ARCHITECTURE FOR POWER PLANT COMPRISING CLUSTERS OF POWER-GENERATION DEVICES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A load balancer system comprising:
- a controller;
a load balancer coupled to the controller; and
a switch coupled to the load balancer;
wherein the load balancer system is configured to;
receive a first voltage from a load coupled to the load balancer system, wherein the load is connected to an array of solar energy collectors that generate the first voltage;
generate a signal for controlling the switch when output from the array of solar energy collectors falls below a threshold;
place the switch in an ‘
open’
state in response to the signal; and
supply a second voltage to the load, wherein the second voltage is more than the first voltage.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A string and load balancer system that provides the ability to boost the string voltage in low-light or reduced-power conditions so that the inverter may continue to operate. The boost operation can be achieved by addition of a single substantially D.C. switch. The DC switch may be rated for the maximum intended voltage boost, not the maximum bus voltage. A string and load balancer provided herein may allow photovoltaic arrays to be productive in mornings, evenings, and in clouded or otherwise sub-nominal conditions.
-
Citations
5 Claims
-
1. A load balancer system comprising:
-
a controller; a load balancer coupled to the controller; and a switch coupled to the load balancer; wherein the load balancer system is configured to; receive a first voltage from a load coupled to the load balancer system, wherein the load is connected to an array of solar energy collectors that generate the first voltage; generate a signal for controlling the switch when output from the array of solar energy collectors falls below a threshold; place the switch in an ‘
open’
state in response to the signal; andsupply a second voltage to the load, wherein the second voltage is more than the first voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
Specification