Patent ID: 8203236

Claim:
A dual voltage-source inverter system, comprising: an inverter having a first DC input, a second DC input, and a plurality of AC outputs, the inverter coupled to receive inverter control signals and configured, in response thereto, to selectively convert DC current to AC current; a first voltage source having a first voltage magnitude, the first voltage source coupled to the first DC input; a second voltage source having a second voltage magnitude that is less than or equal to the first voltage magnitude, the second voltage source coupled to the first DC input and the second DC input; a controllable switch connected between the first voltage source and the second DC input, the controllable switch coupled to receive switch control signals and configured, in response thereto, to selectively couple the first voltage source to the second DC input; and a controller coupled to the inverter and the controllable switch, the controller configured to supply the inverter control signals and the switch control signals to thereby control current flow through the controllable switch and the inverter.