Power supply circuits
First Claim
1. A photovoltaic power conditioning integrated circuit for providing power to an AC mains power supply line from a photovoltaic device, the integrated circuit comprising:
- a DC power input to receive DC power from said photovoltaic device;
a first DC-to-DC power conversion stage coupled to said DC power input to convert a first DC voltage from said photovoltaic device to a second, higher DC voltage, said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage comprising a first plurality of power MOSFET devices;
a second DC-to-AC power conversion stage having an input coupled to an output of said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage to convert said second, higher DC voltage to an AC voltage for said AC mains power supply line, said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage comprising a second plurality of power semiconductor devices;
an AC voltage output coupled to an output of said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage;
a first driver circuit coupled to drive said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage; and
a second driver circuit coupled to drive said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage;
wherein said integrated circuit has a common substrate on which are fabricated said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage including said first plurality of power MOSFET devices, said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage including said second plurality of power semiconductor devices, said first driver circuit and said second driver circuit;
wherein said integrated circuit is a silicon-on-insulator integrated circuit having a buried oxide layer, and wherein said first driver circuit and a portion of said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage are unconnected and electrically isolated from said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage and from said second driver circuit, wherein said electrical isolation comprises a dielectric filled trench on said integrated circuit extending down to contact said buried oxide layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is generally concerned with power supply circuits, and more particularly, with circuits to supply power to a mains supply, such as domestic grid mains, from a photovoltaic device. A photovoltaic power conditioning circuit for providing power from a photovoltaic device to an alternating current mains power supply line, the circuit comprising: a DC input to receive DC power from said photovoltaic device; an AC output configured for direct connection to said AC mains power supply line; a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said DC input and to said AC output to convert DC power from said photovoltaic device to AC power for output onto said power supply line; and an electronic controller directly coupled to said power supply line to measure a voltage of said power supply line and a current in said supply line and to control said DC-to-AC converter responsive to said measuring.
159 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic power conditioning integrated circuit for providing power to an AC mains power supply line from a photovoltaic device, the integrated circuit comprising:
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a DC power input to receive DC power from said photovoltaic device; a first DC-to-DC power conversion stage coupled to said DC power input to convert a first DC voltage from said photovoltaic device to a second, higher DC voltage, said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage comprising a first plurality of power MOSFET devices; a second DC-to-AC power conversion stage having an input coupled to an output of said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage to convert said second, higher DC voltage to an AC voltage for said AC mains power supply line, said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage comprising a second plurality of power semiconductor devices; an AC voltage output coupled to an output of said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage; a first driver circuit coupled to drive said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage; and a second driver circuit coupled to drive said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage; wherein said integrated circuit has a common substrate on which are fabricated said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage including said first plurality of power MOSFET devices, said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage including said second plurality of power semiconductor devices, said first driver circuit and said second driver circuit; wherein said integrated circuit is a silicon-on-insulator integrated circuit having a buried oxide layer, and wherein said first driver circuit and a portion of said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage are unconnected and electrically isolated from said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage and from said second driver circuit, wherein said electrical isolation comprises a dielectric filled trench on said integrated circuit extending down to contact said buried oxide layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A photovoltaic power conditioning integrated circuit for providing power to an AC mains power supply line from a photovoltaic device, the integrated circuit comprising:
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a DC power input to receive power from said photovoltaic device; a first DC-to-DC power conversion stage coupled to said DC power input to convert a first DC voltage from said photovoltaic device to a second, higher DC voltage, said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage comprising a first plurality of lateral power MOSFET devices; a second DC-to-AC power conversion stage having an input coupled to an output of said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage to convert said second, higher DC voltage to an AC voltage for said AC mains power supply line, said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage comprising a second plurality of lateral power bipolar semiconductor devices; an AC voltage output coupled to an output of said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage; a first control input to receive a first control signal from a controller; a first driver circuit coupled to said first control input and to said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage, said first driver circuit controlling switching of said plurality of lateral power MOSFET devices in response to said first control signal from said controller; a second control input to receive a second control signal from said controller; and a second driver circuit coupled to drive said second control input and to said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage, said second driver circuit controlling switching of said plurality of lateral power bipolar semiconductor devices in response to said second control signal from said controller; wherein said integrated circuit is a silicon-on-insulator integrated circuit having a buried oxide layer, and wherein said first driver circuit and a portion of said first DC-to-DC power conversion stage are unconnected and electrically isolated from said second DC-to-AC power conversion stage and from said second driver circuit, wherein said electrical isolation comprises a dielectric filled trench on said integrated circuit extending down to contact said buried oxide layer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification