A power harvesting system (30a) including multiple parallel-connected photovoltaic strings (109), each photovoltaic string (109) includes a series-connection of photovoltaic panels (101). Multiple voltage-compensation circuits (307) may be connected in series respectively with the photovoltaic strings (109). The voltage-compensation circuits (307) may be configured to provide respective compensation voltages (Vc) to the photovoltaic strings (109) to maximize power harvested from the photovoltaic strings (109). The voltage-compensation circuits (307) may be include respective inputs which may be connected to a source of power (Vs) and respective outputs which may be connected in series with the photovoltaic strings (109).
H02J 3/38 - Arrangements for parallelly feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
G05F 1/67 - Regulating electric power to the maximum power available from a generator, e.g. from solar cell
H02S 40/36 - Electrical components characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection
A photovoltaic module is presented, which may include a photovoltaic panel and a converter circuit having a primary input connected to the photovoltaic panel and a secondary output galvanically isolated from the primary input. The primary input may be connectible to multiple input terminals within a junction box and at least one of the input terminals may be electrically connected to a ground. The photovoltaic module may include multiple interconnected photovoltaic cells connected electrically to multiple connectors (for example bus-bars). The photovoltaic module may include input terminals operable for connecting to the connectors and an isolated converter circuit. The isolated converter circuit may include a primary input connected to the input terminals and a secondary output galvanically isolated from the primary input.
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.
H02M 1/00 - APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF - Details of apparatus for conversion
A method for testing a photovoltaic panel ( 10 ) connected to an electronic module ( 12 ). The electronic module ( 12 ) includes an input attached to the photovoltaic panel and a power output. The method activates a bypass, by switch 50, to the electronic module ( 12 ). The bypass provides a low impedance path between the input and the output of the electronic module ( 12 ). A current is injected into the electronic module thereby compensating for the presence of the electronic module during the testing. The current may be previously determined by measuring a circuit parameter of the electronic module. The circuit parameter may be impedance, inductance, resistance or capacitance.
A method for theft detection in a system for generation of electrical power, the system including a DC power line. An alternating current (AC) is applied to the DC power line from an alternating current (AC) source and an impedance component of the system is sensed. The impedance is responsive to the applied alternating current (AC). An impedance datum proportional to the impedance is stored with the impedance datum transmitted to a receiver. Electrical charge may be stored to power the sensing when the system is not generating electrical power. The sensing includes measuring voltage and current of the alternating current (AC) source. A potential theft of a component of the system is alerted which is responsive to a change in the impedance greater than a previously determined threshold or upon not receiving an expected transmission of the impedance datum.
A junction box used for making electrical connections to a photovoltaic panel. The junction box has two chambers including a first chamber and a second chamber and a wall common to and separating both chambers. The wall may be adapted to have an electrical connection therethrough. The two lids are adapted to seal respectively the two chambers. The two lids are on opposite sides of the junction box relative to the photovoltaic panel. The two lids may be attachable using different sealing processes to a different level of hermeticity. The first chamber may be adapted to receive a circuit board. The junction box may include supports for mounting a printed circuit board in the first chamber. The second chamber is configured for electrical connection to the photovoltaic panel. A metal heat sink may be bonded inside the first chamber. The first chamber is adapted to receive a circuit board for electrical power conversion, and the metal heat sink is adapted to dissipate heat generated by the circuit board.
A protection method in a distributed power system including of DC power sources and multiple power modules which include inputs coupled to the DC power sources. The power modules include outputs coupled in series with one or more other power modules to form a serial string. An inverter is coupled to the serial string. The inverter converts power input from the string and produces output power. When the inverter stops production of the output power, each of the power modules is shut down and thereby the power input to the inverter is ceased.
H02H 3/087 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection responsive to excess current for dc applications
A circuit for combining direct current (DC) power including multiple direct current (DC) voltage inputs; multiple inductive elements. The inductive elements are adapted for operatively connecting respectively to the DC voltage inputs. Multiple switches connect respectively with the inductive elements. A controller is configured to periodically switch the switches. A direct current voltage output is connected across one of the DC voltage inputs and a common reference to both the inputs and the output.
A method for providing non-resonant zero-current switching in a switching power converter (30) operating in a continuous current mode. The switching power converter (30) converts power from input power to output power. The switching power converter (30) includes a main switch (Q1) connected to a main inductor (106), wherein an auxiliary inductor (302) is connectible with the main inductor (106). The main current (IP) flows from an input to an output. The auxiliary inductor (302) is connected with the main inductor (106) thereby charging the auxiliary inductor (302) so that an auxiliary current (Iaux) flows from the output to the input opposing the main current (IP). Upon a total current including a sum of the main current (IP) and the auxiliary current (Iaux), substantially equals or approaches zero, the switch (Q1) is turned on.
H02M 3/158 - Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
10.
SWITCH MODE CONVERTER INCLUDING ACTIVE CLAMP FOR ACHIEVING ZERO VOLTAGE SWITCHING
A method for providing non-resonant zero-voltage switching in a switching power converter (42, 44). The switching power converter converts power from input power to output power during multiple periodic switching cycles. The switching power converter includes a switch (Qbu, Qbo) and an auxiliary capacitor (Cbu, Cbo) adapted for connecting in parallel with the switch (Qbu, Qbo), and an inductor (206) connectible to the auxiliary capacitor (Cbu, Cbo). The main switch (Q1, Q3) is on. A previously charged (or previously discharged) auxiliary capacitor (Cbu, Cbo) is connected across the main switch (Q1, Q3) with auxiliary switches (Qabu, Qbu, Qabo, Qbo). The main switch (Q1, Q3) is switched off with zero voltage while discharging/charging the auxiliary capacitor (Cbu, Cbo) by providing a current path to the inductor (206). The auxiliary capacitor (Cbu, Cbo) is disconnected from the switch (Q1, Q3). The voltage of the auxiliary capacitor (Cbo, Cbu) is charged and discharged alternatively during subsequent switching cycles. The voltage of the auxiliary capacitor (Cbu, Cbo) stays substantially the same until the subsequent turn off of the main switch (Q1, Q3) during the next switching cycle with substantially no energy loss in the auxiliary capacitor (Cbu, Cbo).
H02M 3/158 - Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
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.
A device having a switch with a voltage applied across the switch. A current sensing circuit is connected to one terminal of the switch. The current sensing circuit receives power independently of the voltage applied across the switch. The power supply shares the other terminal of the switch with the current sensing circuit. The switch is adapted for opening and closing. When the switch closes, the current sensing circuit senses current through the switch and upon opening the switch the high voltage of the switch is blocked from the current sensing circuit. The sense current is caused to flow from the current sensing circuit to the other terminal when the switch is closed. The flow of the sense current produces a voltage which is compared differentially to another voltage referenced by the other terminal
A method for testing a photovoltaic panel (10) connected to an electronic module (12). The electronic module has at least one input attached to the photovoltaic panel and at least one power output. The method of testing the photovoltaic panel begins with activating a bypass (40, 50) of the electronic module. The bypass is preferably activated by applying a magnetic or an electromagnetic field. The bypass provides a low impedance path between the input and output of the electronic module.
A distributed power system including multiple DC power sources and multiple power modules. The power modules include inputs coupled respectively to the DC power sources and outputs coupled in series to form a serial string. An inverter is coupled to the serial string. The inverter converts power input from the serial string to output power. A signaling mechanism between the inverter and the power module is adapted for controlling operation of the power modules.
H02H 7/122 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from norm for rectifiers for static converters or rectifiers for inverters, i.e. dc/ac converters
A photovoltaic system including a photovoltaic cell, and an electronic module connected to the photovoltaic cell. The electronic module is adapted to produce at least one control signal indicative of electrical power being generated by the photovoltaic cells. A tracking controller is adapted to receive the control signal(s) and based on the control signal(s), the controller is adapted to control a tracking motor for adjusting the system so that electrical power generated by the photovoltaic cells is increased. The photovoltaic system may include an optical element, adapted for concentrating solar light onto the photovoltaic cells. The electronic module preferably performs direct current (DC) to direct current (DC) power conversion and maximum power point tracking by electrical power, current, or voltage at either their inputs or their outputs. Alternatively, the tracking controller is configured to also perform maximum power point tracking by increasing to a local maximum electrical power by varying at least one of (i) current or voltage output from the photovoltaic cell or (ii) current or voltage output from the electronic module.
G01S 3/786 - Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically
F24J 2/38 - employing tracking means (F24J 2/02, F24J 2/06 take precedence;rotary supports or mountings therefor F24J 2/54;supporting structures of photovoltaic modules for generation of electric power specially adapted for solar tracking systems H02S 20/32)
patents
