Patent ID: 8669744
Filing Date: 2014-03-11
Classification: H02M,Y02B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for converting power received via an input from an input source at an input voltage for delivery to a load via an output at an output voltage in a series of converter operating cycles, the apparatus comprising: an inductor for delivering energy from the input source to the output; a first series circuit having first and second terminals configured to be connected across either the input or the output and a central node for connection to a first end of the inductor, the first series circuit comprising a first switch connected between the first terminal and the central node and a second switch connected between the second terminal and the central node, the central node being characterized by a node capacitance; and a controller configured to operate the switches in a series of converter operating cycles, the converter operating cycles comprising: a freewheel phase, during which a selected one of the first or second switches is conductive and a current flowing in the inductor is characterized by a first polarity and a magnitude which begins to decrease; a reverse energy phase, during which the selected one of the first or second switches is conductive and the current flowing in the inductor is characterized by a second polarity at the end of the reverse energy phase, the second polarity being opposite of the first polarity; and an energy recycling phase, during which the first and second switches are OFF and energy stored in the inductor is used to charge or discharge the node capacitance; and wherein the controller is configured to adjust the reverse energy phase, and the amount of energy stored in the inductor at the end of the reverse energy phase, as a function of the amount of energy required to charge or discharge the node capacitance during the energy recycling phase.