US 10,651,739 B1Granted

Power converters and methods of controlling same

AssigneeNextracker LLC

InventorsChen Li, Yang Liu, Mohammad Salmaan Khan, Jonathan Kenzo Kamei, Sandeep Sanjiva Lele

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A power converter converts a medium-voltage output from a solar module to an appropriate voltage to power a solar tracker system. The power converter includes a voltage divider having at least two legs, a first semiconductor switch subassembly coupled in parallel with a first leg of the voltage divider, and a second semiconductor switch subassembly coupled in parallel with a second leg of the voltage divider. In implementations, the signals for driving the semiconductor switches of the first and second semiconductor switch subassemblies may be shifted out of phase from each other. In implementations, if the bus voltages to the semiconductor switches are not balanced, the pulse width of the driving signal of the semiconductor switch supplied with the higher bus voltage is decreased for at least one cycle.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A medium-voltage power converter comprising:

a voltage divider having at least two legs;
a first circuit subassembly including a first semiconductor switch and a first semiconductor device coupled together in series, the first circuit subassembly and a first leg of the at least two legs coupled together in parallel;
a second circuit subassembly including a second semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor device coupled together in series, the second circuit subassembly and a second leg of the at least two legs coupled together in parallel;
a first inductor having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled between the first semiconductor switch and the first semiconductor device, the second end coupled to a first output terminal;
a second inductor having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled between the second semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor device, the second end of the second inductor coupled to a second output terminal;
and
a controller configured to generate a first pulsed signal for controlling the first semiconductor switch and a second pulsed signal for controlling the second semiconductor switch,
wherein the first pulsed signal is 180 degrees out of phase from the second pulsed signal.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/284,807Filed 25 Feb 2019
Granted: 12 May 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification29 codes

H02J 7/35
Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other DC sources, e.g. providing buffering: with light sensitive cells
H02M 3/1582
Including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load: buck-boost converters
H02P 23/24
Arrangements or methods for the control of AC motors characterised by a control method other than vector control: controlling the direction, e.g.…
H02S 20/32
Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment: specially adapted for solar tracking