# US 9,436,198 B2 · Method and apparatus for power conversion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,436,198 B2 - Document ID: US9436198B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/903,409 - Filed: 2013-05-28 - Published: 2013-09-26 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2006-03-23 - Assignees: Enphase Energy, Inc. - Applicants: Enphase Energy, Inc. - Inventors: Martin Fornage - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9436198B2 ## CPC - G05F 1/625: wherein it is irrelevant whether the variable actually regulated is AC or DC - H02J 1/102: being switching converters (H02J1/108, H02J1/12 take precedence) - H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators} - H02J 3/44: with means for ensuring correct phase sequence - H02M 3/285: {Single converters with a plurality of output stages connected in parallel (parallel operation of a plurality of converters in DC distribution networks H02J1/10)} - H02M 3/33515: {with digital control} - H02M 7/48: using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode - H02J 2101/24: Photovoltaics - H02M 1/007: {Plural converter units in cascade (push-pull DC/DC converters with pre-regulator H02M3/3374; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC stage including a high frequency transformer H02M7/4807; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC conversion stage generating periodically varying voltages H02M7/4826)} - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - Y10S 323/906: Solar cell systems - G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A method and apparatus for converting a first power to a second power. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a power conversion circuit for receiving the first power; and a controller, coupled to the power conversion circuit, for dynamically selecting between a non-interleaved mode and an interleaved mode for operating the power conversion circuit to convert the first power to the second power. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for converting a first power to a second power, comprising: a power conversion circuit for receiving the first power, wherein (i) the power conversion circuit comprises a plurality of power stages coupled to one another in parallel, (ii) each power stage of the plurality of power stages comprises a primary side for receiving an input power and a secondary side to provide an output power generated from the input power, and (iii) for each power stage of the plurality of power stages, power conversion by the power stage is controlled by switching only on the primary side; and a controller, coupled to the power conversion circuit, for dynamically selecting between a non-interleaved mode and an interleaved mode for operating the power conversion circuit to convert the first power to the second power, wherein only one power stage of the plurality of power stages is used during the non-interleaved mode, and at least two power stages of the plurality of power stages are used during the interleaved mode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first power is a DC power and the second power is an AC power. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first power is an AC power and the second power is a DC power. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller dynamically selects between the non-interleaved mode and the interleaved mode based on a level of power. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller dynamically selects between the non-interleaved mode and the interleaved mode based further on an input voltage to the power conversion circuit and an output voltage from the power conversion circuit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each power stage of the plurality of power stages is capable of converting a DC input power to a DC output power, and wherein the controller selects at least two power stages of the plurality of power stages for operating in the interleaved mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a number of power stages in the at least two power stages is proportional to the level of power. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the at least two power stages is operated with a delay. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-interleaved mode is a flyback mode and the interleaved mode is an interleaved flyback mode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-interleaved mode is a quasi-resonant mode and the interleaved mode is an interleaved quasi-resonant mode. ### Claim 11 A method for converting a first power to a second power, comprising: receiving the first power at a power conversion circuit, wherein (i) the power conversion circuit comprises a plurality of power stages coupled to one another in parallel, (ii) each power stage of the plurality of power stages comprises a primary side for receiving an input power and a secondary side to provide an output power generated from the input power, and (iii) for each power stage of the plurality of power stages, power conversion by the power stage is controlled by switching only on the primary side; dynamically selecting, by a controller coupled to the power conversion circuit, a mode for operating the power conversion circuit, wherein the mode is a non-interleaved mode or an interleaved mode, and wherein only one power stage of the plurality of power stages is used during the non-interleaved mode, and at least two power stages of the plurality of power stages are used during the interleaved mode; and converting, by the power conversion circuit, the first power to the second power utilizing the selected mode. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first power is a DC power and the second power is an AC power. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first power is an AC power and the second power is a DC power. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein selecting the mode is based on a level of power. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein selecting the mode is further based on an input voltage to the power conversion circuit and an output voltage from the power conversion circuit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein selecting the mode comprises selecting two or more power stages of the plurality of power conversion stages for operating in the interleaved mode, and wherein each power stage of the two or more power stages is operated with a delay. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein selecting the two or more power stages comprises selecting a number of power stages in proportion to the level of power. ### Claim 18 A system for converting a first power to a second power, comprising: a power source for providing the first power; a power conversion circuit coupled to the power source, wherein (i) the power conversion circuit comprises a plurality of power stages coupled to one another in parallel, (ii) each power stage of the plurality of power stages comprises a primary side for receiving an input power and a secondary side to provide an output power generated from the input power, and (iii) for each power stage of the plurality of power stages, power conversion by the power stage is controlled by switching only on the primary side; and a controller, coupled to the power conversion circuit, for selecting between a non-interleaved mode and an interleaved mode for operating the power conversion circuit to convert the first power to the second power, wherein only one power stage of the plurality of power stages is used during the non-interleaved mode, and at least two power stages of the plurality of power stages are used during the interleaved mode. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the power source is a DC power source, the first power is a DC power, and the second power is an AC power. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the power source is an AC power source, the first power is an AC power, and the second power is a DC power.