Patent ID: 8593115

Claim:
A bi-directional power converter, which operates as a step down converter in a first direction and a step up 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 down converter and to a second power source when operating a step up converter, such that when the bi-directional power converter is operating as the step up converter in the second direction, the bi-directional power converter is configured to deliver power to a load at the first power source through a power component of a communications link; the first power source being configured for supplying power to the power converter when the power converter is operating as the step down converter, and the second power source being configured for supplying power to the power converter when the power converter is operating as the step up converter, the power converter being configured for providing power from the reactive element to a battery and to an electronic device when the power converter is operating as the step down converter.