Patent ID: 7746041
Filing Date: 2010-06-29
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
1. A voltage converter comprising a plurality of selective conduction devices connected to each other in series at respective nodes to form a series connection, at least two of said plurality of selective conduction devices being controllable switches, at least one capacitor connected between two of said respective nodes connecting said plurality of selective conduction devices to each other, a voltage source connected to two of said respective nodes at respective ends of said series connection, and means for controlling said controllable switches to conduct in mutually exclusive groups to define two different conduction paths, each of said two different conduction paths including a conduction path through said at least one capacitor, whereby said combination of said at least one capacitor and said plurality of said selective conduction devices functions substantially as a capacitive voltage divider to reduce a voltage provided by said voltage source or as a voltage multiplier to increase a voltage supplied by said voltage source.