Method and apparatus for controlling solar power systems
An apparatus includes a four-switch power converter having input terminals coupled to a power source and output terminals coupled to a capacitor, wherein the capacitor is connected in series with the power source, and a common node of the capacitor and the power source is connected to one input terminal of the four-switch power converter.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a four-switch power converter having input terminals coupled to a first terminal and a second terminal of a power source respectively, and output terminals coupled to a first terminal and a second terminal of a capacitor respectively, wherein:
the first terminal of the power source is connected to the second terminal of the capacitor;
a first switch and a second switch of the four-switch power converter are connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal of the power source; and
a third switch and a fourth switch of the four-switch power converter are connected in series between the first terminal of the capacitor and the second terminal of the power source.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the power source is a solar panel configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein:
the four-switch power converter, the capacitor and the power source form a power module, and wherein:
the capacitor is connected between a positive terminal of the power source and a first output terminal of the power module; and
a negative terminal of the power source is connected to a second output terminal of the power module.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein:
the four-switch power converter, the capacitor and the power source form a power module, and wherein:
the capacitor is connected between a negative terminal of the power source and a second output terminal of the power module; and
a positive terminal of the power source is connected to a first output terminal of the power module.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the four-switch power converter is a four-switch buck-boost converter.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the four-switch buck-boost converter comprises:
an inductor connected between a common node of the first switch and the second switch, and a common node of the third switch and the fourth switch.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
the third switch and the fourth switch are connected in series between a negative terminal of the power source and the first terminal of the capacitor, and wherein the second terminal of the capacitor is connected to a positive terminal of the power source.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
the third switch and the fourth switch are connected in series between a positive terminal of the power source and the first terminal of the capacitor, and wherein the second terminal of the capacitor is connected to a negative terminal of the power source.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
the four-switch buck-boost converter is configured to operate in a pass-through mode after a duty cycle of the third switch is less than a first predetermined duty cycle.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
the four-switch buck-boost converter is configured to operate in a pass-through mode after a duty cycle of the first switch is greater than a second predetermined duty cycle.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:
in the pass-through mode, the first switch and the fourth switch are turned on, and the second switch and the third switch are turned off.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the power source is a solar panel, and wherein one terminal of the capacitor is electrically in direct contact with one terminal of the solar panel.
13. An apparatus comprising:
a solar panel and a capacitor connected in series, wherein a first terminal of the solar panel is connected to a second terminal of the capacitor; and
a buck-boost converter comprising a first switch and a second switch connected in series between the first terminal and a second terminal of the solar panel, and a third switch and a fourth switch connected in series between a first terminal of the capacitor and the second terminal of the solar panel.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:
the buck-boost converter is a four-switch buck-boost converter.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:
the capacitor is electrically in direct contact with the first terminal of the solar panel.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein:
a voltage potential at the first terminal of the solar panel is higher than a voltage potential at the second terminal of the solar panel.
17. An apparatus comprising:
a power source;
a capacitor connected in series with the power source; and
a buck-boost converter having a first switch and a second switch connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal of the power source, and a third switch and a fourth switch connected in series between a first terminal of the capacitor and the second terminal of the power source.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the buck-boost converter comprises:
an inductor connected between a common node of the first switch and the second switch, and a common node of the third switch and the fourth switch.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein:
the capacitor and the power source are connected between the first terminal of the capacitor and the second terminal of the power source, and wherein a positive terminal of the power source is connected to the capacitor.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein:
the power source and the capacitor are connected between the second terminal of the power source and the first terminal of the capacitor, and wherein a negative terminal of the power source is connected to the capacitor.