Abstract: A power electronics system, comprising a first inverter configured to receive DC power from a power source and a second inverter configured to receive DC power from the power source is provided. The system includes a first output inductor connected in series to an output of the first inverter, a second output inductor connected in series to an output of the second inverter, a coupling inductor configured to receive current from the first output inductor and the second output inductor, and an AC power output.

Abstract: A power electronics system comprising a environmentally sealed electronics compartment for housing power electronics equipment is provided. The system includes a plenum within the sealed electronic compartment for circulating air. A first liquid cooling loop is configured to cool air flowing through the plenum. A second liquid cooling loop configured to directly cool the power electronics equipment. The system includes a controller configured to independently control the flow rate of the first liquid cooling loop and the second liquid cooling loop.

Abstract: Electric power systems and methods are provided that detect an islanding condition. The systems and methods include components to inject a perturbation current at a power output, based upon a perturbation current signal, and receive a voltage signal from the power output. The systems and methods cross-correlate the perturbation current signal with the voltage signal to provide a cross-correlation signal, and determine an island condition based upon the cross-correlation signal.

Abstract: A power electronics system comprising an environmentally sealed electronics compartment for housing power electronics equipment is provided. The system includes a heater configured to raise the air temperature inside the sealed electronics compartment, an internal environmental sensor for sensing conditions within the sealed electronics compartment, and providing environmental data, and an external environmental sensor for sensing conditions outside the sealed electronics compartment, and providing environmental data, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive environmental data from the internal environmental sensor, and the external environmental sensor, and control the operation of the heater to maintain a set humidity level. The system further includes a passive water vapor transport membrane placed in the walls of the sealed electronics compartment.

Abstract: At least one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a power conversion unit (PCU). The PCU includes a power converter circuit, a safety detection circuit including a plurality of known network impedances and a switch having a first end coupled between two of the plurality of network impedances and a second end coupled to an output terminal, and a controller communicatively coupled to the safety detection circuit and the at least one power converter circuit. The controller may be configured to operate the switch, determine one or more voltage values of the safety detection circuit, and calculate an insulation impedance based at least in part on the one or more voltage values, a position of the switch, and the plurality of known network impedances.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a renewable energy-based power converter comprising an input, a high-side DC bus, a low-side DC bus, a first output, an inverter portion configured to convert DC power from the high-side DC bus and the low-side DC bus into output AC power, an interface converter coupled to the high-side DC bus and the low-side DC bus, a first auxiliary DC-DC converter, and a controller, wherein, in a first mode of operation, the DC busses are configured to receive input DC power from the input, and the controller is configured to operate the interface converter to convert DC power from the DC busses into regulated DC power, to operate the interface converter to balance voltage levels of the DC busses, and to operate the first auxiliary DC-DC converter to convert the regulated DC power into first output DC power provided to a DC load.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a renewable energy-based power converter comprising an input, a high-side DC bus, a low-side DC bus, a first output, an inverter portion configured to convert DC power from the high-side DC bus and the low-side DC bus into output AC power, an interface converter coupled to the high-side DC bus and the low-side DC bus, a first auxiliary DC-DC converter, and a controller, wherein, in a first mode of operation, the DC busses are configured to receive input DC power from the input, and the controller is configured to operate the interface converter to convert DC power from the DC busses into regulated DC power, to operate the interface converter to balance voltage levels of the DC busses, and to operate the first auxiliary DC-DC converter to convert the regulated DC power into first output DC power provided to a DC load.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for mounting electrical components in electrical systems. In one example, there is provided a heat-generating electrical component and base assembly configured to be secured to a component wall. The assembly comprises a base including an upper portion having a recess and a lower portion having a floating electrical connector, a heat-generating electrical component secured in the recess of the base and including an electrical lead in electrical communication with the floating electrical connector, and a gasket circumscribing a perimeter of the lower portion.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a start-up circuit for a power system, the start-up circuit comprising an input configured to be coupled to a power source and to receive input DC power from the renewable energy based power source, an output, a current regulator portion coupled to the input and configured to provide a regulated output current derived from the input DC power to the output, and a voltage regulator portion coupled to the current regulator portion and the output and configured to generate a regulated output voltage at the output derived from the input DC power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes: a photovoltaic generator comprising strings that each includes one or more photovoltaic cells; a power converter; switches; and a controller. The power converter is configured to convert direct current (DC) power provided by the photovoltaic generator into alternating current (AC) power, and to output the AC power. Each switch is associated with one of the strings and is configured to connect the associated string to the power converter when set to a first setting, such that power generated by the first string can flow to the power converter. Each switch is also configured to disconnect the string from the power converter when set to a second setting. The controller is configured to control the power provided by the photovoltaic generator by selectively connecting the strings of the photovoltaic generator to the power converter by controlling the settings of the switches.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes: a photovoltaic generator comprising strings that each includes one or more photovoltaic cells; a power converter; switches; and a controller. The power converter is configured to convert direct current (DC) power provided by the photovoltaic generator into alternating current (AC) power, and to output the AC power. Each switch is associated with one of the strings and is configured to connect the associated string to the power converter when set to a first setting, such that power generated by the first string can flow to the power converter. Each switch is also configured to disconnect the string from the power converter when set to a second setting. The controller is configured to control the power provided by the photovoltaic generator by selectively connecting the strings of the photovoltaic generator to the power converter by controlling the settings of the switches.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for mounting electrical components in electrical systems. In one example, there is provided a heat-generating electrical component and base assembly configured to be secured to a component wall. The assembly comprises a base including an upper portion having a recess and a lower portion having a floating electrical connector, a heat-generating electrical component secured in the recess of the base and including an electrical lead in electrical communication with the floating electrical connector, and a gasket circumscribing a perimeter of the lower portion.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a power converter configured to monitor at least one of current and voltage at a bidirectional AC load terminal, determine, based on the monitoring, whether the power converter is receiving AC power from at least one Photo-Voltaic (PV) inverter or whether AC power is being drawn from the power converter by at least one load, determine whether an energy storage device coupled to the power converter is fully charged, and in response to a determination that the power converter is receiving power from the at least one PV inverter and a determination that the energy storage device is not fully charged, operate a power conversion unit in the power converter to convert the AC power received from the at least one PV inverter into DC power and provide the DC power to a bidirectional DC terminal to charge the energy storage device.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a transistor gate drive comprises a first input configured to be coupled to a DC voltage source, a second input configured to receive a control signal, a third input configured to couple to a ground connection, a transformer, a first switch configured to couple the first input to a first end of a primary winding of the transformer in response to receipt of the control signal, and to decouple the first input from the first end of the primary winding in response to the receipt of the control signal, a second switch configured to couple a second end of the primary winding to the third input in response to receipt of the control signal, and to decouple the second end of the primary winding from the third input in response to the receipt of the control signal.

Abstract: At least one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a power conversion unit (PCU). The PCU includes a power converter circuit, a safety detection circuit including a plurality of known network impedances and a switch having a first end coupled between two of the plurality of network impedances and a second end coupled to an output terminal, and a controller communicatively coupled to the safety detection circuit and the at least one power converter circuit. The controller may be configured to operate the switch, determine one or more voltage values of the safety detection circuit, and calculate an insulation impedance based at least in part on the one or more voltage values, a position of the switch, and the plurality of known network impedances.

Abstract: A method for initializing a power inverter of a photovoltaic system includes: opening an AC mains switch and a DC switch to disconnect the power inverter from an electrical grid and to disconnect a capacitor bank associated with the inverter from a solar cell array; closing the AC mains switch to allow power to flow from an electrical grid to the DC capacitor bank to charge the DC capacitor bank; monitoring the DC capacitor bank until a desired voltage is reached; initiating the operation of the power inverter; stabilizing the DC voltage received from the DC capacitor bank at a predetermined power up voltage for the power inverter; waiting for an inverter initialization period to elapse; and adjusting DC voltage received by the power inverter to a voltage associated with a maximum power output level of the solar cell array.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes: a photovoltaic generator comprising strings that each includes one or more photovoltaic cells; a power converter; switches; and a controller. The power converter is configured to convert direct current (DC) power provided by the photovoltaic generator into alternating current (AC) power, and to output the AC power. Each switch is associated with one of the strings and is configured to connect the associated string to the power converter when set to a first setting, such that power generated by the first string can flow to the power converter. Each switch is also configured to disconnect the string from the power converter when set to a second setting. The controller is configured to control the power provided by the photovoltaic generator by selectively connecting the strings of the photovoltaic generator to the power converter by controlling the settings of the switches.

Abstract: The invention is a device and method for eliminating core excitation losses in a distribution transformer when the transformer is not supplying power to loads. The invention consists of sensors, a control circuit, a user interface and a power contactor. The power contactor is connected on the line side of a transformer and is opened or closed automatically based on preprogrammed time or load criteria determined by the control circuit. In one operational mode and when the transformer is disconnected from the line, the control board generates low power pulses at the transformer load connection points in order to “search” for loads. If a load is detected, the transformer is reconnected by way of contactor closure. If the transformer load drops to zero, for a predetermined amount of time, the transformer is again disconnected and the pulsed load search is reestablished.

Abstract: An electrical power converter for converting power from a bipolar DC source to supply an AC load is disclosed. For one such embodiment the bipolar DC source is a photovoltaic array and the AC power is sourced into an electric power grid. The bipolar photovoltaic array has positive and negative voltage potentials with respect to earth ground. The converter is a utility interactive inverter which does not require an isolation transformer at the electric power grid interface. Embodiments of the invention include methods of detecting and interrupting DC ground faults in the photovoltaic array.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuits are disclosed for detecting continuity of a fuse or other current protection device in a circuit. For example, a signal is generated and coupled onto a closed circuit in which the continuity of the fuse closes the circuit. The signal is then coupled from the closed circuit to a signal detector, which detects the presence of the signal and provides an output indicative of the presence of the signal. If the fuse blows, the circuit is opened, prohibiting the signal from being coupled to the signal detector, in which case the signal detector provides an output indicative of the absence of the signal. This example, however, are not exhaustive.