Method and apparatus for improved burst mode during power conversion
First Claim
1. A method for converting DC input power into AC output power comprising:
- operating in a continuous mode, while the DC input power is at a first level, wherein the DC input power is continuously converted into the AC output power and applied to an AC power grid; and
upon detecting the DC input power is at a second level, operating in a burst mode, wherein a burst of AC output power is followed by a period of no output power generation and an amount of AC output power for the burst is computed before applying the computed amount of AC output power to the AC power grid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to AC output power. The apparatus comprises an input capacitor, a DC-AC inverter, a burst mode controller for causing energy to be stored in the input capacitor during at least one storage period and the energy to be drawn from the input capacitor during at least one burst period, wherein the AC output power is greater than the DC input power during the at least one burst period; a first feedback loop for determining a maximum power point (MPP) and operating the DC-AC inverter proximate the MPP; and a second feedback loop for determining a difference in a first power measurement and a second power measurement, producing an error signal indicative of the difference, and coupling the error signal to the first feedback loop to adjust at least one operating parameter of the DC-AC inverter to drive toward the MPP.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for converting DC input power into AC output power comprising:
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operating in a continuous mode, while the DC input power is at a first level, wherein the DC input power is continuously converted into the AC output power and applied to an AC power grid; and upon detecting the DC input power is at a second level, operating in a burst mode, wherein a burst of AC output power is followed by a period of no output power generation and an amount of AC output power for the burst is computed before applying the computed amount of AC output power to the AC power grid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for converting DC input power into AC output power comprising:
at least one controller for causing the apparatus to operate in a continuous mode while the DC input power is at a first level and operate in a burst mode while the DC input power is at a second level;
wherein, during the continuous mode, the DC input power is continuously converted into the AC output power and applied to an AC power grid and, during the burst mode, a burst of AC output power is followed by a period of no output power generation and an amount of AC output power for the burst is computed before applying the computed amount of AC output power to the AC power grid.- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A power generator comprising:
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a photovoltaic panel for generating a DC input power; and an inverter for converting the DC input power into AC output power comprising at least one controller for causing the inverter to operate in a continuous mode while the DC input power is at a first level and operate in a burst mode while the DC input power is at a second level;
wherein, during the continuous mode, the DC input power is continuously converted into the AC output power and applied to an AC power grid and, during the burst mode, a burst of AC output power is followed by a period of no output power generation and an amount of AC output power for the burst is computed before applying the computed amount of AC output power to the AC power grid. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification