Power combiner systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A system for combining electrical power from a plurality of power sources, the system comprising:
- a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of power sources;
a plurality of voltage sensors coupled respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors;
a plurality of output switches corresponding respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors;
a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of voltage sensors and the plurality of output switches, and configured to;
determine a respective state for each selected capacitor of the plurality of capacitors;
determine a maximum power point for each respective power source corresponding to each selected capacitor of the plurality of capacitors;
determine at least one output capacitor from the plurality of capacitors, the at least one output capacitor having a respective state furthest from a respective maximum power point for a respective power source; and
direct at least one of the plurality of output switches to couple the at least one output capacitor to at least one output.
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Abstract
Power combiner systems and methods for combining power from a number of power sources, which can differ in output power level, to at least one output. A controller monitors energy storage elements and controls a switch network to dynamically charge and discharge the energy storage elements while matching a desired output level. The controller can dynamically direct the switch network to alter inputs and outputs, thereby changing the frequency and order in which energy storage elements are connected.
47 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system for combining electrical power from a plurality of power sources, the system comprising:
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a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of power sources; a plurality of voltage sensors coupled respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors; a plurality of output switches corresponding respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors; a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of voltage sensors and the plurality of output switches, and configured to; determine a respective state for each selected capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; determine a maximum power point for each respective power source corresponding to each selected capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; determine at least one output capacitor from the plurality of capacitors, the at least one output capacitor having a respective state furthest from a respective maximum power point for a respective power source; and direct at least one of the plurality of output switches to couple the at least one output capacitor to at least one output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of combining electrical power from a plurality of power sources, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of power sources; determining a respective state for each selected capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; determining a maximum power point for each respective power source corresponding to each selected capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; determining at least one output capacitor from the plurality of capacitors, the at least one output capacitor having a respective state furthest from a respective maximum power point for a respective power source; and coupling the at least one output capacitor to an electrical network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification