Systems and Methods for Providing Maximum Photovoltaic Peak Power Tracking
First Claim
1. A circuit coupled to a solar array and to an energy subsystem, the circuit comprising:
- a processor for executing a power control algorithm;
a modulation controller controlled by said processor, said modulation controller to provide a switching frequency or pulse width to a high speed switching circuit in accordance with said power control algorithm; and
an analog-to-digital converter for measuring a voltage of the solar array, wherein said processor is to determine the maximum power point of the solar array using said measured voltage of the solar array, to adjust the switching frequency or pulse width of said modulation controller to match the maximum power point of said solar array and to cause said circuit to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode depending on a state of said energy subsystem.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A micropower Maximum Power Point Tracker (μMPPT) suitable for use in low power applications to maximize the power output for a solar-power cell array. In one embodiment, a μMPPT comprises an electrical circuit which includes a microprocessor/microcontroller used to execute the μMPPT control algorithm, and a modulator controller to control the pulse width or frequency to a high speed switch. In addition, the electrical circuit may include an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter usable to measure the input voltage from a connected solar array, the current through an inductor of the circuit, and the voltage of an attached energy store/load. In another embodiment, the μMPPT may operates in at least two modes depending on the energy store/loads conditions.
217 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A circuit coupled to a solar array and to an energy subsystem, the circuit comprising:
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a processor for executing a power control algorithm;
a modulation controller controlled by said processor, said modulation controller to provide a switching frequency or pulse width to a high speed switching circuit in accordance with said power control algorithm; and
an analog-to-digital converter for measuring a voltage of the solar array, wherein said processor is to determine the maximum power point of the solar array using said measured voltage of the solar array, to adjust the switching frequency or pulse width of said modulation controller to match the maximum power point of said solar array and to cause said circuit to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode depending on a state of said energy subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 24)
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5. (canceled)
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9. A method of controlling power provided by a solar array to an energy subsystem, the method comprising:
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executing a power control algorithm;
providing a switching frequency or pulse width based on said power control algorithm to a high speed switching circuit;
measuring one of an voltage output or a power output of said solar array; and
determining a maximum power point of the solar array using one of said voltage output and said power output;
adjusting said switching frequency or pulse width to match said maximum power point of said solar array;
determining a state of said energy subsystem; and
operating in at least one of a first mode and a second mode based on said state. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 13, 14, 15)
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12. (canceled)
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16. A circuit coupled to a solar array and to an energy subsystem, the circuit comprising:
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a processor for executing a power control algorithm; and
a modulation controller controlled by said processor, said modulation controller to provide a switching frequency or pulse width to a high speed switching circuit in accordance with said power control algorithm, wherein said processor is to determine the maximum power point of the solar array by measuring the power delivered by the solar array to the energy subsystem, to adjust the switching frequency or pulse width of said modulation controller to match the maximum power point of said solar array and to cause said circuit to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode depending on a state of said energy subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23)
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20. (canceled)
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25. A circuit coupled to a solar array and to an energy subsystem, the circuit comprising:
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a processor for executing a power control algorithm;
a modulation controller controlled by said processor, said modulation controller to provide a switching frequency or pulse width to a high speed switching circuit in accordance with said power control algorithm;
an inductor electrically connected to the solar array; and
an analog-to-digital converter for measuring one of (i) a voltage and a current of the solar array, or (ii) a current of the inductor and a voltage at the energy subsystem, wherein said processor is to determine the maximum power point of the solar array using one of said measured voltage and current of the solar array or said measured current of the inductor, and to adjust the switching frequency or pulse width of said modulation controller to match the maximum power point of said solar array. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification