Patent ID: 9093903
Filing Date: 2015-07-28
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
1. A power converter, comprising: an input port configured to receive an input AC signal; a rectifier coupled to the input port to receive the input AC signal, and based on the input AC signal, the rectifier provides a rectified DC signal; a storage port configured to provide a storage voltage; a storage capacitor coupled between the storage port and a reference ground to store energy; a first high voltage power device coupled to the rectifier to receive the rectified DC signal, the first high voltage power device comprising a depletion device having an inherent pinch-off voltage, the pinch-off voltage defining a voltage window for the rectified DC signal; a power switch device coupled in series with the first high voltage power device, wherein the first high voltage power device together with the power switch device blocks or passes through the rectified DC signal to the storage port: when the rectified DC signal is within the voltage window, the power switch device and the first high voltage power device pass through the rectified DC signal to the storage port; when the rectified DC signal is outside the voltage window, the power switch device and the first high voltage power device block the rectified DC signal to the storage port; and a switch controller having a first input terminal coupled to a line voltage sense signal indicative of a voltage level of the rectified DC signal, and wherein based on the line voltage sense signal, the switch controller provides a control signal to the power switch device.