Power point tracking

US9342088B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SUNPOWER CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Robert Batten · Tualatin, US
• Vincenzo DiTommaso · Beaverton, US
• Gary B. Baker · Sherwood, US
• Henry Frazier Pruett · North Bend, US
• Adam Heiberg · Tualatin, US
• Triet Tu Le · Portland, US
• Edward Gee · Camas, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 17, 2010
• Grant date: May 17, 2016
• Expiry date: May 15, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/76
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A local power converter may include a controller to manipulate the operating point of a local power converter to cause the power point tracking feature of a central power converter to operate at a point determined by the controller. In some embodiments, the controller can manipulate the operating point of the local power converter by alternating between at least two modes. In some other embodiments, the controller can manipulate the operating point of the local power converter to provide a substantially constant slope. In some other embodiments, the controller can maintain a substantially constant impedance ratio. In some other embodiments, the controller enables perturbations from the power point tracking feature of the central power converter to reach the power source.