Patents by Inventor Lesley Chisenga
Lesley Chisenga has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20150280642Abstract: A solar photovoltaic sensing, control and monitoring system consisting of a sensing and control device that connects to the output of a solar module, collects the output voltage and current values, generates derivative values, such as cumulative energy, thereof and transmits the values to a monitoring device via a wired or wireless communication channel, and a monitoring device for receiving the values and transmitting instructions. The monitoring device may constitute a display and connect to a database or another device via a medium such as the internet. In some preferred embodiment, the sensing and control device includes an automatic switch or switches in series with the current carrying conductors connected to the solar module output. The switches disconnect the solar module output from the load. Furthermore, the sensing and control device may include an automatic switch in parallel to the current carrying conductors for bypassing the solar module output.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventor: Lesley Chisenga
-
Publication number: 20140252859Abstract: We describe a photovoltaic (PV) power generation system comprising at least two PV panels and a power conditioning unit. The dc power outputs of the PV panels are connected in parallel to a dc power input of the power conditioning unit. The power conditioning unit comprises a dc-to-dc converter having an input coupled to the dc power input and an output coupled to a dc link of the unit, a dc-to-ac converter having an input coupled to the dc link and an ac mains power supply output, and an energy storage capacitor coupled to the dc link. The power conditioning unit is configured to perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT) responsive to a level of power flowing into the dc power input, and the level of power flowing into said dc power input is sensed at the dc link. In preferred implementations the energy storage capacitor is a non-electrolytic capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Enecsys LimitedInventors: Lesley Chisenga, Andrew John Matthews, Paul Randal Engle, JR.
-
Publication number: 20140191583Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for balancing the power output to each phase of a set of micro-inverters. The method of some embodiments is performed by a gateway, which receives output messages from a plurality of micro-inverters. The gateway identifies the phase of each micro-inverter and calculates the output of the plurality of micro-inverters to each power line of a multi-phase system. The gateway then sends control signals to the micro-inverters to control the output of each micro-inverter to maintain a balanced aggregate power output to each phase of the power grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Aaron Jungreis, Paul Garrity
-
Patent number: 8674668Abstract: We describe a photovoltaic (PV) power generation system comprising at least two PV panels and a power conditioning unit. The dc power outputs of the PV panels are connected in parallel to a dc power input of the power conditioning unit. The power conditioning unit comprises a dc-to-dc converter having an input coupled to the dc power input and an output coupled to a dc link of the unit, a dc-to-ac converter having an input coupled to the dc link and an ac mains power supply output, and an energy storage capacitor coupled to the dc link. The power conditioning unit is configured to perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT) responsive to a level of power flowing into the dc power input, and the level of power flowing into said dc power input is sensed at the dc link. In preferred implementations the energy storage capacitor is a non-electrolytic capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Enecsys LimitedInventors: Lesley Chisenga, Andrew John Matthews, Paul Randal Engle, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20130279210Abstract: We describe a power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source, in particular a photovoltaic panel. A power injection control block has a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link and controls a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. In embodiments the signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls an amplitude of an ac current output such that an amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on an amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
-
Publication number: 20130234518Abstract: This invention is generally concerned with power supply circuits, and more particularly, with circuits to supply power to a mains supply, such as domestic grid mains, from a photovoltaic device. A photovoltaic power conditioning circuit for providing power from a photovoltaic device to an alternating current mains power supply line, the circuit comprising: a DC input to receive DC power from said photovoltaic device; an AC output configured for direct connection to said AC mains power supply line; a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said DC input and to said AC output to convert DC power from said photovoltaic device to AC power for output onto said power supply line; and an electronic controller directly coupled to said power supply line to measure a voltage of said power supply line and a current in said supply line and to control said DC-to-AC converter responsive to said measuring.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Enecsys LimitedInventors: Asim Mumtaz, Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga
-
Patent number: 8405248Abstract: This invention is generally concerned with power supply circuits, and more particularly, with circuits to supply power to a mains supply, such as domestic grid mains, from a photovoltaic device. A photovoltaic power conditioning circuit for providing power from a photovoltaic device to an alternating current mains power supply line, the circuit comprising: a DC input to receive DC power from said photovoltaic device; an AC output configured for direct connection to said AC mains power supply line; a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said DC input and to said AC output to convert DC power from said photovoltaic device to AC power for output onto said power supply line; and an electronic controller directly coupled to said power supply line to measure a voltage of said power supply line and a current in said supply line and to control said DC-to-AC converter responsive to said measuring.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Enecsys LimitedInventors: Asim Mumtaz, Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga
-
Patent number: 8405367Abstract: We describe a power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source, in particular a photovoltaic panel. A power injection control block has a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link and controls a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. In embodiments the signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls an amplitude of an ac current output such that an amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on an amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Enecsys LimitedInventors: Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
-
Patent number: 8310101Abstract: The invention relates to a grid synchronizer for connecting an AC output of a power converter to the AC grid mains. In one aspect the invention provides a grid synchronizer comprising an inverter controller to control an AC output of the inverter, the controller including a receiver to receive grid data from a grid sensor location remote from said inverter. In another aspect we describe techniques for rapid removal of charge from a control terminal of a power switching device such as a MOSFET, IGBT or Thyristor using a particular driver circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Enecsys LimitedInventors: Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Lesley Chisenga, Andrabadu Viraj
-
Patent number: 8077437Abstract: We describe a semiconductor-on-insulator integrated circuit die comprising a substrate bearing a power conditioning circuit, the power conditioning circuit comprising at least two power devices, a lateral power device and a vertical power device. The power conditioning circuit comprises: a DC input to receive DC power, an AC output for connection to AC mains; a DC-to-DC converter having an input coupled to said DC input; a DC-to-AC converter having a DC input and an AC output to convert DC power to AC power for mains output; and a DC voltage regulator coupled between the output of said DC-to-DC converter and the input of said DC-to-AC converter to regulate said DC voltage input to said DC-to-AC converter. The regulator is configured to control an AC output current of said circuit by controlling said DC voltage input to the DC-to-AC converter.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Enecsys LimitedInventors: Asim Mumtaz, Lesley Chisenga
-
Publication number: 20110298305Abstract: We describe a photovoltaic (PV) power generation system comprising at least two PV panels and a power conditioning unit. The dc power outputs of the PV panels are connected in parallel to a dc power input of the power conditioning unit. The power conditioning unit comprises a dc-to-dc converter having an input coupled to the dc power input and an output coupled to a dc link of the unit, a dc-to-ac converter having an input coupled to the dc link and an ac mains power supply output, and an energy storage capacitor coupled to the dc link. The power conditioning unit is configured to perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT) responsive to a level of power flowing into the dc power input, and the level of power flowing into said dc power input is sensed at the dc link. In preferred implementations the energy storage capacitor is a non-electrolytic capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: Lesley CHISENGA, Andrew John MATTHEWS, Paul Randal ENGLE, JR.
-
Patent number: 8067855Abstract: This invention is generally concerned with power supply circuits, and more particularly, with circuits to supply power to a mains supply, such as domestic grid mains, from a photovoltaic device. A photovoltaic power conditioning circuit for providing power from a photovoltaic device to an alternating current mains power supply line, the circuit comprising: a DC input to receive DC power from said photovoltaic device; an AC output configured for direct connection to said AC mains power supply line; a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said DC input and to said AC output to convert DC power from said photovoltaic device to AC power for output onto said power supply line; and an electronic controller directly coupled to said power supply line to measure a voltage of said power supply line and a current in said supply line and to control said DC-to-AC converter responsive to said measuring.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2004Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Enecsys LimitedInventors: Asim Mumtaz, Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga
-
Publication number: 20110049990Abstract: The invention relates to a grid synchroniser for connecting an AC output of a power converter to the AC grid mains. In one aspect the invention provides a grid synchroniser comprising an inverter controller to control an AC output of the inverter, the controller including a receiver to receive grid data from a grid sensor location remote from said inverter. In another aspect we describe techniques for rapid removal of charge from a control terminal of a power switching device such as a MOSFET, IGBT or Thyristor using a particular driver circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: ENECSYS LIMITEDInventors: Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Lesley Chisenga, Andrabadu Viraj
-
Publication number: 20100309692Abstract: We describe a power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source, in particular a photovoltaic panel. A power injection control block has a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link and controls a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. In embodiments the signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls an amplitude of an ac current output such that an amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on an amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
-
Publication number: 20100264736Abstract: This invention is generally concerned with power supply circuits, and more particularly, with circuits to supply power to a mains supply, such as domestic grid mains, from a photovoltaic device. A photovoltaic power conditioning circuit for providing power from a photovoltaic device to an alternating current mains power supply line, the circuit comprising: a DC input to receive DC power from said photovoltaic device; an AC output configured for direct connection to said AC mains power supply line; a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said DC input and to said AC output to convert DC power from said photovoltaic device to AC power for output onto said power supply line; and an electronic controller directly coupled to said power supply line to measure a voltage of said power supply line and a current in said supply line and to control said DC-to-AC converter responsive to said measuring.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventors: Asim Mumtaz, Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga
-
Patent number: 7626834Abstract: A DC to AC power converter is disclosed. The power converter has four power-switching devices, two diodes, a step-up and isolation transformer, a capacitor-choke filter and a controller. Two power-switching devices located on the primary side of the transformer are switched to provide alternate cycles of an ac current to the primary side of the transformer, which magnetically couples the ac current to the secondary side of the transformer. Two power-switching devices on the secondary side of the transformer are switched to alternately allow the forward and return ac currents from the secondary side of the transformer in the output path to a load connected to the output of the DC to AC power converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Enecsys LimitedInventors: Lesley Chisenga, Asim Mumtaz, Gehan Amil Joseph Amaratunga
-
Publication number: 20080266922Abstract: We describe a semiconductor-on-insulator integrated circuit die comprising a substrate bearing a power conditioning circuit, the power conditioning circuit comprising at least two power devices, a lateral power device and a vertical power device. The power conditioning circuit comprises: a DC input to receive DC power, an AC output for connection to AC mains; a DC-to-DC converter having an input coupled to said DC input; a DC-to-AC converter having a DC input and an AC output to convert DC power to AC power for mains output; and a DC voltage regulator coupled between, the output of said DC-to-DC converter and the input of said DC-to-AC converter to regulate said PC voltage input to said DC-to-AC converter. The regulator is configured to control an AC output current of said circuit by controlling said DC voltage input to the DC-to-AC converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2005Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Asim Mumtaz, Lesley Chisenga
-
Publication number: 20080055952Abstract: A DC to AC power converter is disclosed. The power converter comprises four power-switching devices, two diodes, a step-up and isolation transformer, a capacitor-choke filter and a controller. Two power-switching devices located on the primary side of the transformer are switched to provide alternate cycles of an ac current to the primary side of the transformer, which magnetically couples the ac current to the secondary side of the transformer. Two power-switching devices on the secondary side of the transformer are switched to alternately allow the forward and return ac currents from the secondary side of the transformer in the output path to a load connected to the output of the DC to AC power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Asim Mumtaz, Gehan Amaratunga
-
Publication number: 20070133241Abstract: This invention is generally concerned with power supply circuits, and more particularly, with circuits to supply power to a mains supply, such as domestic grid mains, from a photovoltaic device. A photovoltaic power conditioning circuit for providing power from a photovoltaic device to an alternating current mains power supply line, the circuit comprising: a DC input to receive DC power from said photovoltaic device; an AC output configured for direct connection to said AC mains power supply line; a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said DC input and to said AC output to convert DC power from said photovoltaic device to AC power for output onto said power supply line; and an electronic controller directly coupled to said power supply line to measure a voltage of said power supply line and a current in said supply line and to control said DC-to-AC converter responsive to said measuring.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2004Publication date: June 14, 2007Inventors: Asim Mumtaz, Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Amaratunga