Multi-phase AC/DC converter

An AC/DC converter comprising:

• input terminals for connecting to a three-phase input voltage source;
• an input filter stage coupled to the input terminals and connected to a positive node, a negative node and a neutral node;
• a switching stage having n half bridge modules, where n is a positive integer greater than 1, the half bridge modules connected in series between the positive node and the negative node, and having the neutral node connected to a series connection between the j-th and (j+1)-th half bridge modules in the series (where 1≤j≤n−1);
• an output stage connected to the positive node and configured to provide DC voltage to output terminals for connecting to a load;
• and
• a controller configured to generate control signals on control signal outputs electrically connected to the half bridge modules;
• wherein each half bridge module comprises a capacitor and two switches connected in series in a loop, and
• wherein a first node connecting the capacitor to one of the switches of an i-th half bridge module is electrically connected to a second node connecting the two switches of the (i+1)-th half bridge module for 1≤i≤n−1.

An AC/DC converter, comprising:

• input terminals for connecting to a three-phase input voltage source;
• an input filter stage coupled to the input terminals and connected to a positive node, a negative node and a neutral node;
• a first switching stage having n half bridge modules (n being a positive integer greater than 1) connected in series between the positive and negative nodes, and having the neutral node connected to a series connection between an i-th and (i+1)-th half bridge modules in said series (where 1≤i≤n−1);
• a second switching stage having m half bridge modules (m being a positive integer greater than 1) connected in series between the positive and negative node;
• an output stage connected to the neutral node and to a series connection node between a j-th and (j+1)-th series connected half bridge modules of the second stage (where 1≤j≤n−1), the output stage further having output terminals for connecting to a load;
• and
• a controller configured to generate control signals on control signal outputs electrically connected to the half bridge modules of the first and second switching stages;
• wherein each of the half bridge modules comprises a capacitor and two switches connected in series in a loop, and
• wherein a first node connecting the capacitor to one of the switches of the i-th half bridge module is electrically connected to a second node connecting the two switches of the (i+1)-th half bridge module.