Circuit arrangement of solar cells

• US 5,779,817 A
• Filed: 05/31/1996
• Issued: 07/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Webasto-Schade GmbH
• Original Assignee: Webasto-Schade GmbH
• Inventors: Wecker, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, NAM X
• Application Number:
  US08/655,814
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 136/244, 136/293, 323/906, 320/2, 388/933, 454/900
• US Class Current: 136/244
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/04 with rigid plate-like element or elements , e.g. open roofs with harmonica-type folding rigid panels B60J7/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/67 to the maximum power available from a generator, e.g. from solar cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02021 for solar cells electrical connection means, e.g. junction boxes, specially adapted for structural association with photovoltaic modules H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/048 Encapsulation of modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/40 Mobile PV generator systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/906 Solar cell systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/933 Radiant energy responsive device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 454/90 Ventilator using solar power
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49355 Solar energy device making

Abstract

A circuit arrangement with a first string of solar cells which are connected together in series and a second string of solar cells which are connected together in series, the electric power generated by the solar cells being used to operate an ohmic or inductive load. In contrast to known circuits, in which series-connected strings of solar cells are connected in parallel and have roughly identical no-load voltages, it is provided according to the invention that the strings of series-connected solar cells generate different no-load voltages to adapt to the current/voltage characteristic of the load. Preferably, at least one reverse-current blocking diode is connected in series with the string which generates a lower no-load voltage than the other. The series connection with a lower no-load voltage can be selectively formed with solar cells of the same no-load voltage by a smaller number of solar cells, or with solar cells of different power by the same number of solar cells with a lower no-load voltage. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the circuit arrangement is constructed for selective operation of a fan arrangement or for charging a battery by switching several strings of solar cells from a parallel interconnection to a series interconnection.

Claims

1. A circuit arrangement comprising:

first string of solar cells which are connected together in series; and

at least one second string of solar cells which are connected together in series, the first and second strings being connected in parallel to an ohmic or inductive load as a means for supplying electric power generated by the solar cells thereto for operation thereof;

wherein the first string forms a means for generating a first no-load voltage and the second string forms a means for generating a second no-load voltage that is significantly! different from said first no-load voltage for adapting the electric power generated by the solar cells to changing current/voltage characteristics of the load, and

wherein one of the first and second no-load voltages is at least approximately 60 percent greater than the other of said no load voltages.

2. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one reverse-current blocking diode is connected in series with a one of said strings which generates a lower no-load voltage than the other.

3. Circuit according to claim 2, wherein each of said strings is composed of the same numbers of solar cells, each of the solar cells of the first string having a lower no-load voltage than that of the solar cells of the second string.

4. Circuit arrangement according to claim 2, wherein each of said strings is composed of different numbers of solar cells, each solar cell having the same no-load voltage.

5. Circuit arrangement according to claim 2, wherein reverse-current blocking diode is a Schottky diode.

6. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer switching means for switching the strings from said parallel connection into a series connection for producing a higher voltage.

7. Circuit arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the solar cells are located in an area of a cover of an openable vehicle roof;

and wherein the load is formed by a motor of a fan located in a vehicle.

8. Circuit arrangement according to claim 7, wherein one of the first and second no-load voltages is at least approximately 60 percent greater than the other of the first and second no-load voltages, and wherein the load formed by the fan motor changes by at least approximately a factor of 10.

9. Circuit arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said series connection is connected to a battery located in the vehicle for charging thereof.

10. Circuit arrangement according to claims 9, wherein the solar cells of the first string are amorphous solar cells which are located in a central area of the cover;

and wherein the solar cells of the second string are crystalline solar cells which are located in edge area of cover.

11. Circuit according to claim 10, wherein each of said strings is composed of the same numbers of solar cells, each of the solar cells of the first string having a lower no-load voltage than that of the solar cells of the second string.

12. Circuit arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the solar cells of the first string are amorphous solar cells which are located in a central area of the cover;

and wherein the solar cells of the second string are crystalline solar cells which are located in edge area of cover.

13. Circuit according to claim 9, wherein each of said strings is composed of the same numbers of solar cells, each of the solar cells of the first string having a lower no-load voltage than that of the solar cells of the second string.

14. Circuit arrangement according to claim 9, wherein each of said strings is composed of different numbers of solar cells, each solar cell having the same no-load voltage.

15. Circuit according to claim 1, wherein each of said strings is composed of the same numbers of solar cells, each of the solar cells of the first string having a lower no-load voltage than that of the solar cells of the second string.

16. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each of said strings is composed of different numbers of solar cells, each solar cell having the same no-load voltage.

17. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second no-load voltages is approximately three times greater than the other of said no load voltages.

18. A circuit arrangement comprising:

a first string of solar cells which are connected together in series;

at least one second string of solar cells which are connected together in series the first and second strings being located in an area of a cover of an openable vehicle roof and connected in parallel to a load formed by a motor of a fan located in the vehicle as a means for supplying electric power generated by the solar cells thereto for operation thereof;

wherein the first string forms a means for generating a first no-load voltage and the second string forms a means for generating a second no-load voltage different from said first no-load voltage for adapting the electric power generated by the solar cells to changing current/voltage characteristics of the load.