providing a feedback signal (30, 31) to the current limiter for causing the current limiter to adjust to reduce the error between the desired and the actual currents; and a test circuit (24) for temporarily changing the actual current sensed by the current sensor to a level different from the desired current for causing the current limiter to adjust the magnitude of the current provided thereby; whereby the operation of the power supply may be tested. The invention also provides an improved method of operating such a power supply.