Parallel power converter topology
First Claim
1. A power converter for converting direct current (DC) power generated by a DC source to alternating current (AC) power for supply to a power grid, the power converter comprising:
- a first power path having only one power stage configured to draw power from the DC source as a first sine-squared current waveform, wherein the first power path is configured to transfer a first portion of the power generated by the DC source to the power grid; and
a second power path having at least two power stages, wherein the second power path is configured to transfer the remaining portion of the DC power generated by the DC to the power grid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power converter may include a first power path having no energy storage and a second power path having substantial energy storage. The first and second power paths have first and second input waveforms that are complementary with respect to a source waveform. The first power path, which may be more efficient than the second path, may transfer as much power as possible from the input to the output. The energy storage enables the second power path to make up the difference between the power available from the source and the power drawn by the first power path, and to make up the difference between the power demanded by a load and the power supplied by the first path.
203 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A power converter for converting direct current (DC) power generated by a DC source to alternating current (AC) power for supply to a power grid, the power converter comprising:
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a first power path having only one power stage configured to draw power from the DC source as a first sine-squared current waveform, wherein the first power path is configured to transfer a first portion of the power generated by the DC source to the power grid; and a second power path having at least two power stages, wherein the second power path is configured to transfer the remaining portion of the DC power generated by the DC to the power grid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for converting direct current (DC) power generated by a DC source to alternating current (AC) power for supply to a power grid, the method comprising:
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transferring a first portion of the DC power generated by the DC source through a first power path to the power grid, wherein the first power path has only one power stage and transferring the first portion of the DC power comprises drawing power, with the one power stage of the first power path, from the DC source as a first sine-squared current waveform; and transferring the remaining portion of the DC power generated by the DC source through a second power path to the power grid, the second power path having at least two power stages. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A power converter for converting direct current (DC) power generated by a DC source to alternating current (AC) power for supply to a power grid, the power converter comprising:
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a controller configured to (i) control a first power path of the power converter to transfer a first portion of the DC power generated by the DC source through the first power path to the power grid, wherein the first power path has only one power stage and (ii) control a second power path of the power converter to transfer the remaining portion of the DC power generated by the DC source through the second power path to the power grid, the second power path having at least two power stages, wherein to transfer the first portion of the DC power generated by the DC source comprises to draw power from the DC source as a first sine-squared current waveform. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification