IP Library Granted Patent US 11,070,062
Granted Patent B2
US 11,070,062 · App. 16/834,639 · Granted Jul 20, 2021

Photovoltaic conversion systems

Inventors: Anatoli Ledenev (Fort Collins, CO); Robert M. Porter (Fort Collins, CO)
Assignee: AMPT, LLC
H02J3/385H02J3/00H02J3/38H02J13/0003H02M2001/0077Y02E10/56Y02E40/70Y02P80/20Y04S10/123Y10S136/293
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,070,062
App. No.
16/834,639
Granted
Jul 20, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Different systems to achieve solar power conversion are provided in at least three different general aspects, with circuitry that can be used to harvest maximum power from a solar source or strings of panels for DC or AC use, perhaps for transfer to a power grid three aspects can exist perhaps independently and relate to: 1) electrical power conversion in a multimodal manner, 2) alternating between differing processes such as by an alternative mode photovoltaic power converter functionality control, and 3) systems that can achieve efficiencies in conversion that are extraordinarily high compared to traditional through substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion capability that can achieve 99.2% efficiency or even only wire transmission losses. Switchmode impedance conversion circuits may have pairs of photovoltaic power series switch elements and pairs of photovoltaic power shunt switch elements.

Claims (48)

1. A solar power system comprising:

a plurality of DC-DC power converters, wherein each one of said DC-DC power converters:

is connected in series to at least one other DC-DC power converter of said DC-DC power converters, and

comprises boost conversion circuitry and buck conversion circuitry; and

converter functionality control that is capable of individually controlling an operational point of said each one of said DC-DC power converters during operation of said solar power system to produce operational power, by alternating said operational point of said each one of said DC-DC power converters between:

maximum power point for said each one of said DC-DC power converters,

an overcurrent boundary on DC output of said each one of said DC-DC power converters, wherein said overcurrent boundary is at other than said maximum power point, and

an overvoltage boundary on said DC output of said each one of said DC-DC power converters, wherein said overvoltage boundary is at other than said maximum power point.

2. The solar power system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of DC power sources, wherein said each one of said DC-DC power converters is coupled to a different, corresponding one of said DC power sources.

3. The solar power system of claim 2 wherein each of said DC power sources comprises at least one solar panel.

4. The solar power system of claim 1 further comprising an inverter configured to invert an output of said DC-DC power converters.

5. The solar power system of claim 1 wherein said each one of said DC-DC power converters comprise a capacitance that is common to said boost conversion circuitry and said buck conversion circuitry.

6. The solar power system of claim 1 wherein said each one of said DC-DC power converters comprises an inductance that is common to said boost conversion circuitry and said buck conversion circuitry.

7. The solar power system of claim 1 wherein said each one of said DC-DC power converters converts at greater than 98% efficiency.

8. The solar power system of claim 1 wherein said each of said DC-DC power converters converts using synchronous duty cycle switching.

9. The solar power system of claim 1 wherein during said overvoltage boundary and said overcurrent boundary, said operational power exhibits a proportionality between voltage and current.

10. A solar power system comprising:

a DC-DC power converter that comprises boost conversion circuitry and buck conversion circuitry and that is for serial connection to at least one other DC-DC power converter;

converter functionality control that is capable of individually controlling an operational point of said DC-DC power converter while said DC-DC power converter outputs operational power, by alternating said operational point of said DC-DC power converter between:

maximum power point for said DC-DC power converter,

an overcurrent boundary on said operational power of said DC-DC power converter, wherein said overcurrent boundary is at other than said maximum power point, and

an overvoltage boundary on said operational power of said DC-DC power converter, wherein said overvoltage boundary is at other than said maximum power point.

11. The solar power system of claim 10 further comprising a DC power source that is coupled to said DC-DC power converter.

12. The solar power system of claim 11 wherein said DC power source comprises at least one solar panel.

13. The solar power system of claim 10 further comprising an inverter configured to invert an output of said DC-DC power converter.

14. The solar power system of claim 10 wherein said DC-DC power converter comprises a capacitance that is common to said boost conversion circuitry and said buck conversion circuitry.

15. The solar power system of claim 10 wherein said DC-DC power converter comprises an inductance that is common to said boost conversion circuitry and said buck conversion circuitry.

16. The solar power system of claim 10 wherein said DC-DC power converter converts at greater than 98% efficiency.

17. The solar power system of claim 10 wherein said DC-DC power converter converts using synchronous duty cycle switching.

18. The solar power system of claim 10 wherein during said overvoltage boundary and said overcurrent boundary, said operational power exhibits a proportionality between voltage and current.

19. A solar power system comprising:

a DC-DC power converter;

boost conversion circuitry of said DC-DC power converter; and

buck conversion circuitry of said DC-DC power converter;

wherein said DC-DC power converter is configured for:

serial connection to at least one other converter, and

individual control by converter functionality control that, while said DC-DC power converter outputs operational power, individually controls an operational point of said DC-DC power converter by alternating said operational point of said DC-DC power converter between:

maximum power point for said DC-DC power converter,

an overcurrent boundary on said operational power of said DC-DC power converter, wherein said overcurrent boundary is at other than said maximum power point, and

an overvoltage boundary on said operational power of said DC-DC power converter, wherein said overvoltage boundary is at other than said maximum power point.

20. The solar power system of claim 19 further comprising a DC power source coupled to said DC-DC power converter.

21. The solar power system of claim 20 wherein said DC power source comprises at least one solar panel.

22. The solar power system of claim 19 further comprising an inverter configured to invert an output of said DC-DC power converter.

23. The solar power system of claim 19 wherein said DC-DC power converter comprises a capacitance that is common to said boost conversion circuitry and said buck conversion circuitry.

24. The solar power system of claim 19 wherein said DC-DC power converter comprises an inductance that is common to said boost conversion circuitry and said buck conversion circuitry.

25. The solar power system of claim 19 wherein said DC-DC power converter converts at greater than 98% efficiency.

26. The solar power system of claim 19 wherein said DC-DC power converter converts using synchronous duty cycle switching.

27. The solar power system of claim 19 wherein during said overvoltage boundary and said overcurrent boundary, said operating power exhibits a proportionality between voltage and current.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2020
From: LEDENEV, ANATOLI; PORTER, ROBERT
To: AMPT, LLC
Reel/Frame 052395/0126 →
Continuity (12)
Continuation 15679745 · Aug 17, 2017
Continuation 15612892 · Jun 2, 2017
Continuation 15219149 · Jul 25, 2016
Continuation 13934102 · Jul 2, 2013
Continuation 13275147 · Oct 17, 2011
Continuation 13192329 · Jul 27, 2011
Continuation 12955704 · Nov 29, 2010
Continuation 12682889
Provisional Application 60986979 · Nov 9, 2007
Provisional Application 60982053 · Oct 23, 2007
Provisional Application 60980157 · Oct 15, 2017
Related Publication 20200227920A1 · Jul 16, 2020
Cited By (2)
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