Abstract: A photo-voltaic (PV) battery system that includes a battery system, a photo-voltaic (PV) electricity generation system, and a charge controller. The battery system is configured to store electrical charge at a voltage Vb when fully charged. The photo-voltaic electricity generation system is configured to convert energy from incident light into electricity to thereby generate electricity. The charge controller is coupled to the battery system and the photo-voltaic electricity generation system so that at least some of the generated electricity flows through the charge controller into the battery system. For any given light intensity L within a practical solar intensity range, the electricity generated in the photo-voltaic system has a maximum power extraction voltage point Vmx(L) and its corresponding current Imx(L). They are function of the incident light intensity L.

Abstract: An energy storage system that comprises an energy reservoir and a system controller. The energy reservoir is charged by DC energy from a DC energy source while discharging DC energy to a DC/AC converter. A system controller regulates the DC energy discharged from the energy reservoir to the DC/AC converter to nearly balance the amount of DC energy charged into the energy reservoir. Because this charging and discharging is nearly balanced, the size of the energy reservoir can be made quite small relative to the amount of charging and discharging. This is advantageous where the flow of charge and discharge is high, as might be the case if the energy reservoir receives charge from all or a substantial portion of a power station, such as a solar power station. With such a controller, the use of an energy reservoir becomes technically feasible even with such large current flows.

Abstract: A single-phase Energy Utilization Tracker (EUT) inverter that comprises two DC/AC conversion modules. At any time, the two modules combined can sequentially extract and convert most the power provided by a DC energy source into two AC power (voltage) trains. The first AC power (voltage) train conforms to the power grid convention; while the second AC power train has a 90 degree phase difference to the specific power line pair. In according to the principle described herein, this single-phase EUT inverter further comprising a phase adjuster to adjust the phase of the second AC power (voltage) train by 90 degrees to become synchronous with the first AC power train; both AC power trains being then suitable to deliver into the same power line.

Abstract: A sequential extraction control device for use in a 3-phase DC/AC converter. The 3-phase converter has three single-phase DC/AC converters, each controlled by a respective PWM extractor. Duty factor adjustments are made depending on a current portion of an AC power cycle. A sequential regulator causes the PWM extractors to have non-overlapping duty cycles such that extractions of each of the single-phase DC/AC converters is performed in sequence, rather than concurrently. This improves the efficiency in extracting power from the DC power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) power station includes at least one AC power production unit. The AC power production unit includes an energy reservoir that is supplied with DC energy from a DC power generator, such as PV panels. The energy reservoir is used as a buffer to store energy, and improve the efficiency of the PV power station. Whether or not an energy reservoir is used, decoupler devices may be used to prevent power annihilation that can decrease the amount of power delivered by the power station to the grid. In system integration for a PV power station, it is found that the declared rating of DC/AC converter in power grid convention should not be taken as the power conversion capability.

Abstract: Design solutions to mitigate the following four fatal flaws in the conventional pump system design; namely, (1) surprise pump-failure in single pump designs that can result in costly water damage; (2) the threat of fatal high voltage electrocution due to flooding; (3) grid power outage and no energy supply to support the needed pumping power that results in water damage; (4) foil odor from the standing water in the well after a period of low seeping rate with or without activated pumping. The principles described herein can completely mitigate the above four fatal design issues.

Abstract: Design solutions to mitigate the following four fatal flaws in the conventional pump system design; namely, (1) surprise pump-failure in single pump designs that can result in costly water damage; (2) the threat of fatal high voltage electrocution due to flooding; (3) grid power outage and no energy supply to support the needed pumping power that results in water damage; (4) foil odor from the standing water in the well after a period of low seeping rate with or without activated pumping. The principles described herein can completely mitigate the above four fatal design issues.

Abstract: A sequential extraction control device for use in a 3-phase DC/AC converter. The 3-phase converter has three single-phase DC/AC converters, each controlled by a respective PWM extractor. Duty factor adjustments are made depending on a current portion of an AC power cycle. A sequential regulator causes the PWM extractors to have non-overlapping duty cycles such that extractions of each of the single-phase DC/AC converters is performed in sequence, rather than concurrently. This improves the efficiency in extracting power from the DC power.

Abstract: When one operates an energy system at its maximum energy utilization point (MEUP) consistently, one can receive the most amount of energy benefit from the system. The practical MEUP tracking technologies operate a generator at a voltage for maximum power extraction and to produce near-maximum power; incorporate the invented surplus energy extraction devices to near-perfectly extract all power generated; temporarily store the surplus energy into designed energy reservoirs; add the invented supply devices to combined the energy from the extractor and from the reservoirs; prepare and deliver the right amount of power to exactly satisfy the instantaneous demand. Thus effectuates finding and tracking the MEUP of the energy system.

Abstract: A single-phase Energy Utilization Tracker (EUT) inverter that comprises two DC/AC conversion modules. At any time, the two modules combined can sequentially extract and convert most the power provided by a DC energy source into two AC power (voltage) trains. The first AC power (voltage) train conforms to the power grid convention; while the second AC power train has a 90 degree phase difference to the specific power line pair. In according to the principle described herein, this single-phase EUT inverter further comprising a phase adjuster to adjust the phase of the second AC power (voltage) train by 90 degrees to become synchronous with the first AC power train; both AC power trains being then suitable to deliver into the same power line.

Abstract: A sequential extraction control device for use in a 3-phase DC/AC converter. The 3-phase converter has three single-phase DC/AC converter each controlled by a respective PWM extractor. Duty factor adjustments are made depending on a current portion of an AC power cycle. A sequential regulator causes the PWM extractors to have non-overlapping duty cycles such that extraction of each of the single-phase DC/AC converters is performed in sequence, rather than concurrently. This improves the efficiency in extracting power from the DC power.

Abstract: An energy storage system that comprises an energy reservoir and a system controller. The energy reservoir is charged by DC energy from a DC energy source while discharging DC energy to a DC/AC converter. A system controller regulates the DC energy discharged from the energy reservoir to the DC/AC converter to nearly balance the amount of DC energy charged into the energy reservoir. Because this charging and discharging is nearly balanced, the size of the energy reservoir can be made quite small relative to the amount of charging and discharging. This is advantageous where the flow of charge and discharge is high, as might be the case if the energy reservoir receives charge from all or a substantial portion of a power station, such as a solar power station. With such a controller, the use of an energy reservoir becomes technically feasible even with such large current flows.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) power station includes at least one AC power production unit. The AC power production unit includes an energy reservoir that is supplied with DC energy from a DC power generator, such as PV panels. The energy reservoir is used as a buffer to store energy, and improve the efficiency of the PV power station. Whether or not an energy reservoir is used, decoupler devices may be used to prevent power annihilation that can decrease the amount of power delivered by the power station to the grid. In system integration for a PV power station, it is found that the declared rating of DC/AC converter in power grid convention should not be taken as the power conversion capability.

Abstract: Design solutions to mitigate the following four fatal flaws in the conventional pump system design; namely, (1) surprised pump-failure in single pump design that can result in costly water damage; (2) the threat of fatal high voltage electrocution accident in flooding situation; (3) grid power outage and no energy supply to support the needed pumping power that result in water damage; (4) stinky smell from the sitting foil water in the well after a period of low seeping rate with or without activated pumping. The principles described in the content disclosure, the proposed designs can completely mitigate the above four fatal design issues.

Abstract: When one operates an energy system at its maximum energy utilization point (MEUP) consistently, one can receive the most amount of energy benefit from the system. The practical MEUP tracking technologies operate a generator at a voltage for maximum power extraction and to produce near-maximum power; incorporate the invented surplus energy extraction devices to near-perfectly extract all power generated; temporarily store the surplus energy into designed energy reservoirs; add the invented supply devices to combined the energy from the extractor and from the reservoirs; prepare and deliver the right amount of power to exactly satisfy the instantaneous demand. Thus effectuates finding and tracking the MEUP of the energy system.

Abstract: When one operates an energy system at its maximum energy utilization point (MEUP) all the time, one can receive the most amount of energy benefit from the system. The practical MEUP tracking technologies operate generator at a voltage for maximum power extraction and also to produce near-maximum power; incorporate the invented energy extraction devices to near-perfectly extract all power generated; temporary store the surplus energy into designed energy reservoirs; add the invented devices to combined the energy from the extractor and from the reservoirs; prepare and deliver the right amount of power to exactly satisfy the instantaneous demand at all time. Thus effectuates finding and tracking the MEUP of the energy system.

Abstract: An LED lamp having an operating voltage range within which if the supply voltage is provided within the operating voltage range, the LED lamp produces light in a designed light range, and which has reduced sensitization to ripples. The LED lamp includes a network of passive elements that are structured such that the I-V characteristic curve has a plateau region within the operating voltage range. For instance, a maximum slope of an I-V characteristic curve of the network is shallower within the operating voltage range than the maximum slope of an I-V characteristic curve of the network below the operating voltage range.

Abstract: A demand-side dimmable LED lamp operable on a direct current power source that powers a lighting subsystem. The dimming unit selects a power consumption level of the lighting system. Such selection changes the efficacy of the lighting subsystem such that a reduction in power consumption actually results in improved efficacy. The selecting might, for example, select a particular passive network that includes LEDs within the lighting subsystem. Each passive network may have different I-V characteristics, and result in different L-P characteristics, thereby effecting the improved efficacy at lower powers.

Abstract: This patent discloses designs of a controller for a solar powered LED lamp system. The control unit includes a controller that has a switching network and that selectively charges a battery from a solar panel, and selectively discharges the battery to power a lamp. The lamp itself includes a second part of the control unit that prevents over-charge and under-charge conditions of the battery. This may be accomplished using a low power passive network of LEDs and resistors, leaving the controller itself to only perform switching. Thus, the power consumed by the controller, and by the LED lamp system as a whole, may be significantly reduced.

Abstract: An isolated mid-sized centralized photovoltaic solar station that includes a solar panel subsystem that converts photon energy into electricity, and a battery subsystem an energy reservoir to store electrical energy generated by the solar panel subsystem. A control unit regulates the output of energy from the solar panel system onto a low voltage electrical system that provides electrical power to electricity consuming devices or systems. The electrical system may operate at less than 50 volts thereby make the protection system less expensive. Furthermore, some of the batteries in the station may be mobile, so that they can be transported and used external to the station.