Universal Power Converter

• US 20080013351A1
• Filed: 06/06/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CE+T Group SA
• Original Assignee: Ideal Power Converters, Inc.
• Inventors: Alexander, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,599,196 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 363/123
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1582 Buck-boost converters H02M3/1584 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33584 Bidirectional converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/10 using transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/225 comprising two stages of AC-AC conversion, e.g. having a high frequency intermediate link
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/293 using semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/297 for conversion of frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/4807 having a high frequency intermediate AC stage
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/4815 Resonant converters H02M7/4811 and H02M7/4826 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/797 using semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/10 Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Abstract

Methods and systems for transforming electric power between two or more portals. Any or all portals can be DC, single phase AC, or multi-phase AC. Conversion is accomplished by a plurality of bi-directional conducting and blocking semiconductor switches which alternately connect an inductor and parallel capacitor between said portals, such that energy is transferred into the inductor from one or more input portals and/or phases, then the energy is transferred out of the inductor to one or more output portals and/or phases, with said parallel capacitor facilitating “soft” turn-off, and with any excess inductor energy being returned back to the input. Soft turn-on and reverse recovery is also facilitated. Said bi-directional switches allow for two power transfers per inductor/capacitor cycle, thereby maximizing inductor/capacitor utilization as well as providing for optimum converter operation with high input/output voltage ratios. Control means coordinate the switches to accomplish the desired power transfers.

Claims

1. A Buck-Boost Converter, comprising:

an energy-transfer reactance;

first and second power portals, each with two or more ports by which electrical power is input from or output to said portals;

first and second bridge switch arrays interposed between said reactance and respective ones of said portals, and each comprising one bidirectional switching device for each said port of each said power portal.

2. The converter of claim 1, wherein said bridge arrays are symmetrically connected to said energy-transfer reactance.

3. The converter of claim 1, wherein said bridge arrays are full-bridge arrays.

4. The converter of claim 1, further comprising a third switch array, which is connected to said reactance in parallel with said first and second switch arrays.

5. The converter of claim 1, wherein each said portal is shunted by a capacitor which provides a low-impedance voltage source thereat.

6. The converter of claim 1, wherein said reactance comprises a transformer.

7. The converter of claim 1, wherein said reactance comprises a parallel combination of an inductor with a capacitor.

8. The converter of claim 1, wherein said reactance is driven at a base frequency which is less than half its resonant frequency.

9. A Buck-Boost Converter, comprising:

an energy-transfer reactance;

a first bridge switch array comprising at least two bidirectional switching devices which are jointly connected to operatively connect at least one terminal of said reactance to a power input, with reversible polarity of connection;

a second bridge switch array comprising at least two bidirectional switching devices which are jointly connected to operatively connect at least one terminal of said reactance to a power output, with reversible polarity of connection;

wherein said first switch array drives said reactance with a nonsinusoidal voltage waveform.

10. The converter of claim 9, wherein said bridge arrays are symmetrically connected to said energy-transfer reactance.

11. The converter of claim 9, wherein said bridge arrays are full-bridge arrays.

12. The converter of claim 9, further comprising a third switch array, which is connected to said reactance in parallel with said first and second switch arrays.

13. The converter of claim 9, wherein said input is shunted by a capacitor which provides a low-impedance voltage source thereat.

14. The converter of claim 9, wherein said input and output are both shunted by respective capacitors which provide low-impedance voltage sources thereat.

15. The converter of claim 9, wherein said reactance comprises a transformer.

16. The converter of claim 9, wherein said reactance comprises a parallel combination of an inductor with a capacitor.

17. The converter of claim 9, wherein said reactance is driven at a base frequency which is less than half its resonant frequency,

18. (canceled)

19. A Full-Bridge Buck-Boost Converter, comprising:

first and second full bridge switch arrays, each comprising at least four bidirectional switching devices;

a substantially parallel inductor-capacitor combination symmetrically connected to be driven separately by either said switch array;

one of said switch arrays being operatively connected to a power input, and the other thereof being operatively connected to supply a power output.

20. The converter of claim 19, wherein said power input is shunted by a capacitor which provides a low-impedance voltage source thereat.

21. The converter of claim 19, wherein said power output is shunted by a capacitor which provides a low-impedance voltage sink thereat.

22-80. -80. (canceled)