Circuits and methods for power conversion
First Claim
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1. A power conversion circuit comprising:
- a first terminal for receiving electric power having an output voltage from a solar panel exposed to light; and
a power converter coupled between said first terminal and a second terminal, and for selectively operating in a charging mode and a powering mode, wherein said power converter receives said output voltage at said first terminal, transfers said electric power to provide a voltage at said second terminal to a power source and maintains said output voltage at said first terminal at a threshold voltage in said charging mode, wherein said power converter reduces an output current of said solar panel to maintain said output voltage at said threshold voltage if an illumination level of said light decreases in said charging mode, wherein said power converter increases said output current of said solar panel to maintain said output voltage at said threshold voltage if said illumination level of said light increases in said charging mode, and wherein said power converter delivers power from said power source to a load in said powering mode.
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Abstract
A power conversion circuit includes a solar panel and a power converter. The solar panel is operable for providing electric power having an output voltage. The power converter coupled to the solar panel is capable of selectively operating in a charging mode and a powering mode. The power converter transfers the electric power from the solar panel to a power source and maintains the output voltage at a threshold voltage in the charging mode. The power converter delivers power from the power source to a load in the powering mode.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power conversion circuit comprising:
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a first terminal for receiving electric power having an output voltage from a solar panel exposed to light; and a power converter coupled between said first terminal and a second terminal, and for selectively operating in a charging mode and a powering mode, wherein said power converter receives said output voltage at said first terminal, transfers said electric power to provide a voltage at said second terminal to a power source and maintains said output voltage at said first terminal at a threshold voltage in said charging mode, wherein said power converter reduces an output current of said solar panel to maintain said output voltage at said threshold voltage if an illumination level of said light decreases in said charging mode, wherein said power converter increases said output current of said solar panel to maintain said output voltage at said threshold voltage if said illumination level of said light increases in said charging mode, and wherein said power converter delivers power from said power source to a load in said powering mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for converting power, said method comprising:
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receiving electric power having an output voltage at a first terminal from a solar panel exposed to light; selecting an operation mode from at least a charging mode and a powering mode; maintaining said output voltage at said first terminal at a threshold voltage in said charging mode, wherein said maintaining step comprises reducing an output current of said solar panel to maintain said output voltage at said threshold voltage if an illumination level of said light decreases and increasing said output current of said solar panel to maintain said output voltage at said threshold voltage if said illumination level of said light increases; transferring said electric power to provide a voltage at a second terminal to a power source in said charging mode; and delivering power from said power source to a load in said powering mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A power conversion circuit comprising:
a power converter having a first terminal and a second terminal, and optionally coupled to a solar panel, and for selectively operating in a charging mode and a powering mode, wherein said solar panel is capable of converting light power to electric power and providing an output voltage at said first terminal when said solar panel is exposed to light, said power converter comprising; a power stage for receiving said output voltage at said first terminal, providing a voltage at said second terminal to charge a battery in said charging mode, and delivering power from said battery to power a load in said powering mode; and a controller coupled to said power stage and for selecting an operation mode from at least said charging mode and said powering mode according to a comparison result of said output voltage at said first terminal and a threshold voltage, and for maintaining said output voltage at said first terminal at said threshold voltage in said charging mode, wherein said controller reduces an output current of said solar panel to maintain said output voltage at said threshold voltage if an illumination level of said light decreases in said charging mode, and wherein said controller increases said output current of said solar panel to maintain said output voltage at said threshold voltage if said illumination level of said light increases in said charging mode. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
Specification