Electronic load for the testing of electrochemical energy conversion devices
AssigneeLynntech, Inc.
InventorCraig C. Andrews
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a load for testing an energy production device, such as a fuel cell, a technique is provided for sensing one or more operational parameters for each of a plurality field effect transistors. Analog and digital feedback are provided to adjust the control signal to the FETs to ensure that each remains within its individual safe operating area. The technique preferably takes all of the various operational parameters into account to determine if any individual FET is approaching the SOA boundary, and prevent that single FET from leaving the SOA while continuing to manage the operation of the entire load.
Claims15
A system for testing an energy generation device, the system comprising:
- a. a load comprising a plurality of field effect transistors coupled in parallel, the load including a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal;
- b. a pair of electrical nodes to receive an energy generation device under test, with a first node coupled to the positive input terminal of the load, and a second node coupled to the negative input terminal of the load through a resistive element;
- c. a means for sensing the voltage drop across the resistive element;
- d. a difference amplifier to receive the sensed voltage drop across the resistive element and to provide an output which is a function of the sensed voltage drop;
- e. a control element coupled to the positive input terminal of the load, the control element further providing a first control signal to a first input to the load;
- and
- f. a feedback amplifier to receive the output of the difference amplifier and a second control signal from the control element, the feedback amplifier providing a second input to the load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.