High efficiency, parallel, power conversion system with adaptive dynamic efficiency optimization

A system for controlling a plurality of power converters in a power system for supplying power to a load, comprising

• a plurality of switched capacitor type power converters forming an array for converting power between a first power level and a second power level when operating, wherein the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters are arranged in parallel relative to each other and wherein each of the switched capacitor type power converters has a plurality of capacitors for storing power,
• an input power line coupled to an input of each of the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters on an input side for providing input power at the first power level,
• an output power line coupled to an output of each of the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters on an output side for providing output power to a the load at the second power level,
• a controller coupled to the outputs of the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters for controlling a power output of the plurality of power converters,
• an input sensing circuit coupled to the input power line and to the controller for sensing the input power on the input power line and transmitting an input power signal to the controller, and
• an output sensing circuit coupled to the output power line and to the controller for sensing the output power on the output power line and transmitting an output power signal to the controller,
• wherein the controller is configured to control each of the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters so as to selectively turn one or more of the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters between
• an ON state at a first clock frequency so as to supply power to the load, and
• an OFF state at a second lower clock frequency where the power converter does not transmit power to the load and remains operative so as to charge the plurality of capacitors associated therewith,
• wherein the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters are controlled as a function of the sensed input power and the sensed output power such that one or more of the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters in the ON state are operating in an optimal power efficiency range,
• wherein the controller includes
• a signal conditioner for conditioning the input power signal and the output power signal and generating a conditioned output power signal representative of an instantaneous input power and an instantaneous output power, wherein the conditioned output power signal has a conditioned output voltage component and a conditioned output current component, and
• a processor that includes a power determination unit for determining the power across one or more of the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters based on an average of the conditioned output voltage component and the conditioned output current component and generating a power determination output signal,
• a clock selection unit coupled to the controller and to the plurality of power converters for varying a frequency of one or more of the plurality of power converters between the first clock frequency for placing the power converter in the ON state and the second clock frequency for placing the power converter in the OFF state, and
• a comparison unit coupled to the controller and to the clock selection unit for receiving the conditioned output power signal and the power determination output signal generated by the power determination unit,
• wherein the power determination output signal functions as a first output control signal and wherein the conditioned output power signal includes information related to the input power and to the output power, and wherein the comparison unit receives the conditioned output power signal and the first output control signal which functions as a power threshold signal, and in response generates an output comparison signal when a value associated with the conditioned output power signal is greater than a threshold value associated with the power threshold signal,
• wherein when the conditioned output power signal of the signal conditioner has a value greater than the threshold value of the power threshold signal, which is indicative of additional power being required by the load, the output comparison signal generated by the comparison unit by-passes the controller and is transmitted to the clock selection unit, which in response transmits an output signal directly to the plurality of power converters, and
• wherein in response to the output comparison signal from the clock selection unit the stored power in the plurality of capacitors of the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters in the OFF state is transmitted directly to the common output power line so as to provide power to the load.