Back to results
US 12,709,177 B2Granted
Systems, devices, and methods for module-based cascaded energy systems having reconfigurable arrays
AssigneeTae Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMikhail Slepchenkov, Roozbeh Naderi, Romi Sinclair Kadri
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Example embodiments of systems, devices, and methods are provided herein for energy systems having multiple modules arranged in cascaded fashion for storing and discharging power. Each module includes an energy source and converter circuitry that selectively couples the energy source to other modules in the system. The modules can be arranged in serial arrays that in turn can be reconfigurably connected for interfacing the system with either an AC entity or a DC entity. Mobile charge stations having reconfigurable arrays are also disclosed.
Claims20
An energy storage system, comprising:
- a plurality of arrays, each array comprising at least two modules electrically connected together to output a cumulative voltage signal comprising a superposition of output voltages from each of the at least two modules, wherein each of the modules comprises an energy source connected to a converter configured to selectively generate the output voltage from the energy source;
- a plurality of switches, wherein the plurality of switches are external to the converters of the plurality of arrays, wherein the plurality of switches comprise a first group of switches and a second group of switches, wherein the first group of switches connect the plurality of arrays to a DC entity and the second group of switches connect the plurality of arrays to an AC entity;
- and
- a control system configured to control the modules of the plurality of arrays to generate the cumulative voltage signal, and configured to control the plurality of switches such that the cumulative voltage signal is output to either a DC entity or an AC entity.
1 more element
A mobile charge station comprising:
- a vehicle;
- and
- an energy storage system comprising:
- a plurality of arrays, each array comprising at least two modules electrically connected together to output a cumulative voltage signal comprising a superposition of output voltages from each of the at least two modules, wherein each of the modules comprises an energy source connected to a converter configured to selectively generate the output voltage from the energy source;
- a plurality of switches, wherein the plurality of switches are external to the converters of the plurality of arrays, wherein the plurality of switches comprise a first group of switches and a second group of switches, wherein the first group of switches connect the plurality of arrays to a DC entity and the second group of switches connect the plurality of arrays to an AC entity;
- and
- a control system configured to control the modules of the plurality of arrays to generate the cumulative voltage signal, and configured to control the plurality of switches such that the cumulative voltage signal is output to either a DC entity or an AC entity.
4 more elements
A method, comprising:
- receiving, by a control system, an instruction or input to change a configuration of an energy system comprising a plurality of arrays of modules from a first configuration in which the energy system is configured to receive power from or output power to a first entity that is one of a DC entity or an AC entity and a second configuration in which the energy system is configured to receive power from or output power to a second entity that is the other of the DC entity or the AC entity;
- and
- changing, by the control system, the configuration of the energy system from the first configuration to the second configuration by controlling a plurality of switches, wherein the plurality of switches are external to converters of the plurality of arrays, wherein the plurality of switches comprise a first group of switches and a second group of switches, wherein the first group of switches connect the plurality of arrays to a DC entity and the second group of switches connect the plurality of arrays to an AC entity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.