Cascaded switching power converter for coupling a photovoltaic energy source to power mains
First Claim
1. A power converter for providing an AC power output from a photovoltaic power source, the power converter comprising:
- a capacitive storage element;
an inverter circuit having an input coupled to the capacitive storage element and an output providing the AC power output at a line frequency, wherein the inverter circuit draws charge from the capacitive storage element cyclically at half-periods of the line frequency and thereby causes a ripple variation in a voltage across the capacitive storage element; and
a DC-DC converter having an input coupled to an output of the photovoltaic power source, and an output coupled across the capacitive storage element, wherein a conversion ratio of the DC-DC converter is varied by controlling a switching circuit of the DC-DC converter such that the output of the photovoltaic power source is maintained at a substantially constant voltage, and wherein the conversion ratio of the DC-DC converter varies at the half-periods of the line frequency as the output of the DC-DC converter follows the ripple variation in the voltage across the capacitive storage element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cascaded switching power converter for coupling a photovoltaic (PV) energy source to power mains provides a high-efficiency and a potentially simple control mechanism for AC solar energy conversion systems. The PV energy source charges a capacitive storage element through a DC-DC converter, and an inverter couples energy from the capacitive storage element to the mains supply. The DC-DC converter is controlled so that ripple present on the capacitive storage element due to current drawn by the inverter is not reflected at the input of the DC-DC converter, which is accomplished by varying the conversion ratio of the DC-DC converter with the ripple voltage present across the capacitor. The average voltage of the capacitor can also be increased with increases in the available power output from the PV energy source, so that a corresponding increase in power is transferred to the mains supply.
28 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A power converter for providing an AC power output from a photovoltaic power source, the power converter comprising:
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a capacitive storage element; an inverter circuit having an input coupled to the capacitive storage element and an output providing the AC power output at a line frequency, wherein the inverter circuit draws charge from the capacitive storage element cyclically at half-periods of the line frequency and thereby causes a ripple variation in a voltage across the capacitive storage element; and
a DC-DC converter having an input coupled to an output of the photovoltaic power source, and an output coupled across the capacitive storage element, wherein a conversion ratio of the DC-DC converter is varied by controlling a switching circuit of the DC-DC converter such that the output of the photovoltaic power source is maintained at a substantially constant voltage, and wherein the conversion ratio of the DC-DC converter varies at the half-periods of the line frequency as the output of the DC-DC converter follows the ripple variation in the voltage across the capacitive storage element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An integrated circuit for controlling a power converter for providing an AC power output from a photovoltaic power source, the integrated circuit comprising:
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a sensing circuit for sensing a voltage across a capacitive storage element used to transfer energy from an output of the photovoltaic power source to the AC power output; and a control circuit for generating switching signals for controlling a DC-DC converter having an input coupled to the output of the photovoltaic power source, and an output coupled across the capacitive storage element, wherein the switching signals are controlled in conformity with an output of the sensing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of providing an AC power output from a photovoltaic power source, the method comprising:
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generating an AC power output at a line frequency from a capacitive storage element using an inverter, wherein the inverter draws charge from the capacitive storage element cyclically at half-periods of the line frequency and thereby causes a ripple variation in a voltage across the capacitive storage element; charging the capacitive storage element with an output of a DC-DC converter that draws power from the photovoltaic power source; and varying a conversion ratio of the DC-DC converter by controlling a switching circuit of the DC-DC converter such that the output of the photovoltaic power source is maintained at a substantially constant voltage, and wherein the conversion ratio of the DC-DC converter varies at the half-periods of the line frequency as the output of the DC-DC converter follows the ripple variation in the voltage across the capacitive storage element. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of providing an AC power output from a photovoltaic power source, the method comprising:
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generating an AC power output at a line frequency from a capacitive storage element using an inverter; charging the capacitive storage element with an output of a DC-DC converter that draws power from the photovoltaic power source; measuring a voltage across the capacitive storage element; and controlling an output current of the inverter in conformity with a result of the measuring. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A power converter for providing an AC power output from a photovoltaic power source, the power converter comprising:
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a capacitive storage element; an inverter circuit having an input coupled to the capacitive storage element and an output providing the AC power output at a line frequency; and a DC-DC converter having an input coupled to an output of the photovoltaic power source, and an output coupled across the capacitive storage element, wherein a conversion ratio of the DC-DC converter is varied by controlling a switching circuit of the DC-DC converter such that the output of the DC-DC converter has a high impedance permitting voltage variation due to an input current of the inverter, and such that the input of the DC-DC converter has a low impedance so that the output of the photovoltaic power source is maintained at a substantially constant DC voltage. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A method of providing an AC power output from a photovoltaic power source, the method comprising:
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generating an AC power output at a line frequency from a capacitive storage element using an inverter, wherein the inverter draws charge from the capacitive storage element cyclically at half-periods of the line frequency and thereby causes a ripple variation in a voltage across the capacitive storage element; charging the capacitive storage element with an output of a DC-DC converter that draws power from the photovoltaic power source; and varying a conversion ratio of the DC-DC converter by controlling a switching circuit of the DC-DC converter such that the output of the DC-DC converter has a high impedance permitting voltage variation due to an input current of the inverter, and such that the input of the DC-DC converter has a low impedance so that the output of the photovoltaic power source is maintained at a substantially constant DC voltage. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification