Patent · US Active

Method for distributed power harvesting using DC power sources

US8013472B2 · kind B2 · utility

326Cited by
98References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 4, 2007
Grant dateSep 6, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 9, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY04S20/222
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

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