Patent ID: 7298120
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
1. A power converter for converting input power of a selected input power characteristic into output power of a selected output characteristic, said power converter comprising: a switch element having an input side coupled to receive at least a representation of the input power that exhibits the selected input power characteristic, and having an output side, said switch element positionable in a closed position in which the input side and the output side are electrically connected when the representation of the input power exhibits a representation characteristic beyond a threshold; a voltage converter positioned in parallel with said switch element and having an input side coupled to receive the at least the representation of the input power that exhibits the selected input power characteristic and having an output side, said voltage converter selectably converting the at least the representation of the input power when selected to be operable; a detector coupled to said switch element, said detector adapted to receive at least the representation of the input power that exhibits the selected input power characteristic, said detector adapted for detecting whether the selected input power characteristic is beyond the threshold, said detector further for providing a control signal to said switch element to cause said switch element to be closed and the representation of the input power to be shunted across said voltage converter upon detecting that the selected input power characteristic is beyond the threshold and, alternately, said detector further for providing a control signal of a value to cause said switch element to be opened and the representation of the input power to be converted across said voltage converter upon detecting that the selected input power characteristic is not beyond the threshold.