Abstract: A power converter employing a plurality of parallel high-frequency switching legs, and a low-frequency switching leg, is disclosed. A load may be coupled between the high-frequency switching legs and the low-frequency switching leg. A number of levels of a power waveform produced by the power converter may be higher than the number of levels of the high-frequency switching legs. The low-frequency switching leg may employ switches which may have low switching frequency characteristics, low conduction losses, and may be less expensive.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a DC-to-AC converter comprising a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The apparatus also includes a DC-to-DC converter comprising a third output. The DC-to-AC converter is configured to receive a DC input voltage from a DC power source, and to produce a first alternating output voltage at the first output terminal, and a second alternating output voltage at the second output terminal. The DC-to-DC converter is configured receive a DC input voltage from the DC power source, and to step down the DC input voltage at the third output.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for power conversion. The power conversion may be done by a plurality of power devices with different configurations. For example, the plurality of power devices may include one or more converters with an upside-up buck configuration and one or more converters with an upside-down buck configuration. The power conversion may be done by one or more power devices that may be configurable between different modes of configuration. For example, one or more power converters may be configured in either an upside-up buck configuration mode or an upside-down buck configuration mode. The selection of a certain mode of configuration of the converter may be permanent or non-permanent.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy, such as solar, wind, wave, thermal, and the like, including a solar panel and a duct supporting the solar panel at an operational angle. The duct comprises a bottom shroud and side shrouds, therein forming a large aperture, a small aperture, and an oblique frustum shaped cavity. The oblique frustum shaped cavity is configured to direct a flow of fluid from the large aperture to the small aperture. A flow energy generator, such as a turbine, located at the small aperture is configured to collect flow energy. Temperature differences between the solar panel and the environment may be used to harvest thermal energy with a thermoelectric generator. Fluid flow under the solar panel may decrease the panel temperature and increase the efficiency. Generators may be operated in reverse to lower the solar panel temperature and increase efficiency.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to methods for connecting power devices prior to deployment in a photovoltaic installation, for cost savings and easy deployment. Some embodiments disclosed herein include manufacturing a chain of power devices already coupled by conductors, and providing a mechanical assembly for convenient storage and deployment.

Abstract: A power system and a power method for a power system that includes a first power source operatively connected to an input of a first power device. The power system also includes a switch unit having a first input operatively connected to the output of the first power device. The power system further includes a second power source operatively connected to a second input of a second power device. A second output of the second power device connects to a second input of the switch unit, wherein a third output of the switch unit provides an output parameter responsive to at least one of the output of the first power device and the second output of the second power device.

Abstract: A device, system, and method is disclosed for improving safety of a power system. For example, a differential current may be detected using at least one sensor by temporarily enabling sampling of current flowing through one or more conductors. Additionally, current flow may be temporarily altered in order to sample current in a system. The measurements may be handled locally and/or remotely and appropriate actions may be taken to enhance the overall safety of the system.

Abstract: A power harvesting system including multiple parallel-connected photovoltaic strings, each photovoltaic string includes a series-connection of photovoltaic panels. Multiple voltage-compensation circuits may be connected in series respectively with the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be configured to provide respective compensation voltages to the photovoltaic strings to maximize power harvested from the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be include respective inputs which may be connected to a source of power and respective outputs which may be connected in series with the photovoltaic strings.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to configurations of mixed photovoltaic cell arrays and mixed photovoltaic modules having substrings of monofacial photovoltaic cells and bifacial photovoltaic cells. Further aspects relate to mixed photovoltaic cell arrays and mixed photovoltaic modules having substrings of differently sized and/or cut photovoltaic cells. Substrings of electrically serially connected photovoltaic cells may be connected to one another in parallel or series-parallel. Mixed photovoltaic cell arrays may be disposed upon mixed photovoltaic module backsheets having various regions of varying levels of transparency.

Abstract: A vehicle traction device having at least one energy storage component; at least one traction component; at least one acceleration sensor including a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, an accelerometer, and/or a piezoelectric sensor; and at least one deceleration sensor including a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, an accelerometer, and/or a piezoelectric sensor. The at least one acceleration/deceleration sensor is responsive to an operator input, and when the operator input is applied to the at least one acceleration/deceleration sensor, the energy traction device is signaled to transfer energy from the at least one energy storage component to the forward propulsion of the vehicle, or vice versa, using the at least one traction component. The vehicle traction device may be incorporated into, for example, a wheel, a motor, and/or a transmission.

Abstract: A multi-level inverter having at least two banks, each bank containing a plurality of low voltage MOSFET transistors. A processor configured to switch the plurality of low voltage MOSFET transistors in each bank to switch at multiple times during each cycle.

Abstract: A method of signaling between a photovoltaic module and an inverter module. The inverter module is connected to the photovoltaic module. In an initial mode of operation an initial code is modulated thereby producing an initial signal. The initial signal is transmitted from the inverter module to the photovoltaic module. The initial signal is received by the photovoltaic module. The operating mode is then changed to a normal mode of power conversion, and during the normal mode of operation a control signal is transmitted from the inverter to the photovoltaic module. A control code is demodulated and received from the control signal. The control code is compared with the initial code producing a comparison. The control command of the control signal is validated as a valid control command from the inverter module with the control command only acted upon when the comparison is a positive comparison.

Abstract: Methods for deploying connected power devices and systems of connected power devices prior to deployment in a photovoltaic installation are described. For example, a string of power devices pre-coupled by conductors is disclosed, which saves cost, provides convenient storage, reduces electromagnetic interference, and is easy to deploy.

Abstract: A power system and a power method for a power system that includes a first power source operatively connected to an input of a first power device. The power system also includes a switch unit having a first input operatively connected to the output of the first power device. The power system further includes a second power source operatively connected to a second input of a second power device. A second output of the second power device connects to a second input of the switch unit, wherein a third output of the switch unit provides an output parameter responsive to at least one of the output of the first power device and the second output of the second power device.

Abstract: A system for generation of electrical power including an inverter connected to a photovoltaic source including a theft prevention and detection feature. A first memory is permanently attached to the photovoltaic source. The first memory is configured to store a first code. A second memory is attached to the inverter. The second memory configured to store a second code. During manufacture or installation of the system, the first code is stored in the first memory attached to the photovoltaic source. The second code based on the first code is stored in the second memory. Prior to operation of the inverter, the first code is compared to the second code and based on the comparison; the generation of the electrical power is enabled or disabled.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to methods for connecting power devices prior to deployment in a photovoltaic installation, for cost savings and easy deployment. Some embodiments disclosed herein include manufacturing a chain of power devices already coupled by conductors, and providing a mechanical assembly for convenient storage and deployment.

Abstract: An apparatus may determine a parameter related to a voltage value at a midpoint terminal of a system power device, and may adjust a voltage applied to a second terminal of the system power device based on the parameter and a reference value. The second terminal may be different from the midpoint terminal.

Abstract: A multi-level inverter having one or more banks, each bank containing a plurality of low voltage MOSFET transistors. A processor configured to switch the plurality of low voltage MOSFET transistors in each bank to switch at multiple times during each cycle.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to systems, apparatuses and methods for operating stand-alone power systems. The systems may include power generators (e.g., photovoltaic generators and/or wind turbines), storage devices (e.g., batteries and/or flywheels), power modules (e.g., power converters) and loads. The methods may include various methods for monitoring, determining, controlling and/or predicting system power generation, system power storage and system power consumption.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to determining an order of power devices connected in a serial string to a central power device. The physical order may be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium.