Parallel-connected inverters with separate controllers having impedance current regulators
First Claim
1. A distributed generation network, comprising:
- a) a plurality of power sources connected together in a distributed generation AC power network that is primarily inductive;
b) a plurality of power converters, at least some of which are connected in parallel, each connected to one or more of said plurality of power sources;
c) a plurality of control systems, each connected to at least one of said plurality of power converters and each including an impedance current regulator for generating an impedance current signal as a function of characteristics of AC power in the AC power network; and
d) wherein each of said plurality of control systems controls said at least one of said plurality of power converters without the need for a separate control system connected to said each control system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system (20) for a power converter (22) designed to convert DC power from a source (30) such as a battery, flywheel or fuel cell into AC power. The control system includes an impedance current regulator (106) for providing an impedance current signal to a summing unit (110) where it may be combined with real and reactive current command signals provided from respective sources (62, 64). The resultant current signal provided by the summing unit is provided to a voltage correction unit (112) that uses the resultant current signal in developing a correction voltage signal provided to the power converter. The correction voltage signal contains information used by the power converter in adjusting the real and reactive currents in its output AC power based on the ability of the AC power network to accept changes in current. Multiple power converters having the control system of the present invention may be connected in parallel to a single AC load or multiple AC loads, without the need for a separate control system interconnecting the power converters. The control system may be advantageously incorporated into a distributed generation network and in uninterruptible power systems, whether or not such systems are included in a distributed generation network.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A distributed generation network, comprising:
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a) a plurality of power sources connected together in a distributed generation AC power network that is primarily inductive; b) a plurality of power converters, at least some of which are connected in parallel, each connected to one or more of said plurality of power sources; c) a plurality of control systems, each connected to at least one of said plurality of power converters and each including an impedance current regulator for generating an impedance current signal as a function of characteristics of AC power in the AC power network; and d) wherein each of said plurality of control systems controls said at least one of said plurality of power converters without the need for a separate control system connected to said each control system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 26)
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8. A distributed generation network, comprising:
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a) a plurality of power sources connected together in a distributed generation AC power network that is primarily inductive; b) a plurality of power converters, at least some of which are connected in parallel, each connected to one or more of said plurality of power sources; c) a plurality of control systems, each connected to at least one of said plurality of power converters and each including an impedance current regulator for generating an effective output resistance as a function of characteristics of AC power in the AC power network; and d) wherein each of said plurality of control systems controls said at least one of said plurality of power converters without the need for a centralized control system connected to said each control system. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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9. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), comprising:
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a) a distributed generation AC power network having a plurality of controlled current sources for providing power, wherein said plurality of controlled current sources are connected together in parallel; b) a plurality of control systems for controlling operation of said controlled current sources, wherein each of said plurality of control systems (i) is capable of controlling at least one of said controlled current sources without the need for a separate control system connected to said each control system and (ii) includes an impedance current regulator for generating an impedance current signal as a function of characteristics of AC power in the AC power network; and c) a switch for selectively connecting said distributed generation AC power network to a load. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 28)
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14. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), comprising:
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a) a distributed generation AC power network having a plurality of controlled current sources for providing power, wherein said plurality of controlled current sources are connected together in parallel; b) a plurality of control systems for controlling operation of said controlled current sources, wherein each of said plurality of control systems (i) is capable of controlling at least one of said controlled current sources without the need for a centralized control system connected to said each control system and (ii) includes an impedance current regulator for generating an impedance current signal as a function of characteristics of AC power in the AC power network; and c) a switch for selectively connecting said distributed generation AC power network to a load. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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15. An AC power network, comprising:
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a) a utility AC power grid; b) a distributed generation AC power network connected to said AC power grid, wherein said network includes; i) a plurality of controlled current sources for providing power, wherein said plurality of controlled current sources are connected together in parallel; ii) a plurality of control systems for controlling operation of said controlled current sources, wherein each of said plurality of control systems controls operation of at least one of said controlled current sources without the need for a separate control system connected thereto and (ii) includes an impedance current regulator for generating an impedance current signal as a function of characteristics of AC power in the AC power network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 30)
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17. An AC power network, comprising:
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a) an AC power grid; b) a distributed generation AC power network connected to said AC power grid, wherein said network includes; i) a plurality of controlled current sources for providing power, wherein said plurality of controlled current sources are connected together in parallel; ii) a plurality of control systems for controlling operation of said controlled current sources, wherein each of said plurality of control systems controls operation of at least one of said controlled current sources without the need for a centralized control system connected thereto and (ii) includes an impedance current regulator for generating an impedance current signal as a function of characteristics of AC power in the AC power network. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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18. An energy storage system, comprising:
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a) a plurality of energy storage devices, each for providing power; b) a plurality of power converters connected in parallel, wherein each of said plurality of power converters is connected to at least one of said plurality of energy storage devices; and c) a plurality of control systems connected to said plurality of power converters for controlling operation of said plurality of power converters, wherein said plurality of control systems including an impedance current regulator for generating an impedance current signal as a function of characteristics of power provided by said plurality of energy storage devices, wherein said plurality of control systems controls operation of said plurality of power converters without the need for a separate control system connected thereto.
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19. An energy storage system, comprising:
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a) a plurality of energy storage devices, each for providing power; b) a plurality of power converters connected in parallel, wherein each of said plurality of power converters is connected to at least one of said plurality of energy storage devices; and c) a plurality of control systems connected to said plurality of power converters for controlling operation of said plurality of power converters, each of said plurality of control systems including an impedance current regulator for generating an impedance current signal as a function of characteristics of power provided by said plurality of energy storage devices, wherein said plurality of control systems controls operation of said plurality of power converters without the need for a centralized control system connected thereto.
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20. An AC power network connected to an AC power grid for providing power to a load on an uninterrupted basis when said load is disconnected from the grid, the AC power network comprising:
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a) a plurality of power converters connected in parallel; b) a plurality of control systems connected to said plurality of power converters for controlling operation of said plurality of power converters, each of said plurality of control systems including an impedance current regulator for generating an impedance current signal as a function of characteristics of AC power in the AC power network, wherein said plurality of control systems are not connected to a high-speed communication system that controls operation of said plurality of control systems; and c) a switch for selectively connecting the AC power network to the grid.
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21. A system for correcting non-linear components in an AC power generation network, the system comprising:
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a) a plurality of power sources, each providing output power with non-linear components; and b) a plurality of control systems for handling power provided by said plurality of power sources, wherein said plurality of control systems use time domain control to cooperatively remove at least some of said non-linear components. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 32)
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Specification