IP Library Granted Patent US 9,917,444
Granted Patent B2
US 9,917,444 · App. 14/770,555 · Granted Mar 13, 2018

Method for DC-AC conversion

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,917,444
App. No.
14/770,555
Granted
Mar 13, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of controlling a plurality of DC/AC converters in cascade configuration, each being arranged to receive an input direct current and voltage from a respective photovoltaic panel and to deliver an electric output. The method includes receiving information representing at least one of frequency, phase, amplitude and harmonics of a required AC, and receiving information on the input direct current and voltage to each one of the plurality of DC/AC converters. Based on the received information, each one of the plurality of DC/AC converters is individually controlled in such manner that the combined output from the plurality of DC/AC converters produces an AC matching the required AC.

Claims (32)

1. A method of controlling a plurality of DC/AC converters in cascade configuration, each one of the plurality of DC/AC converters being arranged to receive an input direct current and voltage from a respective photovoltaic (PV) panel, and to deliver an output, the method comprising:

receiving information representing at least one of frequency, phase, amplitude and harmonics of a required AC;

receiving information representing at least one of current and voltage of the input direct current and voltage to each one of the plurality of DC/AC converters; and

based on the received information, individually controlling each one of the plurality of DC/AC converters such that the combined output of the plurality of DC/AC converters produces an AC matching the required AC, wherein one or more dummy unit is further connected to the plurality of DC/AC converters in cascade configuration, said one or more dummy unit comprising an energy storage element adapted to be charged and to output direct current and voltage, and a DC/AC converter, wherein the method further comprises:

using the one or more dummy unit for producing an output such that the combined output from the plurality of DC/AC converters produces an AC matching the required AC.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

charging an energy storage element electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of DC/AC converters.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein charging the energy storage element comprises charging the energy storage element using output current from at least one of:

at least one of the plurality of DC/AC converters in the cascade configuration,

the power grid, and

the photovoltaic panel connected to the DC/AC converter.

4. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising:

in response to at least one of:

at least one of current and voltage of the input direct current and voltage to a DC/AC converter received from the photovoltaic panel, and

the combined output from the plurality of DC/AC converters,

being below a respective threshold,

inputting direct current and voltage to the DC/AC converter from the energy storage element, and

converting, at the DC/AC converter, the received input direct current and voltage to output such that the combined output of the plurality of DC/AC converters produces an AC matching the required AC.

5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the steps of charging the energy storage element and inputting direct current and voltage to the DC/AC converter from the energy storage element are performed during a time shorter than 1 second.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of DC/AC converters comprises a switch placed between the at least one DC/AC converter and a photovoltaic panel, and wherein the method further comprises the step of altering the switch to disconnect the at least one DC/AC converter from the photovoltaic panel.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of DC/AC converters is individually controlled such that each one of the respective photovoltaic panels is operated in their respective optimum working points.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the information representing at least one of current and voltage of the input direct current and voltage to each one of the plurality of DC/AC converters is received repeatedly during operation.

9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving information on the number of DC/AC converters in cascade configuration.

10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving information on at least one of:

the number of DC/AC converters currently connected to a photovoltaic panel,

the number of DC/AC converters currently connected to a non-operating photovoltaic panel, and

the number of dummy units currently connected in the cascade configuration.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of DC/AC converters is arranged to be integrated with a respective PV panel.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of DC/AC converters is controlled by a microcontroller.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of DC/AC converters is an H-bridge converter.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the energy storage element is a capacitor.

15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the required AC is a grid AC.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2020
From: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
To: MARICI HOLDINGS THE NETHERLANDS B.V.
Reel/Frame 054205/0806 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2017
From: OPTISTRING TECHNOLOGIES AB
To: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
Reel/Frame 043563/0284 →