Dual transformer device for power converters

A power converter suitable for connecting to an AC power supply, said power converter comprising:

• (a) a transformer device response to an AC voltage configured to function as a transformer and as first and second energy storage devices, said transformer device when functioning as said transformer acting to produce a plurality of substantially out-of-phase transformed voltages from said AC voltage, said transformer device when functioning as said first energy storage device acting to store energy responsive to said AC voltage, and said transformer device when functioning as said second energy storage device acting to store and discharge energy responsive to said AC voltage and supplying said energy discharged therefrom to the AC power supply to substantially reduce switching losses in the AC power supply;
• and,
• (b) switching means for rectifying said plurality of substantially out-of-phase transformed voltages and producing at least one rectified voltage therefrom and for controlling said transformer device so that said energy stored by said transformer device when said transformer device is functioning as said first storgae device is discharged through said switching means.

A transformer device comprising:

• (a) a first transformer having primary and secondary windings and a first magnetizing inductance, said first transformer being responsive to an AC voltage and producing a first transformed voltage from said AC voltage and storing energy in said first magnetizing inductance responsive to said AC voltage;
• and,
• (b) a second transformer having primary and secondary windings and a second magnetizing inductance, said second transformer being responsive to said AC voltage and producing a second transformed voltage from said AC voltage that is substantially out-of-phase with said first transformed voltage, said second transformer storing energy in said second magnetizing inductance responsive to said AC voltage such that said energy stored in said second magnetizing inductance is independent of said energy stored in said first magnetizing inductance, wherein said first transformer is coupled to said second transformer such that said primary windings are connected in series and said secondary windings are connected at a common point.

The transformer device claimed in claimed 12, wherein said at least one flat secondary includes two flat secondary windings, said two flat secondary windings located adjacent to said two flat primary windings.