Feedback Based Photovoltaic Conversion Systems
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Abstract
Different systems to achieve solar power conversion are provided in at least three different general aspects, with circuitry that can be used to harvest maximum power from a solar source or strings of panels for DC or AC use, perhaps for transfer to a power grid three aspects can exist perhaps independently and relate to: 1) electrical power conversion in a multimodal manner, 2) alternating between differing processes such as by an alternative mode photovoltaic power converter functionality control, and 3) systems that can achieve efficiencies in conversion that are extraordinarily high compared to traditional through substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion capability that can achieve 99.2% efficiency or even only wire transmission losses. Switchmode impedance conversion circuits may have pairs of photovoltaic power series switch elements and pairs of photovoltaic power shunt switch elements.
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Citations
99 Claims
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1-79. -79. (canceled)
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80. A system comprising:
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a plurality of power converters, each power converter coupled to a corresponding DC power source of a plurality of DC power sources, wherein each power converter comprises; control circuitry configured to provide a feedback signal to the power converter from a connection between the power converter and the DC power source coupled to the power converter; and a power conversion portion configured to charge or discharge the DC power source coupled to the power converter, wherein each of the plurality of power converters is connected in series to at least one other power converter of the plurality of power converters.
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81. The system of claim 81, wherein the control circuitry in each of the plurality of power converters is configured to set a voltage between or current through terminals of the power converter.
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82. The system of claim 81, wherein the control circuitry in each power converter of the plurality of power converters is configured to lock an input voltage and current from the corresponding DC power source coupled to that power converter to an optimal power point.
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83. The system of claim 81, wherein each of the plurality of power converters is configured to function as one or more of a current source, a voltage regulator, or a trickle charge source.
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84. The system of claim 81, wherein a first DC power source of the plurality of DC power sources comprises a DC battery.
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85. The system of claim 81, wherein a first DC power source of the plurality of DC power sources comprises a solar panel.
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86. The system of claim 81, wherein a first power converter of the plurality of power converters is coupled to a first DC power source, the first DC power source comprising a plurality of solar cells connected in series, or a plurality of solar cells connected in parallel, or a plurality of solar cells connected in both series and parallel.
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87. The system of claim 81, wherein the plurality of power converters is configured to form a serial string of power converters, and wherein the system further comprises:
a power controller coupled to the serial string of power converters, the power controller configured to maintain current through or voltage across the serial string of power converters at a regulated value.
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88. The system of claim 87, wherein the power controller comprises one or more of a bi-directional DC/AC inverter, a bi-directional DC/DC converter, a charging regulator, or a load controller.
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89. The system of claim 88, further comprising a shunt regulator coupled to the serial string of power converters and to the power controller.
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90. A system comprising:
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a first plurality of DC power sources; a first plurality of power converters, wherein each of the first plurality of power converters is coupled to a corresponding DC power source of the first plurality of DC power sources, wherein each of the first plurality of power converters comprises control circuitry and a power conversion portion, and wherein each of the first plurality of power converters is serially connected to at least one other power converter of the first plurality of power converters, thereby forming a first serial string; a second plurality of DC power sources; and a second plurality of power converters, wherein each of second plurality of power converters is coupled to a corresponding DC power source of the second plurality of DC power sources, wherein each of the second plurality of power converters comprises control circuitry and a power conversion portion, and wherein each of the second plurality of power converters is serially connected to at least one other power converter of the second plurality of power converters, thereby forming a second serial string, wherein the first serial string and the second serial string are connected in parallel to form parallel-connected strings.
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91. The system of claim 90, wherein the control circuitry in each of the first plurality of power converters and each of the second plurality of power converters is configured to provide a feedback signal to the power converter from a connection between the power converter and the corresponding DC power source coupled to the power converter.
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92. The system of claim 90, wherein the first plurality of DC power sources comprise one or more batteries.
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93. The system of claim 92, wherein the second plurality of DC power sources comprise one or more photovoltaic panels.
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94. The system of claim 90, further comprising:
a power controller coupled in parallel to the parallel-connected strings, the power controller configured to maintain current through or voltage across the parallel-connected strings at a first value.
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95. The system of claim 94, wherein the power controller is further configured to control a direction of the current and to charge the first plurality of DC power sources from the second plurality of DC power sources.
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96. The system of claim 95, wherein the power controller is further configured to:
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determine that an amount of power received from the second plurality of DC power sources is insufficient to charge all of the first plurality of DC power sources; and based on the determination and when charging the first plurality of DC power sources, turn off one or more of the first plurality of power converters, while leaving on the remaining power converters in the first plurality of power converters.
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97. The system of claim 95, wherein each of the first plurality of power converters is configured to:
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during the charging of the first plurality of DC power sources by the power controller, determine whether the corresponding DC power source coupled to that power converter is full; and based on a determination that the corresponding DC power source is full, enter a bypass mode in which power is not taken from the power controller by that power converter.
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98. The system of claim 95, wherein the first plurality of power converters are configured to draw different amounts of power from the power controller based on power needs of the plurality of DC power sources coupled to the first plurality of power converters.
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99. A method, comprising:
coupling a plurality of DC power sources respectively to a plurality of power converters, wherein each of the plurality of power converters comprises; a control circuit configured to provide a feedback signal to the power converter from a connection between the power converter and the DC power source coupled to that power converter; and a power conversion portion configured to convert power to discharge or charge the DC power source coupled to that power converter; coupling the plurality of power converters together in a serial connection to form a serial string of power converters; and coupling the serial string of power converters to a power controller configured to maintain current through or voltage across the serial string of power converters at a set value.
Specification