Voltage Converter with Soft Communication Networks

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention describe a voltage converter and a method for operating the voltage converter. In one embodiment the voltage converter includes a primary path configured to generate a pulse modulated voltage or current from an input direct current (DC) voltage, a transformer arrangement with m≧1 primary windings and n≧2 secondary windings inductively coupled together, the m primary windings being connected to the primary path, and a secondary path configured to output a pulsed direct current (DC) voltage or current, wherein the secondary path includes n capacitors connected in series and n secondary controllable semiconductor switches, and each of the n secondary windings is connected via at least one of the secondary controllable semiconductor switches to at least one of the capacitors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A voltage converter comprising:
 a primary path configured to generate a pulse modulated voltage or current from an input direct current (DC) voltage;   a transformer arrangement with m≧1 primary windings and n≧2 secondary windings inductively coupled together, the m primary windings being connected to the primary path; and   a secondary path configured to output a pulsed direct current (DC) voltage or current, wherein the secondary path comprises n capacitors connected in series and n secondary controllable semiconductor switches, and wherein each of the n secondary windings is connected via at least one of the secondary controllable semiconductor switches to at least one of the capacitors; and   n soft commutation networks, each connected in parallel to one of the n secondary controllable semiconductor switches, and each of the n soft commutation networks comprising:
 a series connection of a commutation inductance, a first commutation diode and a commutation capacitor, the series connection being connected in parallel to the respective secondary controllable semiconductor switch and the commutation inductance being connected to a node between the secondary controllable semiconductor switch and the respective one of the n capacitors; and 
 a second commutation diode connected between the node between the first commutation diode and the commutation capacitor, and the node between the respective secondary winding and the respective one of the n capacitors.