Multiple-port bidirectional DC-DC converters and control methods therof

A power supply comprising:

• a power factor correction (PFC) converter configured to convert an alternating current (AC) source to direct current (DC);
• and
• a DC-DC converter coupled to the PFC, the DC-DC converter comprising:
• a first port at a primary side of a transformer including a primary-side converter with primary-side switches;
• a second port at a secondary side of the transformer, the second port including a second port converter with second-port switches and a resonant circuit comprising a first inductor (L1), a capacitor (C), and a second inductor (L2) arranged in a “T” configuration (LCL-T);
• a third port at the secondary side of the transformer, the third port including a third port converter with third-port switches;
• and
• a controller configured to control the primary-side switches, the second-port switches, and the third-port switches at a fixed frequency for operation in a first mode, in which the first port supplies power to the second port and the third port, in a second mode, in which the second port supplies power to the first port and the third port, or in a third mode, in which the second port supplies power to the third port while the first port is disconnected.

A method of assembling a DC-DC converter, the method comprising:

• assembling a first port at a primary side of a transformer to include a primary-side converter with primary-side switches;
• assembling a second port at a secondary side of the transformer to include a second port converter with second-port switches and a resonant circuit comprising a first inductor (L1), a capacitor (C), and a second inductor (L2) arranged in a “T” configuration (LCL-T);
• assembling a third port at the secondary side of the transformer to include a third port converter with third-port switches;
• and
• configuring a controller to control the primary-side switches, the second-port switches, and the third-port switches at a fixed frequency for operation in a first mode, in which the first port supplies power to the second port and the third port, in a second mode, in which the second port supplies power to the first port and the third port, or in a third mode, in which the second port supplies power to the third port while the first port is disconnected.