Patent attributes
An AC-DC power converter can include an AC-DC converter stage, such as a flyback converter, configured to receive an AC input voltage and deliver a DC output voltage. The converter can include an active capacitor bank (ACB) coupled to the output of the AC-DC stage. The ACB can include an energy storage capacitor and a plurality of switching devices operable as a bidirectional converter to alternately charge the capacitor from the DC output or discharge the capacitor to maintain output DC voltage regulation. The converter can also include control circuitry responsive to the AC input voltage to selectively: (1) enable the AC-DC stage and operate the switching devices to charge the capacitor from the DC output voltage; (2) and disable the AC-DC stage and operate the switching devices to discharge the capacitor to maintain DC output voltage regulation.
