Topologies for using multiple energy sources for power conversions

• US 7,336,004 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Lai, Jih-Sheng
• Primary Examiner(s): DeBeradinis; Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US11/582,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20070029881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 307/64, 307/65, 307/66
• US Class Current: 307/66
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0074 Plural converter units whose inputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1582 Buck-boost converters H02M3/1584 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/5387 in a bridge configuration

Abstract

A boost converter and a buck-boost converter supply power to a load from a series connection between a first and a second power source.

Claims

1. A method of providing power comprising:

charging an output capacitor by boosting a first voltage of a series connection between a first-power-source positive terminal and a second-power-source negative terminal when a first power source has output voltage within a defined tolerance; and

charging the output capacitor by boosting and reversing the polarity of a second voltage of the series connection between the first-power-source positive terminal and the second-power-source negative terminal when the first power source has output voltage outside of the defined tolerance.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the charging an output capacitor by boosting a first voltage of a series connection between a first-power-source positive terminal and a second-power-source negative terminal when a first power source has output voltage within a defined tolerance comprises:

charging the output capacitor with a boost converter when the output voltage of the first power source is greater than or equal to a specified threshold.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the charging the output capacitor by boosting and reversing the polarity of a second voltage of the series connection between the first-power-source positive terminal and the second-power-source negative terminal when the first power source has output voltage outside of the defined tolerance comprises:

charging the output capacitor with a buck-boost converter when the output voltage of the first power source is less than a specified threshold.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first power source comprises:

at least one of a fuel cell, a battery, an electrolytic capacitor, and an ultra capacitor.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing the second voltage from a second power source, wherein the second power source includes at least one of a fuel cell, a battery, an electrolytic capacitor, and an ultra capacitor.

6. A method of providing power comprising:

charging an output capacitor by boosting and reversing a polarity of a first voltage of a series connection between a first-power-source positive terminal and a second-power-source negative terminal when a second power source has output voltage within a defined tolerance; and

charging the output capacitor by boosting a second voltage of the series connection between the first-power-source positive terminal and the second-power-source negative terminal when the second power source has output voltage outside of the defined tolerance.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the charging an output capacitor by boosting and reversing a polarity of a first voltage of a series connection between a first-power-source positive terminal and a second-power-source negative terminal when a second power source has output voltage within a defined tolerance comprises:

charging the output capacitor with a buck-boost converter.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the charging the output capacitor by boosting a second voltage of the series connection between the first-power-source positive terminal and the second-power-source negative terminal when the second power source has output voltage outside of the defined tolerance comprises:

charging the output capacitor with a boost converter.