Current waveform construction to generate AC power with low harmonic distortion from localized energy sources
US7957160B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M1/44
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus to provide low harmonic distortion AC power for distribution by converting energy from natural or renewable sources into electrical form, and constructing a current waveform on a primary winding of a transformer by recapturing inductive energy previously stored in the transformer so as to transform the converted electrical energy into substantially sinusoidal AC voltage at a secondary winding of the transformer. For example, AC power may be supplied to a utility power grid from raw electrical energy from renewable energy sources (e.g., solar cells). An inverter may construct the primary winding current waveform using two unidirectional switches. On each half cycle, one of the switches first applies energy previously recaptured from primary winding inductance, and then applies the raw energy to the transformer primary winding at the utility power grid frequency. Accordingly, the constructed primary winding current may exhibit substantially improved total harmonic distortion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.