Method and apparatus for aggregating power from multiple sources

An apparatus for aggregating power from multiple sources, the apparatus connected to a plurality of direct current power sources by a plurality of lines, wherein each direct current power source of the plurality of direct current power sources has an open circuit voltage, wherein the open circuit voltage is unknown, wherein a maximum value of the open circuit voltage is known, wherein each line of the plurality of lines has a line resistance, wherein the line resistance of at least some of the plurality of lines is large, the apparatus comprising:

• power aggregation circuitry connected to the plurality of lines;
• wherein said power aggregation circuitry draws current through the plurality of lines from the plurality of direct current power sources;
• wherein said power aggregation circuitry limits the current drawn through the plurality of lines such that, for each line of the plurality of lines, a closed circuit voltage corresponding to a voltage across the line while drawing current is at least one half of the maximum open circuit voltage;
• and
• wherein said power aggregation circuitry generates a single direct current regulated voltage from the drawn current.

An apparatus for aggregating power from multiple sources and generating a single direct current regulated voltage, the apparatus connected to a plurality of direct current power sources by a plurality of lines, wherein each direct current power source of the plurality of direct current power sources has an open circuit voltage, wherein the open circuit voltage is unknown, wherein a maximum value of the open circuit voltage is known, wherein each line of the plurality of lines has a line resistance, wherein the line resistance of at least some of the plurality of lines is large, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of slave voltage converters wherein each slave voltage converter of said plurality of slave voltage converters comprises an input voltage port, an output voltage port, and a sync input, wherein said input voltage port of each slave voltage converter is connected to a line of the plurality of lines, wherein all output voltage ports of said plurality of slave voltage converters are conjoined;
• and
• a master pulse width modulator circuit comprising a master pulse width modulator circuit input and a master pulse width modulator circuit output, said master pulse width modulator circuit input connected to said conjoined output voltage port, said master pulse width modulator circuit output connected to said sync input of each slave voltage converter of said plurality of slave voltage converters.

An apparatus for aggregating power from multiple sources and generating a single direct current regulated voltage, the apparatus connected to a plurality of direct current power sources by a plurality of lines, wherein each direct current power source of the plurality of direct current power sources has an open circuit voltage, wherein the open circuit voltage is unknown, wherein a maximum value of the open circuit voltage is known, wherein each line of the plurality of lines has a line resistance, wherein the line resistance of at least some of the plurality of lines is large, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of slave voltage converters wherein each slave voltage converter of said plurality of slave voltage converters comprises:
• rectifier means connected to a line of the plurality of lines for rectifying the open circuit voltage;
• filter means connected to the rectifier means for producing a filtered voltage;
• startup means for producing a startup signal from said filtered voltage;
• pulse width modulator means for producing a pulse width modulator output;
• sync means connected to said pulse width modulator means for causing said pulse width modulator means to initiate a startup cycle according to said startup signal, and for supplying a master pulse width modulator output signal to said pulse width modulator means after said startup cycle;
• power stage means for producing a direct current voltage according to said pulse width modulator output by switching said filtered voltage;
• i-servo means for causing said pulse width modulator means to modify said pulse width modulator output;
• v-servo means for causing said pulse width modulator means to modify said pulse width modulator output;
• and
• linear regulator means for providing power to said i-servo means and said v-servo means;
• a master pulse width modulator circuit connected to said plurality of slave voltage converters, said master pulse width modulator circuit comprising:
• error amplifier means for producing an error signal proportional to the single direct current regulated voltage;
• master pulse width modulator means for receiving said error signal and producing said master pulse width modulated output signal;
• and
• isolation means for isolating said master pulse width modulated output signal.