| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20090015071 | POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS - In a power conversion apparatus that boosts a solar light voltage, converts it to AC and supplies AC power to a load or system, a second inverter is connected in series to one of two terminals on the AC side of a first inverter that uses, as its DC source, a DC voltage boosted from a solar light voltage by a chopper circuit. A third inverter is connected in series to the other terminal. Then, output voltages of the second and third inverters are controlled to be equal, and an output voltage is provided by using the sum of the generated voltages of the first, second, and third inverters. Thus, a mid-point potential of the DC power source is made equivalent to an intermediate potential of the output voltage of the power conversion apparatus, that is, the mid-point potential (ground potential) of a system. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090021081 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THREE-PHASE INVERTER WITH REDUCED ENERGY STORAGE - Methods and apparatus for a circuit including first and second energy sources, a rectifier coupled to the first and second energy sources, first and second energy storage devices coupled end-to-end across the positive and negative rails, and a single three-level inverter coupled to the rectifier for providing three-phase sinusoidal output voltages. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090212634 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING DC/DC CONVERTER, METHOD OF CONTROLLING DC/DC CONVERTER APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING DRIVING OPERATION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE - When a DC/DC converter switches between a primary voltage control mode, a secondary voltage control mode, and a current limiting mode as operation modes, an I-term resetting processor outputs an I term depending on the duty ratio in the operation mode before being switched to a PID processor. The PID processor performs a PID control process based on the input I term. A drive duty ratio setter outputs a drive duty ratio immediately after the control mode switching, which is substantially equal to the duty ratio in the operation mode before being switched. As a result, the duty ratios in the operation mode before being switched and the operation mode after being switched are made continuous with respect to each other. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090236915 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A power supply device of the present invention includes a switching element and a switch that operate so that when a primary DC voltage source of the device is in a voltage drop state, the power of a secondary auxiliary voltage source thereof is mixed with the power of the DC voltage source in a balanced manner and supplied to a load. This structure can reduce the maxim amount of power storage necessary for the auxiliary voltage source and thus the number of power storage elements necessary for the auxiliary voltage source. Thus, a smaller power supply device can be provided. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090261655 | HIGH VOLTAGE ARRAY CONVERTER - A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM” current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC. The array is configured as a series of stages, wherein the power sources within each stage are in parallel. The series of stages provides for a high voltage AC or DC output. In some embodiments a weak power source is compensated for by adjusting the voltage or the current of the weak power source. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20100045113 | POWER SOURCE DEVICE AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A DC high voltage power source is constituted by an AC-DC converting means ( | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100052428 | MULTI-CELL BATTERY SYSTEM, AND MANAGEMENT NUMBER NUMBERING METHOD - A multi-cell battery system includes a plurality of modules connected in series, each of the modules comprising a battery cell and a slave for monitoring a state of the battery cell, and a master for monitoring the state of the battery cell by communicating with the slave of each of the plurality of modules. The master transmits, in order, to the plurality of modules a series of numbers to be numbered on each module as a numbering signal. Each of the plurality of modules numbers the series of numbers in the series-connected order by receiving the numbering signal from the master and executing numbering based on number information contained in the numbering signal when receiving a numbering reception request signal for executing the numbering, and transmitting the numbering reception request signal to a module of a next stage in the series when the numbering is completed. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100072819 | Bi-directional DC to DC power converter having a neutral terminal - A bidirectional DC to DC power converter includes two DC sources, two inductors respectively connected to the two DC sources, a first switch and a second switch respectively connected to the two inductors, two capacitors respectively connected to the two switches, and a third switch connected between the two inductors. The first, second and third switches are respectively connected reversely with a diode in parallel. When the third switch is alternately turned on and off and the first and second switches are always turned off, the power converter operates as a boost power converter and electric energy flows from the two DC sources to the two capacitors. When the third switch is always turned off and the first and second switches are synchronously turned on or off, the power converter operates as a buck power converter and electric energy flows from the two capacitors to the two DC sources. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100109440 | SINGLE FAULT TOLERANT ISOLATED DUAL BUS POWER INPUT CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS - Single fault tolerant isolated dual bus power input circuits and systems are provided. One input circuit comprises a first bus and a second bus configured to be coupled to first and second power sources, respectively. The first bus includes first input and return lines, the first input or return line including a switch. The second bus includes second input and return lines, the second input or return line including two switches coupled in series. A system includes multiple power sources coupled to an electronic device via the input circuit discussed above. Another system includes multiple power sources, an electronic device, and an input circuit coupling the electronic device to the power sources. The input circuit includes multiple input lines coupling the electronic device to a respective power source, wherein each input line includes a switch coupled between the electronic device and each respective power source. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100127570 | Systems and Methods for Using a Power Converter for Transmission of Data over the Power Feed - Apparatuses and methods include a photovoltaic energy production unit to generate electricity. A local management unit is coupled between the photovoltaic energy production unit and a connection of energy production units forming a string bus. The local management unit includes a controller and switching circuitry. The controller provide a control for the switching circuitry to deliver electrical energy to the string bus. A communication transmission modulator is associated with the local management unit. The communication transmission modulator modulates the control with data to be transmitted from the local management unit over the string bus. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100127571 | Systems and Methods to Balance Solar Panels in a Multi-Panel System - Systems and methods to balance currents among a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series. In aspect, a management unit is coupled between a photovoltaic energy production unit and a string of energy production units. The management unit has an energy storage element (e.g., a capacitor) connected to the photovoltaic energy production unit. The management unit further has a switch to selectively couple to the energy storage element and the photovoltaic energy production unit to the string. The management unit allows the current in the string to be larger than the current in the photovoltaic energy production unit. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100156188 | Solar Photovoltaic Power Collection via High Voltage, Direct Current Systems with Conversion and Supply to an Alternating Current Transmission Network - Solar photovoltaic power is collected in a multiple nodal arrangement where the DC output voltage of each node is held constant while the DC current is allowed to vary based upon the maximum power point of the solar cells making up the solar power collectors in each node. The output of each solar power collection node is regulated by a node-isolated step-down current regulator that maintains a constant DC current output while the DC output voltage is allowed to vary. The outputs of all node-isolated step-down current regulators are connected together in series and fed to a plurality of regulated current source inverters that each convert input DC power into a three phase AC output. The AC outputs of the regulated current source inverters are connected to a phase shifting transformation network that supplies three phase electric power to a conventional AC electrical transmission system. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100156189 | COLLECTION OF ELECTRIC POWER FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES VIA HIGH VOLTAGE, DIRECT CURRENT SYSTEMS WITH CONVERSION AND SUPPLY TO AN ALTERNATING CURRENT TRANSMISSION NETWORK - Wind-generated electric power is collected in a multiple nodal arrangement where the DC output current of each node can be held constant while the DC output node voltage is allowed to vary. The DC outputs from the wind-generated power collection nodes are connected together in series and fed to a plurality of regulated current source inverters via a high voltage DC transmission link. Each inverter converts input DC power into a three phase AC output. The AC outputs of the regulated current source inverters are connected to a phase shifting transformation network that supplies three phase electric power to a conventional AC electrical transmission system. Alternatively wind-generated and photovoltaic-generated electric power is commonly collected in a nodal arrangement and transported at high voltage DC to a plurality of regulated current source inverters for supply to the conventional AC electrical transmission system. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100156190 | CURRENT PRODUCING CIRCUIT, CURRENT PRODUCING METHOD, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A current producing circuit includes a first current source that applies a first current, the first current being changed at a first rate with respect to a temperature, a second current source that applies a second current, the second current being changed at a second rate with respect to the temperature, the second rate being different from the first rate, a third current source that applies a third current, the third current being changed at a third rate with respect to the temperature, a first differential output unit that supplies a first differential current based on a difference between the first current and the second current, and a computing unit that adds or subtracts the first differential current to or from the third current. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100219690 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF POWER AT THE POINT OF MAXIMUM POWER - A control method and a control device for controlling a supply unit, which enable supply of the maximum power that can be delivered by a power source, the method includes the presence of an absolute maximum on the curve of the power as a function of the voltage at the connection terminals; the supply system set between the power source and the load is preferably a DC/DC switching converter. The control circuit identifies the optimal operating point, using the relation existing between the harmonic components of the power and the harmonic components of the voltage at the terminals of the source. Starting from any value of the voltage at the connection terminals, the control circuit increments the value of the voltage if, for a given value of the frequency, the power and the voltage at the connection terminals are in phase, whilst it decrements the value of the voltage if the power and the voltage are in phase opposition. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100237703 | PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT WITH MINIMIZED POWER COLLECTION LOSSES - A photovoltaic power plant design is disclosed where a two-tier DC power collection method is used in concert with specific array field geometries and equipment locations to minimize system wiring costs and/or resistive wiring losses. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100253149 | IMBALANCE IDENTIFYING CIRCUIT, POWER SOURCE APPARATUS AND IMBALANCE IDENTIFICATION METHOD - Provided is an imbalance identifying circuit, including: a voltage detection unit for detecting a terminal voltage in each of a plurality of accumulators; a gradient acquisition unit for performing gradient information acquisition processing of suspending charge when the plurality of accumulators are being charged and acquiring, from each of the terminal voltages detected by the voltage detection unit during the suspension of charge, voltage gradient information showing an amount of change per predetermined time of each of the terminal voltages; and an imbalance identification unit for identifying whether an imbalance of the amount of charge in the plurality of accumulators has occurred by using a plurality of pieces of voltage gradient information corresponding to each of the terminal voltages acquired by the gradient acquisition unit. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100259104 | BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A battery management system for use in multi-battery and/or multi-cell applications. The system comprises a wiring harness for connecting a plurality of batteries in an order having at least two end positions and at least one interior position, with each position being initially occupied by one of the batteries, and an interconnection mechanism connected to the harness and configured to modify the positions occupied by the batteries. The mechanism may be configured to measure a voltage of each battery and modify the positions when a voltage difference is detected. Alternatively, the mechanism may be configured to modify the positions each time a voltage drop is detected. The order may further comprise at least one out-of-service position, with the mechanism being configured to modify the positions such that the battery in the out-of-service position and at least one of the batteries in one of the end positions are reconnected to exchange positions. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100259105 | Connecting device for a photovoltaic solar module, method for the production thereof and solar installation with such a connecting device - A connecting device for connection to an electrical connection system of a photovoltaic solar module. The connecting device having a connector housing, at least one current-carrying component, and a plurality of diode bodies. The connector housing is positionable on the solar module, with at least one current-carrying component located in the connector housing. The plurality of diode bodies connect together with each other into a diode chain. The diode chain connects with at least one current-carrying component, and includes at least a first and second diode body, each being connected with a common diode lead. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100289337 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER MANAGEMENT - Methods and apparatuses for equalizing voltages across a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices. In a first configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a first set of the photovoltaic units. In a second configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a second set of the photovoltaic units. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches configured to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, to equalize the voltages across the photovoltaic units. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100289338 | Methods and Apparatuses for Photovoltaic Power Management - Methods and apparatuses for equalizing voltages across a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices. In a first configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a first set of the photovoltaic units, and a voltage across a first one of the energy storage devices has a first polarity. In a second configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a second set of the photovoltaic units, and the voltage across the first one of the energy storage devices has a second polarity that is different from the first polarity. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches configured to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, to equalize the voltages across the photovoltaic units. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100308660 | POWER HARVESTING CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR SERIALLY COUPLED DC POWER SOURCES - Circuitry and method for maximizing power from multiple DC power sources mutually coupled in series and providing unequal DC currents. Current related to the difference between the unequal DC currents is diverted from the serially coupled sources, captured as magnetic field energy and then added to the DC current provided by the serially coupled sources. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110018350 | POWER BACK-UP SYSTEM WITH A DC-DC CONVERTER - An electromechanical system is configured with power storage for power back-up to maintain substantially uninterrupted power in the case of a main power failure. The power back-up system has a DC power source configured to be recharged, and provides power to the components with a DC-DC converter. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110031812 | VOLTAGE DETECTION DEVICE AND POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM USING SAME - A voltage detection device has: a differential voltage detection circuit, which detects a potential difference across a pair of input terminals; a multiplexer which selects two electrode terminals among electrode terminals of a plurality of series-connected battery modules, and has a sampling switch for respectively connecting the two selected electrode terminals to first and second wiring lines; a flying capacitor circuit, which acquires a voltage across the first and second wiring lines, and outputs the voltage to the pair of input terminals; and a signal generator, which applies common-mode noise to the flying capacitor circuit. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110031813 | Method and Circuit Arrangement for Connecting at Least One String of a Photovoltaic System to an Inverter - A circuit arrangement in combination with a first string of series-connected solar modules separated into a first substring and a second substring is provided, wherein each substring includes a first terminal and a second terminal, and further in combination with a solar inverter configured to supply electrical energy from the solar modules to an AC power grid. The arrangement includes a first switch configured to selectively couple the first terminal of the first substring to a first power cable of the inverter, and a second switching circuit configured to selectively couple the second terminal of the first substring to a first terminal of the second substring at a center point, thereby coupling the first and second substrings to form the at least one string. The arrangement further includes a third switch configured to selectively couple the second terminal of the second substring to a second power cable of the inverter, and a shared actuator configured to open the first switch, the second switching circuit, and the third switch if a current between the center point and a circuit ground exceeds a threshold value. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110031814 | PV Sub-Generator Junction Box, PV Generator Junction Box, and PV Inverter for a PV System, and PV System - A photovoltaic (PV) sub-generator junction box ( | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110057515 | THREE PHASE POWER GENERATION FROM A PLURALITY OF DIRECT CURRENT SOURCES - A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its three output terminals, wherein the current of each terminal is one hundred twenty degrees out of phase with the other two terminals. The pulses are produced at a high frequency relative to the signal modulated on a sequence of pulses. The signal modulated onto a sequence of pulses may represent portions of a lower frequency sine wave or other lower frequency waveform, including DC. When each phased output is connected in parallel with the outputs of similar PAMCCs an array of PAMCCs is formed, wherein each voltage phased output pulse is out of phase with respect to a corresponding current output pulse of the other PAMCCs. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed three-phase multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC on each phase. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110062784 | Device for Distributed Maximum Power Tracking for Solar Arrays - The present invention is a system for providing power from solar cells whereby each cell or cell array is allowed to produce its maximum available power and converted by an operatively connected DC/DC converter. Each cell or cell array has its own DC/DC converter. In one form the system for providing power from solar cells includes one or more solar generators wherein each of said solar generators has one to nine solar cells; a maximum power tracker operatively associated with each solar generator, each of said maximum power tracker includes a buck type DC/DC converter without an output inductor, each of said maximum power trackers are operatively connected in series with each other; an inductor operatively connected to the series connected maximum power trackers; and means for providing electrical power from the inductor to load means, wherein each of said maximum power trackers is controlled so that the operatively associated solar generator operates at its maximum power point to extract maximum available power. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110068633 | PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT - A protective circuit for electrical connection to solar cells of a solar cell module is provided with a protective circuit that has a controlled electronic circuit arrangement. In this way, only minimal heating of the protective circuit for electrical connection of solar cells of a solar cell module occurs in operation. The controlled electronic circuit arrangement can have a trigger circuit and a switching arrangement which can be triggered by the trigger circuit, the switching arrangement being connected parallel to at least one solar cell, and in the case of shading of the solar cells, is at least temporarily activated by the trigger circuit so that a current bypass for the shaded solar cell is achieved. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110095612 | Method and apparatus to combine and condition AC power from multiple sources - This invention pertains to switching and combining more than one AC power supply using an internal controller that has external control and status functions available. The method taught in this invention is to convert all the AC power to DC, and, by varying the individual AC to DC converter output power, their contribution to the total power supplied is controlled, creating the ability to favor one source of electrical power instead of another. This is done under continuous control of a central controller that varies the DC output voltage of the individual AC to DC converter modules. The resulting DC power than goes to one or more invertors for conversion from DC to AC for general load consumption. An alternative embodiment has an electrical storage system in the DC portion of the system, so that a finite amount of energy can be stored and supplied at a later time, as needed and controlled by the central controller | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110095613 | SOLAR GENERATOR AND SOLAR CELL THEREOF DISTRIBUTIVELY PERFORMING MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING - A solar generator distributively performing maximum power point tracking (MPPT) has a plurality of solar cell modules formed by electrically connecting multiple solar cells, and a power conversion and transmission unit electrically connected with two power output terminals of the solar cell module. Each of the solar cells has a solar chip having two DC power output terminals and an MPPT unit having two power input terminals electrically connected with the two DC power output terminals, and two power output terminals. The solar generator performs MPPT associated with each solar cell, thereby ensuring the output power of the entire system a maximum power. When performing MPPT in a conventional inverter, maximum power of each solar cell is effectively acquired. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110115297 | PHOTOVOLTAIC ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF OPERATING A PHOTOVOLTAIC ASSEMBLY - A photovoltaic assembly is disclosed which comprises a string formed from a plurality of series-connected photovoltaic generators, and a hierarchical structure of power-exchange units, which each exchange power between neighbouring photovoltaic generators or groups of photovoltaic generators. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115298 | ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - In an electric power supply system, a plurality of batteries ( | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110121655 | INVERTER WITH UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY FOR WATER PUMP - An inverter with uninterruptible power supply for a water pump includes a plurality of DC cells connected in series to form a cell unit providing a DC power source approximately equal to a working voltage. A frequency conversion/voltage stabilizing circuit has an input side electrically connected to the DC power source and an output side electrically connected to a water pump. The frequency conversion/voltage stabilizing circuit is capable of providing conversion between AC and DC and changing output AC power frequency and output voltage. The output side outputs an AC power with an AC working voltage to the water pump. The effect and operational stability of the water pump can be enhanced. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110127839 | SOLAR POWER GENERATION DEVICE - A transmitting circuit is connected to a power line at current flow-in sides to solar battery strings, and a receiving circuit is connected to the power line at current flow-out sides to the solar battery strings. An attenuating circuit connected in series to a bypass diode is provided in a bypass circuit. The transmitting circuit transmits a periodic signal of a predetermined frequency to the power line. The receiving circuit receives via the solar battery strings a transmission signal transmitted from the transmitting circuit to the power line. A determining circuit determines that, when it is detected that an amplitude of a transmission signal received by the receiving circuit is attenuated by a predetermined value or more, direct-current power is conducted to the bypass circuit. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110140528 | CABLE BUS - A photovoltaic array cable bus system can include a cable bus and at least one electrical connector. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140529 | Battery Unit Arrangement For High Voltage Applications, Connector And Disconnector Arrangement And Method - A battery unit arrangement for high voltage applications. The battery unit arrangement includes a battery unit having a battery chassis, and a switching device. The switching device includes switching mechanism for switching the battery chassis between two positions, a first position connecting the battery chassis to a pole of the battery unit | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140530 | Power Apparatus For A High Voltage Electrical Power System - A power apparatus for a high voltage electrical power system, that includes a voltage source converter and a high voltage dc power source including one or more strings having a plurality of dc power source members connected in series, and switches configured to connect and disconnect the strings, where the switches are solid-state switches, each string is subdivided into a plurality of dc power source units each dc power source unit including a plurality of dc power source members connected in series and each dc power source unit is provided with one of the solid-state switches configured to connect and disconnect the dc power source unit, and that all solid-state switches in the string are arranged so that they are turned on and off simultaneously. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140531 | Systems, Circuits, and Methods for Voltage Matching of an Adaptive Solar Power System - A back sheet comprises an interconnect circuit coupling a plurality of solar cell tiles. A tiled solar cell, comprising a solar cell and encapsulating and glass layers, is inserted into the solar cell tiles. Each solar cell is individually addressable through the use of the interconnect circuit. Moreover, the interconnect circuit is programmable and allows for dynamic interconnect routing between solar cells. As such, the interconnect circuit may be programmed to couple solar cells to generate a solar cell string that matches a desired voltage specification. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140532 | Systems, Circuits, and Methods For Generating a Solar Cell String of an Adaptive Solar Power System - A back sheet comprises an interconnect circuit coupling a plurality of solar cell tiles. A tiled solar cell, comprising a solar cell and encapsulating and glass layers, is inserted into the solar cell tiles. Each solar cell is individually addressable through the use of the interconnect circuit, The interconnect circuit is programmable and allows for dynamic interconnect routing between solar cells. As such, the dynamic interconnect routing may be configured so as to create strings of solar cells such that solar cells with an output specification are matched to solar cells with similar output specifications. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110148210 | Systems, Circuits, and Methods For Reconfiguring Solar Cells of an Adaptive Solar Power System - A back sheet comprises an interconnect circuit coupling a plurality of solar cell tiles. A tiled solar cell, comprising a solar cell and encapsulating and glass layers, is inserted into the solar cell tiles. Each solar cell is individually monitored and addressed through the use of the interconnect circuit. As such, each solar cell and the interconnect circuit may be programmed or reconfigured through reconfiguration of the interconnect circuit. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110193413 | Battery Control Device and Battery System - A battery control device for a battery module includes a plurality of integrated circuits. Each integrated circuit includes: a constant voltage circuit that lowers a total voltage of a battery cell group corresponding to the integrated circuit to an integrated circuit internal voltage; a signal generation circuit that generates, based upon a first signal provided by a higher-order control circuit, a second signal assuming a wave height value different from a wave height value of the first signal and outputs the second signal; and a startup circuit that includes a first comparator assuming a first decision-making threshold value corresponding to the first signal and a second comparator assuming a second decision-making threshold value corresponding to the second signal, and starts up the constant voltage circuit in response to a change in an output from at least either the first comparator or the second comparator. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110204722 | VOLTAGE EQUALIZATION CIRCUIT FOR ELECTRIC ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE - The present invention is aimed at providing a simple and inexpensive device for equalizing voltage between electric energy storage cells such as batteries or capacitors connected in serial in an electric energy storage device. The invention provides a voltage equalization device that enables voltage equalization between the electric energy storage cells by transferring the electric energy of a high voltage electric energy storage cells to a low voltage electric energy storage cell through at least one voltage equalization cell. The voltage equalization circuit according to the invention comprises: a serial string of plural electric energy storage cells connected in a serial; at least one string of voltage equalization cells which includes at least one voltage equalization cell; plural 1 | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110254373 | APPARATUS FOR INVERTING DC VOLTAGE TO AC VOLTAGE - An apparatus for inverting DC voltage to AC voltage by stacking of DC voltage sources from a series of DC voltage sources comprises a plurality of circuits. Each circuit includes a first power switch, a second power switch, and a third power switch. The first power switch allows selective connection of adjacent DC voltage sources in the series to provide stacking of DC voltage sources. The second power switch allows selective connection of a first bus to a corresponding location between adjacent DC voltage sources. The third power switch allows selective connection of a second bus to a corresponding location between adjacent DC voltage sources. Controlling the plurality of power switches produces an AC voltage output by coordinating stacking of DC voltage sources and associated connections to the first bus and the second bus. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110273023 | BATTERY APPARATUS - A battery apparatus includes a row battery group including a plurality of series-connected row batteries including one or more battery cells; a plurality of battery management sections, corresponding to the individual row batteries, for managing the battery statuses of the corresponding row batteries; a central management section for granting unique identification information to the individual battery management sections and acquiring information about the battery statuses of the row batteries from the respective battery management sections for management; second communication lines with which the plurality of battery management sections are daisy-chained; a first communication line with which, of the plurality of battery management sections, the battery management section located at one end is connected to the central management section; and a plurality of connection switching sections, provided in the individual second communication lines between the battery management sections, for switching the connection and disconnection between the battery management sections. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110278935 | Ripple Cancellation - Systems, methods and devices for power generation systems are described. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to the architecture of power conditioning systems for use with fuel cells and methods used therein. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems usable to reduce ripple currents in fuel cells. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110291485 | STACKED POWER SUPPLY MONITOR WITH SENSE-REPLICA LOOP - An apparatus includes a sense module configured to be coupled to at least one power supply, where the sense module has a first leg. The apparatus also includes a replica module having a second leg, where the first and second legs have a common structure. The apparatus further includes a feedback loop configured to cause an output voltage across terminals of the replica module to at least substantially equal an input voltage across terminals of the sense module based on sense currents in the first and second legs. At least one cascode stage coupled to the sense module can be configured to reduce a voltage at which one or more signals from the sense module are referenced. One or more trim units can be used to reduce a gain error and/or an offset error between the input voltage and the output voltage. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110291486 | METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTED POWER HARVESTING USING DC POWER SOURCES - A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110304213 | Method for Use of Static Inverters in Variable Energy Generation Environments - A method to collect energy from generation systems such as, for example, wind farms or solar farms with widely distributed energy-generation equipment. In some cases, static inverters are used to feed the energy directly into the power grid. In some other cases, back-to-back static inverters are used create a high-voltage DC transmission line to collect power from multiple generation sites into one feed-in site. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110316342 | SOLAR POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A power generation system includes integrated photovoltaic (PV) panels. Each of the integrated PV panel includes photovoltaic cells, a junction coupler coupling the photovoltaic cells in series, in parallel, or in combinations thereof, output terminals, and a DC to AC converter coupled between the junction coupler and the output terminals. The DC to AC converter includes switching devices and the integrated PV panels are coupled in series at the respective output terminals. A controller is provided in the power generation system for generation switching command signals for the switching devices of the integrated PV panels to synthesize an output voltage of the power generation system. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110316343 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE WITH INTEGRATED DIAGNOSTICS - A photovoltaic module ( | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110316344 | INDUCTIVE CELL BALANCING - An energy storage cell arrangement has a shared inductor ( | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110316345 | SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE ENERGY STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A propulsion system comprising an electric drive, a DC link electrically coupled to the electric drive, and a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric drive, the first energy storage system comprising at least a high specific-power energy storage device is shown. The propulsion system further includes a second energy storage system, wherein a first terminal of the second energy storage system is electrically coupled to the electric drive through the DC link and a second terminal of the second energy storage system is coupled in series with a terminal of the high specific-power energy storage device. A multi-channel bi-directional boost converter is coupled to the first energy storage system and to the second energy storage system, wherein the connection between the terminal of the high specific-power energy storage device and the second terminal of the second energy storage system bypasses the multi-channel bi-directional boost converter. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120025617 | Connecting Mechanism Arrangeable To A Photovoltaic Module - A connecting device which can be arranged relative to a photovoltaic module for the purpose of electrically connecting a plurality of photovoltaic modules to one another and/or to an inverter device comprising at least a housing. The housing includes a first housing element and a second housing element; first connection devices for electrical connection to the photovoltaic module arranged in the first housing element; and second connection devices for electrical connection to a further connecting device or to the inverter device of a semiconductor circuit having at least one semiconductor component arranged in the second housing element. The connecting device further includes first contact devices, which are associated with the first housing element, and second contact devices, which are associated with the second housing element. The semiconductor circuit arrangement can be electrically connected to the first connection devices. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025618 | Thin-Film Photovoltaic Power Element with Integrated Low-Profile High-Efficiency DC-DC Converter - A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the DC/DC converter are integrated into a photovoltaic package. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120032517 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A voltage drop of an output voltage of a DC-DC converter, caused by a wiring resistance, can properly be compensated at low cost. The DC-DC converter is connected to a low-voltage battery through an ignition switch and started up by the ignition switch. A transformation unit transforms a voltage inputted from a high-voltage battery and supplies the voltage to the low-voltage battery. A control circuit calculates a wiring resistance between the transformation unit and the low-voltage battery based on the voltage inputted from the low-voltage battery through the ignition switch in connecting the ignition switch and an output voltage and an output current of the transformation unit. The control circuit corrects a command value of the output voltage of the transformation unit based on the calculated wiring resistance to control the output voltage of the transformation unit. The invention can be applied to a DC-DC converter for electric-powered vehicle. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120038214 | SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE ENERGY STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A system for multiple energy storage and management includes a propulsion system includes an electric drive and a direct current (DC) link electrically and a first energy storage system coupled to the electric drive. The first energy storage system includes a low specific-power energy storage device (ESD). A coupling device is coupled to a first terminal of the low specific-power ESD and a second energy storage system, wherein a first terminal of the second energy storage system is electrically coupled to the electric drive through the DC link and a second terminal of the second energy storage system is coupled to the coupling device. A boost converter assembly is coupled to the first and second energy storage systems. The coupling device couples the second terminal of the second energy storage system to the first terminal of the low specific-power ESD in a series connection that bypasses the boost converter assembly. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120038215 | SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE ENERGY STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A propulsion system includes an electric drive, a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric drive through a DC link, and a second energy storage system electrically coupled to the first energy storage system in a series connection. The first energy storage system comprises a high specific-energy storage device; the second energy storage system comprises a high specific-power storage device. The propulsion system also includes a bi-directional boost converter electrically coupled to the first and second energy storage systems such that a terminal of the first energy storage system is electrically coupled to a low voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter and a first terminal of the second energy storage system is coupled to a high voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter. The series connection bypasses the bi-directional boost converter. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120038216 | SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE ENERGY STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A propulsion system includes an electric drive, a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric drive through a DC link, and a second energy storage system electrically coupled to the first energy storage system in a series connection. The first energy storage system comprises a high specific-energy storage device and the second energy storage system comprises a low specific-power storage device. The propulsion system also includes a third energy storage system comprising a high specific-energy storage device electrically coupled to the second energy storage system. A bi-directional boost converter is electrically coupled to the second and third energy storage systems such that a terminal of the third energy storage system is electrically coupled to a low voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter and a terminal of the second energy storage system is coupled to a high voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120043818 | Switching Circuits For Extracting Power From An Electric Power Source And Associated Methods - An electric power system includes N electric power sources and N switching circuits, where N in an integer greater than one. Each switching circuit includes an input port electrically coupled to a respective one of the N electric power sources, an output port, and a first switching device adapted to switch between its conductive and non-conductive states to transfer power from the input port to the output port. The output ports of the N switching circuits are electrically coupled in series and to a load to establish an output circuit. Each of the N switching circuits uses an interconnection inductance of the output circuit as a primary energy storage inductance of the switching circuit. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120062036 | Camera Controlled Solar Cells Array - A system and a method for improving the operation, utility, and exploitation of solar cell fields are introduced. The system includes all or parts of the following: a solar cells array, an interconnect matrix, a measuring sub-system for measuring environmental conditions as ambient temperature and/or ambient wind speed, and/or ambient wind direction, a direct current to alternating current inverter, a measuring sub-system for measuring on-line (instantaneous) values of working points of solar cells, and/or solar panels, and/or a group of solar panels, a camera pointed at the all of solar panels or groups of solar panels, and a digital processor that using the measured environmental conditions and the measured on-line working points data evaluates the solar cells array's maximum power point; and using partial or full meandering of the solar cells in the solar cells array, achieves near-optimal performance of the solar cells array. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120112550 | BOOST CONVERTER WITH MULTIPLE INPUTS AND INVERTER CIRCUIT - A boost converter with a multiple input and with improved efficiency has two or more inputs. A DC voltage source can be connected to each input. A common output carries a DC voltage whose value is greater than or equal to that of the input voltages. The common output is in each case connected to each of the plurality of inputs via a positive lead branch and a negative lead branch. At least one inductor is arranged in the positive lead branch and/or the negative lead branch from each input, and at least one rectification element is arranged in the positive lead branch and/or the negative lead branch from each input. Furthermore, the inputs can be connected in series by means of two or more switching elements via the inductors, wherein at least two of the inductors can in each case be connected in parallel. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120119584 | Systems and Method for Limiting Maximum Voltage in Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems - Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for regulating or limiting the voltage output from solar modules connected in series such that the voltage on a string bus connecting those solar modules does not exceed regulatory or safety limitations. This can be accomplished via a controller, local management units (for downconverting solar module voltage output), or a combination of the two. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120126624 | HIGH EFFICIENCY WIDE LOAD RANGE BUCK/BOOST/BRIDGE PHOTOVOLTAIC MICRO-CONVERTER - Series strings of photovoltaic (PV) modules with integrated dc-dc microconverters that can function in buck, boost, or an intermediate bridge mode based on the load can harvest more energy than conventional central-inverter architectures, especially when the arrays are partially shaded or when the modules are mismatched. The integrated multi-mode dc-dc converter includes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm that can track the true MPP, even when a PV module becomes partially-shaded, without scanning the entire output voltage range. The algorithm compares power levels only at a voltage that occurs when a bypass diode bypasses a portion of an associated PV module, and multiples thereof. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120146420 | Device for Distributed Maximum Power Tracking for Solar Arrays - A system for providing power from solar cells whereby each cell or cell array is allowed to produce its maximum available power and converted by an operatively connected DC/DC converter. Each cell or cell array has its own DC/DC converter. In one form the system includes one or more solar generators wherein each solar generator has one to nine solar cells; a maximum power tracker operatively associated with each solar generator, each maximum power tracker including a buck type DC/DC converter without an output inductor, each maximum power tracker being operatively connected in series with each other; an inductor operatively connected to the series connected maximum power trackers; and means for providing electrical power from the inductor to load means, wherein each maximum power tracker is controlled so that the operatively associated solar generator operates at its maximum power point to extract maximum available power. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120161526 | DC POWER SOURCE CONVERSION MODULES, POWER HARVESTING SYSTEMS, JUNCTION BOXES AND METHODS FOR DC POWER SOURCE CONVERSION MODULES - A DC power source conversion module is provided, including a DC power source module and a DC to DC conversion module. The DC to DC conversion module includes a DC to DC converter and a control module. The DC to DC converter is powered by the DC power source module to generate an output signal. The control module senses a responding signal of the DC to DC conversion module and controls the DC to DC converter according to the sensed responding signal, such that the DC power source conversion module is operated at a predetermined output power, in which the responding signal responds to the output signal of the DC to DC converter. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120175959 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR IMPROVED CONTROLLABILITY OF FUEL CELL STACKS - Exemplary systems and methods for adjusting current values in a fuel cell system for producing electricity with fuel cells, include drawing major part of the current from at least one serial connection. An adjusting circuit adjusts current values by drawing or supplying current of at least one stack of individual fuel cell stacks or current of at least one group of the groups of stacks within the serial connection. The adjusting circuit is integrated with the at least one stack of individual fuel cell stacks or with the at least one group of the groups of stacks. Compensation current of the at least one stack or group is a small percentage of a major part of the current in the serial connection of stacks. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120175960 | Battery Management System and Method - A battery management system for use in multi-battery and/or multi-cell applications, including a wiring harness for connecting a plurality of batteries in an order having at least two end positions and at least one interior position, with each position being initially occupied by one of the batteries, and an interconnection mechanism connected to the harness and configured to modify the positions occupied by the batteries. The mechanism may be configured to measure a voltage of each battery and modify the positions when a voltage difference is detected. Alternatively, the mechanism may be configured to modify the positions each time a voltage drop is detected. The order may further comprise at least one out-of-service position, with the mechanism being configured to modify the positions such that the battery in the out-of-service position and at least one of the batteries in one of the end positions are reconnected to exchange positions. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120193989 | OPERATING DIRECT CURRENT (DC) POWER SOURCES IN AN ARRAY FOR ENHANCED EFFICIENCY - In a solar panel array that includes a string of series-connected panels, the load current flowing through the string is measured. The peak current (Ipp) of a panel in the string is determined. A current equal to the difference of the load current and the peak current (Ipp) is generated in a current source connected across the output terminals of the panel. The panel is thereby operated at its maximum power point (MPP). To determine the peak current (Ipp) of the panel, the magnitude of current flowing through the panel is iteratively changed and the corresponding power generated by the panel is computed. The change in the current through the panel and the measurement of the corresponding power are repeated until a maximum power is determined as being generated by the panel. The maximum power corresponds to the maximum power point (MPP) and the peak current (Ipp) of the panel. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120200163 | ELECTRIC ENERGY STORAGE APPARATUS CAPABLE OF AC OUTPUT - An electric energy storage apparatus can generate an AC output in a low-loss and low-noise manner without using a DC-DC converter or an inverter. The electric energy storage apparatus comprises: an electric energy storage module group formed by connecting in series electric energy storage modules each comprising one or more electric energy storage elements; a balancing circuit electrically connected to the electric energy storage module group and configured to adjust a voltage to be applied to each of the electric energy storage modules; a first switch group comprising switches each in a path connecting a first terminal and a terminal of one of the series-connected electric energy storage modules; and a second switch group comprising switches each in a path connecting a second terminal and a terminal of one of the series-connected electric energy storage modules. The electric energy storage apparatus may perform a switch changeover in the switch groups. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120205983 | THREE-LEVEL POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS - Wiring between semiconductor modules and a direct current power supply circuit, which construct a three-level power conversion apparatus, is made to be low inductance, so that reduction in size and cost can be attained easily. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120205984 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A power supply device includes battery interfaces configured to removably receive at least three batteries and a connection circuit configured to electrically connect the at least three batteries to each other. The connection circuit is capable of connecting at least two batteries in parallel and connecting at least one other battery to the at least two parallel-connected batteries in series. According to this power supply device, it is possible to supply high power to an electric device by connecting the batteries in series. In addition, it is possible to supply almost all of the electric power stored in the batteries to the electric device, even if amount of the remaining electric power in each battery is substantially uneven. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120217813 | Storage Battery System and Storage Battery Module - A storage battery system in which multiple storage battery modules are connected in series and such that deteriorated storage battery modules may be made replaceable without causing dielectric breakdown. The storage battery system is one that has multiple storage battery modules connected in series and has a mechanism of, when the storage battery module is detached, disconnecting power source line connected to the storage battery modules after disconnecting communication line connected to the storage battery modules. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120223581 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWERING AN APPLIANCE - A battery operated vacuum cleaner is provided with one or more principal batteries and one or more supplemental batteries. The batteries and a controller are configured such that as the power provided by the principal batteries drops, one or more of the supplemental batteries is operative connected to provide power to the appliance. A method for providing a substantially constant level of power to an appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, using a plurality of power sources comprises providing power from a principal power source connected to the appliance; monitoring an operating voltage supplied to the appliance to detect if the operating voltage is below a predetermined threshold voltage level; and upon detecting that the operating voltage is below the predetermined threshold voltage level, providing power from k of n supplemental power sources connected to the appliance, where k and n are positive integers, and k is less than or equal to n. Optionally, upon detecting that the operating voltage is below the predetermined threshold voltage level and where k is equal to n, the principal and supplemental power sources are disengaged from the appliance. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120228945 | POWER CONVERTER - A power converter can be configured of a first series circuit, formed from a first semiconductor switching element and a second semiconductor switching element connected in series to either end of a direct current voltage supply series circuit formed from a first direct current voltage supply and a second direct current voltage supply connected in series, and a second series circuit, formed from a third semiconductor switching element and a fourth semiconductor switching element connected in series between a connection point of the first direct current voltage supply and the second direct current voltage supply and a connection point of the first semiconductor switching element and the second semiconductor switching element. The first semiconductor switching element and the third semiconductor switching element can be configured of a first semiconductor device, and the second semiconductor switching element and the fourth semiconductor switching element can be configured of a second semiconductor device. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120235494 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BALANCING ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES - A system for balancing a series connection of energy storage devices having: an intermediate storage element coupled between a pair of sections of one or a number of adjacent energy storage devices of a series connection of energy storage devices, sections each having a more positive terminal (A) at one end and a more negative terminal (B) at its other end; and a switching device for switching sequentially between coupling terminals (A) to each other via intermediate storage element and coupling terminals (B) to each other via intermediate storage element wherein the sections are non-adjacent. A method for balancing a series connection between energy storage devices is also disclosed. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120242152 | METHOD FOR SEARCHING GLOBAL MAXIMUM POWER POINT - An exemplary method is disclosed for searching a global maximum power point in an arrangement comprising a series connection of photovoltaic power sources. The method can include determining a value of a reference by adding an increment to a previous value of the reference, wherein the value of the increment is determined on the basis of the power produced by the power sources. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120242153 | DC Power Source For A High Voltage Power Apparatus - A dc power source for a high voltage power apparatus, the dc power source including one or more strings including a plurality of dc power source units connected in series, and switches configured to connect and disconnect said strings. The switches are solid-state switches distributed among the power source units of each string, and all solid-state switches in the string are arranged so that they are turned on and off simultaneously. Each switch is connected in parallel with a first controllable semiconductor in a first direction and connected in parallel with a second controllable semiconductor in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction, and the dc power source includes a control unit configured to bypass a failed switch by triggering the forward biased of the first or second controllable semiconductor connected to the failed switch in case a fault in the switch is detected. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120261996 | PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM WITH OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION - A photovoltaic system having a photovoltaic generator, whose strings with series-connected photovoltaic modules have a positive pole and a negative pole, and with an inverter whose DC input is connected to the two poles. The voltage of the positive pole and/or of the negative pole is measured with respect to ground, and a first switching element located between the positive pole and the DC input of the inverter and/or a second switching element located between the negative pole and the DC input of the inverter is opened, while a third switching element located between the positive pole and the negative pole is closed, when the voltage of the positive pole or of the negative pole exceeds a predefined first or second limit value. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120274142 | BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM WITH SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION, AND METHOD - A battery energy storage system including a control unit and a plurality of battery units. The battery units are arranged in series, and each battery unit includes a semiconductor switch and a battery module including a plurality of battery cells. Each battery module is connected in series with a respective semiconductor switch, and the control unit is operatively connected to the semiconductor switch and adapted to control the semiconductor switch of every battery unit. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120280571 | VOLTAGE COMPENSATION - An apparatus is provided for producing a compensated voltage output comprising at least one photovoltaic module biasing means connected in series with the at least one photovoltaic module. The biasing means is operable to generate a controllable bias voltage for modulating an output voltage of the at least one photovoltaic module to produce the compensated voltage output. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120280572 | BATTERY SYSTEMS AND CONTROLLERS - A battery system includes battery cells and a control circuit having a control pin. The control circuit determines a condition of the battery cells according to cell parameters of the battery cells. The control circuit compares a voltage at the control pin with a first voltage threshold to select an operation mode from a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the control circuit compares the voltage at the control pin with a second voltage threshold and generates a control signal based on a result of the comparison, such that the control signal is generated if the battery cells remain in the condition for a time period that reaches a first time threshold. In the second mode, the control circuit generates the control signal if the battery cells remain in the condition for a time period that reaches a second time threshold. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120286578 | SERIES-PARALLEL RECONFIGURABLE CELL VOLTAGE EQUALIZATION CIRCUIT DESIGNED USING MOSFET AS SWITCHES THEREOF, AND DRIVER CIRCUIT THEREOF - [Object] It is an object to provide a circuit for equalizing voltages of energy storage cells, with less number of element and simpler circuit configuration than ever before. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120293003 | CELL CAPACITY ADJUSTING DEVICE - Provided is a cell capacity adjusting device for reducing fluctuations in state of charge (SOC) among cells of a battery pack | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120299384 | ENERGY STORAGE AND GENERATION SYSTEMS - This disclosure relates to energy storage and generation systems, e.g., combination of flow battery and hydrogen fuel cell, that exhibit operational stability in harsh environments, e.g., both charging and discharging reactions in a regenerative fuel cell in the presence of a halogen ion or a mixture of halogen ions. This disclosure also relates to energy storage and generation systems that are capable of conducting both hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) and hydrogen oxidation reactions (HORs) in the same system. This disclosure further relates to energy storage and generation systems having low cost, fast response time, and acceptable life and performance. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120313440 | SOLAR SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC POWER - A solar power generation system for providing operating power for a desired application, the system includes one or more solar-array modules, wherein each of the one or more solar-array modules includes a multiplicity of solar cells and a high efficiency DC to DC power converter. The multiplicity of solar cells is arranged in strings of serial-units electrically connected in parallel to form a crisscross matrix array of solar cells, which matrix allows currents to bypass malfunctioning cells, thereby improving the performance of the system. The power converter includes fast MOSFET transistors having duty cycle that is operationally constant and is almost 50%. Optionally, the power converter includes a plus conductive pad and a minus conductive pad, wherein each of the strings of serial-units is individually wired to the plus conductive pad and the minus conductive pad. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120319489 | Power Shuffling Solar String Equalization System - A photovoltaic (PV) array system may include multiple PV strings, each PV string including respective PV panels coupled in series. Each PV string may be coupled in series with a first terminal of a respective string equalizer module. The string equalizer module may equalize a maximum power-point voltage (V | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120319490 | Parallel Connected Inverters - A distributed power system wherein a plurality of power converters are connected in parallel and share the power conversion load according to a prescribed function, but each power converter autonomously determines its share of power conversion. Each power converter operates according to its own power conversion formula/function, such that overall the parallel-connected converters share the power conversion load in a predetermined manner. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130002030 | BATTERY MONITOR CIRCUIT, STORAGE APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLE, AND POWER SYSTEM - A battery monitor circuit includes a first monitoring unit for detecting voltages of battery cells in a first group, a second monitoring unit for detecting voltages of battery cells in a second group, and a current cancellation unit for canceling a difference between first and second currents that flow through the first and second monitoring units, respectively. One terminal of a series connection of the battery cells in the first and second groups and one terminal of the first monitoring unit are connected, the other terminal of the first monitoring unit and one terminal of the second monitoring unit are connected, and the other terminal of the second monitoring unit and the other terminal of the series connection are connected. The current cancellation unit is disposed between a connection point between the first and second monitoring units and a middle connection point in the middle of the series connection. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130009483 | POWER GENERATOR MODULE CONNECTIVITY CONTROL - A remote resource can be configured to control connectivity of the power generator modules in a string. For example, a respective power generator module can include a current sense circuit that monitors for presence of communication signal. The power generator module can monitor for a presence of a remotely generated control signal over power line that is used by the respective power generator module to convey power to the external load. If the control signal is present on the power line, as generated by the remote resource, the control circuit in the respective power generator module activates the switch to an ON state such that respective activated power generator module is connected in series with the other activated power generator modules. If no keep-alive control signal is detected within a timeout period, the controller deactivates the respective power generator module. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130009484 | Green Power Converter - The invention discloses a green power converter which omits the pulse width modulation (PWM) technique in the traditional power converter, does not have high-frequency power device, does not generate EMI interference, simultaneously adopts the symmetry basic primitive (SBP) technique, the amplitude high modulate (AHM) technique and the dynamic rectification (DR) technique, and only needs to perform traditional power conversion on a small part of the input power so as to acquire the whole output power, namely that a large part of the output power neither need traditional power conversion nor need to pass through a magnetic core transformer. The input AC voltage neither needs to be rectified and filtered nor has large inductance and large capacitance, thus the power factor is 1, and the total harmonic distortion (THD) is 0. A transformer secondary side adopts dynamic rectification, can acquire a DC circuit, and can also acquire an AC voltage. The circuit complexity, the power consumption and the failure rate of the whole green power converter are greatly lowered, and the power converter can be applied in all the fields to replace the traditional power converter. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130026840 | Systems and Methods to Reduce the Number and Cost of Management Units of Distributed Power Generators - Apparatuses and methods for configuring and managing solar panels to form strings of photovoltaic energy generators with improved performance and reduced cost. The photovoltaic energy generators are connected via one or more combined local management units (CLMUs), each having a plurality of direct current converters connected to and configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel. A controller unit shared by the CLMU's direct current converters is utilized to separately control the operation of each converter such that the power extracted from the solar panels is maximized. A communications unit coupled with the controller unit is utilized to facilitate communications between the controller unit and a system unit remote from the CLMU to report measurements and receive control signals. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130026841 | Voltage Source Converter And A Method For Fault Handling Thereof - A voltage source converter having a plurality of cell modules connected in series, each cell module including a converter unit having an ac-side and a dc-side, and the voltage source converter includes a control unit adapted to control the converter units, where at least one of the cell modules includes a second redundant converter unit having an ac-side which is connected in parallel with the ac-side of the first converter unit and the control unit is configured to substantially synchronously control the first and the second converter units. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130033113 | PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS WITH VOLTAGE BALANCERS - A photovoltaic module includes N sub-modules electrically connected to each other such that the negative terminal of any one but the last sub-module is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the immediate next sub-module, and N−1 voltage balancers, each having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal. The second and third terminals of any one but the last voltage balancer are electrically connected to the third and first terminal of the immediate next voltage balancer, respectively. The first terminal of the first voltage balancer is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the first sub-module. The second terminal of the last voltage balancer is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the last sub-module. The third terminal of the j-th voltage balancer is electrically connected to both the negative terminal of the j-th sub-module and the positive terminal of the (j+1)-th sub-module. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130062955 | ELECTRIC POWER TOOL POWERED BY BATTERY PACK AND ADAPTER THEREFOR - An adapter is provided with a connecter portion configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the electric power tool and at least one battery receiving portion configured to be detachably attached to the battery pack. The battery pack attached to the battery receiving portion is electrically coupled with the main body of the power tool attached to the connecter portion via a power supply circuit of the adapter. The adapter is provided with a measuring portion configured to measure an index corresponding to a charged level of the battery pack and a signal receiving portion configured to receive an alarm signal outputted from the battery pack, and is configured to stop or restrict power supply to the main body of the electric power tool based upon a measurement by the measuring portion and the alarm signal that is received. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130076144 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIMITING PHOTOVOLTAIC STRING VOLTAGE - A system and method are provided for enabling a PV inverter to be connected to a string of series connected PV modules without exposing the inverter to elevated voltage stresses. The input voltage to the inverter is gradually built up by sequentially switching in more series PV modules. This system and method are simple to implement in both centralized and distributed PV power plants and in either case, it significantly increases the utilization of the PV inverter. The input switching elements can be implemented using a wide variety of parts including electro-mechanical switches, semiconductor switches (IGBTs, MOSFETs . . . , etc.) as well as MEMS devices depending on the current level and target cost. A mix of switches can also be used to assist in minimizing impedance of the final switching stage that remains connected during normal operation. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130076145 | CAPACITOR CIRCUIT FOR ARRAYS OF POWER SOURCES SUCH AS MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS - An electronic circuit to increase voltages from one or more energy sources. The electronic circuit can include a first set of capacitors and a second set of capacitors, and a first set of switches associated with the first set of capacitors and a second set of switches associated with the second set of capacitors. Also included is at least one energy source and an external load. The first and second set of capacitors, first and second set of switches, the at least one energy source, and the external load are arranged and connected such that the first set of capacitors is connected to the at least one energy source in parallel while the second set of capacitors is connected to the external load in series, and vice versa. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130093248 | INDUCTOR-BASED ACTIVE BALANCING FOR BATTERIES AND OTHER POWER SUPPLIES - A system includes multiple power supplies connected in series and an active balancing circuit. The active balancing circuit includes an LC resonance circuit and multiple switches configured to selectively couple different ones of the power supplies to the LC resonance circuit. The LC resonance circuit includes an inductor, a capacitor, and an additional switch. The inductor is configured to store energy to be transferred between two or more of the power supplies. The additional switch is configured to selectively create a resonance between the inductor and the capacitor in order to reverse a direction of a current flow through the inductor. The active balancing circuit can transfer energy between individual power supplies or groups of power supplies. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130099575 | POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - A power distribution system includes: a master cell; a plurality of power cells, each power cell including a plurality of nodes capable of delivering power to a load; a maintenance cell configured to present at least one of (i) information to be forwarded to the plurality of power cells or (ii) information received from the plurality of power cells; and a communication bus for distribution of data between at least one of the master cell and one of the power cells or the power cells themselves. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130106194 | INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL WITH SECTIONAL MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130154379 | ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE, SYSTEM WITH ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING AN ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE - An energy storage device. An energy supply branch, with a plurality of energy storage modules is connected in series via first module connections along a first energy supply line and via second module connections along a second energy supply line. The energy storage modules include an energy storage cell module having an energy storage cell, a first coupling device having first coupling elements, configured to switch or bypass the energy storage cell module selectively between the first module connections, and a second coupling device having second coupling elements, which are designed to switch or bypass the energy storage cell module selectively between the second module connections. The energy storage device also includes an output connection coupled to an output of the first energy supply line; and two additional connections coupled to the outputs of the second energy supply line. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130154380 | Method for Controlling Individual Photovoltaic Modules of a Photovoltaic System - A method for switching photovoltaic (PV) modules in a PV system to a safe state in the case of a hazard is described. Control units, each one associated with a corresponding one PV module, measure the voltage profile and/or the current of each associated PV module. Should the voltage of a PV module increase from the operating voltage to the idle voltage or, conversely, drop from the idle voltage to the operating voltage, or the current in the phase fall below a reference value, then the control unit associated with the PV module is activated. When activated, the PV module is either isolated from the phase on at least one connection side, with the result of at least one isolation location having a capacitor remaining connected in parallel with it, or a low-impedance load is connected in parallel to the PV module in a clocked fashion. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130200709 | Techniques for Grid Coupling Photovoltaic Cells Using Ratiometric Voltage Conversion - Techniques for electrical power transfer in photovoltaic systems are provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic system includes an array of photovoltaic power producing elements (e.g., concentrator photovoltaic cells); a power receiving unit; and at least one ratiometric DC to DC converter connected to both the array of photovoltaic power producing elements and the power receiving unit. The array of photovoltaic power producing elements can include a plurality of the photovoltaic power producing elements connected in series or in parallel. In another aspect, a method of transferring electrical power from an array of photovoltaic power producing elements to a power receiving unit includes the following step. At least one ratiometric DC to DC converter is connected to both the array of photovoltaic power producing elements and the power receiving unit. The at least one ratiometric DC to DC converter is configured to alter a voltage output from the array. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130200710 | Solar Power Module with Safety Features and Related Method of Operation - A solar power module, and related method of operation, that protects the bypass diodes in the solar power module from overheating due to partial shading, and also protects firefighters and installer personnel from electrical shock hazard. The solar power module includes active bypass switches, and isolation switches that disconnect the PV cells from the bypass switches when all the bypass switches are closed concurrently, thereby allowing the PV cells to continue supplying power to the control circuitry. The isolation switches are also used to maintain the solar power module in a safe state during installation, or in case of fire. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130200711 | SOLAR POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM - A power conversion system ( | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130221752 | MULTILEVEL POWER SUPPLY - According to an embodiment there is provided a multilevel power supply comprising two power sources that share a common node, a switching arrangement, a charge storage device and an output terminal. The two power sources are configured to provide a first potential V | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130221753 | POWER PROCESSING METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS - High power output may be obtained from a photovoltaic (PV) system by controlling each photovoltaic cell of a solar array individually to operate at its maximum power point. Each cell may have associated power electronics and control circuitry that may be integrated together on a chip which may be advantageously implemented in CMOS, enabling reductions in cost and size. A perturb and observe algorithm may be used to find the maximum power point by measuring the power produced at different operating points, and modifying the operating point in the direction of increased power production. In one aspect, performance of a perturb and observe algorithm may be improved in the presence of noise. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130264881 | DIFFERENTIAL INTERFACE FOR INTER-DEVICE COMMUNICATION IN A BATTERY MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION SYSTEM - A multi-cell battery stack includes a microcontroller and a string of battery management and protection IC devices connected to one another in a daisy chain configuration. Each battery management and protection IC device can include a communication interface circuit includes pairs of differential input signal lines, receivers including respective current comparator circuits to receive differential signals on the differential input signal lines, and transmitters to provide outgoing differential signals on the differential input signal lines. A digital circuit block allows signals to pass between the receivers and transmitters. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130270917 | MULTILEVEL POWER CONVERTER - Aspects of the invention are directed to a multilevel power converter the includes a DC power supply assembly having a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a zero terminal; a first semiconductor switch series circuit composed of first through sixth semiconductor switches connected in series between the positive terminal and the negative terminal. The converter can include a second semiconductor switch series circuit composed of a first bidirectional switch, seventh and eighth semiconductor switches, and a second bidirectional switch connected in series between the connection point of the first and second semiconductor switches and the connection point of the fifth and sixth semiconductor switches, a first capacitor connected in parallel with a series circuit of the third and fourth semiconductor switches and a second capacitor connected in parallel with the second semiconductor switch series circuit. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130285457 | CASCADED MULTILEVEL INVERTER AND METHOD FOR OPERATING PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS AT A MAXIMUM POWER POINT - A method of operating a cascaded multilevel inverter of photovoltaic system to transfer electrical power from a plurality of photovoltaic cells onto an electrical power distribution grid. Power switches in the inverter are operated in a manner effective to combine a block voltage output from each selected photovoltaic blocks series-wise to output an inverter voltage substantially equal to the grid voltage. A selected photovoltaic block may be pulse width modulated to incrementally adjust a current or voltage output by the system. The photovoltaic blocks selected to contribute to the current or voltage output by the system are selected based on a desire to operate solar panels formed by the photovoltaic cells at a maximum power point (MPP) of each solar panel in a photovoltaic block. Shuffling of which blocks are selected may occur at any time during synthesizing a sinusoidal output signal. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130307341 | Optimizing Solar Power Conversion - A solar power system is provided for maximizing solar power conversion. The solar power system includes n power units connected in series and n−1 DC-DC converting units, and each of the n−1 DC-DC converting units is coupled to at least one of n solar power units. Each of the n−1 DC-DC converting units is configured to control the correspondingly connected solar power units to operate at a target current generation. The solar power system further includes a controlling unit coupled to the n−1 DC-DC converting units. The controlling unit monitors and compares the n currents generated by the n solar power units. Based on the current comparison, the controlling unit determines a series current and controls the n solar power units so that each of the generated photovoltaic currents is substantially equal to the determined series current. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130313909 | Single-pole switching unit for limiting the energy flow in a series circuit comprising photovoltaic modules, photovoltaic module arrangement and photovoltaic module - In various embodiments, a single-pole switching unit for limiting the energy flow in a series circuit having photovoltaic modules by a pulsating control signal present on at least one DC line is provided. The switching unit may include: a switching element, which is designed to reduce the current flow in the at least one DC line of the photovoltaic modules; a transmission element, which is designed to couple out an electrical control signal present on the DC line and to control the switching element merely with the energy of the coupled-out control signal; and a coupling element, which is arranged in parallel with the switching element and which conducts the control signal through the switching unit when the switching element is nonconducting. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130320765 | ASYMMETRIC SERIES POWER PACKS WITH EFFICIENT DC-DC CONVERSION - Systems and methods to operate a power supply. A power supply has an inductor and a capacitor coupled in a substantially series connection. The power supply has a first selectably conductive path that selectably couples a first power pack to the series reactive circuit and a second selectably conductive path that selectably couples the series reactive circuit to a substantially series combination of the first power pack and a second power pack. When the first power pack output voltage is above the threshold, the first selectably conductive path couples electrical current between the first power pack to the series reactive circuit. Otherwise, the second selectably conductive path couples electrical current between the series combination and the series reactive circuit. The controller further transfers charge from the second power pack to the first power pack. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130320766 | ELECTRIC STORAGE SYSTEM - An electric storage system includes an electric storage apparatus, relays, a plurality of smoothing capacitors, and a current limiting resistance. The electric storage apparatus has a plurality of electric storage elements connected in series. Each of the electric storage elements includes a current breaker breaking an electric current path inside the electric storage element. The plurality of smoothing capacitors are connected in series between a positive electrode line and a negative electrode line which connect the electric storage apparatus to a load. Each of the relays is placed on the positive electrode line, the negative electrode line, and an intermediate line. The intermediate line connects a connecting point of two of the electric storage elements included in the electric storage apparatus and a connecting point of the plurality of smoothing capacitors. The current limiting resistance is also placed on the intermediate line. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130320767 | PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEM WITH GENERATION MODULES - A photovoltaic power system includes a plurality of generation modules and a main communication apparatus. Each generation module has a photovoltaic panel assembly, a switch integrated apparatus, and a junction apparatus. The photovoltaic panel assembly has a plurality of photovoltaic panels electrically connected in series. The switch integrated apparatus has a control unit and a switch unit. The junction apparatus is electrically connected between the photovoltaic panel assembly and the switch integrated apparatus to collect electricity generated from the photovoltaic panels and deliver collected electricity to output terminals of the photovoltaic power generation module. The main communication apparatus is connected to the switch integrated apparatuses to turn on or turn off the switch unit according to magnitude of the output voltage, thus controlling continuously delivering electricity or discontinuously delivering electricity generated from the photovoltaic panels. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130320768 | ELECTRIC STORAGE DEVICE SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATION METHOD IN THE ELECTRIC STORAGE DEVICE SYSTEM - An electric storage device system includes an electric storage device module including at least one electric storage device, a communication path, a capacitor connected to the electric storage device module at one end thereof and connected to the communication path at another end thereof, and an electric storage device monitor. The capacitor and at least a part of the electric storage device module configure a current path. The electric storage device monitor is configured to communicate by using the communication path and the current path. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130328403 | Distributed Substring Architecture for Maximum Power Point Tracking of Energy Sources - A photovoltaic array system includes multiple strings of series coupled photovoltaic modules to provide current at a voltage dependent on the number of modules in each string and their operating efficiency. Each string is coupled to a DC-to-DC converter to convert the current from each string for output to a DC bus. An inverter is coupled to DC bus to convert the current from the strings of series coupled photovoltaic modules to AC current at a grid-compatible voltage. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140001865 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE MONITORING AND CONTROL | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140001866 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND RECHARGEABLE BATTERY SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140008985 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROL OF ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES - An energy storage control system and method is disclosed. The energy storage control system can include a controller, a circuit defining a plurality of electrical current paths between an input and an output, and a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device electrically coupled in series to one another between the input and output. The control system can also include a first switch device electrically coupled in parallel to the first energy storage device and a second switch device electrically coupled in parallel to the second energy storage device. The controller can be in electrical communication with the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device. The first switch device and second switch device can be operably controlled by the controller. | 01-09-2014 |
| 20140042818 | PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT - A photovoltaic power plant with photovoltaic modules ( | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140049115 | Method for Distributed Power Harvesting Using DC Power Sources - A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140077608 | POWER GENERATION CONTROL DEVICE, PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND POWER GENERATION CONTROL METHOD - A power generation control device is electrically connected to a photovoltaic panel for controlling an output voltage of the photovoltaic panel. The power generation control device includes a scanning unit, configured to perform a scanning process in which the output voltage of the photovoltaic panel is sequentially changed in a predetermined voltage range. The predetermined voltage range is changed in accordance with the photovoltaic panel. | 03-20-2014 |
| 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 |
| 20140084693 | GATE DRIVING CIRCUIT AND INVERTER HAVING THE SAME - An inverter includes an inverter unit including at least one inverter arm having at least one high side switch and at least one low side switch connected to each other in series between a ground and an input power terminal providing input power having a preset voltage level, and switching the input power to output AC power; and a high voltage gate driving circuit unit including at least one high voltage gate driving unit having a plurality of high voltage gate drivers connected in series between an input terminal of an instruction signal requesting a switching control of the inverter unit and an output terminal of a control signal controlling switching of the inverter unit, such that switching of the high side switch is controlled, and voltage generated at the time of switching the high side switch is divided and applied to the plurality of high voltage gate drivers. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140117767 | PORTABLE POWER WITH AVAILABLE AC POWER - The invention relates to a portable power with available AC power comprises a power balance control circuit coupled to an output terminal of the chargeable lithium batteries, including a battery protection circuit coupled between a positive terminal of a lithium battery pack and a microcontroller, and a π-type circuit coupled to an output terminal of the battery protection circuit and including an inductance, a first capacity and a second capacity, the inductance connected between the battery protection circuit and the AC supply unit in series, the first capacity and the second capacity respectively connected to both ends of the inductance and the π-type circuit combined with the battery protection circuit for preventing an instant surge or high-current feedback which leads to the lithium battery damage. Moreover, the lithium battery pack is thin and light. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140117768 | Systems And Methods For Wiring Solar Panel Arrays - A solar power system may include a combiner module, one or more rows of solar panels connected to the combiner module, and one or more wiring circuits connecting the one or more rows of solar panels to the combiner module. Each circuit may include an inter-module wiring arrangement that connects individual solar panels to each other in series, and a return wiring arrangement that connects the inter-module wiring arrangement to the combiner module. Each inter-module wiring arrangement may be arranged such that at least some solar panels are wired to other solar panels in the same row in a substantially alternating manner, such that non-adjacent solar panels in the same row are wired directly in series to each other. This arrangement may reduce the total length of harness wires needed to connect the one or more panel rows to the combiner box, as compared with conventional wiring schemes. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140125135 | TECHNOLOGY FOR EXTENDING A RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) BANDWIDTH OF AN ENVELOPE TRACKING (ET) POWER AMPLIFIER (PA) - An envelope tracking power supply (ET PS) transmission line switch can be operable between an ET PS and a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA). The ET PS transmission line switch assembly can include a quarter wavelength (¼λ) transmission line configured for high impedance at a specified low RF and a switch coupled to a specified point on the quarter wavelength transmission line to generate a high frequency quarter wavelength transmission line when the switch is toggled. The quarter wavelength transmission line is configured to be coupled to a voltage output of the ET PS and a RF output of the RF PA. The high frequency quarter wavelength transmission line is configured for high impedance at a specified high RF, and the specified high RF is higher than the specified low RF. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140145509 | POWER HARVESTING CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR SERIALLY COUPLED DC POWER SOURCES - Circuitry and a method for maximizing power from multiple serially coupled DC power sources. Electrodes provide for serial coupling of multiple DC power sources, capacitive circuitry couples to each one of the electrodes, switching circuitry couples among various ones of the electrodes, and inductive circuitry couples among various others of the electrodes and the switching circuitry. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140210272 | MONITOR AND CONTROL MODULE AND METHOD - A method and module for monitoring a voltage of a power cell, sampling and holding a voltage of the power cell, and balancing a voltage of the power cell. In accordance with an embodiment, an interface circuit is capable of operation in a plurality of operating modes. In accordance with another embodiment, the interface circuit is coupled to a filter section. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140239725 | MAXIMIZING POWER OUTPUT OF SOLAR PANEL ARRAYS - A system for generating electric power includes a first DC source, a second DC source and a shared optimizer. The first DC source provides a first voltage across a first node and a second node, while the second DC source provides a second voltage across the second node and a third node. The shared optimizer is designed to provide a first programmable current source between the first node and the second node as well as a second programmable current source between the second node and the third node. In an embodiment, the first and second DC sources are solar panels, and the optimizer includes a DC-DC converter, which operates to maximize power output of the solar panels. The use of a single (shared) optimizer may obviate the need for separate optimizers for each solar panel, and thereby reduce system cost. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140265600 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER - A power supply device ( | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140300194 | DC VOLTAGE SOURCE INCLUDING ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS HAVING AN ADAPTIVE VOLTAGE LEVEL - A DC voltage power source, comprising: first electrochemical cells electrically connected in series; a DC/DC converter, the output of the converter being connected in series with said first electrochemical cells, a secondary DC voltage source applying its potential difference to the input of the converter. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140306540 | Maximum Power Point Tracking for Solar Panels - Approximately one-half of the loss of delivered power from a solar panel having photovoltaic (PV) cells connected in series to form sub-panels due to shading is recovered at low hardware cost by connecting sub-panels in series and providing maximum power point tracking control in common for the series connected sub-panels such that the respective sub-panels produce equal voltages even in the presence of shading of a portion of one or more sub-panels. By doing so, the input voltage of respective power converters which control the voltage at which each sub-panel is operated can be placed close to the maximum power point of each sub-panel regardless of shading and maximum total power harvested even though the respective sub-panels are not operated at optimum voltages. | 10-16-2014 |
| 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 |
| 20140312700 | Reconfigurable PV Configuration - A PV module is described with an array of PV cells whereby the module is reconfigurable, allowing different configurations to be applied after installation and during operation, i.e. at run-time. The run time configuration of the module has controllable devices. The main controllable devices are any of (individually or in combination): a) switches which determine the parallel/series connections of the cells as well as hybrid cases also. b) switches between the cells and local dc/dc converters and/or among the DC/DC converters; c) actively controlled bypass diodes placed in order to allow excess current to flow in the occurrence of a mismatch. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140327314 | GRID TIE SOLAR SYSTEM AND A METHOD - A grid tie system includes a plurality of solar panels, a plurality of inverters, wherein each of the inverters is in electrical communication with at least one of the solar panels to convert a direct current to an alternating current, wherein each of the inverters has an active state and an inactive state and at least one of the inverters includes a tracking component to track a maximum power point of at least one of the solar panels, and a controller in communication with at least one of the inverters for selectively toggling the at least one of the inverters between the active state and the inactive state. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140361626 | COMBINED CONTROL OF TWO VOLTAGE SOURCES - Electrical management system comprising a first voltage source linked to a load and a second voltage source at lower voltage, characterized in that the second voltage source and/or an associated charger can be arranged in series with the first voltage source and the load. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20150008748 | Power Converter Circuit, Power Supply System and Method - In accordance with an embodiment, a power converter circuit includes at least one converter series circuit having a plurality of converter units, wherein the at least one converter series circuit is configured to output a series circuit output current. The power converter circuit also includes a synchronization circuit configured to generate at least one synchronization signal. At least one of the plurality of converter units is configured to generate an output current such that at least one of a frequency and a phase of the output current is dependent on the synchronization signal. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150015077 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING A SOLAR PANEL IN SEGMENTS - A control system is provided for a solar panel. The control system includes a plurality of control elements that are individually connected to a corresponding segment of the solar panel. The control system also includes control logic that is structured to individually signal each of the plurality of control elements in order to cause the signaled control element to either switch-off or after performance output to maximize the over all output of a solar panel or solar power generating system utilizing such panels. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150035370 | DC-DC CONVERTOR FOR BATTERIES HAVING MULTIPLE POSITIVE TERMINALS - A battery module including a first positive terminal, a second positive terminal, a ground terminal, a power conversion circuit, and a power assembly. The power assembly includes a plurality of battery cells coupled in series and disposed in a stacked orientation relative to each other and configured to output a first voltage between the first positive terminal and the ground terminal. The power conversion circuit is electrically coupled to the power assembly and configured to receive the first voltage as an input and to output a second voltage different from the first voltage. The second positive terminal is electrically coupled to the power conversion circuit to receive the second voltage from the power conversion circuit. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150108843 | HIGH EFFICIENCY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE CONVERSION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY TO THERMAL ENERGY - An improved control arrangement is used in a high power rectifier and comprises two or more power controllers ganged together in parallel. Each power controller rectifies an AC voltage signal using zero voltage crossing switching to produce a binary switched signal and each power controller is connected to an independent connectable load. Each power controller includes a fast acting binary power switch that selectively connects the respective independent connectable load to the rectified AC voltage signal. The control arrangement selectively activates the power controllers to define a desired connected load. This high power rectifier and control arrangement is advantageously used to provide fast up down power regulation to a grid by selective storage of thermal energy and deriving power from the thermal energy storage system to add fill in power to the grid. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150137606 | CIRCUIT FOR INTERCONNECTED DIRECT CURRENT POWER SOURCES - Controlling a power converter circuit for a direct current (DC) power source is disclosed. The power converter may be operative to convert input power received from the DC power source to an output power and to perform maximum power point tracking of the power source. The power converter is adapted to provide the output power to a load that also performs maximum power point tracking. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150137607 | SWITCHED CAPACITOR DC-DC CONVERTER BASED DISTRIBUTED MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING OF PARTIALLY SHADED PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAYS - A method and system for implementing DMPP tracking of partially shaded/uniformly illuminated photovoltaic arrays using switched capacitor DC-DC converter is disclosed. Here, a dedicated SC converter is connected across each PV cell or PV module made of series connected PV cells wherein series connected modules make a PV string and parallel connected PV strings make up a PV array. This SC converter injects an equalization current across the PV module or PV cell so that the total current in the parallel combination of the PV module or PV cell and the corresponding SC converter is the same as the PV string current. In another implementation of DMPP tracking using SC converters, a dedicated SC converter is connected across each isolated PV module to perform MPP tracking of the respective PV module. Then all MPP tracking SC converter outputs are diode ORed to the common load. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150295413 | REMOTELY CONTROLLED PHOTOVOLTAIC STRING COMBINER - A remote-controlled photovoltaic string combiner is described that selects strings to be combined to a first photovoltaic output circuit or to a second photovoltaic output for the purpose of either controlling the charging of a battery connected to the first photovoltaic output circuit or for diverting current to a diversion load such as a grid-tie inverter. Strings are selected by energizing relays from one or other inverter such that when neither inverter is operating, all strings are deselected and both photovoltaic outpout circuits are de-energized. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150349533 | PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM - The invention relates to a photovoltaic system having: an energy storage device for generating a supply voltage at output terminals of the energy storage device, which has at least one parallel-connected energy supply line with one or more energy storage modules connected in series in the energy supply line, each module comprising an energy storage cell module with at least one energy storage cell and a coupling device with a plurality of coupling elements which is designed to selectively connect the energy storage cell module to the respective energy supply line or to bypass the same in the respective energy supply line; a photovoltaic module with one or more photovoltaic cells which is coupled directly to the output terminals of the energy storage device; and a control device which is coupled to the energy storage device and is designed to control the coupling devices of the energy storage modules for adjusting a supply voltage on the basis of the current flow into the one or more photovoltaic cells at the output terminals of the energy storage device. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20160020611 | PHOTOVOLTAIC VOLTAGE REGULATION - A photovoltaic system includes: a photovoltaic generator comprising strings that each includes one or more photovoltaic cells; a power converter; switches; and a controller. The power converter is configured to convert direct current (DC) power provided by the photovoltaic generator into alternating current (AC) power, and to output the AC power. Each switch is associated with one of the strings and is configured to connect the associated string to the power converter when set to a first setting, such that power generated by the first string can flow to the power converter. Each switch is also configured to disconnect the string from the power converter when set to a second setting. The controller is configured to control the power provided by the photovoltaic generator by selectively connecting the strings of the photovoltaic generator to the power converter by controlling the settings of the switches. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160048151 | ELECTRICAL INDEPENDENCE OF TRACKER ROWS - A photovoltaic (PV) system can include one or more trackers that each includes a plurality of rows of PV collection devices. The rows of PV collection devices can be electrically independent from one another. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160079761 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POWER POINT TRACKING FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS - A system includes a first photovoltaic sub-module connected with a second photovoltaic sub-module. A first differential power processing converter connects with the first photovoltaic submodule and the second photovoltaic sub-module, and a third photovoltaic sub-module connects with the second photovoltaic sub-module and the first differential power processing converter. A second differential power processing converter connects with the first differential power processing converter, the first photovoltaic sub-module, the second photovoltaic sub-module and the third photovoltaic sub-module, where the second differential power processing converter communicates with the first differential power processing converter to exchange an information about determined perturbation of the first differential power processing converter and the second differential power processing converter. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160134106 | BATTERY MADE UP OF A CHAIN ASSEMBLY OF MODULES - Energy transmission device, notably a battery or energy generating device, it comprises: having (i) at least one module ( | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160141870 | MULTILEVEL POWER CONVERTOR - Basic circuit of U phase includes first to fourth semiconductor elements (SU | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160172858 | PHOTOVOLTAIC PLANT LINKED TO A HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL NETWORK | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160190809 | A MODULAR INVERTER SYSTEM - The present invention is directed to a system configured to be connected to an AC power grid having at least one AC phase signal. The system includes at least one inverter module comprising a first inverter having a plurality of first switch elements coupled to a direct current (DC) voltage and actuated in accordance with a first set of control signals based on the at least one AC phase signal. The first inverter provides a first voltage signal having predetermined harmonic components. The at least one inverter module further comprises a second inverter including a plurality of second switch elements coupled to the DC voltage and actuated in accordance with a second set of control signals phase delayed with respect to the first set of control signals. The second switching inverter providing a second voltage signal having the predetermined harmonic components. At least one transformer module includes at least one first primary winding coupled to the first inverter and at least one second primary winding coupled to the second inverter. The transformer module further includes at least one secondary winding coupled to the at least one first primary winding, the at least one second primary winding and the AC power grid for each at least one AC phase signal. The secondary winding is configured to provide a secondary output voltage to the AC power grid by combining the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal such that the predetermined harmonic components are substantially cancelled. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20160254672 | Maximized Power in a Photovoltaic Distributed Power System | 09-01-2016 |
| 20160380429 | HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLIES USING SERIALLY COUPLED CURRENT SOURCE RECTIFIERS AND METHODS OF OPERATING THE SAME - An apparatus includes an output port configured to be coupled to a load, a plurality of current source rectifier (CSR) circuits having outputs coupled in series across the output port, and a control circuit configured to control the CSR circuits responsive to a voltage at the output port. The quantity of CSR circuits may be sufficient to provide redundancy in the event one or more of the CSR circuits fails. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20220140606 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REACTIVE POWER CONTROL - Apparatus and method for controlling reactive power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a bidirectional power converter comprising a switched mode cycloconverter for generating AC power having a desired amount of a reactive power component. | 05-05-2022 |
