Patent ID: 8536840

Claim:
A bi-directional power converter, which operates as a step up converter in a first direction and a step down converter in a second direction, comprising: one reactive element for storing energy when operating in the first direction and the second direction; a plurality of switching elements for selectively coupling the one reactive element to one of two or more power sources; and mode selection circuitry for selectively coupling the bi-directional power converter to a first power source when operating as a step up converter and to a second power source when operating a step down converter, such that when the bi-directional power converter is operating as the step down converter, the bi-directional power converter is configured to deliver power through a power component of a communications link; the communication link being coupled to the first power source configured for supplying power to the power converter when the power converter is operating as the step up converter, and the second power source being a battery configured for supplying power to the power converter when the power converter is operating as the step down converter, the power converter being configured for providing power to a first device at an output of the power converter when the power converter is operating as the step down converter, and the power converter being configured for providing power from the reactive element to a second electronic device when the power converter is operating as the step up converter.