Modular, integrated power conversion and energy management system

• US 6,738,692 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sustainable Living Systems
• Original Assignee: Sustainable Energy Technologies
• Inventors: Hammerstrom, Donald J., Droppo, Gerald W., Schienbein, Lawrence A., Harris, Brent Earle
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Douglas S.
• Application Number:
  US10/179,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20030036806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 700/286, 700/287, 700/295, 361/614, 361/648, 702/60-62, 307/104
• US Class Current: 700/286
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections

Abstract

A power conversion and energy management system preferably includes a controller, one or more standard modules, and a custom (or semi-custom) backplane. The backplane preferably accommodates one or more modules and uses the modules to control power quality and/or flow to one or more input and/or output connections. The standard modules are preferably power modules such as an inverter module, converter module, or grid connect module. In addition to accommodating the modules, the backplane can include system components other than power electronics. The backplane can, for example, include external connectors, disconnects, fusing, and so forth, for a given application. The backplane can further include internal DC and AC buses to interconnect the modules. The backplane can also include a communications module, a user interface, a socket for control firmware, and slots for accommodating the standard modules.

Claims

1. A power conversion and energy management system comprising:

a backplane; and

at least one power module configured to perform a power function, the at least one power module having a memory that stores information about the at least one power module, the at least one power module configured to be polled by the system to identify the at least one power module and convey information to the backplane.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the backplane comprises:

at least one communication module; and

a controller configurable to permit use of the system for a selected application.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to receive the at least one power module and the at least one communication module.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to use the at least one power module to control power quality and/or flow to one or more input and/or output connections.

5. A system according to claim 2, wherein the controller comprises:

controller software;

a control circuit;

a power circuit;

a protection circuit;

an external electrical connection;

an interface with the at least one;

communication module; and

an interface with the at least one power module.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the the at least one communication module is integrated with the controller.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one power module comprises:

one or more power circuits; and

a driver circuit configured to receive control signals from an external source.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the backplane is configured to accommodate the at least one power module.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the backplane comprises non-power circuit components for operating the system.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the non-power circuit components comprise:

external connectors;

disconnects; and

fusing.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein the non-power circuit components comprise an internal DC bus and an internal AC bus to interconnect the at least one power module with another power module.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the backplane further comprises:

a user interface;

a supervisory controller;

a socket for control firmware; and

an appropriate number of slots for accommodating the at least one power module.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein control firmware provides the ability to customize the backplane for a given application.

14. An energy management system comprising:

a plurality of standard modules; and

a backplane comprising a user interface, a controller, a communications module and

an appropriate number of slots for accommodating the standard modules.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the backplane further comprises a socket for control firmware, wherein the control firmware provides the ability to customize the backplane.

16. A system according to claim 14, wherein the standard modules each comprise a memory configured to communicate information about that module to the controller.

17. A fuel cell power conversion and energy management system comprising:

a backplane integrated with a fuel cell via an external DC plug connector, said backplane comprising a controller and a plurality of module slots configured to accommodate modules; and

a plurality of modules connected to the module slots.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of modules comprise:

a converter module;

an inverter module; and

a grid-connect module configured to determine when the fuel cell power conversion and energy management system should be connected to a power grid.