Abstract: A power control device has a voltage-regulator from power source to load, the load configurable to receive power at least at a first or second rate. The device has monitor circuitry to measure power; signal circuitry for signaling a power-reception rate to the load; and circuitry for resetting the load when the power source is overloaded. The device resets the load periodically to the second rate when the load is at the first rate. In embodiments, the power source is a thermoelectric generator or solar panel. In embodiments, the load couples through a USB connector. A companion method of charging smart loads includes applying power to the load; communicating power available to the load; configuring a battery charger in the load to absorb an amount of power less than that available; monitoring power, determining when changed configuration may optimize charging time of a smart load battery; and resetting the smart load to optimize current.

Abstract: A power bank device has a single circuit topology involving a DC-to-DC converter and four transistors so that this single topology can be used both to charge battery cells with a regulated current in a charging step-up boost mode and to drive a regulated voltage onto a power bank voltage output node in a discharging step-down buck mode. In one example, the circuit includes a first transistor coupled to conduct current between a battery voltage node and a switch node SW, a second transistor coupled to conduct current between the SW node and a ground node, and third and fourth transistors coupled in series to conduct current between a voltage input node and the voltage output node. The inductor of the converter is coupled between the SW node and the voltage output node, and the output capacitor of the converter is coupled between the voltage output node and the ground node.

Abstract: A wireless power receiving device and a power control method thereof. The wireless power receiving apparatus, includes: a secondary core configured to receive a wireless power signal from a primary core of a wireless power transmission apparatus; a magnetic sensor configured to detect a magnetic field generated from the primary core; and a receiving controller configured to transmit an error code to the wireless power transmission apparatus via the secondary core if a measured magnetic field value from the magnetic sensor is lower than a reference magnetic value and the communication with the wireless power transmission apparatus is available.

Abstract: A wireless charging method in a wireless charging system is provided. In the method, wireless charging is performed by providing wireless charging power to a charging circuit. When both a first communication signal and a second communication signal are detected while the wireless charging is performed, the wireless charging power is isolated from the charging circuit. The wireless charging power is isolated so that noise included in the wireless charging power is not provided to the charging circuit.

Abstract: An inductive charging system and method is disclosed. A ferrofluid layer is disposed between the charging coil and the receiving coil. The ferrofluid layer directs and focuses the magnetic flux field flowing between the charging coil and the receiving coil.

Abstract: A wireless charging system for charging a mobile device uses a supercapacitor to provide wireless charging of the device. A holographic image of the supercapacitor may store electrical charge which may be released for storage into the battery of the device.

Abstract: A power system for actively maintaining operation includes a power supply unit electrically connected to a commercial power source, a back panel electrically connected to the power supply unit and an ON/OFF control unit. The power supply unit has an OFF state and an operating state to convert the power provided by the commercial power source for outputting. The back panel converges the output of the power supply unit and provides a driving power. The ON/OFF control unit has an input detection terminal electrically connected to the commercial power source to detect whether the commercial power source supplies power and at least one operation signal terminal to output an operation signal upon judging that the commercial power source supplies power to drive the power supply unit to enter the operating state.

Abstract: A power control device is provided which can execute self-sustaining operation only when conditions for allowing the self-sustaining operation are satisfied reliably, so as to supply AC power to a power load connected with a power system before the self-sustaining operation. In a case where an instruction to change the power control device into the self-sustaining operation state is accepted, the inverter is connected with the loads by the disconnection relay and the self-sustaining operation is started when voltage to be applied to a wiring portion between the disconnection relay and the earth leakage breaker is not detected, when current flowing between the main breaker and the power system is not detected and when a contact signal indicative of the open/close state of the main breaker indicates an open state.

Abstract: A method and system for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) are provided. The UPS includes a three-phase high power transformer, an active or passive-rectifier configured to generate and regulate a set of DC link voltages, and a set of cascaded inverters configured to generate an AC voltage using the DC link voltages. The UPS also includes a set of bi-directional battery converters configured to charge a bank of backup batteries when power is available from an AC mains source and discharge the bank of backup batteries to generate a three-phase AC voltage when the AC mains source voltage falls outside a predetermined range. The UPS further includes a bypass switch configured to electrically couple the AC mains source directly to a load when the UPS is in a bypass mode of operation and electrically couple the bank of backup batteries to the load through the set of bi-directional battery converters and the transformer.

Abstract: A mobile device is disclosed that is not only capable of wirelessly receiving power from a source device, but also of wirelessly transmitting power to a destination device. The device includes one or more power modules and corresponding coils for transmitting/receiving signals from which power can be loaded/extracted. In addition, the device can receiving initiation information identifying power transfer standards supported by each of the source and destination devices, and can control its one or more power modules to operate in accordance with the standards identified in the initiation information.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power receiver (105) and a power transmitter (101) generating a wireless inductive power transfer signal for powering the power receiver (105) during a power transfer phase. An apparatus, often the power transmitter (101) comprises a first communication unit (305) communicating with a second communication unit of an entity using an electromagnetic communication signal. The entity may typically be the power receiver (105). The apparatus comprises a reference processor (307) for measuring and storing a reference value of a characteristic of the communication signal and a measurement unit (309) which repeatedly during the power transfer phase determines a measured value of the characteristic. A comparator (311) compares the measured values to the reference value and an initiator (313) triggers an entity detection process if the comparison indicates that a measured value and the reference value do not meet a similarity criterion.

Abstract: An electric converter is provided which uses independently controlled field coils to impress a temporary magnetic field on a rotor movable relative to one or more armatures. In some embodiments, the rotor of the programmable electric converter is rotatable with the axis of rotation being on a horizontal or vertical axis. In various embodiments, the electric converter disclosed herein may be adapted for use as a continuous power solution to provide power for a limited period of time in the event of a power outage by absorbing energy and storing it mechanically in the rotor. In some embodiments, the electric converter may be utilized as a generator. In some embodiments, both AC and DC could be simultaneously produced, where AC is generated in one armature coil and DC in another coil. In some embodiments, the programmable electric converter can operate as an AC to AC converter, AC to DC converter, DC to AC converter, or DC to DC converter.

Abstract: A motor stator includes a plurality of separate core segments, a plurality of coils, and a fixing ring. Each core segment includes a yoke and a tooth extending from the yoke. The yokes are connected to form a substantially circular core, with the teeth extending inwards. Each coil is wound around a corresponding tooth. The fixing ring is fixed to the outer surface of the core.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a primary section, a secondary section interacting with the primary section via an air gap during operation of the electric machine, and a first base element fastened to the secondary section. The base element includes a first pole shoe having a first end and a second end, with the second end of the first pole shoe facing the air gap, a second pole shoe having a first end and a second end, with the second end of the second pole shoe facing the air gap, and a permanent magnet disposed between the first pole shoe and the second pole shoe. The permanent magnet has a magnetization from the first pole shoe to the second pole shoe, and is formed by a matrix with a magnetically active material embedded therein.

Abstract: A rotor for a permanent magnet synchronous machine. A first layer of cavities formed circumferentially within the rotor core structure. Pairs of the cavities in the first layer form V-shaped configurations and are spaced circumferentially about the rotor core structure in the first layer. A second layer of cavities is formed circumferentially within the rotor core structure. Pairs of the cavities in the second layer form V-shaped configurations and are spaced circumferentially about the rotor core structure in the second layer. A first set of permanent magnets is inserted within each cavity in the first layer and a second set of permanent magnets inserted within each cavity in the second layer. Each respective V-shaped configuration of the second layer having permanent magnets disposed therein extend greater than half a radial distance from the outer cylindrical wall to the inner cylindrical wall.

Abstract: An electrical machine has a drive shaft, a rotor affixed to the drive shaft and extending outwardly therefrom in which the rotor has at least one slice of a ferromagnetic material, a first plate positioned over and around the shaft and positioned adjacent to one side of the slice so as to have a portion extending radially outwardly beyond the circumferential surface of the slice, a second plate positioned over and around said shaft and positioned adjacent to another side of the slice so as to have a portion extending radially outwardly beyond the circumferential surface of the slice, and a magnet affixed to the circumferential surface in a location between the first and second plates.

Abstract: A brushless starter generator includes a wound field generator having a rotor that includes a damper winding, wherein the damper winding includes a plurality of poles. Also included is at least one pole face disposed within each of the plurality of poles, wherein the at least one pole face comprises a slot opening. Further included is at least one damper bar relatively entirely filling the slot opening.

Abstract: The stator of the electric rotating machine includes a stator winding constituted of a plurality of U-shaped conductor segments each including a turn portion and two straight portions, the U-shaped conductor segments being connected in series by welding at welded portions formed in ends of the straight portions, and a stator core formed with slots, the straight portions of each U-shaped conductor segment being accommodated in corresponding two of the slots. The welded side slot pitch as an interval of the corresponding two of the slots on the side opposite to the turn portions is narrower than the N-S magnetic pole pitch of the rotor. The stator winding includes overlapped wire wrapping sections each constituted of the U-shaped conductor segments accommodated in the corresponding two of the slots, and crossover wires disposed on the side of the welded portions for connecting the overlapped wire wrapping sections.

Abstract: A stator of a rotary electric machine includes an annular stator core with a plurality of slots arranged in a circumferential direction, a stator winding formed by three phases of phase windings wound around the slots, and neutral wires for commonly connecting ends of the phase windings together in star-connection. Each of the phase windings has two partial windings that are electrically connected in parallel, ends of at least two sets of the partial windings formed by combining two partial windings among the total of six partial windings in different phases and the ends of the neutral wires are connected electrically, and the partial windings connected to both ends of each neutral wire include all the phases.

Abstract: An overmolded stator for use in an electric motor is disclosed. The stator core includes a yoke and a plurality of arcuately spaced apart teeth extending at least substantially radially from the yoke. Each of the teeth presents opposite axially spaced apart endmost surfaces, a leg extending generally radially from the yoke, and a head extending generally arcuately relative to the leg to present opposite head ends spaced from the leg. A pair of wire retention wings extend at least substantially circumferentially outwardly relative to each of the teeth.

Abstract: A terminal housing for a motor comprises a terminal connected to a coil of a stator via one portion thereof. A terminal housing main body includes an inserting hole formed therein and provides a chamber for receiving the other portion of the terminal. The terminal is inserted into the inserting hole, and a curved portion formed on a side of the chamber around the terminal inserting hole. The curved portion is curved to enable the terminal to be moved thereon.

Abstract: A multi-phase coil terminal structure for a motor, to which wire ends of at least two exciting coils are connected which include respective bifilar windings, is provided and includes: at least two first individual terminals each of which includes two segments; at least two second individual terminals each of which includes two segments; and an integrated common terminal which is formed in a single piece member and which includes two segments, wherein wire ends of the at least two exciting coils are connected to one segment of the two, while the other segment of the two serves as an external output, and wherein the first individual terminals, the second individual terminals, and the integrated common terminal are partly molded.

Abstract: A drive device includes a rotating electric machine, a substrate, a first drive element, a second drive element, a first extension line, and a second extension line. The rotating electric machine including a stator with a first winding group and a second winding group wound on the stator in at least three phases. The first extension line and the first drive element, as well as the second extension line and the second drive element have respectively reversed phase orders in an arrangement of the phase orders from an end close to a reference position toward an other end of the arrangement. In such manner, variation of wiring lengths from an electric power supply region among different phases is reduced.

Abstract: A linear actuator with an electric drive device includes a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator is arranged in a fixed location in a drive housing and the rotor is mounted for rotary motion relative to the stator and with a transmission arrangement which is arranged coaxial with an axis of rotation of the drive device to convert the rotary movement of the rotor into a linear movement, wherein a threaded spindle of the transmission arrangement is non-rotatably connected to the rotor and positively coupled to a spindle nut slidably accommodated in the drive housing and connected to a torque tube, wherein bearing means for a rotatable mounting of the rotor are provided in opposite end regions of the drive housing.

Abstract: A drive unit for a motor vehicle includes an electric machine which has a stator, a rotor and clutch for producing a rotary driving connection of the rotor to a drive element. The clutch has a release member which is axially displaceable by an actuating device arranged at least partially in a receiving space surrounded by the stator. The actuating device has an electric actuator drive motor and an actuator drive shaft directed transverse to the axis of rotation of the drive unit. The actuator drive shaft is operatively connected to a release arrangement which includes a rotatable input element which is fixed axially relative to the release member and an output element which is axially displaceable relative to the input element and which is operatively connected to the release member.

Abstract: An automotive rotary electric machine has a cooling fan including a flat ring-shaped mounting base plate fixed to a rotor, and a plurality of fan blades arranged in a row circumferentially such that each stands on a surface of the mounting base plate, the fan blades having an S-shaped cross-sectional shape that displaces gradually forward in a direction of rotation from a trailing edge that is an outer circumferential edge toward a leading edge that is an inner circumferential edge, and in which an arc shape near the trailing edge that is convex forward in the direction of rotation and an arc shape near the leading edge that is convex rearward in the direction of rotation are connected smoothly.

Abstract: An electric rotating machine is provided that efficiently radiates heat, caused in the vicinity of a portion where a brush and a slip ring makes contact with each other, to the outside of a brush holder and that can prevent the temperature of the brush from excessively rising. The brush holder holding the brush that supplies a magnetic-field current to a magnetic-field winding by way of the slip ring is provided with an energization terminal that electrically connects a magnetic-field circuit with the brush and a brush cooling metal member that cools the brush; the brush cooling metal member radiates heat, generated in the vicinity of a contact portion between the brush and the slip ring, to the outside of the brush holder.

Abstract: An electric actuator including a first electric circuit having a first connecting terminal, and a second electric circuit having a second connecting terminal electrically connected with the first connecting terminal, the first connecting terminal including a tip end portion having a rectangular flat plate shape, the second connecting terminal including a pair of elastic contact flaps opposed to each other with a clearance, the clearance having a width between tip end surfaces of the elastic contact flaps which is smaller than a thickness of the first connecting terminal. The first connecting terminal is retained such that the tip end portion thereof is clamped between the tip end surfaces of the elastic contact flaps of the second connecting terminal by an elastic restoring force of the elastic contact flaps.

Abstract: A motor includes a position-sensing magnetostrictive element that extends along a stator bore. A slider slides in the stator bore and includes a stack of motor magnets. The stack includes a first stack end that provides a magnetic field pattern that magnetizes a region of the magnetostrictive element. The motor includes shield elements such as a non-magnetic shield tube and a magnetic flux diverter.

Abstract: The rotary electric machine main body includes: a stator; a rotor that includes a rotating shaft and that is rotatable relative to the stator; and a supporting body that supports the stator and the rotor. The controlling apparatus includes a power circuit portion that is disposed around the rotating shaft, and that converts electric power that is received from the rotary electric machine main body or electric power that is supplied to the rotary electric machine main body between alternating current and direct current. The power circuit portion includes: a power module; and an electric power interconnecting part that includes a conductor that is connected to a terminal of the power module. The electric power interconnecting part is disposed so as to avoid overlapping with a region of the power module when the power circuit portion is viewed in an axial direction of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: Apparatuses and method for manufacturing coil members (230, 250) for insertion in slots of a core of an electric dynamo machine, wherein the coil members (230, 250) are formed by bending portions of an electric conductor (10). Portions of conductor of a predetermined length are fed through an aperture (80), where at least one engagement member (51) can move to engage and bend the conductor (10) so as to form the configuration of the coil member (230, 250).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the production of relatively large diameter annular components, such as stator cores for electric motors, without excessive waste of material. In one embodiment, a first progressive die assembly forms a plurality of identical pole pieces each made of a plurality of individual stacked and interlocked laminations. The pole pieces, having protruding end portions, are loaded into a rotary carousel. A second progressive die assembly forms a continuous strip including a plurality of body segments connected via hinge portions disposed adjacent recesses between the body segments that are dimensioned to receive the protruding ends of the pole pieces.

