| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 307063000 | Serially connected sources | 26 |
| 20090026840 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING POWER TO AN INDUCTIVE LOAD - A power supply for at least one predominantly inductive load is provided. The power supply includes at least one controllable voltage source powered with a supply voltage, the at least one controllable voltage source supplying a controlled output voltage which powers the inductive load. The supply voltage of the voltage source is variable and the supply voltage is operable to be controlled as a function of the current flowing through the predominantly inductive load. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20110084553 | DISTRIBUTED POWER SYSTEM USING DIRECT CURRENT POWER SOURCES - A distributed power system including multiple (DC) batteries each DC battery with positive and negative poles. Multiple power converters are coupled respectively to the DC batteries. Each power converter includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The first terminal is adapted for coupling to the positive pole. The second terminal is adapted for coupling to the negative pole. The power converter includes: (i) a control loop adapted for setting the voltage between or current through the first and second terminals, and (ii) a power conversion portion adapted to selectively either: convert power from said first and second terminals to said third and fourth terminals to discharge the battery connected thereto, or to convert power from the third and fourth terminals to the first and second terminals to charge the battery connected thereto. Each of the power converters is adapted for serial connection to at least one other power converter by connecting respectively the third and fourth terminals, thereby forming a serial string. A power controller is adapted for coupling to the serial string. The power controller includes a control part adapted to maintain current through or voltage across the serial string at a predetermined value. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110273017 | PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT - In large PV power plants, grounding of individual PV modules may lead to problems. The present invention overcomes such problems. The basis for the invention is a PV power plant comprising one or more PV generators, each comprising a PV string and an inverter with a DC input and an AC output. The PV string comprises at least one PV module and is electrically connected to the DC input of the inverter. The inverter comprises means for controlling the DC potential at the DC input depending on the DC potential at the AC output. The AC outputs of the inverters are coupled in parallel. The novel feature of the invention is that the PV power plant further comprises an offset voltage source, which controls the DC potential at the AC outputs. Thereby, the DC potential at the DC input will be indirectly controlled, and it is thus possible to ensure that the potentials with respect to ground at the terminals of the PV modules are all non-negative or all non-positive without grounding the PV modules. Ground loops can be avoided, and there is no need for the use of transformer-based inverters. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110285205 | Efficient Solar Energy Power Creation Systems - Different systems to achieve solar power conversion are provided in at least three different general aspects, with circuitry that can be used to harvest maximum power from a solar source ( | 11-24-2011 |
| 20120032515 | Systems for Optimized Solar Power Inversion - The DC-AC inversion of solar power in systems having high voltage, highly varying photovoltaic power sources may be provided to optimize input into a high voltage, high power photovoltaic DC-AC inverter. The inverter may coordinate the conversion of solar power in photovoltaic DC-DC power converters to achieve a desired inverter operating condition. Desired inverter operating conditions may include singular voltage inputs, optimal voltage inputs, inverter sweet spot voltage inputs, and the like. The converters may be coordinated to convert output to optimal input characteristics of the inverter, to control a posterior photovoltaic operating condition, to control the converter for inverter operating conditions, and the like. Output from the inverter may be transferred to a power grid at high power levels with coordinated control possible for various elements. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120074785 | Method for Operating a Redundant System and System Therefor - A method for safely detecting in two redundantly-configured output modules a possible wire break of a load, wherein during a switch-off test of a first module, a current test is performed in the respective other module and a binary test is performed in the switched-off module. The binary test determines whether the voltage switched off through the respective other module is also reaching the module with the binary tests over corresponding connection paths. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120193986 | HARVESTING POWER FROM DC (DIRECT CURRENT) SOURCES - In a solar panel array, each solar panel in a series-connected string has a current source connected across its output terminals. The current source generates a programmable output current equal to the difference of the load current drawn from the panel and the current corresponding to the maximum power point (MPP) of the panel. As a result, each of the panels in the string is operated at its MPP. When the array contains multiple strings connected in parallel, a voltage source is additionally connected in series with each string. The voltage sources are programmable to generate corresponding output voltages to enable operation of each panel in each of the multiple strings at its MPP. Respective control blocks providing the current sources and voltage sources automatically determine the MPP of the corresponding panels. In an embodiment, the control blocks are implemented as DC-DC converters in conjunction with measurement and communication units. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20130181527 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY COLLECTION AND CONVERSION - A circuit for an energy collection system is provided that includes one or more strings that are configured to couple to an electrical load. Each of the one or more strings comprises one or more string members that are coupled to each other in series. Each of the one or more string members comprises (i) a connection to receive an output from an energy output device, and (ii) an inverter configured to convert the output of the energy output device into alternating current (AC) energy. The circuit includes a controller that controls the output that is provided by the one or more strings by controlling the individual string member. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20140001859 | POWER GENERATION CONTROL APPARATUS AND POWER GENERATION CONTROL METHOD | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140042815 | BALANCING, FILTERING AND/OR CONTROLLING SERIES-CONNECTED CELLS - A balancing circuit for a plurality of series connected cells or substrings of cells is provided. In one implementation, the balancing circuit includes a plurality of primary ports; an isolated secondary port; and one or more DC-DC converters connected between the primary ports and the isolated secondary port. Each DC-DC converter includes at least one power switch. The DC-DC converters are configured to adjust a primary port current received at one or more of the plurality of primary ports based upon a difference between a voltage at the one of the primary ports and a reference voltage. Also provided are an electrical power system including such as balancing circuit and a method of balancing a plurality of electric cell substrings using such a balancing circuit. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140049111 | ENERGY COLLECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH INDIVIDUAL REGULATION OF POWER UNITS - Apparatus and method are disclosed which include a string of units including at least two electrical energy producing units connected in series and providing string current. Each of the units is adapted to provide the electrical energy via output terminals. The apparatus further comprising a current equalization unit. The current equalization unit is adapted to individually control the magnitude and direction of current via that current equalization unit so that the algebraic sum of the current produced by its respective electrical energy producing unit when operated at a defined operational point and the current flowing via said current equalization unit equals to said string current. The operation of the apparatus enables transfer of energy from units with high production capacity to units with low production capacity without having to use a dedicated bus for that. The energy is transferred via the cabling of the string. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140117763 | BATTERY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN INTERMEDIATE VOLTAGE - The invention relates to a battery system ( | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140265589 | CURRENT DIVERSION FOR POWER-PROVIDING SYSTEMS - Various example embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for diverting current from a Photovoltaic (PV) module. In particular embodiments, the PV module can be part of a series connection (or string) of PV modules. The series connection provides a primary current path through which generated current flows. Current diversion circuit(s) can be used in connection with one or more PV modules. The current diversion circuit detects when the current through the primary current path is less than the desired current level for a corresponding PV module (e.g., the maximum power point). In response to this detection, the current diversion circuit can provide an alternate pathway for current from the corresponding PV module. This results in an overall increase in the current from the PV module and a corresponding increase in efficiency. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140265590 | PRE-REGULATOR AND PRE-REGULATION METHODS FOR PHOTOVIOLTAIC INVERTERS - Methods and devices for pre-regulating power are disclosed herein. The method may include sectioning at least a portion of a photovoltaic array into two array subsections and applying power from the two array subsections to a power conversion component. A voltage that is applied by each of the two subsections varies with environmental conditions affecting the two array sections. A connection between the two array subsections is alternated from a series arrangement and a parallel arrangement to regulate a voltage level of the power that is applied by both of the two subsections to the power conversion component. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140292085 | SERIALLY CONNECTED INVERTERS - A photovoltaic power generation system, having a photovoltaic panel, which has a direct current (DC) output and a micro-inverter with input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are adapted for connection to the DC output. The micro-inverter is configured for converting an input DC power received at the input terminals to an output alternating current (AC) power at the output terminals. A bypass current path between the output terminals may be adapted for passing current produced externally to the micro-inverter. The micro-inverter is configured to output an alternating current voltage significantly less than a grid voltage. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140319917 | ARCHITECTURE FOR POWER PLANT COMPRISING CLUSTERS OF POWER-GENERATION DEVICES - Various techniques are employed alone or in combination, to reduce the levelized cost of energy imposed by a power plant system. Solar energy concentrators in the form of inflated reflectors, focus light onto photovoltaic receivers. Multiple concentrators are grouped into a series-connected cluster that shares control circuitry and support structure. Individual concentrators are maintained at their maximum power point via balance controllers that control the flow of current that shunts this series connection. DC current from clusters is transmitted moderate distances to a centralized inverter. The inductance of transmission lines is maximized using an air-spaced twisted pair, enhancing the performance of boost-type three phase inverters. Cluster outputs are separate from individual inverters in massively interleaved arrays co-located at a central location. Step-up transformers convert inverter voltages to grid voltages, and small transformers provide isolation and voltage step-up only on receiver-to-receiver imbalance currents, typically <20% of the total current. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140327313 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOW-COST, HIGH-EFFICIENCY SOLAR PANEL POWER FEED - A cascading regulation system connected to a number of serially connected power sources and uses multiple regulators having different cutoff voltages to provide an output for the local power consumption unit. Each of the regulators is connected to a subset of serially connected power sources and so configured that if the voltage generated at the lowest tap is no longer sufficient for a stable supply to the local power consumption unit, the next higher regulator takes over, and the output voltage drops in small steps reflective of that takeover of the next higher tap. When the voltage generated across a subsection grows, a lower connected tap may take over again, producing a slightly higher output voltage for the local power consumption unit. The cutover steps are chosen such that the output voltage range matches the range given as the acceptable input range for the local power consumption unit. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140339899 | MULTILEVEL POWER CONVERTER CIRCUIT - A multilevel power converter circuit driven by two direct current power supplies in series includes a first semiconductor switch series circuit that combines a series circuit of 2n IGBTs connected between positive and negative electrodes with a capacitor, a second semiconductor switch series circuit that combines a series circuit of 2n-2 IGBTs connected between the emitter of a first IGBT of the first semiconductor switch series circuit and the collector of a 2n | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140354059 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND POWER SOURCE APPARATUS - A power supply system comprising a power source apparatus connected at a junction point P | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140375132 | SMART PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES WITH HIGH DC-AC RATIOS - A smart photovoltaic (PV) module includes a PV laminate configured to receive solar energy and provide a direct current (DC) power output, and a DC power manager (DCPM) electrically connected to the PV laminate to receive the DC power output of the PV laminate. The DCPM includes a DC/DC power converter configured to receive the DC power output from the PV laminate and provide a module DC power output, and a controller operatively connected to the DC/DC power converter. The controller is configured to control operation of the DC/DC power converter to produce the module DC power output at substantially the maximum power point of the PV laminate. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150028679 | RENEWABLE ENERGY UNIT WITH SIMPLIFIED CONNECTION - The present invention relates to an electronic device comprising a power supply module connected to a converter system, wherein said power supply module comprises a plurality of elements for producing electricity from renewable energy connected in series and said elements for producing electricity from renewable energy are assembled in groups, characterised in that the converter system comprises a plurality of regulator circuits, each regulator circuit being connected to a group of elements for producing electricity from renewable energy so that each group of elements for producing electricity from renewable energy can be controlled separately. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150042166 | POWER CONVERSION DEVICE - A power conversion device able to supply a constant load voltage even when the voltage of a 3-phase alternating current power supply fluctuates. A series circuit formed of switching element Q | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150069841 | Photovoltaic System and Method for Operating a Photovoltaic System for Feeding Electrical Power into a Medium-Voltage Network - The disclosure relates to a method for operating a photovoltaic system for feeding a medium-voltage grid, wherein the photovoltaic system has a photovoltaic generator including a plurality of photovoltaic modules, at least one inverter and at least one medium-voltage transformer. The medium-voltage transformer is connected on the primary side directly to a low-voltage AC output of the inverter, the inverter is connected to the photovoltaic generator via a DC input, and the inverter permits reverse currents from the low-voltage AC output to the DC input. The method is characterized by the fact that in the event that there is insufficient generation of electric power for the feed by the photovoltaic modules, the inverter remains connected on the AC side to the medium-voltage grid via the medium-voltage transformer, and remains connected on the DC side to the photovoltaic generator. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150115718 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND SEMICONDUCTOR MODULE - A semiconductor device includes: a voltage-dividing resistor circuit including first and second resistors connected in series between a power supply potential and a reference potential and outputting a potential at a point of connection between the first and second resistors; a transient response detection circuit including a third resistor having a first end connected to the power supply potential and a capacitor connected between a second end of the third resistor and the reference potential, and outputting a potential at a point of connection between the third resistor and the capacitor; an AND circuit ANDing an output signal of the voltage-dividing resistor circuit and an output signal of the transient response detection circuit; and an output circuit, wherein switching of the output circuit is controlled by an output signal of the AND circuit. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150364912 | Secondary Power System and Power Supply Device - The present provides a secondary power system and a power supply device. The secondary power system is used for supplying power for a load equipment, and comprises: a fuse circuit, a filter circuit, a convertor circuit and an over-voltage and under-voltage protection circuit, wherein, the fuse circuit, the filter circuit, the over-voltage and under-voltage protection circuit and the convertor circuit are sequentially connected in series; the over-voltage and under-voltage protection circuit is configured to cut off power supplied to the convertor circuit when power supplied by the primary power source is an under-voltage or over-voltage; the convertor circuit is configured to convert the primary power source into a secondary power source. The secondary power system, by providing an over-voltage and under-voltage protection circuit, can not only lower the cost of the convertor circuit, but also save the space occupied by the convertor circuit. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20160064927 | POWER CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING AN INPUT POWER LIMIT OF A DC-DC VOLTAGE CONVERTER - A power control system for adjusting an input power limit of a DC-DC voltage converter is provided. The system includes a microprocessor that determines an amount of output power being output by a battery pack, an amount of available power in the battery pack, and an amount of input power being input to the DC-DC voltage converter. The microprocessor determines an amount of power being provided to the DC-AC inverter based on the amount of output power being output by the battery pack and the amount of input power being input to the DC-DC voltage converter. The microprocessor decreases the input power limit of the DC-DC voltage converter if a sum of the amount of power being provided to the DC-AC inverter and the amount of input power being input to the DC-DC voltage converter is greater than the amount of available power in the battery pack. | 03-03-2016 |
