Patent ID: 7157887

Claim:
A switch mode power supply comprising: a first inductive element having a first end and a second end; a first switching element having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said first switching element is connected to said second end of said first inductive element; a second switching element having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said second switching element is connected to said second end of said first switching element; a second inductive element having a first end and a second end; a third switching element having a first end and a second end; and a fourth switching element having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said fourth switching element is connected to said second end of said second inductive element, and wherein said second end of said fourth switching element is connected to said first end of said third switching element; wherein a first power source terminal is connected to said first end of said first inductive element and said first end of said second inductive element, and a second power source terminal is connected to said second end of said second switching element and said second end of said third switching element, and wherein a load is connected to said second end of said first switching element and said second end of said fourth switching element; wherein said switch mode power supply operates in a plurality of consecutive time periods, and wherein during at least one of said plurality of consecutive time periods more than two of said switching elements are closed.