Universal Power Converter

• US 20120020129A1
• Filed: 08/08/2011
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CE+T Group SA
• Original Assignee: Ideal Power Converters, Inc.
• Inventors: Alexander, William C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,400,800 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

1-39. -39. (canceled)

40. A power converter, comprising:

an energy-transfer reactance comprising at least one inductor;

an input switch array configured to drive AC current through said reactance; and

an output network connected to extract energy from said reactance;

wherein said input switch array performs at least two drive operations, in the same direction but from different sources, during a single half-cycle of said reactance.

41. The converter of claim 40, wherein said inductance is implemented by a transformer.

42. The converter of claim 40, wherein said inductance is paralleled by a capacitor.

43. A power converter, comprising:

an energy-transfer reactance comprising at least one inductor, and operating at a primary AC magnetic field frequency which is less than half of the reactance'"'"'s resonant frequency;

an input switch array configured to drive AC current through said reactance; and

an output network switch array connected to extract energy from said reactance;

wherein said input switch array performs at least two drive operations, in the same direction but from different sources, during a single half-cycle of said reactance.

44. The converter of claim 43, wherein said switch arrays are full-bridge arrays.

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

46. A power converter, comprising:

an energy-transfer reactance comprising at least one inductor, and operating at a primary AC magnetic field frequency which is less than half of the reactance'"'"'s resonant frequency;

an input switch array configured to drive current through said reactance; and

an output switch array to extract energy from said reactance;

wherein said input switch array performs at least two different drive operations at different times during a single cycle of said reactance,

and wherein said output switch array performs at least two different drive operations at different times during a single cycle of said reactance.

47. The converter of claim 46, wherein said switch arrays are full-bridge arrays.

48. The converter of claim 46, wherein said first array connects said reactance to a power input which is shunted by a capacitor which provides a low-impedance voltage source thereat.

49. The converter of claim 46, wherein said first array connects said reactance to a power input which is shunted by a capacitor which provides a low-impedance voltage source thereat.

50. The converter of claim 46, wherein said reactance comprises a transformer.

51-80. -80. (canceled)