Systems and methods for buffering energy from intermittent power sources
AssigneeTelemeTrak, Inc.
InventorsFrederick Steinway Ziegler, Bjorn-Erik Eklund
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The devices, systems, and methods described herein are directed to buffering the electrical energy output from an intermittent power source before storing the electrical energy in a battery storage system. In some examples, a buffering module receives electrical energy from the intermittent power source at a first rate that exceeds a threshold charging rate of a battery storage system. The buffering module temporarily stores the electrical energy before outputting the electrical energy to the battery storage system at a second rate that is at or below the threshold charging rate of the battery storage system.
Claims19
A system comprising:
- an intermittent power source to output electrical energy at a first rate that exceeds a threshold charging rate of a battery storage system;
- the battery storage system;
- and
- a buffering module directly coupled to the intermittent power source, the buffering module comprising:
- an input to receive the electrical energy from the intermittent power source,
- a buffer electrically coupled to the input, the buffer to temporarily store the electrical energy received from the intermittent power source, and
- an output electrically coupled to the buffer, the output to provide electrical energy to the battery storage system at a second rate that is at or below the threshold charging rate of the battery storage system.
A system comprising:
- an intermittent power source to output electrical energy at a first rate that exceeds a threshold charging rate of a battery storage system;
- the battery storage system;
- a voltage limiting element coupled to the intermittent power source, the voltage limiting element to output electrical energy at a second rate that is equal to or less than the first rate, the second rate exceeding the threshold charging rate of the battery storage system;
- and
- a buffering module coupled to the voltage limiting element, the buffering module comprising:
- an input to receive the electrical energy from the voltage limiting element,
- a buffer electrically coupled to the input, the buffer to temporarily store the electrical energy received from the voltage limiting element, and
- an output electrically coupled to the buffer, the output to provide electrical energy to the battery storage system at a third rate that is at or below the threshold charging rate of the battery storage system.
A system comprising:
- an intermittent power source to output electrical energy at a first rate that exceeds a threshold charging rate of a battery storage system;
- the battery storage system;
- a current limiting element coupled to the intermittent power source, the current limiting element to output electrical energy at a second rate that is equal to or less than the first rate, the second rate exceeding the threshold charging rate of the battery storage system;
- and
- a buffering module coupled to the current limiting element, the buffering module comprising:
- an input to receive the electrical energy from the current limiting element,
- a buffer electrically coupled to the input, the buffer to temporarily store the electrical energy received from the current limiting element, and
- an output electrically coupled to the buffer, the output to provide electrical energy to the battery storage system at a third rate that is at or below the threshold charging rate of the battery storage system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.