A power converter for controlling power flow between first and second voltages
has the following structure. A common connection links a first polarity of the
first and second voltages, and a first electrode of a capacitance is coupled to
the common connection. First and second switches are connected in series between
the common connection and the second electrode of the capacitance, and the second
polarity of the first voltage is coupled through a first inductance to the connection
between the first and second switches. Third and fourth switches are also connected
in series between the common connection and the second electrode if the capacitance,
but the second polarity of the second voltage is coupled through a second polarity
of the second voltage is coupled through a second inductance to the connection
between the third and fourth switches. A controller controls the operation of all
the switches in order to control the power flow between the first and second voltages.
The circuit can be controlled in a variety of ways. For example, if the first switch
is opened and the second closed while the third and fourth switches operate alternately,
the second voltage is less than the first voltage. In general, however, controlling
the alternating switching of the first and second or the third and fourth switches
determines the ratio between the first and second voltages.
