Power converting apparatus and power generating apparatus

• US 7,177,168 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2004
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Takehara, Nobuyoshi, Toyomura, Fumitaka
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, YOUNGHUIE JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US10/760,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20040151011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 363/131, 363/132, 363/146, 323/906, 307/66, 307/150, 307/151
• US Class Current: 363/131
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7039 the coupling part with coding means activating the switch to establish different circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/007 Plural converter units in cascade push-pull DC/DC converters with pre-regulator H02M3/3374; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC stage including a high frequency transformer H02M7/4807; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC conversion stage generating periodically varying voltages H02M7/4826
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/10 Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

AC module makers must prepare two types of AC modules for the 100-V and 200-V outputs only for domestic supply. For foreign countries, the makers must manufacture AC modules compatible with more system voltages. To solve these problems, the control circuit of an AC module controls the operation of an inverter circuit and/or the transformation ratio of a transforming circuit, and ON/OFF-controls a switch on the basis of the system voltage and connection state of an electric power system.

Claims

1. A power converting apparatus for converting electric power comprising:

a booster circuit, arranged to boast voltage of direct current power inputted from a direct current power supply;

an inverter circuit, arranged to convert the direct current power, which is inputted from said booster circuit, to alternating current power;

an output port, arranged to output the alternating power supplied from said inverter circuit; and

a controller, arranged to control operation of said booster and inverter circuits based on a type of plug unit connected to said output port,

wherein said controller controls said booster and inverter circuits so that said apparatus outputs a voltage corresponding to the type of plug unit which is connected to said output port by a user,

and wherein the plug unit has electrodes and at least one of projection which operates a switch arranged to said output port.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls said booster and inverter circuits in accordance with the operation of the switch.

3. A power generating apparatus for generating electric power, comprising a solar battery and the power converting apparatus according to claim 1.

4. A power generating system comprising a plurality of the power generating apparatuses according to claim 3.

5. A power convening apparatus for converting electric power comprising:

a booster circuit, arranged to boost voltage of direct current power inputted from a direct current power supply;

an inverter circuit, ranged to convert the direct current power, which is inputted from said booster circuit, to alternating current power;

a first output port, arranged to output the alternating power supplied from said inverter circuit through a first switch;

a second output port, arranged to output the alternating power supplied from said inverter circuit through a second switch; and

a controller, arranged to control operation of said booster and inverter circuits,

wherein said controller makes the first switch and breaks the second switch when said apparatus is operated and connected to an electric power system, and breaks the first switch and makes the second switch when said apparatus is operated and not connected to the electric power system, and

said controller controls the operation of said booster and inverter circuits based on a connection state of said first or second output port.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, if said apparatus is connected to the electric power system and a plug unit is connected to said second output port, said controller disconnects said apparatus from the electric power system.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said controller controls the operation of said booster and inverter circuits so that said apparatus outputs a voltage corresponding to a plug unit which is connected to said first or second output port by a user.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plug unit has electrodes and at least one of projection which operates a third switch arranged to said first output port or a fourth switch arranged to said second output port.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said controller controls the operation of said booster and inverter circuits in accordance with states of the third and fourth switches.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a fifth switch, a charge/discharge controller and a storage battery between the direct current power supply and said booster circuit.

11. A power generating apparatus for generating electric power, comprising a solar battery and the power converting apparatus according to claim 5.

12. A power generating system comprising a plurality of the power generating apparatuses according to claim 11.

13. A controlling method of a power converting apparatus for converting electric power having a booster circuit arranged to boost voltage of direct current power inputted from a direct current power supply, an inverter circuit arranged to the direct current power, which is inputted from the booster circuit, to alternating current power and an output port arranged to output the alternating power supplied from the inverter circuit, comprising the step of:

controlling operation of the booster and inverter circuits based on a type of plug unit connected to the output port,

wherein said controller step controls said booster and inverter circuits so that said apparatus outputs a voltage corresponding to the type of plug unit which is connected to said output port by a user,

and wherein the plug unit has electrodes and at least one of projection which operates a switch arranged to said output port.

14. A controlling method of a power converting apparatus for converting electric power having a booster circuit arranged to boost voltage of direct current power inputted from a direct current power supply, an inverter circuit arranged to the direct current power, which is inputted from the booster circuit, to alternating current power, a first output port arranged to output the alternating power supplied from the inverter circuit through a first switch, and a second output port arranged to output the alternating power supplied from the inverter circuit through a second switch, comprising the steps of:

discriminating an operation state of the power converting apparatus and a connection state between the first or second output port and an electric power system;

making and/or breaking the first and second switches in accordance with the discriminated operation and connection states; and

controlling operating of the booster and inverter circuits in accordance with the discriminated operation and connection states.