Method and Apparatus for Controlling a Hybrid Power System
First Claim
1. A power controller for a hybrid power system comprising:
- at least one energy converter electrically coupled to an electrical energy generating device;
at least one DC energy storage device;
an energy regulator electrically coupled to the DC energy storage device; and
a DC bus electrically coupled to each of the energy converters and the energy regulator, wherein the energy regulator further comprises a first voltage signal indicating a DC voltage present on the DC bus and a first control unit maintaining the DC voltage at a substantially constant value.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a simplified method of controlling power among the various sources and loads in a power system. Power generating sources are each connected to a common DC bus through a converter designed to optimize power flow to the DC bus. A DC storage device is connected to the common DC bus through a power regulator designed to maintain a constant voltage on the DC bus. Further, an inverter may be provided to convert the DC voltage to an AC voltage for a customer load or for connection to the utility grid. Each power conversion device is independently controlled to provide a modular and simplified power control system.
47 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A power controller for a hybrid power system comprising:
-
at least one energy converter electrically coupled to an electrical energy generating device; at least one DC energy storage device; an energy regulator electrically coupled to the DC energy storage device; and a DC bus electrically coupled to each of the energy converters and the energy regulator, wherein the energy regulator further comprises a first voltage signal indicating a DC voltage present on the DC bus and a first control unit maintaining the DC voltage at a substantially constant value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A power controller for a hybrid power system comprising:
-
a common DC bus; at least one energy converter electrically coupled between an electrical energy generating device and the common DC bus wherein the energy converter includes a first voltage signal indicating a DC voltage level present on the DC bus and a first control unit executing to regulate power flow from the energy generating device to the DC bus while the DC voltage level is below a predetermined maximum value and to disable power flow from the energy generating device when the DC voltage level is above a predetermined maximum value; at least one DC energy storage device; and at least one energy regulator electrically coupled between each DC energy storage device and the common DC bus wherein each energy regulator further comprises a second voltage signal indicating the DC voltage level present on the DC bus and a second control unit maintaining the DC voltage at a substantially constant value. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of regulating power flow between a plurality of components connected by a common DC bus in a hybrid power system comprising the steps of:
-
providing at least one energy converter, each energy converter having a first DC voltage signal and a first control unit configured to couple an electrical energy generating source to the DC bus; monitoring a DC voltage present on the DC bus with the first DC voltage signal; converting electrical energy generated by each generating source to a DC voltage and a DC current suitable for connection to the DC bus with the corresponding energy converter when the monitored DC voltage is less than a predetermined maximum value; providing an energy regulator having a second DC voltage signal and a second control unit configured to couple a DC electrical energy storage device to the DC bus; monitoring the DC voltage present on the DC bus with the second voltage signal; and regulating the DC voltage to a substantially constant value with the second control unit; - View Dependent Claims (17)
-
Specification