A power system used for transferring power between a plurality of power
sources is provided. A power system according to the present invention is
comprised of a plurality of power sources, wherein each source includes a
pair of terminals. The power system is further comprised of a power
converter, including a pair of switches for each one of the plurality of
power sources. Each of these switches are connected to the respective
pairs of terminals for each source. Each switch further includes an
associated diode, and each switch pair includes a common node. The power
converter further includes a plurality of inductors numbering one less
than the number of power sources, wherein each inductor is connected
across two of the common nodes. The power converter further includes a
control unit configured to actuate the switches in accordance with, and
to carry out, one of a plurality of modes of operation.