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 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 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 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 power converters so as to selectively turn one or more of the plurality of 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 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 power converters in the ON state are operating in an optimal power efficiency range,
• wherein the controller comprises a processor, a look up table, and a memory for storing instructions for controlling the plurality of switched capacitor type power converters such that when received by the processor, instructs the processor to:
• determine the power across one or more of the plurality of power converters, and
• based on the power of the one or more power converters, accessing the look up table and determining therefrom which of the plurality of power converters the controller places in the ON state and the OFF state, and
• wherein the look-up table is configured for storing information associated with a plurality of power levels across at least one of the plurality of power converters correlated to a plurality of power converters to be placed in the ON state or the OFF state, wherein the information in the look-up table includes the number of the power converters of the plurality of power converters to be placed in the ON state based on a plurality of different power levels associated with the load while operating the plurality of power converters in the ON state in the optimal power efficiency range.