Power combiner systems and methods
AssigneeArgentum Electronics, Inc.
InventorsBolis Ibrahim, Oleh Zhyhinas, Kamil Aleksander Wyszynski
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Abstract
Power combiner systems and methods for combining power from a number of power sources, which can differ in output power level, to at least one output. A controller monitors energy storage elements and controls a switch network to dynamically charge and discharge the energy storage elements while matching a desired output level. The controller can dynamically direct the switch network to alter inputs and outputs, thereby changing the frequency and order in which energy storage elements are connected.
Claims27
A system for combining electrical power from a plurality of power sources, the system comprising:
- a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of power sources;
- a plurality of voltage sensors coupled respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors;
- a plurality of output switches corresponding respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors;
- a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of voltage sensors and the plurality of output switches, and configured to:
- determine a respective state for each selected capacitor of the plurality of capacitors;
- determine a maximum power point for each respective power source corresponding to each selected capacitor of the plurality of capacitors;
- determine at least one output capacitor from the plurality of capacitors, the at least one output capacitor having a respective state furthest from a respective maximum power point for a respective power source;
- and
- direct at least one of the plurality of output switches to couple the at least one output capacitor to at least one output.
A method of combining electrical power from a plurality of power sources, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of power sources;
- determining a respective state for each selected capacitor of the plurality of capacitors;
- determining a maximum power point for each respective power source corresponding to each selected capacitor of the plurality of capacitors;
- determining at least one output capacitor from the plurality of capacitors, the at least one output capacitor having a respective state furthest from a respective maximum power point for a respective power source;
- and
- coupling the at least one output capacitor to an electrical network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.