ENPHASE ENERGY, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140361703 | LED LIGHTING CONVERTER - A method and apparatus for light emitting diode (LED) lighting power conversion including a full bridge rectifier circuit coupled to a first half-bridge rectifier circuit and a resonant tank circuit supplying AC power to a LED circuit and forming a first port to the LED circuit. The apparatus further includes a second half-bridge rectifier circuit and energy storage device receiving and supplying DC power to the LED circuit as determined by a controller to form a second port of the LED circuit, wherein the LED circuit further comprises a rectifier circuit for the LED circuit, and at least one LED. | 12-11-2014 |
20140354303 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DERIVING CURRENT FOR CONTROL IN A RESONANT POWER CONVERTER - An apparatus, method, and system for measuring current within a converter. The converter including a resonant tank circuit with a capacitor, the resonant tank circuit is coupled to a DC input bridge and a first terminal of the capacitor is coupled to a ground of the DC input bridge. In addition, a voltage monitor coupled across the capacitor for measuring a voltage across the capacitor. The converter also includes a resonant current calculation module for computing a tank current value based on the voltage. | 12-04-2014 |
20140313004 | MAGNETIC COMPONENT AND TRANSFORMER MADE THEREFROM - A magnetic component and transformer made therefrom is provided. The magnetic component includes an outer circular wall including a first gap and a second gap; an inner circular wall including a third gap and a fourth gap; and a cylindrical core. The outer circular wall, the inner circular wall, and the cylindrical core are concentric to one another. The outer circular wall and the inner circular wall are spaced apart to define an outer radial channel. The inner circular wall and the cylindrical core are spaced apart to define an inner radial channel. A transformer is formed by wrapping a first winding about the inner circular wall and a second winding around the cylindrical core. | 10-23-2014 |
20140306541 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING PV MODULE FILL FACTOR USING A VOLTAGE CLAMPING CIRCUIT - A method and apparatus for voltage clamping including: measuring a DC voltage across the PV module at an input of a power converter, comparing the measured DC voltage to the overvoltage threshold, determining the measured DC voltage exceeds the overvoltage threshold, and operating a clamping circuit to clamp at least a portion of the DC voltage prior to input to the power converter. | 10-16-2014 |
20140293669 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED BURST MODE DURING POWER CONVERSION - A method for converting DC input power into AC output power comprising operating in a continuous mode, while the DC input power is at a first level, wherein DC input power is continuously converted into AC output power and applied to an AC power grid and upon detecting the DC input power is at a second level, operating in a burst mode, wherein a burst of AC output power for a half grid cycle is followed by a period of energy storage lasting an integer number of grid cycles. | 10-02-2014 |
20140268961 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTED POWER GENERATION - A method and apparatus for generating AC power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a DC/AC inversion stage capable of generating at least two of a single-phase output power, a two-phase output power, and a three-phase output power; and a conversion control module, coupled to the DC/AC inversion stage, for driving the DC/AC inversion stage to (i) generate the single-phase output power while an input power is less than a first threshold, and (ii) operate in burst mode while the input power satisfies a burst mode threshold. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268944 | SURGE BLOCKING INDUCTOR - A surge blocking inductor. In one embodiment, the surge blocking inductor includes a core; a first winding wound about the core in a first direction; and a second winding wound about the core in a second direction, wherein the first winding and the second winding are magnetically independent when the core is in a non-saturated state, and wherein the first winding and the second winding are coupled magnetically when the core is in a saturated state. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268898 | EFFICIENT RESONANT TOPOLOGY FOR DC-AC INVERSION WITH MINIMAL USE OF HIGH FREQUENCY SWITCHES - System and apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprising a DC stage, comprising a resonant circuit, for generating a high-frequency resonant current; and an AC stage for converting a high-frequency current, generated from the high-frequency resonant current, to an AC output current, wherein the AC stage comprises: a pair of serially-connected switches for (i) passing, during a first half of a cycle of an AC line, a positive portion of the high-frequency current, and (ii) passing, during a second half of the cycle of the AC line, a negative portion of the high-frequency current; and an unfurling bridge for unfurling a current waveform, formed from the positive and the negative portions, to generate the AC output current, wherein the unfurling bridge is operated at a frequency on the order of three orders of magnitude lower than an operating frequency of the serially-connected switches. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268897 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A BRIDGE MODE FOR POWER CONVERSION - A method and apparatus for controlling power conversion. In one embodiment, the method comprises computing a ratio based on both voltage and charge pertaining to power conversion in a resonant converter; comparing the ratio to a threshold; and controlling, independent of switching frequency of the resonant converter, power output from the resonant converter based on whether the ratio satisfies the threshold. | 09-18-2014 |
20140239726 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REACTIVE POWER CAPABLE INVERTERS - A system, method, and apparatus for converting DC input power to AC output power, including a DC-AC inverter employing: a first feedback loop for determining a maximum power point (MPP) and operating the DC-AC inverter proximate the MPP. A second feedback loop for determining a difference between a first power measurement and a second power measurement, producing an error signal indicative of the difference, and coupling the error signal to the first feedback loop to adjust at least one operating parameter of the DC-AC inverter to drive toward the MPP, where the first power measurement and the second power measurement are each determined based on a phase shift between an AC output voltage from the DC-AC inverter and an AC output current from the DC-AC inverter. | 08-28-2014 |
20140210845 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENERGY DATA VISUALIZATION - A method and system for providing a visualization of energy data. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing an energy visualization scale for visually depicting energy data in terms of one or more color parameters, where the energy data pertains to a distributed generator (DG); and generating a display image, based on the energy visualization scale, that depicts a plurality of energy data values in a grid layout across two dimensions in time. | 07-31-2014 |
20140203646 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWER IMBALANCE CORRECTION IN A MULTI-PHASE POWER GENERATOR - A method and apparatus for power imbalance correction comprising: a plurality of converters for converting a plurality of DC inputs to a multi-phase AC output, and coupling the multi-phase AC output to a multi-phase AC line, and a controller coupled to the plurality of converters. The controller determining whether phases of the multi-phase AC output are balanced, and controlling when all phases of the multi-phase AC output are not balanced, at least one converter of the plurality of converters to balance the multi-phase AC output. | 07-24-2014 |
20140195206 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING INSTALLATION INFORMATION - A method and apparatus for generating an array layout template. In one embodiment the method comprises scanning, using an installation application on a mobile device comprising at least one processor, a tag coupled to a splice box that is coupled to a trunk cable in a solar installation; and generating, via the installation application and based on information obtained by scanning the tag, a template that shows a physical layout of the splice box and a plurality of solar array components that are coupled to the trunk cable. | 07-10-2014 |
20140185345 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE PORT LINE FREQUENCY ENERGY STORAGE - A method and apparatus for power conversion comprising a three-port converter comprising a DC port for coupling to an external DC line, an AC port for coupling to an external AC line, and a storage port, internal to the three-port converter, for storing excess energy and discharging needed energy during power conversion, wherein the storage port is located on a DC-side of the three-port converter and is decoupled from the DC port such that a voltage on the storage port can be controlled independently of a DC voltage on the DC port. | 07-03-2014 |
20140185344 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A CORRECTED MONITORING VOLTAGE - A method and apparatus for correcting a locally measured inverter voltage. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a voltage compensation to compensate for a voltage drop along an AC bus between an inverter and a remotely located point on the AC bus; obtaining a voltage measurement at the inverter; applying the voltage compensation to the voltage measurement to determine a corrected voltage measurement; comparing the corrected voltage measurement to a voltage requirement; and performing a corrective action at the inverter when the corrected voltage measurement does not meet the voltage requirement. | 07-03-2014 |
20140183968 | INDUCTIVE POWER TRANSFER CONVERTER - A bidirectional inductive power transfer (IPT) power converter comprising a cycloconverter, coupled to an AC port, and a resonant circuit, coupled to the cycloconverter, for storing energy and coupling energy to an IPT port. | 07-03-2014 |
20140183953 | THREE PORT CONVERTER WITH DUAL INDEPENDENT MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING AND DUAL OPERATING MODES - A method and apparatus for a three port converter with independent dual input comprising: a first DC port for coupling a first half-bridge circuit of the three-port converter to a first external DC line, a second DC port for coupling a second half-bridge circuit of the three-port converter to a second external DC line, wherein the second half-bridge circuit is decoupled from the first half-bridge circuit, and an AC port for coupling to an external AC line, wherein (i) the first half-bridge circuit and the second half-bridge circuit are operated as a full H-bridge during a full-bridge operating mode, and (ii) the first half-bridge circuit or the second half-bridge circuit is operated as a half H-bridge during a half-bridge operating mode. | 07-03-2014 |
20140169055 | NON-ISOLATED DC/AC INVERTER - A method and apparatus for converting DC power comprising: a boost circuit comprising two switches and a capacitor where the two switches are serially connected and coupled in parallel to the capacitor, a voltage source inverter (VSI) comprising at least four switches in an H-bridge configuration, and a controller coupled to the boost circuit and VSI for selectively energizing the switches wherein no more than two switches are toggling in a time period for operating the apparatus in either the buck mode or boost mode. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168913 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING STRESS ON MOUNTED ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A continuous substrate including a first portion with a plurality of electronic components, and at least one strain relief area located proximate a fastening location, wherein the at least one strain relief area is located between the first portion and the fastening location. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168835 | SMART JUNCTION BOX FOR A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for a smart junction box including: a first set of switches connected across input terminals adapted for connection to output terminals of a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules, a plurality of diodes connected across input terminals of each respective switch in the first set of switches, at least one reverse current detection device on at least one output terminal of the smart junction box, a second set of switches to selectively disconnect and short circuit output terminals of the smart junction box when a reverse current is detected, and wherein at least one switch of the second set of switches is located across the output terminals, a controller for controlling the first and second set of switches. | 06-19-2014 |
20140160800 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODULATING LOWER POWERS IN RESONANT CONVERTERS - Method and apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, the method comprises operating a resonant converter in a ring mode comprising (i) holding a plurality of switches of the resonant converter in a first switching state throughout a pre-determined number of resonant periods; and (ii) maintaining the plurality of switches in the first switching state for a fraction of a subsequent resonant period until an amount of energy has been transferred through the resonant converter to achieve a pre-determined output power from the resonant converter. | 06-12-2014 |
20140097688 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MESH POWER SYSTEM - A power mesh system and method comprising at least three polyphase power devices of a plurality of polyphase power devices, each having a phase connection for each phase, where each polyphase power device has each phase connection coupled to at least one phase connection of another polyphase power device to form a two dimensional array of power devices. | 04-10-2014 |
20140089029 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCHEDULING MAINTENANCE OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS - A method and apparatus for optimizing the cost of scheduling maintenance of a distributed energy generator. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining information, from a controller, related to impaired operation of at least one component in a distributed energy generator, wherein the distributed energy generator comprises a plurality of components; calculating a cost to restore non-impaired operation of the distributed energy generator; calculating a cost of lost power due to the impaired operation of the distributed energy generator; and determining an optimal time to schedule maintenance of the distributed energy generator based on the calculated cost to restore non-impaired operation and the calculated cost of lost power. | 03-27-2014 |
20140085757 | SURGE BLOCKING INDUCTOR - A surge blocking inductor. In one embodiment, the surge blocking inductor comprises a core; a first winding wound about the core in a first direction; and a second winding wound about the core in a second direction, wherein the first winding and the second winding are magnetically independent when the core is in a non-saturated state, and wherein the first winding and the second winding are coupled magnetically when the core is in a saturated state. | 03-27-2014 |
20140084695 | SERIALLY CONNECTED MICRO-INVERTER SYSTEM HAVING CONCERTINA OUTPUT VOLTAGE CONTROL - The present invention is directed towards a serially connected micro-inverter (SCMI) system comprising a plurality of power sources for producing DC power, a plurality of micro-inverters, where each micro-inverter is coupled to at least one power source of the plurality of power sources, for converting the DC power into AC power, an AC bus for coupling the plurality of micro-inverters in series to form a string and for coupling the AC power an AC line; and a controller, coupled to the string, for measuring an output signal of one or more strings of series coupled micro-inverters, comparing the measured output signal to a desired signal for the string; and adjusting a phase angle of an output from each micro-inverter in the one or more strings until a difference between the measured output signal and the desired signal is less than a predetermined threshold value. | 03-27-2014 |
20140077609 | SERIALLY CONNECTED MICRO-INVERTER SYSTEM WITH TRUNK AND DROP CABLING - A system and apparatus for serially coupling a plurality of inverters. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cable assembly for (i) coupling the plurality of inverters in series to form a string, and (ii) coupling AC power generated by the plurality of inverters to the AC grid, wherein the cable assembly comprises (A) a trunk cable comprising at least one phase conductor and a neutral conductor, wherein the neutral conductor is conductively continuous throughout the trunk cable; and (B) a plurality of junction boxes, positioned at locations along the trunk cable, for coupling the plurality of inverters to the trunk cable, wherein at each junction box of the plurality of junction boxes the at least one phase conductor is discontinuous for being coupled to a corresponding inverter of the plurality of inverters. | 03-20-2014 |
20140070619 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BIDIRECTIONAL POWER PRODUCTION IN A POWER MODULE - Method and apparatus for generating power. In one embodiment the method comprises determining a value of a DC parameter pertaining to a DC power source providing DC power to an inverter; comparing the value to a threshold; and operating the inverter to generate positive power or negative power based on a result of comparing the value to the threshold. | 03-13-2014 |
20140063873 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INVERTER OUTPUT CURRENT HARMONIC REDUCTION - Method and apparatus for reducing harmonic distortion. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining an inverter output current waveform; determining a plurality of harmonic components of the inverter output current waveform; determining, based on the plurality of harmonic components, a plurality of harmonic compensation components; and generating a compensating current comprising the plurality of harmonic compensation components | 03-06-2014 |
20140016372 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING POWER CONVERSION USING AN INTERLEAVED FLYBACK CONVERTER WITH AUTOMATIC BALANCING - Method and apparatus for converting DC input power to DC output power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first flyback circuit and a second flyback circuit, coupled in parallel, for providing DC-to-DC conversion; and a controller for (i) determining a first peak current, based on a predetermined peak current, for operating the first flyback circuit, (ii) determining a second peak current, based on the predetermined peak current, for operating the second flyback circuit, and (iii) operating the first and the second flyback circuits at switching frequencies dependent on the first and the second peak currents, respectively, to achieve timing synchronization for interleaved operation of the first and the second flyback circuits. | 01-16-2014 |
20130250634 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWER CONVERSION - A method and apparatus for converting a first power to a second power. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a power conversion circuit for receiving the first power; and a controller, coupled to the power conversion circuit, for dynamically selecting between a non-interleaved mode and an interleaved mode for operating the power conversion circuit to convert the first power to the second power. | 09-26-2013 |
20130250624 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWER CONVERSION - A method and apparatus for converting a first power to a second power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power conversion circuit for receiving the first power and a controller, coupled to the power conversion circuit, for dynamically selecting between a regular mode and a quasi-resonant mode for operating the power conversion circuit to convert the first power to the second power. | 09-26-2013 |
20130225005 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERCONNECTING DISTRIBUTED POWER SOURCES - An apparatus and system for coupling power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a trunk cable comprising a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor; a first connector, wherein a first terminal of the first connector is conductively coupled to the first conductor; a second connector, wherein a first terminal of the second connector is conductively coupled to the second conductor; and a third connector, wherein a first terminal of the third connector is conductively coupled to the third conductor, and wherein the first, the second, and the third connectors are each adapted to couple to a different DC-AC power converter and an output of the trunk cable comprises three-phase AC power. | 08-29-2013 |
20130215983 | POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS - A system for communicating data. In one embodiment, the system comprises a photovoltaic (PV) module; an inverter, coupled to the PV module, for receiving DC power from the PV module and converting the DC power to AC power; and an inverter controller communicably coupled to the inverter, wherein the inverter and the inverter controller communicate using power line communications (PLC). | 08-22-2013 |
20130215981 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE-PHASE POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS - Method and apparatus for generating a balanced three-phase power line communication signal. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating a plurality of modulation signals based on at least one data stream; modulating a plurality of carrier signals by the plurality of modulation signals to generate a balanced three-phase PLC signal comprising a first phase signal, a second phase signal, and a third phase signal; and coupling the balanced three-phase PLC signal to a three-phase power line. | 08-22-2013 |
20130214607 | ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE CANCELLING DURING POWER CONVERSION - Apparatus for cancelling electromagnetic interference (EMI) during power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power converter for converting a DC input to a DC output, wherein the power converter comprises a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, the secondary winding coupled to a diode such that a plurality of secondary winding voltages cause a balanced current flow through a plurality of parasitic capacitances. | 08-22-2013 |
20130176032 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A ZERO-VOLTAGE CONDITION ACROSS FOUR QUADRANT SWITCHES - A method and apparatus for detecting a zero-voltage condition. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating a first current that is proportional to a voltage across a four-quadrant (4Q) switch; generating a reference current, wherein the reference current is equal to a value of the first current when of the voltage across the 4Q switch is at a predefined value; comparing the first current to the reference current; and generating an indication of a zero-voltage condition across the 4Q switch when the first current is less than the reference current. | 07-11-2013 |
20130163686 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING COMBINED POWER, CONTROL AND DATA THROUGH AN ISOLATION BARRIER - Method and apparatus for transmitting combined power and data. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an isolation barrier; a drive controller for generating a first waveform comprising a plurality of data signals for transmitting different types of data, wherein the drive controller couples the first waveform to a first side of the isolation barrier to produce a second waveform on a second side of the isolation barrier; and a circuit controller coupled to the second side of the isolation barrier, wherein the circuit controller is powered by the second waveform, and wherein the circuit controller controls a circuit based on the plurality of data signals. | 06-27-2013 |
20130135802 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POTTING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Method and apparatus for potting an electronic device. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing an enclosure having a first inner volume with the electronic device disposed therein; placing a fill control element within the enclosure such that a second inner volume of the fill control element is fluidly coupled to the first inner volume; and filling a remaining portion of the first inner volume, the remaining portion not occupied by the electronic device or the fill control element, with a sealant such that air is trapped within at least a first portion of the second inner volume. | 05-30-2013 |
20130093554 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING PRESSURE EFFECTS ON AN ENCAPSULATED DEVICE - A method and apparatus for reducing pressure effects on an encapsulated device. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power module comprising an equipment box assembly containing (i) an equipment module housing, (ii) a potted electronic device disposed within the equipment module housing, and (iii) a resilient expansion absorption layer disposed between at least a portion of the potted electronic device and at least a portion of the equipment module housing. | 04-18-2013 |
20130083444 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RELAY CONTROL - A method and apparatus for controlling an electromechanical relay. In one embodiment, the method comprises reducing a relay current of a relay that is activated, determining a first value of the relay current, wherein the first value is either a minimum default current value or a value of the relay current at which the activated relay deactivates, and determining a holding current value for maintaining the relay in an activated state, wherein the holding current value is at least the first value and less than a second value of the relay current at which the relays activates. | 04-04-2013 |
20130070496 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWER MODULE OUTPUT POWER REGULATION - A method and apparatus for regulating power production. In one embodiment, the method comprises comparing a line voltage level to a first threshold and a second threshold, wherein the line voltage level is a level of a line voltage at an output of a power converter; and modifying power produced by the power converter by (i) a first modification when the line voltage level is between the first and the second thresholds, and (ii) a second modification when the line voltage level exceeds the second threshold. | 03-21-2013 |
20130070494 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE-MOUNTED AC INVERTER - A photovoltaic module-mounted AC inverter circuit uses one or more integrated circuits, several switches, solid dielectric capacitors for filtering and energy storage, inductors for power conversion and ancillary components to support the above elements in operation. The integrated circuit includes all monitoring, control, and communications circuitry needed to operate the inverter. The integrated circuit controls the switches in both an input boost converter and a single-phase or multi-phase output buck converter. The integrated circuit also monitors all power processing voltages and currents of the inverter and can take appropriate action to limit power dissipation in the inverter, maximize the available power from the associated PV module and shut down the inverter output if the grid conditions so warrant. The integrated circuit implements power line communications by monitoring the AC wiring for signals and generating communications signals via the same pulse-width modulation system used to generate the AC power. | 03-21-2013 |
20130027025 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AC VOLTAGES - A method and apparatus for measuring an AC voltage. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an AC voltage monitor coupled to a plurality of AC lines for (i) generating a first measurement based on an AC voltage across a first resistor, (ii) generating a second measurement based on an AC line voltage of an AC line of the plurality of AC lines, and (iii) generating a serial data stream frame based on the first and the second measurements. | 01-31-2013 |
20130021730 | RESILIENT MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES - An apparatus for mounting a power module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of mounting points that (i) are flexibly connected to one another and (ii) flexibly mount the power module proximate a photovoltaic (PV) module. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021006 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTI-PHASE POWER TRANSFER - A method and apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a power conversion module for converting a first current to a second current, wherein the first current or the second current is an AC current having at least two phases; and a waveform modification module, coupled to the power conversion module, for modifying the AC current to generate a modified AC current, wherein each phase of the modified AC current has a value of zero at the beginning of an AC line cycle. | 01-24-2013 |
20130015710 | DISTRIBUTED INVERTER AND INTELLIGENT GATEWAY - A system and apparatus for generating power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power module for coupling to a DC power source via a DC bus, wherein the power module (i) converts a first power from the DC power source to a second power, and (ii) comprises a maximum power point tracking module unit for dynamically adjusting a load voltage of the DC power source; an AC bus; and a controller, physically separate from the power module and coupled to the power module via the AC bus, for operatively controlling the power module. | 01-17-2013 |
20130012061 | PHOTOVOLTAIC AC INVERTER MOUNT AND INTERCONNECT - A replaceable photovoltaic inverter is mounted on each of a plurality of photovoltaic module for the conversion of direct current, produced by the photovoltaic cells, to alternating current. The inverter is coupled to a mounting bracket on the photovoltaic module such that is can be easily replaced. Replacement of an individual photovoltaic module inverter can occur during continuous operation of the photovoltaic module system with minimal impact on overall power production. The inverter is also mounted apart from the photovoltaic module to facilitate heat transfer generated by operation of the inverter. | 01-10-2013 |
20130009960 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICAL POWER VISUALIZATION - A method and apparatus for providing a visualization of power for display. The method establishes a power visualization scale based on a color saturation and intensity range for a hue and a range of power to be visualized, and generates a display image for at least one measured value of power as a level of color saturation and intensity for the hue based on the power visualization scale. | 01-10-2013 |
20120306515 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GRID IMPEDANCE DETECTION - A method and apparatus for monitoring an AC line for impedance change. In one embodiment, the method, comprises superimposing a tone on an AC current coupled to the AC line, wherein the tone is a higher frequency than an AC voltage waveform on the AC line; applying a correlation over a sampled AC voltage waveform, obtained by sampling the AC voltage waveform, to generate a correlated signal; and determining whether at least one change in characteristic of the correlated signal occurs. | 12-06-2012 |
20120300524 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING SINGLE-PHASE POWER FROM A THREE-PHASE RESONANT POWER CONVERTER - A method and apparatus for providing AC power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cycloconverter controller for determining a DC value based on a reference waveform and a three-phase cycloconverter, coupled to the cycloconverter controller, for selectively coupling, based on the DC value, an alternating current to an AC line to generate a single-phase AC output. | 11-29-2012 |
20120294057 | RESONANT POWER CONVERSION CIRCUIT - An apparatus and system for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings; and a cyclo-converter comprising a plurality of switch pairs for converting an alternating current to an AC current, wherein each switch pair in the plurality of switch pairs (i) is coupled between two lines of an AC output and (ii) has a different secondary winding of the plurality of secondary windings coupled between its switches. | 11-22-2012 |
20120294045 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING RESONANT CONVERTER OUTPUT POWER - A method and apparatus for controlling power conversion. In one embodiment, the method comprises computing a voltage ratio based on a voltage conversion in a resonant converter; comparing the voltage ratio to a threshold; and controlling, independent of switching frequency of the resonant converter, power output from the resonant converter based on whether the voltage ratio satisfies the threshold. | 11-22-2012 |
20120287688 | FOUR QUADRANT BIDIRECTIONAL SWITCH - A four quadrant bidirectional switch. In one embodiment, the four quadrant bidirectional switch comprises a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch, wherein (i) the first and second switches are normally-off switches, (ii) the third switch is a dual-gate, bidirectional, normally-on switch, and (iii) the first, the second, and the third switches are coupled to one another in a bi-cascode configuration. | 11-15-2012 |
20120206843 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION AND CONTROL OF DC ARC FAULTS - A method and apparatus for managing DC arc faults. At least a portion of the method is performed by a controller comprising at least one processor. In one embodiment, the method comprises identifying, based on a first signature of a power converter, an arc fault; determining, based on the first signature, a type of the arc fault; and performing an action on the power converter based on the type of the arc fault. | 08-16-2012 |
20120170341 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESONANT POWER CONVERSION - A method and apparatus for providing multi-phase power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cycloconverter controller for determining a charge ratio based on a reference waveform; and a cycloconverter, coupled to the cycloconverter controller and to a multi-phase AC line, for selectively coupling an alternating current to each line of the multi-phase AC line based on the charge ratio. | 07-05-2012 |
20120170324 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESONANT CONVERTER CONTROL - A method and apparatus for controlling resonant converter power production. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining accumulated charge processed by a resonant converter; dynamically determining a level of the accumulated charge that generates a predetermined output power; and controlling a switching cycle of the resonant converter based on the level of the accumulated charge. | 07-05-2012 |
20120139349 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING AN ELECTRIC FIELD TO A PHOTOVOLTAIC ELEMENT - A method and apparatus for applying an electric field to a photovoltaic element. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one photovoltaic (PV) cell having a P-N junction; and a voltage supply for (i) converting a first voltage to an e-field voltage, the first voltage generated local to the at least one PV cell, and (ii) coupling the e-field voltage to the at least one PV cell to create an electric field extending across the P-N junction. | 06-07-2012 |
20120099661 | POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS - Apparatus and system for communicating data via a power line. The apparatus comprises a transmitter comprising a modulator for generating a second digital signal based on input data; a digital buffer for amplifying the second digital signal to generate a third digital signal; a filter for filtering the third digital signal to generate an analog output waveform; and a coupler for coupling the analog output waveform to the power line. | 04-26-2012 |
20120089660 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY GENERATOR MESSAGE AGGREGATION - A method and system for aggregating messages. In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of distributed generators (DGs) and a controller, communicatively coupled to the plurality of distributed generators, for (i) receiving a plurality of messages from the plurality of DGs, (ii) correlating at least two messages in the plurality of messages based on at least one time parameter, and (iii) generating a summary message based on the at least two messages. | 04-12-2012 |
20120020122 | LOSSLESS COMMUTATION DURING OPERATION OF A POWER CONVERTER - A method for operating a DC-DC converter. The method comprises: matching, based on a turns ratio of a transformer of the DC-DC converter, a primary side capacitance of the DC-DC converter and a secondary side capacitance of the DC-DC converter to result in a matched capacitance; and operating the DC-DC converter with at least one operating parameter set to cause a primary current to oscillate between a peak value and zero such that a valley of the primary current coincides with a zero crossing of a secondary switching element voltage. | 01-26-2012 |
20110292705 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWER CONVERTER INPUT VOLTAGE REGULATION - A method and apparatus for regulating an input voltage to a power conversion module. In one embodiment, the method comprises computing a voltage regulation threshold based on an output voltage for the power conversion module; comparing an input voltage of the power conversion module to the voltage regulation threshold; and generating, when the input voltage satisfies the voltage regulation threshold, an average input voltage less than the voltage regulation threshold, wherein the average input voltage is generated from the input voltage. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292701 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED BURST MODE DURING POWER CONVERSION - A method and apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a DC-AC conversion stage; an intermediate capacitor coupled across the DC-AC conversion stage; and a burst mode controller coupled to the intermediate capacitor and the DC-AC conversion stage, wherein the burst mode controller (i) maintains a voltage of the intermediate capacitor below a preset limit during a storage period and (ii) drives the DC-AC conversion stage to convert DC input to AC output during a burst period, wherein the storage and burst periods occur during a burst mode operation. | 12-01-2011 |
20110273302 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING A DISCONNECTION WITHIN A DISTRIBUTED GENERATOR - A method and apparatus for indicating a disconnection within a Distributed Generator (DG). In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an alarm module electrically coupled to a conductive portion of a component within the DG, wherein the conductive portion is grounded via a ground rod system, and wherein the alarm module (i) is further coupled to a ground line, (ii) couples a monitoring current to the conductive portion, (iii) monitors flow of the monitoring current to determine a change in the flow, and (iv) generates, as a result of the change in the flow, a notification of the disconnection. | 11-10-2011 |
20110260824 | TRANSFORMER - A transformer assembly. In some embodiments, the transformer assembly comprises a transformer, comprising a magnetic core; a primary winding wound around the magnetic core, wherein the primary winding comprises one or two turns of a first conductive material; and a secondary winding wound around the magnetic core, wherein the secondary winding comprises a plurality of turns of a second conductive material, and wherein a diameter of the magnetic core is sized such that the transformer achieves a first inductance with a core loss comparable to a winding loss. | 10-27-2011 |
20110202181 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SMART CLIMATE CONTROL - A method and apparatus for controlling climate within a building. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a smart climate unit for (i) obtaining distributed generator (DG) information pertaining to operation of a DG that generates power for the building, and (ii) controlling at least one climate condition within the building based on at least one of the DG information, local input, or remote input. | 08-18-2011 |
20100195357 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A CORRECTED MONITORING VOLTAGE - A method and apparatus for determining a corrected monitoring voltage, at least a portion of the method being performed by a computing system comprising at least one processor. The method comprises generating power at a first location; monitoring the generated power by measuring a first voltage proximate the first location; measuring a second voltage proximate a second location, the first and the second locations electrically coupled; and determining, based on the measured second voltage, a corrected monitoring voltage to compensate the measured first voltage for a distance between the first and the second locations. | 08-05-2010 |
20100091532 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED BURST MODE DURING POWER CONVERSION - A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to AC output power. The apparatus comprises an input capacitor, a DC-AC inverter, a burst mode controller for causing energy to be stored in the input capacitor during at least one storage period and the energy to be drawn from the input capacitor during at least one burst period, wherein the AC output power is greater than the DC input power during the at least one burst period; a first feedback loop for determining a maximum power point (MPP) and operating the DC-AC inverter proximate the MPP; and a second feedback loop for determining a difference in a first power measurement and a second power measurement, producing an error signal indicative of the difference, and coupling the error signal to the first feedback loop to adjust at least one operating parameter of the DC-AC inverter to drive toward the MPP. | 04-15-2010 |
20090200994 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTED VAR COMPENSATION - A method and apparatus for generating on-demand power. The method comprises receiving a peak reactive current request, generating a control signal based on the peak reactive current request, and utilizing the control signal to drive a DC/AC inverter to generate reactive power commensurate with the peak reactive current request. | 08-13-2009 |