Piezoelectric power converter with trajectory control
AssigneeEnphase Energy, Inc.
InventorMichael J. Harrison
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for converting power comprising an input bridge having an input adapted for coupling to a DC source, a piezoelectric transformer having an input coupled to an output of the input bridge, and an output bridge having an input coupled to an output of the piezoelectric transformer and an output adapted to couple to a load. A trajectory controller, coupled to the input bridge and output bridge, (1) measures current and voltage in the input bridge, the output bridge or both, (2) measures a current into or out of the piezoelectric transformer, (3) determines switch timing for control signals for the input bridge and output bridge based upon the measured current and/or voltage, and (4) applies the control signals to the input bridge and output bridge.
Claims14
Apparatus for converting power comprising:
- an input bridge having an input adapted for coupling to a DC source;
- a piezoelectric transformer having an input coupled to an output of the input bridge;
- an output bridge having an input coupled to an output of the piezoelectric transformer and an output adapted to couple to a load;
- and
- a trajectory controller that (1) measures current or voltage in the input bridge, the output bridge or both, (2) measures a current into or out of the piezoelectric transformer, (3) determines switch timing for control signals for the input bridge and output bridge based on the measured current and/or voltage, and (4) applies the control signals to the input bridge and output bridge,
- wherein the trajectory controller controls the input bridge to apply voltage to the input of the piezoelectric transformer and controls the output bridge to receive voltage from the output of the piezoelectric transformer, and
- wherein the switch timing uses a switching sequence having the following states:
- (1) enable the input bridge to apply input voltage to the piezoelectric transformer input, (2) disconnect both input and output bridges from the piezoelectric transformer, (3) enable the output bridge to receive voltage from the piezoelectric transformer output, and return to state (2).
A method for trajectory controlling a power converter, where the power converter comprises an input bridge having an input adapted for coupling to a DC source;
- a piezoelectric transformer having an input coupled to an output of the input bridge;
- an output bridge having an input coupled to an output of the piezoelectric transformer and an output adapted to couple to a load;
- and a trajectory controller that performs a method comprising:
- measuring current or voltage in the input bridge, the output bridge or both;
- measuring a current into or out of the piezoelectric transformer;
- determining switch timing for control signals for the input bridge and output bridge based upon the measured voltage and/or current;
- applying the control signals to the input bridge and output bridge;
- controlling the input bridge to apply voltage to the input of the piezoelectric transformer and controlling the output bridge to receive voltage from the output of the piezoelectric transformer,
- wherein the switch timing uses a switching sequence having the following states:
- (1) enable the input bridge to apply input voltage to the piezoelectric transformer input, (2) disconnect both input and output bridges from the piezoelectric transformer, (3) enable the output bridge to receive voltage from the piezoelectric transformer output, and return to state (2).
A power converter configured to be coupled between a DC source and a load comprising:
- an input bridge having an input adapted for coupling to the DC source;
- a piezoelectric transformer having an input coupled to an output of the input bridge;
- an output bridge having an input coupled to an output of the piezoelectric transformer and an output coupled to the load;
- and
- a trajectory controller that (1) measures current or voltage in the input bridge, the output bridge or both, (2) measures a current into or out of the piezoelectric transformer, (3) determines switch timing for control signals for the input bridge and output bridge based on the measured current and/or voltage, and (4) applies the control signals to the input bridge and output bridge,
- wherein the trajectory controller controls the input bridge to apply voltage to the input of the piezoelectric transformer and controls the output bridge to receive voltage from the output of the piezoelectric transformer, and
- wherein the switch timing uses a switching sequence having the following states:
- (1) enable the input bridge to apply input voltage to the piezoelectric transformer input, (2) disconnect both input and output bridges from the piezoelectric transformer, (3) enable the output bridge to receive voltage from the piezoelectric transformer output, and return to state (2).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.