Magnetically coupled solar power supply system

• US 10,116,140 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2016
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ampt, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ampt, LLC
• Inventors: Ledenev, Anatoli
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaplan, Hal
• Application Number:
  US15/213,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20160329720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 307 82
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02008 for solar cells or solar cell modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/102 being switching converters H02J1/108, H02J1/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/46 Controlling of the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0067 Converter structures employing plural converter units, other than for parallel operation of the units on a single load
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0077 Plural converter units whose outputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/30 Electrical components
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

A high efficiency solar power system combining photovoltaic sources of power (1) can be converted by a base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter (6) and an altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter (8) that have outputs combined through low energy storage combiner circuitry (9). The converters can be synchronously controlled through a synchronous phase control (11) that synchronously operates switches to provide a conversion combined photovoltaic DC output (10). Converters can be provided for individual source conversion or phased operational modes, the latter presenting a combined low photovoltaic energy storage DC-DC photovoltaic converter (15) at string or individual panel levels.

Claims

1. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power comprising the steps of:

accepting power from at least one photovoltaic source of power;

tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power;

duty cycle controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power; and

high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power comprises the step of low photovoltaic energy storage converting said power; and

wherein said step of low photovoltaic energy storage converting said power comprises a step selected from a group consisting of;

not more than about one-half duty cycle range ripple current photovoltaic energy storage converting said power;

not more than about one-half of traditional photovoltaic energy storage converting said power;

not more than about one-quarter duty cycle range ripple current photovoltaic energy storage converting said power; and

not more than about one-quarter of traditional photovoltaic energy storage converting said power.

2. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as comprising the steps of:

accepting power from at least one photovoltaic source of power;

tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power;

duty cycle controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power; and

high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said step of duty cycle controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power comprises the step of opposing phase controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power.

3. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power comprising the steps of:

accepting power from at least one photovoltaic source of power;

tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power;

duty cycle controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power; and

high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power comprises the step of utilizing two pairs of series switches connected at a midpoint to which a tapped magnetically coupled inductor arrangement is connected.

4. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power comprising the steps of:

accepting power from at least one photovoltaic source of power;

tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power;

duty cycle controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power; and

high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said step of duty cycle controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power comprises the step of augmented photovoltaic output sweet spot controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting.

5. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 4 wherein said step of augmented photovoltaic output sweet spot controlling comprises the step of cold operational regime sweet spot controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting.

6. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 4 wherein said step of augmented photovoltaic output sweet spot controlling comprises the step of converted power generation sweet spot photovoltaic output controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting.

7. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 4 wherein said step of augmented photovoltaic output sweet spot controlling comprises the step of photovoltaically reduced temperature condition sweet spot controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting.

8. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power comprising the steps of:

accepting power from at least one photovoltaic source of power;

tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power;

duty cycle controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power; and

high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said step of high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output comprises the step of establishing an excess voltage arrangement.

9. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 8 wherein said step of establishing an excess voltage arrangement comprises the step of establishing a double maximum voltage arrangement.

10. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 8 wherein said step of establishing an excess voltage arrangement comprises the step of establishing a quadruple maximum voltage arrangement.

11. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power comprising the steps of:

accepting power from at least one photovoltaic source of power;

tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power;

duty cycle controlling said step of tapped magnetically coupled inductor converting said power; and

high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said step of high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output comprises the step of establishing a dual nominal operational range high efficiency photovoltaic power output.

12. A high efficiency solar energy power system comprising:

at least one photovoltaic source of power;

a tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter;

a duty cycle controller to which said tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter is switch timing responsive; and

a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter comprises a low photovoltaic energy storage DC-DC photovoltaic converter; and

wherein said low photovoltaic energy storage DC-DC photovoltaic converter comprises a low photovoltaic energy storage DC-DC photovoltaic converter selected from a group consisting of;

not more than about one-half duty cycle range ripple current photovoltaic energy storage converter;

not more than about one-half of traditional photovoltaic energy storage converter;

not more than about one-quarter duty cycle range ripple current photovoltaic energy storage converter; and

not more than about one-quarter of traditional photovoltaic energy storage converter.

