Dc-dc converter

Abstract

ADC-to-DC converter which is configured to provide a main DC supply and an auxiliary DC supply from a single energy source such as a fuel cell. The main supply voltage may be greater than the voltage provided by the energy source, and the auxiliary supply voltage may be less than the voltage provided by the energy source. In some embodiments boost and buck conversion are provided by a single switching bridge, such as an inverter. Such an inverter may comprise three-legs connected between a main output voltage and a reference or ground voltage. Each leg of such an inverter may comprise two switches connected in series. These legs may share a common DC voltage link, for example a common ground and positive rail.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . Use of a three-phase electric motor inverter to provide a buck-boost DC-DC converter. 
     
     
         12 . The use of  claim 11 , wherein the use comprises:
 coupling the electric motor inverter to an input inductive energy store, a capacitive energy store, and a reference voltage connection, and   operating a first phase of the electric motor inverter to provide a boost stage of the DC-DC converter.   
     
     
         13 . The use of  claim 12  wherein the use comprises operating a second phase of the electric motor inverter to contribute to the boost stage. 
     
     
         14 . The use of  claim 12  wherein the use comprises operating the boost stage based on a boost voltage difference between:
 (i) a DC voltage across the boost stage; and 
 (ii) a boost target voltage. 
 
     
     
         15 . The use of  claim 11 , wherein the inverter comprises two integrated current sensors, each arranged to sense current flow from a mid-connection of a corresponding one of two legs of the inverter, the use comprising using the two legs of the inverter to provide the boost stage of the DC-DC converter. 
     
     
         16 . The use of  claim 11  wherein the use comprises operating a third phase of the inverter to provide a buck stage of the DC-DC converter. 
     
     
         17 . The use of  claim 16 , comprising adapting the electric motor inverter by coupling an additional current sensor to the electric motor inverter for sensing current provided from the buck stage. 
     
     
         18 - 40 . (canceled)