NOVELTY - The bidirectional IPT power converter (200) has a resonant circuit (208), coupled to a cycloconverter (204), which is arranged for storing energy and coupling energy to the IPT port (205). A buffer block, coupled to the cycloconverter and the resonant circuit, includes switches (216,218,220,222,224,226) which are coupled across a bulk energy storage device, e.g., resonant capacitor (210). A controller (240) is arranged for independently operating the cycloconverter and buffer block based on detected power at an alternating current (AC) port (202) and IPT coil (212).    USE - Bidirectional inductive power transfer (IPT) power converter for wirelessly charging batteries in electric vehicles. Uses include but are not limited for charging batteries in portable devices, e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and computer tablets, and mass transit systems, such as between mass transit vehicles for trains, subways, trolleys, and for coupling vehicles to the mass power system.    ADVANTAGE - Improves power conversion efficiency for IPT since the controller is arranged for independently operating the cycloconverter and buffer block based on detected power at the AC port and IPT coil. Optimizes power conversion based upon the desired output power to be delivered to the load since the buffer block, cycloconverter and resonant circuit operate in the supply mode. Allows the IPT target loads such as batteries to be drawn upon in times of heavy alternating current (AC) grid loading to perform a peak shaving function using bi-directional energy transfer. Enables vehicle batteries to be charged at a time when power is inexpensive and transferred back to the AC grid at a time when power is expensive by allowing bi-directional power transfer via IPT systems.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method for power conversion for IPT.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic block diagram of the three-phase IPT converter.    Bidirectional inductive power transfer power converter (200)    Alternating current port (202)    Cycloconverter (204)    Inductive power transfer port (205)    Resonant circuit (208)    Resonant capacitor (210)    Inductive power transfer coil (212)    Switches (216,218,220,222,224,226)    Controller (240)