Power conversion system with energy harvesting
AssigneeAnalog Devices Global
InventorsJonathan Ephraim David Hurwitz, Seyed Amir Ali Danesh, William Michael James Holland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power conversion apparatus or system can be configured to receive a high voltage alternating current (AC) signal at an input and to provide in dependence thereon a low voltage direct current (DC) signal from an output stage. The power conversion apparatus can include a main path comprising a high voltage capacitor in series with the input. In an example, the capacitor comprises a portion of an electric field energy harvesting system.
Claims24
A power conversion system configured to receive a high voltage alternating current (AC) signal at an input stage of the system and to provide, based on the high voltage AC signal, a low voltage direct current (DC) signal from an output stage of the system, the power conversion system comprising:
- a first capacitor comprising first and second conductors, wherein the first conductor comprises a portion of a main path for the high voltage AC signal;
- a first path configured to carry current from the first capacitor in at least one of a positive going part and a negative going part of the high voltage AC signal;
- a second path configured to selectively shunt current from the first capacitor in the positive going part and the negative going part of the high voltage AC signal;
- first and second switches configured to control current flow to the first and second paths, respectively;
- and
- a switch control circuit configured to control the first and second switches based on a phase of the high voltage AC signal;
- wherein the output stage receives current flowing in the first path.
A method for providing a low voltage direct current (DC) signal from an output stage of a power conversion system based on a received high voltage alternating current (AC) signal at an input stage of the system, the system including a main path with a capacitor in series with the input, the method comprising:
- in a first path, carrying current from the main path in at least one of a positive going part and a negative going part of the high voltage AC signal;
- in a second path, shunting current from the main path in a positive going part and a negative going part of the high voltage AC signal;
- using a switch control circuit, generating respective control signals for first and second switches based on a phase of the high voltage AC signal;
- controlling the first and second switches using the respective control signals, wherein the first and second switches are respectively disposed in the first and second paths to modulate current flowing from the main path to the first and second paths;
- and
- receiving, at the output stage, an output signal from the first path.
An energy harvesting and power conversion system configured to receive a high voltage alternating current (AC) signal at an input stage of the system and to provide, based on the high voltage AC signal, a low voltage direct current (DC) signal from an output stage of the system, the power conversion system comprising:
- an electric field energy harvesting circuit comprising a portion of a main path for the high voltage AC signal;
- a first path configured to can current from the harvesting circuit in at least one of a positive going part and a negative going part of the high voltage AC signal;
- a second path configured to carry current from the harvesting circuit in the positive going part and negative going part of the high voltage AC signal;
- first and second switches configured to control current flow to the first and second paths, respectively;
- and
- a switch control circuit configured to control the first and second switches based on a phase of the high voltage AC signal;
- wherein the output stage receives current flowing in the first path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.