MultiChannel DC Controller Operating Independently of Output Power in Critical Conduction Mode

A multichannel bidirectional DC converter assembly comprising:

• first and second DC voltage sources, wherein the voltage of the second voltage source is greater than the voltage of the first voltage source;
• a DC converter having first and second current channels connected between the first and second voltage sources and connected in parallel to one another, the first current channel having a first inductor, first and second switches, and a winding associated with the first inductor for detecting null passages of current in the first inductor, the second current channel having a second inductor and third and fourth switches;
• and
• a controller operable for controlling the switches to continuously turn on and off such that the current channels can be driven in either a boost converter mode or a buck converter mode at a given time, wherein in the boost converter mode the controller continuously turns on and off the first and third switches with the time delay respect to one another while the second and fourth switches remain turned off such that energy flows from the first voltage source toward the second voltage source, wherein in the buck converter mode the controller continuously turns on and off the second and fourth switches with a time delay with respect to one another while the first and third switches remain turned off such that energy flows from the second voltage source toward the first voltage source;
• the controller operable with the winding associated with the first inductor for detecting the period of the null passages of the current in the first inductor;
• wherein the time delay used by the controller in controlling the switches is based on the detected period such that the first and second current channels operate in a critical conduction mode operation state while being driven in either the boost converter mode or the buck converter mode.