Apparatus and method for controlling the output of a photovoltaic array
First Claim
1. A system for controlling the output of an array of photo sensitive devices comprising:
- said array of photo sensitive devices connected in banks to provide a voltage output of at least a predetermined level when exposed to at least a predetermined level of light energy;
said banks of devices are connected together in parallel to provide a predetermined level of current capacity to a load;
a sensor connected to the output of said array of cells to sense when said output voltage level drops to a level that indicates said output is diminishing due to reduced exposure to light energy; and
a switching device connected to respond to said sensor to switch banks of devices from parallel to series connections in order to boost the output voltage level as said exposure to light energy drops below said predetermined level.
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Abstract
An array of photosensitive devices, including photovoltaic cells is controlled to provide adequate output voltage for continued use when light conditions are sensed as dropping below a predetermined level for normal operations. Control is made of the internal connections between banks of devices or cells by switching normally parallel connected banks of series connected devices or cells to series connected banks. Stepped switching of an increased number of banks can be made as the light continues to drop, in order to extend and maximize the output of the array during reduced light conditions. The output can be further controlled to limit application of the output voltage to a load during times of diminished light conditions in order to not overdraw the diminished current capacity characteristics when the series connections are made.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for controlling the output of an array of photo sensitive devices comprising:
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said array of photo sensitive devices connected in banks to provide a voltage output of at least a predetermined level when exposed to at least a predetermined level of light energy; said banks of devices are connected together in parallel to provide a predetermined level of current capacity to a load; a sensor connected to the output of said array of cells to sense when said output voltage level drops to a level that indicates said output is diminishing due to reduced exposure to light energy; and a switching device connected to respond to said sensor to switch banks of devices from parallel to series connections in order to boost the output voltage level as said exposure to light energy drops below said predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A microprocessor controlled system for regulating the output of an array of photovoltaic cells when the exposure of said array to radiant light energy falls below a predetermined light energy level and the corresponding output voltage from said array is reduced below a predetermined level, comprising:
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individual photovoltaic cells being connected in series in sufficient number to provide an output voltage above said predetermined level and a plurality of said series connected cells connected in parallel to provide an output voltage at a predetermined current capacity for a load connected to said array; a microprocessor connected to said array for sensing the output voltage of said array and being programmed to provide a first switching signal when the output voltage drops below said predetermined level; and a first switch element connected to said parallel connected cells, whereby said switch element being responsive to said first switching signal to change a first number of said parallel connected cells to a series connection in order to sustain a desired output voltage as the exposure of said array to light energy radiation drops below said predetermined light energy level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of controlling the output of a array of photo sensitive devices formed of banks of series connected devices to provide a voltage output of at least a predetermined level when exposed to at least a predetermined level of light energy and said banks of devices are connected together in parallel to provide a predetermined level of current capacity to a load, comprising the steps of;
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sensing the output of said array of devices to determine when said output voltage level drops to a level that indicates said output is diminishing below said first predetermined level; and switching banks of devices from parallel to series connections in order to boost the voltage output level as said exposure to light energy drops below said predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 16, 17, 18)
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15. A method of regulating the output of an array of photovoltaic cells when the exposure of said array to radiant light energy falls below a predetermined light energy level and the corresponding output voltage from said array is reduced below a predetermined level, comprising the steps of:
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connecting individual photovoltaic cells in series in sufficient number to provide an output voltage above said predetermined level; connecting a plurality of said series connected cells in parallel to provide an output voltage at a predetermined current capacity for a load connected to said array;
sensing the output voltage of said array and providing a first switching signal when the output voltage drops below said predetermined level; andconnecting a first switch element to said parallel connected cells, and making said switch element responsive to said first switching signal to change a first number of said parallel connected cells to a series connection in order to sustain at least a desired output voltage as the exposure of said array to light energy radiation drops below said predetermined light energy level. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification