# US 11,309,715 B2 · Modular power conversion system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,309,715 B2 - Document ID: US11309715B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/557,147 - Filed: 2019-08-30 - Published: 2020-06-04 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-15 - Assignees: DEKA Products Limited Partnership - Applicants: DEKA Products Limited Partnership - Inventors: Jason M. Sachs; Donald J. Lucas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11309715B2 ## CPC - H02J 3/32: using batteries or super capacitors with converting means - H02J 3/38: Arrangements for feeding a single network from two or more generators or sources in parallel; Arrangements for feeding already energised networks from additional generators or sources in parallel - H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators} - H02J 3/388: Arrangements for the handling of islanding, e.g. for disconnection or for avoiding the disconnection of power - H02J 3/46: Controlling the sharing of generated power between the generators, sources or networks - H02J 4/00: Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as AC or DC; Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks combining AC and DC sections or sub-networks (arrangements using intermediate DC-AC-DC conversion H02J1/002; arrangements using high-voltage DC [HVDC] links H02J3/36) - H02J 7/02: for charging batteries from AC mains by converters - H02P 6/17: and for generating speed information - H02J 2101/10: Dispersed power generation using fossil fuels, e.g. diesel generators - H02J 2101/20: Dispersed power generation using renewable energy sources - H02J 2101/24: Photovoltaics - H02J 2101/28: Wind energy - H02J 2207/40: adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02B 10/30: Wind power - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - Y02E 10/76: Power conversion electric or electronic aspects - Y02E 70/30: Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H02P: CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A modular power conversion system. The modular power conversion system includes at least one first electric resource, a modular power stage, at least one second electric resource, and wherein the modular power stage comprising at last one module including power electronics for converting power between the at least one first electronic resource and the at least one second electric resource. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for controlling a modular power conversion system for drawing power from the least expensive source comprising: connecting a first power module to a DC bus, the first module connected to a lower cost power source; setting a first voltage set point and a first current limit in the first module; connecting a second power module to a DC bus, the second module connected to a higher cost power source; setting the second voltage set point in the second module to a value below the first voltage, connecting a third power module to the DC bus, the third power module providing AC power to a variable load providing all the power to meet the variable load with the first power source until the load exceeds the first current limit and the DC bus voltage drops to the second voltage set point; and providing the balance of power to meet the variable load with the second power source. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the first power source is a photovoltaic array. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: connecting the priority power module to a DC bus, the priority module connected to a high priority circuit; setting a third voltage set point in the priority power module to a value less than the voltage set points of all the other power modules connected to the circuit; and flowing power to the priority circuit when the DC bus voltage is above the third voltage set point. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the high priority circuits comprise a battery. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 further comprising: connecting a battery to the priority power module; charging the battery when DC bus voltage is above the third voltage set point; and drawing power from the battery when the DC bus voltage is below the third voltage set point, thereby prioritizing battery charging over the variable loads. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising changing the first voltage set point based on the cost of power from the first power source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising lowering the first voltage set point to a value below the second voltage set point when the cost of power from the first power source exceeds the cost of power from the second source.