System for maximizing efficiency of power transfer
First Claim
1. A solar pumping system for pumping a fluid, including:
- an array of photovoltaic cells for generating direct current electrical power having first voltage and current characteristics;
power converting means coupled to the array of photovoltaic cells for converting the first voltage and current characteristics of the electrical power to electrical power having second voltage and current characteristics;
motor means coupled to receive said electrical power having said second voltage and current characteristics;
pump means actuated by operation of the motor means for pumping fluid;
control means for selecting values for the second voltage and current characteristics, and for controlling said power converting means andmeans for delivering to said control means signals indicative of values of the first voltage and current characteristics and signals indicative of flow rates of the fluid pumped by the pump means to allow the control means to select optimal values of the second voltage and current characteristics.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for maximizing the efficiency of power transfer from a photovoltaic source to a load element, such as a fluid pump to circulate fluid in a swimming pool system. The system is operative to maximize the power output by the photovoltaic power source, or, alternatively, to maximize the amount of work performed by the load element. A microprocessor controller receives input information concerning the voltage and current levels of the electrical power generated by the photovoltaic source, and input information concerning the work performed by the load element. When the load element is a fluid pump, the input information includes the flow rate of the fluid pumped by the fluid pump. The controller generates an output signal causing a power convertor to increase the current of the signal output by the power converter until the output power is maximized, or, alternatively, until the efficiency of the work performed by the load element is maximized. The controller provides overload protection to the load element by responding to an appropriate sensor output with an appropriate control signal.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A solar pumping system for pumping a fluid, including:
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an array of photovoltaic cells for generating direct current electrical power having first voltage and current characteristics; power converting means coupled to the array of photovoltaic cells for converting the first voltage and current characteristics of the electrical power to electrical power having second voltage and current characteristics; motor means coupled to receive said electrical power having said second voltage and current characteristics; pump means actuated by operation of the motor means for pumping fluid; control means for selecting values for the second voltage and current characteristics, and for controlling said power converting means and means for delivering to said control means signals indicative of values of the first voltage and current characteristics and signals indicative of flow rates of the fluid pumped by the pump means to allow the control means to select optimal values of the second voltage and current characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A solar pumping system for circulating water in a swimming pool, including:
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an array of photovoltaic cells for generating direct current electrical power having direct current voltage and current characteristics; direct current to three-phase alternating current converter coupled to the array of photovoltaic cells for converting the direct current voltage and current characteristics of the electrical power to three-phase alternating current electrical power having alternating current voltage and current characteristics; three-phase electric motor means coupled to receive said three-phase alternating current electrical power; pump means actuated by operation of the three-phase motor means for circulating water; first measuring means for measuring magnitudes of the direct current electrical power; second measuring means for measuring the amount of water circulated by the pump means; and control means coupled to receive values measured by said first and said second measuring means, respectively, and for supplying signals to the direct current to three-phase alternating current converter to cause the converter to increment the alternating current characteristic until the magnitude of the electrical power output is maximized.
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6. A system for maximizing the performance of a fluid pump, including:
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direct current power supply means for generating electrical power having first voltage and current characteristics; power converting means coupled to the power supply means for converting the said first voltage and current characteristics of the electrical power to electrical power having second voltage and characteristics; motor means for operating a pump, said motor means being electrical coupled to the power converting means to receive electrical power having said second voltage and current characteristics; control means for selecting means for the second voltage and current characteristics; said control means includes means for measuring the amount of fluid flow per unit of time pumped by said pump, and generating and supplying a signal to the power converting means to cause the power converting means to increase the value of the second current characteristics until the flow rate of the fluid pumped by the pump is maximized.
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Specification