SOLAR ARRAY SIMULATION USING COMMON POWER SUPPLIES
First Claim
1. A system for simulating the output of a solar array, comprising:
- a DC power supply having a DC voltage output for providing a DC voltage, the DC voltage simulating the output of the solar array, the DC power supply also having a control input for receiving a signal controlling a magnitude of the DC voltage on the DC voltage output;
a current sensor for providing an output current signal representing a magnitude of current output by the DC power supply; and
a controller having an input coupled to receive the output current signal from the current sensor and an output coupled to the control input of the DC power supply, the controller configured to provide a signal on the output of the controller which varies the magnitude of the DC voltage output by the DC power supply based upon a predetermined current-to-voltage characteristic stored in a memory and the output current signal received on the input.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for simulating the output of a solar array is disclosed. The system includes a DC power supply having a DC voltage output that simulates the output of the solar array and a control input for receiving a signal controlling a magnitude of the DC voltage on the output. A current sensor provides an output current signal representing a magnitude of current output by the DC power supply. A controller has an input coupled to receive the output current signal from the current sensor and an output coupled to the control input of the DC power supply. The controller is configured to provide a signal on the output which varies the magnitude of the DC voltage output by the DC power supply based upon an initial value, a predetermined current-to-voltage characteristic stored in a memory and the output current signal received on the input.
44 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system for simulating the output of a solar array, comprising:
-
a DC power supply having a DC voltage output for providing a DC voltage, the DC voltage simulating the output of the solar array, the DC power supply also having a control input for receiving a signal controlling a magnitude of the DC voltage on the DC voltage output; a current sensor for providing an output current signal representing a magnitude of current output by the DC power supply; and a controller having an input coupled to receive the output current signal from the current sensor and an output coupled to the control input of the DC power supply, the controller configured to provide a signal on the output of the controller which varies the magnitude of the DC voltage output by the DC power supply based upon a predetermined current-to-voltage characteristic stored in a memory and the output current signal received on the input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A dual mode power supply system for selectively simulating the output of a solar array or providing a fixed DC output voltage, comprising:
-
a DC power supply having a DC voltage output for providing a DC voltage, the DC voltage simulating the output of the solar array, the DC power supply also having a control input for receiving a signal controlling a magnitude of the DC voltage on the DC voltage output; a current sensor for providing an output current signal representing a magnitude of current output by the DC power supply; and a controller having an input coupled to receive the output current signal from the current sensor and an output coupled to the control input of the DC power supply, the controller configured to selectively operate in a first mode in which a signal is provided on the output of the controller which varies the magnitude of the DC voltage output by the DC power supply based upon a predetermined current-to-voltage characteristic and the output current signal received on the input and in a second mode in which a signal is provided on the output of the controller which sets the magnitude of the DC voltage output by the DC power supply to a predetermined fixed value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for simulating the output of a solar array, comprising:
-
providing a DC power supply having a DC voltage output for providing a DC voltage, the DC voltage simulating the output of the solar array, the DC power supply also having a control input for receiving a signal controlling a magnitude of the DC voltage on the DC voltage output; sensing a magnitude of current output by the DC power supply; generating a signal for varying the magnitude of the DC voltage output by the DC power supply based upon a predetermined current-to-voltage characteristic and the sensed magnitude of current output by the DC power supply; and providing the generated signal to the control input of the DC power supply. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification