Vicor Corporation
Power distribution architecture with series-connected bus converter

Abstract:

Apparatus for power conversion are provided. One apparatus includes a power converter including an input circuit and an output circuit. The power converter is configured to receive power from a source for providing power at a DC source voltage V.sub.S. The power converter is adapted to convert power from the input circuit to the output circuit at a substantially fixed voltage transformation ratio K.sub.DC=V.sub.OUT/V.sub.IN at an output current, wherein V.sub.IN is an input voltage and V.sub.OUT is an output voltage. The input circuit and at least a portion of the output circuit are connected in series across the source, such that an absolute value of the input voltage V.sub.IN applied to the input circuit is approximately equal to the absolute value of the DC source voltage V.sub.S minus a number N times the absolute value of the output voltage V.sub.OUT, where N is at least 1.