APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AC POWER

• US 20130043733A1
• Filed: 09/28/2012
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunlight Aerospace Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Allan James Bruce, Michael Cyrus, Sergey Frolov
• Inventors: Frolov, Sergey, Bruce, Allan James, Cyrus, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,391,457 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/82
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02021 for solar cells electrical connection means, e.g. junction boxes, specially adapted for structural association with photovoltaic modules H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02366 of the substrate or of a layer on the substrate, e.g. textured ITO/glass substrate or superstrate, textured polymer layer on glass substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0687 Multiple junction or tandem solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/076 Multiple junction or tandem solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/40 Synchronising a generator for connection to a network or to another generator
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/544 Solar cells from Group III-V materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/548 Amorphous silicon PV cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A multi-input electrical power conversion device is provided for converting multiple DC energies each arising from different junctions in a multi-junction solar cells into AC energy. The device includes a plurality of electrical inputs for receiving the multiple DC energies from at least one multi junction solar cell. The number of DC energies id no less than the number of junctions in the multi-junction solar cell. The device also includes at least one DC-to-AC circuit for receiving the multiple DC energies from the plurality of electrical inputs and at least one electrical output receiving at least one AC energy from the DC to AC circuit. The device also includes at least one MPPT circuit operatively coupled to the DC to AC circuit.

Claims

1. A multi-input electrical power conversion device for converting multiple DC energies each arising from different junctions in a multi junction solar cell into AC energy, comprising:

a plurality of electrical input pairs for receiving the multiple DC energies from at least one multi-junction solar cell;

a plurality of DC-to-AC inverting circuits each for receiving the DC energy from a different one of the plurality of electrical input pairs;

at least one electrical output receiving at least one AC energy from the plurality of DC to AC inverting circuits;

at least one MPPT circuit operatively coupled to the DC to AC inverting circuits;

a package housing the plurality of electrical input pairs, the plurality of DC-to-AC inverting circuits, the at least one electrical output and the at least one MPPT circuit.

2. The electrical power conversion device of claim 1 further comprising an AC disconnect switch for disconnecting the electrical output under control of the MPPT circuit.

3. The electrical power conversion device of claim 1 further comprising at least one DC to DC circuit coupling the electrical inputs to the DC-AC inverting circuit.

4. The electrical power conversion device of claim 1 further comprising a number of said DC-to-AC inverting circuits that is equal to the number of said DC energies.

5. The electrical power conversion device of claim 3 further comprising a number of said DC-to-DC inverting circuits that is equal to the number of said DC energies.

6. The electrical power conversion device of claim 1 further comprising a number of said MPPT circuits that is equal to the number of said DC energies.

7. The electrical power conversion device of claim 1 further comprising a carrier configured to support the package on a first side thereof and to support the multi junction solar cell on a second side thereof opposing the first side.

8. An AC photovoltaic module comprising:

at least one multi junction solar cell having at least two pairs of DC electrical outputs each associated with a different junction in the multi junction solar cell, each of said DC electric_output pairs receiving DC electrical energy from the junction with which it is associated;

a multi-input electrical power conversion device that includes a plurality of DC electrical inputs, each of said inputs receiving the DC electrical energy from one of the pairs of DC electrical outputs of the multi junction cell, said multi junction electrical power conversion device also including a plurality of DC-to-AC circuits and at least one MPPT circuit, each of the DC-to-AC circuits receiving the DC electrical energy from one of the DC electrical inputs;

at least one electrical output receiving at least one AC energy from the electrical power conversion device.

9. The photovoltaic AC module of claim 8 wherein the multi-input electrical power conversion device further comprises at least two DC to DC circuits.

10. The photovoltaic AC module of claim 8 further comprising a carrier for supporting the solar cells and the multi-input electrical power conversion device.

11. The photovoltaic AC module of claim 10 further comprising a frame surrounding the carrier.

12. (The photovoltaic AC module of claim 10 wherein said multi-input electrical power conversion device is electrically and mechanically connectable to and disconnectable from said carrier.

13. The photovoltaic AC module of claim 11 wherein said multi-input electrical power conversion device is attached to said frame.

14. The photovoltaic AC module of claim 8 wherein said multi-input electrical power conversion device is detachable from a remainder of said module.

15. The photovoltaic AC module of claim 10 wherein the carrier is adapted to be integrated into at least one component of a building selected from the group consisting of a roof, walls, doors and windows.

16. The photovoltaic AC module of claim 8 wherein said at least one multi junction solar cell comprises at least two strings of photovoltaic cells.

17. The photovoltaic AC module of claim 8 wherein said plurality of DC electrical outputs is three DC electrical outputs.