13. A high efficiency solar energy power system comprising:

at least one photovoltaic source of power;

a tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter;

a duty cycle controller to which said tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter is switch timing responsive; and

a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said duty cycle controller to which said tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter is switch timing responsive comprises an opposing phase controller.

14. A high efficiency solar energy power system comprising:

at least one photovoltaic source of power;

two opposing phase converters combined through a tapped magnetically coupled inductor;

a duty cycle controller to which said tapped magnetically coupled inductor is switch timing responsive; and

a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said two opposing phase converters connected through said tapped magnetically coupled inductor have two pairs of series switches connected at a midpoint to which said tapped magnetically coupled inductor is connected.

15. A high efficiency solar energy power system comprising:

at least one photovoltaic source of power;

a tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter;

a duty cycle controller to which said tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter is switch timing responsive; and

a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said high efficiency photovoltaic DC output comprises an augmented sweet spot photovoltaic output.

16. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 15 wherein said augmented sweet spot photovoltaic output comprises a cold operational regime sweet spot photovoltaic output.

17. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 15 wherein said augmented sweet spot photovoltaic output comprises a converted power generation sweet spot photovoltaic output.

18. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 15 wherein said augmented sweet spot photovoltaic output comprises a photovoltaically reduced temperature condition sweet spot photovoltaic output.

19. A high efficiency solar energy power system comprising:

at least one photovoltaic source of power;

a tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter;

a duty cycle controller to which said tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter is switch timing responsive; and

a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output; and

an additive voltage circuitry having an excess voltage arrangement.

20. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 19 wherein said excess voltage arrangement comprises a double maximum voltage arrangement.

21. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 19 wherein said excess voltage arrangement comprises a quadruple maximum voltage arrangement.

22. A high efficiency solar energy power system comprising:

at least one photovoltaic source of power;

a tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter;

a duty cycle controller to which said tapped magnetically coupled inductor converter is switch timing responsive; and

a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output;

wherein said high efficiency photovoltaic DC output comprises a dual nominal operational range high efficiency photovoltaic power output.

23. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power comprising the steps of:

converting power by a base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter;

duty cycle controlling said base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter;

converting power by an altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter;

duty cycle controlling said altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter;

tapped magnetically coupled inductor combining power from said base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter and said altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter; and

high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output.

24. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 23 and further comprising the step of low photovoltaic energy storage DC-DC photovoltaic converting said power.

25. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 24 wherein said step of low photovoltaic energy storage DC-DC photovoltaic converting said power comprises a step selected from a group consisting of:

not more than about one-half duty cycle range ripple current photovoltaic energy storage converting said power;

not more than about one-half of traditional photovoltaic energy storage converting said power;

not more than about one-quarter duty cycle range ripple current photovoltaic energy storage converting said power; and

not more than about one-quarter of traditional photovoltaic energy storage converting said power.

26. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 23 wherein said step of duty cycle controlling said base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter and said step of duty cycle controlling said altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter comprise the step of opposing phase controlling said converters.

27. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 23 wherein said step of converting power by a base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter and said step of converting power by an altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter comprise the step of utilizing two pairs of series switches connected at a midpoint to which a tapped magnetically coupled inductor arrangement is connected.

28. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 23 wherein said step of duty cycle controlling said base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter and said step of duty cycle controlling said altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter comprise the step of augmented photovoltaic output sweet spot controlling said converters.

29. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 28 wherein said step of augmented photovoltaic output sweet spot controlling said converters comprises the step of cold operational regime sweet spot controlling said converters.

30. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 28 wherein said step of augmented photovoltaic output sweet spot controlling said converters comprises the step of converted power generation sweet spot photovoltaic output controlling said converters.

31. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 28 wherein said step of augmented photovoltaic output sweet spot controlling said converters comprises the step of photovoltaically reduced temperature condition sweet spot controlling said converters.

32. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 23 wherein said step of high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output comprises the step of establishing an excess voltage arrangement.

33. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 32 wherein said step of establishing an excess voltage arrangement comprises the step of establishing a double maximum voltage arrangement.

34. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 32 wherein said step of establishing an excess voltage arrangement comprises the step of establishing a quadruple maximum voltage arrangement.

35. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 32 wherein said step of high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output comprises the step of establishing a dual nominal operational range high efficiency photovoltaic power output.

36. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 23 wherein said base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter accepts power from at least one photovoltaic power cell, and wherein said altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter accepts power from at least one photovoltaic power cell.

37. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 23 wherein said base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter accepts power from at least one photovoltaic solar panel, and wherein said altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter accepts power from at least one photovoltaic solar panel.

38. A high efficiency solar energy power system comprising:

at least one base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter;

a duty cycle controller to which said base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter is switch timing responsive;

at least one altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter;

a duty cycle controller to which said altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter is switch timing responsive;

a tapped magnetically coupled inductor to which said at least one base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter and said at least one altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter are connected; and

a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output connected to said tapped magnetically coupled inductor.

39. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 38 wherein said tapped magnetically coupled inductor to which said at least one base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter and said at least one altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter are connected comprises a low photovoltaic energy storage inductor.

40. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 38 wherein said tapped magnetically coupled inductor comprises a tapped magnetically coupled inductor selected from a group consisting of:

not more than about one-half duty cycle range ripple current photovoltaic energy storage inductor;

not more than about one-half of traditional photovoltaic energy storage inductor;

not more than about one-quarter duty cycle range ripple current photovoltaic energy storage inductor; and

not more than about one-quarter of traditional photovoltaic energy storage inductor.

41. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 38 wherein said duty cycle controller to which said base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter is switch timing responsive and said duty cycle controller to which said altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter is switch timing responsive comprise an opposing phase controller.

42. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 38 wherein said at least one base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter and said at least one altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter have two pairs of series switches connected at a midpoint to which said tapped magnetically coupled inductor is connected.

43. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 38 wherein said high efficiency photovoltaic DC output connected to said tapped magnetically coupled inductor comprises an augmented sweet spot photovoltaic output.

44. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 43 wherein said augmented sweet spot photovoltaic output comprises a cold operational regime sweet spot photovoltaic output.

45. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 43 wherein said augmented sweet spot photovoltaic output comprises a converted power generation sweet spot photovoltaic output.

46. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 43 wherein said augmented sweet spot photovoltaic output comprises a photovoltaically reduced temperature condition sweet spot photovoltaic output.

47. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 38 and further comprising additive voltage circuitry having an excess voltage arrangement.

48. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 47 wherein said excess voltage arrangement comprises a double maximum voltage arrangement.

49. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 47 wherein said excess voltage arrangement comprises a quadruple maximum voltage arrangement.

50. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 38 wherein said high efficiency photovoltaic DC output comprises a dual nominal operational range high efficiency photovoltaic power output.

51. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 38 wherein said base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter accepts power from at least one photovoltaic power cell, and wherein said altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter accepts power from at least one photovoltaic power cell.

52. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 38 wherein said base phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter accepts power from at least one photovoltaic solar panel, and wherein said altered phase DC-DC photovoltaic converter accepts power from at least one photovoltaic solar panel.

53. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, or 11 wherein said at least one photovoltaic source of power comprises at least one photovoltaic power cell.

54. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, or 22 wherein said at least one photovoltaic source of power comprises at least one photovoltaic power cell.

55. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, or 11 wherein said at least one photovoltaic source of power comprises at least one solar panel.

56. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, or 22 wherein said at least one photovoltaic source of power comprises at least one solar panel.

57. A method of highly efficiently delivering solar energy power as described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 11, or 23 wherein said step of high photovoltaic efficiency delivering a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output comprises a step selected from a group consisting of:

establishing an at least about 98% efficient photovoltaic output;

establishing an at least about 99% efficient photovoltaic output; and

establishing an at least about 99.5% efficient photovoltaic output.

58. A high efficiency solar energy power system as described in claim 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, or 38 wherein said high efficiency photovoltaic DC output comprises a high efficiency photovoltaic DC output selected from a group consisting of:

an at least about 98% efficient photovoltaic output;

an at least about 99% efficient photovoltaic output; and

an at least about 99.5% efficient photovoltaic output.