Abstract: A method of rotor dynamic balancing for magnetic levitation molecular pump, including the steps of: activating an force free control module after activating a motor of the magnetic levitation molecular pump; if the maximum radial vibration amplitude does not exceed ½ of a protective clearance during the acceleration of the rotor under the control of the force free control module, indicating that the force free control module is able to inhibit the co-frequency vibration of the rotor, so as to allow the rotational speed of said rotor to exceed its rigid critical rotational speed; performing rotor dynamic balancing operation at a high speed by an influence coefficient method. The method of rotor dynamic balancing can directly perform rotor dynamic balancing operation with respect to the rotor at a high-speed, which facilitates the rotor dynamic balancing operation so as to perform the rotor dynamic balancing operation more quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: A high torque, low inertia direct drive motor comprises a circular outer stator 21 and a circular inner stator 25 and a ring of magnets 23a, 23b, 23c. The ring of magnets 23a, 23b, 23c is held by a support structure 31, said ring of magnets 23a, 23b, 23c positioned between the circular outer stator 21 and the circular inner stator 25. The circular outer stator 21 and ring of magnets and circular inner stator and ring of magnets are separated by an air gap. The circular outer stator 21 and circular inner stator 25 each have a plurality of teeth with coils wound around the teeth. The teeth of the circular inner stator 44a, 44b, 44c are aligned in the same radial direction as the teeth of the circular outer stator 46a, 46b, 46c.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electric generator and motor transmission system that is capable of operating with high energy, wide operating range and extremely variable torque and RPM conditions. In accordance with various embodiments, the disclosed system is operable to: dynamically change the output “size” of the motor/generator by modularly engaging and disengaging rotor/stator sets as power demands increase or decrease; activate one stator or another within the rotor/stator sets as torque/RPM or amperage/voltage requirements change; and/or change from parallel to series winding configurations or the reverse through sets of 2, 4, 6 or more parallel, three-phase, non-twisted coil windings with switchable separated center tap to efficiently meet torque/RPM or amperage/voltage requirements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.

Abstract: An electric damper for a vehicle for damping a relative motion between two components includes an electrical generator, which can be driven by the relative motion, for generating an induced voltage. Said electrical generator has a stator, a rotor, and associated induction windings and field magnets. According to the invention, the rotor is designed as a two-part rotor, comprising an inner, stationary iron core and a radially outer hollow wheel, which carries the induction windings or the field magnets.

Abstract: A high-resolution positioning device has a stator and a rotor, a coil array, arranged on the stator, and having at least three groups of flat coils, wherein each group has at least two single coils and the coil array encloses a free space on the stator, also having permanent magnetically-excited circuits that are situated on, against or in the rotor and form a magnet array which likewise encloses a free space, wherein the free spaces accommodate a position measuring system which has a measuring head having sensors, and an area scale. The device is in the form of a freely suspended, magnetically controlled six-dimensional drive, wherein the measuring head is situated in the coil array free space and the area scale is situated in the magnet array free space, and the rotor is free of drive-related electrical or electronic and, in this regard, live parts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bootstrap driving circuit without extra power supply, which circuit includes a power unit, a switching unit, a bootstrap unit, a drive unit; the power unit is used to output a direct voltage; the switching unit is connected with the power unit, to control the turn-on or turn-off with the power unit; the bootstrap unit is connected with the switching unit, to supply drive electric energy and output drive power; the bootstrap unit includes an energy storage capacitor; the drive unit is connected with the bootstrap unit, to output control signal under the drive of the drive power. The bootstrap driving process is completed via the charging-discharging of the energy storage capacitor in the bootstrap unit of the invention and without an extra power supply, which forms the bootstrap driving circuit without extra power supply, further overcomes the requirement of an extra power supply for a common driving circuit, reduces the power consumption and meets the demand of the circuit.

Abstract: A circuit is described that provides low power and temperature stability in a compact design. In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the circuit includes a current sensing element configured for generating a voltage drop based upon a current generated by a current source through a load. The circuit also includes an asymmetric differential circuit for generating a differential output based upon the voltage drop. The circuit also includes an amplifier electrically coupled to the asymmetric differential circuit, the amplifier for generating a single-ended output based upon the differential output, and a flip-flop module that transitions between a first state and a second state based upon the single-ended output. The flip-flop module controls operation of a switch, and the switch controls current flow to the load.

