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US 2013/0093380 A1Published application
Solar charge controller with time-variable charging states and time-equal shunting states
OwnerScott Kennedy Gallertinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Solar powered battery charging circuitry is provided. A charge controller receives electrical energy from a photovoltaic panel. Timer circuitry provides a control signal. A duty cycle of the control signal is determined by way of comparing a time-varying capacitor voltage to a lesser threshold voltage and a greater threshold voltage. The control signal is characterized by time-variable charging states and time-equal shunting states. Transfer of electrical energy from the photovoltaic panel to the storage battery is regulated by a shunting element using the control signal.
Claims15
An electronic circuit, comprising:
- a zener diode and a first resistor and a second resistor and a capacitor connected in series circuit arrangement and defining at least a portion of a timing network, the timing network electrically connected between an output node and a ground node, the timing network configured to provide a time-varying signal;
- timer circuitry configured to provide a digital signal by way of comparing the time-varying signal with a lesser threshold voltage and a greater threshold voltage, the digital signal characterized by about time-equal shunting states and time-variable charging states;
- and
- a switching element configured to shunt an input node to the ground node in accordance with the digital signal.
1 more element
A solar power system, comprising:
- a photovoltaic panel configured to derive electrical energy by direct conversion of incident solar energy;
- a storage battery configured to store electrical energy;
- and
- a charge controller configured to regulate a transfer of electrical energy from the photovoltaic panel to the storage battery, the charge controller configured to shunt electrical current back to the photovoltaic panel in accordance with a control signal, the control signal characterized by about time-equal shunting states and time-variable charging states.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.