System and method for local string management unit
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A local string management unit (LSMU) comprising:
- an input configured to receive an input voltage from a string in a plurality of strings connected in parallel;
a voltage conversion portion connected to the input and configured to;
operate in a bypass mode when the input voltage is within a range from an output voltage of a strongest string in the plurality of strings; and
convert the input voltage to a target voltage when the input voltage is not within the range from the output voltage of the strongest string in the plurality of strip; and
an output connected to the voltage conversion portion and configured to provide the target voltage to a load;
wherein each respective string in the plurality of strings comprises a plurality of power generators connected in series; and
wherein the strongest string is strongest in producing power in the plurality of strings.
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods include a solar array having one or more strings of series-connected local management units (LMUs). Each LMU is parallel-connected to one of a plurality of solar modules. The strings are connected in parallel via a parallel bus. Local string management units (LSMUs) can increase or decrease an output voltage of the solar array by upconverting or downconverting string output voltages from each string. LSMUs can also operate in a bypass mode to increase overall power output.
178 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A local string management unit (LSMU) comprising:
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an input configured to receive an input voltage from a string in a plurality of strings connected in parallel; a voltage conversion portion connected to the input and configured to; operate in a bypass mode when the input voltage is within a range from an output voltage of a strongest string in the plurality of strings; and convert the input voltage to a target voltage when the input voltage is not within the range from the output voltage of the strongest string in the plurality of strip; and an output connected to the voltage conversion portion and configured to provide the target voltage to a load; wherein each respective string in the plurality of strings comprises a plurality of power generators connected in series; and wherein the strongest string is strongest in producing power in the plurality of strings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system, comprising:
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a parallel bus; and a plurality of local string management unit, each respective local string management unit of the plurality of local string management units comprising; an input configured to receive an input voltage; an output connected to the parallel bus; a voltage converter; a switchable connection controllable to bypass the voltage converter; and a controller coupled with the voltage converter and the switchable connection to operate the respective local string management unit in a bypass mode via activating the switchable connection to bypass the voltage converter, when the input voltage is within a range; and operate the respective local string management unit in a voltage conversion mode via controlling the voltage converter to convert the input voltage to a target voltage, when the input voltage is not within the range. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method in a local string management unit (LSMU), the method comprising:
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receiving, in the local string management unit, an input voltage from a string in a plurality of strings connected in parallel; operating a voltage conversion portion of the local string management unit in a bypass mode, when the input voltage is within a range from an output voltage of a strongest string in the plurality of strings; converting the input voltage to a target voltage using the voltage conversion portion, when the input voltage is not within the range from the output voltage of the strongest string in the plurality of strings; and providing the target voltage from the voltage conversion portion to a load; wherein each respective string in the plurality of strings comprises a plurality of power generators connected in series; and wherein the strongest string is strongest in producing power in the plurality of strings. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification