Patent ID: 8593836

Claim:
A power converter apparatus comprising: a converter circuit with a high-potential terminal and a low-potential terminal; a first current flow controlling component which performs an open/close function to selectively open and close a current flow path of the converter circuit; a second current flow controlling component which is connected in series with the first current flow controlling component as a series-connected assembly, the second current flow controlling component performing at least one of an open/close function and a rectifying function, the open/close function being to selectively open and close the current flow path, the rectifying function being to permit an electrical current to flow in only one direction; a power conversion inductor connected to a joint of the first current flow controlling component and the second current flow controlling component; a capacitor connected in parallel to the first current flow controlling component; a transformer equipped with a primary coil and a secondary coil, the secondary coil being connected at a first end thereof to the power conversion inductor and in parallel to the second current flow controlling component; a sub-switch connected in series with the primary coil and the series connection of the sub-switch and the primary coil being connected in parallel to the capacitor; a first sub-current flow controlling component disposed in a first path of the converter circuit extending between a first end of the sub-switch through which the sub-switch is connected to the primary coil and a second end of the secondary coil which is opposed to the first end of the secondary coil, the first sub-current flow controlling component working to allow electric current to pass only from a low-potential side to a high-potential side in the first path; a second sub-current flow controlling component working to allow electric current to pass only from a low-potential side to a high-potential side in a second path of the converter circuit which has the secondary coil disposed therein and bypasses the second current flow controlling component; and a third sub-current flow controlling component working to allow electric current to flow in a third path of the converter circuit which extends between the power conversion inductor and the capacitor only in a direction in which, when the first current flow controlling component is opened, electric current will flow in the third path.