Multiway power converter

A multiway power converter for converting an alternating input voltage from a power supply, comprising:

• (a) a first and a second input terminal between which is to be connected a source of an alternating voltage for inputting an alternating input voltage (Vin);
• (b) a first and a second output terminal between which is to be connected a load for applying an alternating output voltage (Vo), the second input terminal and the second output terminal being interconnected;
• (c) a first and a second switch connected in series with each other and having a junction therebetween which is connected to the first input terminal;
• (d) a third and a fourth switch connected in series with each other and in parallel with the serial connection of the first and the second switch, the third and the fourth switch having a junction therebetween which is connected to the interconnected second input terminal and second output terminal;
• (e) a fifth and a sixth switch connected in series with each other and in parallel with the serial connections of the first and the second switch and of the third and the fourth switch, the fifth and the sixth switch having a junction therebetween which is connected to the first output terminal;
• (f) a capacitor connected in parallel with the serial connections of the first and the second switch and of the third and the fourth switch and of the fifth and the sixth switch;
• (g) at least two inductors connected in positions selected from among a first position between the first input terminal and the junction between the first and the second switch, a second position between the first output terminal and the junction between the fifth and the sixth switch, and a third position between the interconnected second input terminal and second output terminal and the junction between the third and the fourth switch;
• and
• (h) a control circuit comprising at least any two of:
• (i) first control means for making on-off control of the first and the second and the fifth and the sixth switch at the frequency of the input voltage (Vin), and of the third and the fourth switch at a frequency higher than that of the input voltage, in nonconversion mode in which a first voltage (Vin or Vcon) between the first input terminal or the junction between the first and the second switch and the interconnected second input terminal and second output terminal is approximately equal to a second voltage (Vo or Vinv) between the first output terminal or the junction between the fifth and the sixth switch and the interconnected second input terminal and second output terminal;
• (ii) second control means for making on-off control of the first and the second switch at the frequency of the input voltage (Vin), and of the third and the fourth and the fifth and the sixth switch at a frequency higher than that of the input voltage, in stepdown mode in which the second voltage (Vo or Vinv) is lower than the first voltage (Vin or Vconv);
• and (iii) third control means for making on-off control of the first and the second and the third and the fourth switch at a frequency higher than that of the input voltage (Vin), and of the fifth and the sixth switch at the frequency of the input voltage, in stepup mode in which the second output voltage (V0 or Vinv) is higher than the first voltage (Vin or Vconv).