Patent ID: 7545102

Claim:
A rectifying and power factor correction unit with input connected to an AC power source and output connected to a first load terminal and a second load terminal of a bridge converter for converting an AC power into a DC power, said rectifying and power factor correction unit serving as an energy storing unit for driving an HID lamp and, comprising: a first rectifier comprising a first diode in serial connection with a fourth diode, a positive end of the first diode connected to a negative end of the fourth diode, a first power source terminal formed and connected to one end of the AC power and a negative end of the first diode forming a first output terminal; a second rectifier comprising a second diode in serial connection with a third diode, a positive end of the second diode connected to a negative end of the third diode, a second power source terminal formed and connected to another end of the AC power, a negative end of the second diode forming a second output end, a positive end of the fourth diode and a positive end of the third diode connected to a common ground end; and at least one energy storing inductor LPFC connected in series between the first power source terminal and the AC power source, or connected in series between the first output terminal and the second load terminal of the bridge converter, or connected in series between the second output terminal and the first load terminal of the bridge converter, wherein the bridge converter comprises first, second, third and fourth switching units to form arms of a full bridge, the connection node of the first switching unit and the fourth switching unit forming a first load terminal, the connection node of the second switching unit and the third switching unit forming a second load terminal, the connection node of the first switching unit and the second switching unit connected to a positive node (+) of a DC link capacitor, the connection node of the third switching unit and the fourth switching unit connected to a negative node (−) of the DC link capacitor and being a common ground terminal.