Device system and method for coupling multiple photovoltaic arrays
First Claim
1. A photovoltaic system comprising,a first and second inputs adapted to couple to a first and second rails of a first photovoltaic array;
- a power converter, the power converter coupled to a first rail of a second photovoltaic array and a second rail of a third photovoltaic array;
an interface portion coupled to (i) the first and second inputs, (ii) a second rail of the second photovoltaic array, and (iii) a first rail of the third photovoltaic array, the interface portion configured to isolate the first photovoltaic array from the second and third photovoltaic arrays and to modulate an application of a voltage from the first photovoltaic array to the second and third photovoltaic arrays so as to adjust a voltage applied from the three photovoltaic arrays to the power converter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photovoltaic system, method and apparatus are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a first and second inputs adapted to couple to a first and second rails of a first photovoltaic array; a power converter coupled to a first rail of a second photovoltaic array and a second rail of a third photovoltaic array; and an interface portion coupled to (i) the first and second inputs, (ii) a second rail of the second photovoltaic array, and (iii) a first rail of the third photovoltaic array, the interface portion configures to isolate the first photovoltaic array from the second and third photovoltaic arrays and to modulate and application of voltage from the photovoltaic array to the second and third photovoltaic arrays so as to adjust a voltage applied from the three photovoltaic arrays to the power converter.
56 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic system comprising,
a first and second inputs adapted to couple to a first and second rails of a first photovoltaic array; -
a power converter, the power converter coupled to a first rail of a second photovoltaic array and a second rail of a third photovoltaic array; an interface portion coupled to (i) the first and second inputs, (ii) a second rail of the second photovoltaic array, and (iii) a first rail of the third photovoltaic array, the interface portion configured to isolate the first photovoltaic array from the second and third photovoltaic arrays and to modulate an application of a voltage from the first photovoltaic array to the second and third photovoltaic arrays so as to adjust a voltage applied from the three photovoltaic arrays to the power converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of interfacing a collection of photovoltaic arrays with a power converter comprising,
electrically isolating at least one photovoltaic array from other photovoltaic arrays in the collection of photovoltaic arrays; -
applying an initial voltage from the collection of photovoltaic arrays to the power converter; modulating a load placed on the at least one photovoltaic array so as to reduce a voltage that is output by the at least one photovoltaic array; electrically coupling the at least one photovoltaic array with the other photovoltaic arrays; and applying power at a collective voltage from the collection of the photovoltaic arrays to the power converter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A photovoltaic interface device comprising,
a first and second inputs adapted to couple to a first photovoltaic array, the inputs configured to receive an output voltage from the first photovoltaic array; -
a first and second outputs, one of the first and second outputs adapted to couple and apply a voltage to a second photovoltaic array and the other of the first and second outputs adapted to couple and apply a voltage to a third photovoltaic array, wherein the second and third photovoltaic arrays are configured to apply an operating voltage to a power converter; and a switching segment configured to gradually place a load across the two inputs so as to adjust the operating voltage applied by the second and third photovoltaic arrays to the power converter. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification