DC-DC converter with modular stages

An apparatus for processing electric power, said apparatus comprising a power-converter having a path for power flow between a first power-converter terminal and a second power-converter terminal, wherein, during operation of said power-converter, said first power-converter terminal is maintained at a first voltage and said second power-converter terminal is maintained at a second voltage that is lower than said first voltage, wherein said power-converter comprises first and second regulating-circuits, and a multi-phase switching-network, all of which are disposed on said path, wherein said multi-phase switching network comprises switches connected to a first charge-storage-element and first and second switching-network-terminals, wherein said first regulating-circuit comprises a first magnetic-storage-element and a first-regulating-circuit terminal, wherein said second regulating-circuit comprises a second-regulating-circuit terminal, wherein said power path comprises said first-regulating-circuit terminal, said second-regulating-circuit terminal, said first switching-network-terminal, and said second switching-network-terminal, wherein said first-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to said first switching-network-terminal and said second-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to said second switching-network-terminal, wherein said multi-phase switching network is configured to transition between a first switch-configuration and a second switch-configuration, wherein, when said multi-phase switching network is in said first switch-configuration, charge accumulates in said first charge-storage-element at a first rate, wherein, when said multi-phase switching network is in said second switch configuration charge is depleted from said first charge-storage-element at a second rate, and wherein said first rate and said second rate are constrained by said first magnetic-storage-element.

An apparatus for processing electric power, said apparatus comprising a power-converter having a path for power flow between a first power-converter terminal and a second power-converter terminal, wherein, during operation of said power-converter, said first power-converter terminal is maintained at a first voltage and said second power-converter terminal is maintained at a second voltage that is lower than said first voltage, wherein said power-converter comprises first and second regulating-circuits, and a cascade multiplier, all of which are disposed on said path, wherein said cascade multiplier comprises switches connected to a first charge-storage-element and first and second switching-network-terminals, wherein said first regulating-circuit comprises a first magnetic-storage-element and a first-regulating-circuit terminal, wherein said second regulating-circuit comprises a second-regulating-circuit terminal, wherein said power path comprises said first-regulating-circuit terminal, said second-regulating-circuit terminal, said first switching-network-terminal, and said second switching-network-terminal, wherein said first-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to said first switching-network-terminal and said second-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to said second switching-network-terminal, wherein said cascade multiplier is configured to transition between a first switch-configuration and a second switch-configuration, wherein, when said cascade multiplier is in said first switch-configuration, charge accumulates in said first charge-storage-element at a first rate, wherein, when said cascade multiplier is in said second switch configuration charge is depleted from said first charge-storage-element at a second rate, and wherein said first rate and said second rate are constrained by said first magnetic-storage-element.

A method for causing a power converter to process electric power, said method comprising, on a power path for power flow between a first power-converter terminal and a second power-converter terminal, connecting a first-regulating-circuit terminal of a first regulating-circuit to a first switching-network-terminal of a first switching-network, and connecting a second-regulating-circuit terminal of a second regulating-circuit to a second switching-network-terminal of said first switching-network, using said second regulating-circuit, maintaining said first power-converter terminal at a first voltage, thereby maintaining said second power-converter terminal at a second voltage that is lower than said first voltage, using switches in said first switching-network, placing said first switching-network in a configuration for allowing charge to accumulate in said first charge-storage-element of said first switching-network, using energy stored in a magnetic field by a first magnetic-storage-element in said first regulating-circuit, constraining a rate of charge accumulation in a first charge-storage-element of said first switching-network, using said switches in said first switching-network, placing said first switching-network in a configuration for allowing charge to be depleted from said first charge-storage-element of said first switching-network, and, using energy stored by said first magnetic-storage-element in said first regulating-circuit, constraining a rate of charge depletion from said first charge-storage-element of said first switching-network, said method further comprising configuring said switching network to be an AC switching network.

An apparatus for processing electric power, said apparatus comprising a power-converter having a path for power flow between a first power-converter terminal and a second power-converter terminal, wherein, during operation of said power-converter, said first power-converter terminal is maintained at a first voltage and said second power-converter terminal is maintained at a second voltage that is lower than said first voltage, wherein said power-converter comprises first and second regulating-circuits, and a switching network, all of which are disposed on said path, wherein said switching network comprises switches connected to a first charge-storage-element and first and second switching-network-terminals, wherein said first regulating-circuit comprises a first magnetic-storage-element and a first-regulating-circuit terminal, wherein said second regulating-circuit comprises a second-regulating-circuit terminal, wherein said power path comprises said first-regulating-circuit terminal, said second-regulating-circuit terminal, said first switching-network-terminal, and said second switching-network-terminal, wherein said first-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to said first switching-network-terminal and said second-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to said second switching-network-terminal, wherein said switching network is configured to transition between a first switch-configuration and a second switch-configuration, wherein, when said switching network is in said first switch-configuration, charge accumulates in said first charge-storage-element at a first rate, wherein, when said switching network is in said second switch configuration charge is depleted from said first charge-storage-element at a second rate, and wherein said first rate and said second rate are constrained by said first magnetic-storage-element, wherein said switching network comprises switches that can adopt any configuration from a set of switch configurations, and wherein said set includes more than two switch configurations.

An apparatus for processing electric power, said apparatus comprising a power-converter having a path for power flow between a first power-converter terminal and a second power-converter terminal, wherein, during operation of said power-converter, said first power-converter terminal is maintained at a first voltage and said second power-converter terminal is maintained at a second voltage that is lower than said first voltage, wherein said power-converter comprises first and second regulating-circuits, and a switching network, all of which are disposed on said path, wherein said switching network comprises switches connected to a first charge-storage-element and first and second switching-network-terminals, wherein said first regulating-circuit comprises a first magnetic-storage-element and a first-regulating-circuit terminal, wherein said second regulating-circuit comprises a second-regulating-circuit terminal, wherein said power path comprises said first-regulating-circuit terminal, said second-regulating-circuit terminal, said first switching-network-terminal, and said second switching-network-terminal, wherein said first-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to said first switching-network-terminal and said second-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to said second switching-network-terminal, wherein said switching network is configured to transition between a first switch-configuration and a second switch-configuration, wherein, when said switching network is in said first switch-configuration, charge accumulates in said first charge-storage-element at a first rate, wherein, when said switching network is in said second switch configuration charge is depleted from said first charge-storage-element at a second rate, and wherein said first rate and said second rate are constrained by said first magnetic-storage-element, wherein said switching network comprises a plurality of sets of switches and capacitors, wherein each set of switches is driven by a different clock signal.