Geophysical energy source utilization circuit
OwnerAlan W. Wilkersoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A conversion means converts the energy available from a source, such as the wind or sun, into a corresponding amount of d.c. electrical power. A switching circuit, typically a thyristor bridge, is connected between the conversion means and an a.c. load and across a.c. power mains energizing the load. The switching circuit is operable to periodically connect the conversion means to the a.c. load in a power supplying manner. The a.c. mains impart suitable voltage and frequency characteristics to the electrical power so supplied. In the event the supplied power exceeds the power required by the a.c. load, the difference is taken by the a.c. power mains.
Claims46
A geophysical energy source utilization circuit suitable for energizing an a.c. load coupled to a.c. power mains comprising:
- conversion means responsive to the energy of the geophysical source for converting the energy in a corresponding amount of d.c. electrical power having a unipolarity voltage characteristic and for providing same to output terminals of the conversion means;
- switching means having a first terminal means coupled to said output terminals of said conversion means and a second terminal means connectable to said a.c. load and across the a.c. power mains for receiving a periodically varying voltage from the a.c. power mains, said switching means including controllable current conduction means interposed between the first and second terminal means for allowing the polarity of the unipolarity voltage to remain unchanged and for conducting current from said first terminal means to said second terminal means;
- and
- control means coupled to said switching means for rendering said controllable current condition means conductive for establishing a current flow at said second terminal means during periods when the voltage on said second terminal means causes said utilization circuit to comprise an electrical power source for the a.c. load for providing a net supply of power from the utilization circuit to the a.c. load.
A method of utilizing a geophysical energy source to power an a.c. load coupled to a.c. power mains providing a periodically varying voltage, said method comprising the steps of:
- converting the energy of the geophysical energy source in a corresponding amount of d.c. electrical power having unipolarity voltage and current properties;
- determining, by means of the electrical characteristics if the d.c. power obtained by conversion and of the a.c. power mains, periods during which transfer of the d.c. power to the a.c. load may occur;
- and
- transferring power to at least one of the a.c. load and a.c. mains during such periods in accordance with the instantaneous amount of power available from the geophysical energy source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.