Abstract: A control circuit for a switching converter having a comparison circuit, a synchronization unit, an ON-time control circuit and a logic unit, the comparison circuit provides a comparison signal based on a reference signal and an output signal of the switching converter, the synchronization unit provides a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal based on a first clock signal, a second clock signal and the comparison signal, the first synchronizing signal is generated by synchronizing the comparison signal with the first clock signal, the second synchronizing signal is generated by synchronizing the comparison signal with the second clock signal, the ON-time control circuit provides an ON-time control signal, the logic unit provides a switching control signal to control the switching converter based on the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and the ON-time control signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for structured content ranking. In an aspect, a method includes, receiving, at a controller, an alternating current signal; determining harmonic values that describe a fundamental frequency component of the alternating current signal and harmonic components of the alternating current signal; accessing, by the controller, control data that defines a relation of harmonic values to operational instructions, wherein each operational instruction, when supplied to an inverter, causes the inverter to perform an operation defined by the operational instruction; selecting, by the controller, an operational instruction from the operational instructions, the selected operational instruction based on the harmonic values and the control data; and providing, by the controller, the selected operational instruction to the inverter to cause the inverter to perform the operation defined by the selected operational instruction.

Abstract: A power supply avoiding an auxiliary boost circuit over voltage includes a direct current to direct current converting circuit, the auxiliary boost circuit and a power factor correction circuit. The auxiliary boost circuit includes a voltage detection unit, a control unit, a management unit and a boost unit. When the voltage detection unit detects that an output voltage of the power factor correction circuit is less than a predetermined voltage, the control unit enters a hold up time mode. Before the hold up time mode is finished, the control unit sends a first synchronization signal to the management unit, so that the management unit sends a second synchronization signal to the control unit, so that the control unit turns off the boost unit before or at the same time the management unit turns off the direct current to direct current converting circuit.

Abstract: A PFC circuit includes: a switching circuit having a power switch; an on time control circuit for controlling an on time period of the power switch; a first off time control circuit; a second off time control circuit; and a logic circuit selectively controls the power switch working under CCM or DCM; when working under CCM, the first off time control circuit controls an off time period of the power switch and when working under DCM, the second off time control circuit controls the off time period of the power switch.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a power supply controller includes a current controller configured to control an input current of a power supply. The current controller includes a first feed forward controller having an input configured to be coupled to a first power supply signal, and an output coupled to an output of the current controller. A gain of the first feed forward controller is proportional to a compensation factor when the power supply operates in a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and is substantially zero when the power supply operates in a continuous conduction mode (CCM).

Abstract: A method of driving an isolated converter includes opening a first bi-directional switch on an input side of a transformer, accepting current into a resonant capacitor connected across the first bi-directional switch to reduce voltage across the first bi-directional switch in response to said opening the first bi-directional switch, reversing current out of the resonant capacitor, and closing the first bi-directional switch as voltage across the first bi-directional switch is approximately zero volts.

Abstract: A semiconductor module includes a voltage generator, and a heat dissipating mechanism composed of, for example, an insulating heat dissipating sheet and a heat sink. The voltage generator is capable of generating, by using a built-in linear regulator function, a power source voltage to drive a boost converter based on a voltage boosted by the boost converter. The voltage generator is mounted on the heat dissipating mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating voltages greater than a supply voltage are described. In some embodiments, a charge pump system may generate a boosted output voltage greater than the supply voltage using one or more charge pump stages that are arranged in series between the supply voltage and the boosted output voltage. A charge pump stage of the one or more charge pump stages may include a plurality of boosting capacitors that are arranged in series and charged to a charging voltage during a charging phase. During the charging phase, each boosting capacitor of the plurality of boosting capacitors may be charged to a fraction of the charging voltage applied across all of the plurality of boosting capacitors. After the charging phase, the plurality of boosting capacitors may be arranged in parallel and each boosting capacitor of the plurality of boosting capacitors may be boosted during a boosting phase.

Abstract: A DC to DC converter includes a switching circuit and a controller. The switching circuit includes an inductor coupled to first and second voltage supply nodes and to a plurality of output loads. The controller is configured to monitor a current through the inductor and to selectively couple the inductor to each of the plurality of output loads such that at least one of the following criteria is met: 1) an average current through the inductor is minimized for the particular output loads coupled to the switching circuit, or 2) minimize a number of times the switching circuit is switched during a charging period for the particular output loads coupled to the switching circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses drive a Single Inductor Bipolar Output Buck-Boost configured to provide both positive output voltage and a negative output voltage. The power stage is driven so that an amount of energy to be accumulated during a charging phase is controlled via the duty cycle of a first control signal, and an amount of energy to be discharged during an independent discharging phase in a buck-type or boost-type is controlled via the duty cycle of a second control signal.