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 energy storage elements 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 energy storage elements;
a plurality of output switches corresponding respectively to each of the plurality of energy storage elements;
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 element of the plurality of energy storage elements;
based on the respective state of each of the plurality of energy storage elements, determining at least one output element from the plurality of energy storage elements; and
direct at least one of the plurality of output switches to couple the output element 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.
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Citations
28 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 energy storage elements 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 energy storage elements; a plurality of output switches corresponding respectively to each of the plurality of energy storage elements; 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 element of the plurality of energy storage elements; based on the respective state of each of the plurality of energy storage elements, determining at least one output element from the plurality of energy storage elements; and direct at least one of the plurality of output switches to couple the output element 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 energy storage elements 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 element of the plurality of energy storage elements; based on the respective state of each of the plurality of energy storage elements, determining at least one output element from the plurality of energy storage elements; and coupling the at least one output element to an electrical network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification