Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for managing power flow between an alternate energy source and a storage device

US10331157B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 30, 2016
Grant dateJun 25, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 13, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E70/30
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system that efficiently captures and utilizes the maximum generation capacity of an alternate energy source is disclosed. A first power converter is provided between the alternate energy source and a load. The first power converter is selected such that the capacity of the power converter is less than the generation capacity of the alternate energy source. A second power converter is selected such that the capacity of the second converter is at least equal to the difference between the capacity of the alternate energy source and the first power converter. A battery is provided to store the additional energy generated by the alternate energy source, and the second power converter is connected between the output of the alternate energy source and the battery. The power output from the first power converter is utilized to control operation of the second power converter.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.