Voltage converter with thyristor gate controlled to conduct a reverse current

A voltage converter, comprising:

• a first transistor and a second transistor series-coupled at a first input node between a first output node and a second output node;
• a first thyristor and a second thyristor series-coupled at a second input node between the first output node and the second output node;
• wherein an input voltage is received at the first and second input nodes;
• wherein the voltage converter is controlled so that:
• during a first period of time, the first transistor and the second thyristor are on and the second transistor and the first thyristor are off;
• during a second period of time, the first transistor and the second thyristor are off and the second transistor and the first thyristor are on;
• during a third period of time following each first period of time where a voltage across the first thyristor is negative, the first and second transistors are off, and the second thyristor is off, a current is injected into a gate of the first thyristor to cause the first thyristor to conduct a reverse current flow from cathode to anode of the first thyristor;
• and
• during a fourth period of time following each second period of time where a voltage across the second thyristor is negative, the first and second transistors are off, and the first thyristor is off, a current is injected into a gate of the second thyristor to cause the second thyristor to conduct a reverse current flow from cathode to anode of the second thyristor.