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: 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: There is provided a method and system for monitoring a component moving in a delivery tube of a feed system in an automated production line. The method includes determining a velocity of the component that moves through the delivery tube and comparing the velocity to a predefined velocity range. The system includes at least one sensor configured to detect the component when the component passes through a first point and through a second point within the delivery tube; and a controller, wherein the at least one sensor is operatively coupled to the controller. The sensor may be configured to send a first signal when the component passes through the first point and a second signal when the component passes through the second point and the controller may be configured to determine velocity of the component by measuring a time interval between the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: A power system may comprise a plurality of power sources, each connected to a corresponding power device. The power devices may be connected in series or in parallel. Each power device may comprise input terminals connected to the corresponding power source, output terminals, and a power circuit (e.g., a power converter) that may be configured to convert input power from the corresponding power source to output power. The power regulator may further comprise a regulator communications module that may be configured to receive a power regulation indication relating to regulating an operational characteristic of the power regulator. The regulator controller may be configured to instruct the power converter to increase or decrease the regulator operational characteristic based on the power regulation indication, and based on power production characteristics of the power regulator. The change the operational characteristics may be used to estimate reserved power of the system.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for a power device in a power system. The power device may include a plurality of power stages, which may reduce the number of connectors needed for the power system. The plurality of power stages in the same power device may allow the power device to be configured with additional functionalities.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for a versatile UPS. The versatile UPS is operative to provide power to a load and to an interconnected network for delivering electricity from producers to consumers (i.e., an electricity grid, or simply, “a grid”). The versatile UPS has a plurality of switches providing for a multiplicity of switching states. The output to the load, the grid, or both is dependent, at least in part, on the switching states. Related systems, methods and apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A network unit may be operatively attached to power lines of an interconnected power system and/or a device such as a power module that may further include a communication interface. The network unit may be operable to superimpose a first signal representative of a sensed parameter of the power system onto the power lines, thereby to transmit the first signal to other power modules in the interconnected power system or to a power device in interconnected power system. The network unit may receive a second signal of the parameter superimposed onto the power lines from another network unit.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes a first converter configured to convert an input voltage into discrete voltage levels, and provide each discrete voltage level at a corresponding output terminal. The power conversion system further includes a second converter configured to convert the voltages into modulated voltages. The power conversion system further includes a selection unit configured to alternatively output each of the modulated voltages across a pair of output terminals.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for a smart energy home. The smart energy home may promote optimization of consumption of electricity by appliances and other consumer devices. Prioritization of where and when electricity may be provided to various appliances, chargers, or other devices which draw electrical power may be managed by the smart energy home. Information concerning prevailing weather conditions and contemporaneous electrical tariffs may be utilized in processes executed by the smart energy home. Related systems, apparatuses, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A switching circuit may comprise first and second switch legs and a coupled inductor. The controller may operate the first and second switch legs to control a current flowing through the coupled inductor such that zero voltage switching (ZVS) may be applied to the first and second switch legs. The system may determine a switching event time of a switch in the first switch leg, and determine a switching node voltage rise event time of the first switch leg based on a voltage measured at a switching node of the first switch leg. The controller may drive one or more switches using PWM signals. For example, the controller may drive one or more switches based on determining, for a switching instance, a phase difference between a first PWM signal and a second PWM signal for generating a ripple current for ZVS.

Abstract: One or more systems and methods for providing selective isolation between a grid and an electric vehicle (EV) during charging are disclosed. An isolation component may be located between input nodes, and one or more output nodes. The isolation component may be connected to the nodes by switches that select which one or more nodes is used to supply power for charging the EV battery. Other switches, such as relays, may bypass the isolation component when the grid is not connected. Further switches may isolate part of the system from the grid to connect the isolated power source to the EV, and in parallel connect the isolation component to the grid for combined power EV battery charging. The isolation component may comprise electrical energy storage devices with switches in series surrounding each device, where the switches may be operated in a break-before-make transition.

Abstract: A power system may comprise a plurality of power sources, each connected to a corresponding power regulator. The power regulators may be connected in series or in parallel, and may form a string. Each power regulator may comprise input terminals connected to the corresponding power source, output terminals, and a power converter that may be configured to convert input power from the corresponding power source to output power. The power regulator may further comprise a regulator communications module that may be configured to receive a power regulation indication relating to regulating an operational characteristic of the power regulator. The regulator controller may be configured to instruct the power converter to increase or decrease the regulator operational characteristic based on the power regulation indication, and based on power production characteristics of the power regulator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for providing power for enabling electroluminescence imaging of photovoltaic panels. The system may comprise a diode in a power converter, where the diode may restrict reverse current flow to the photovoltaic panel. The system may comprise a power device configured to be coupled to a photovoltaic panel. The power device may comprise an auxiliary power circuit which may provide power to the power device from the photovoltaic panel or form a power source connected to a power system controller. The power device may control a switch to provide a current path for reverse current to flow to the photovoltaic panel. An imager may capture an image of the panel.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for discharging an input voltage by utilizing discharge circuitry configured to produce a relatively constant discharge voltage value/output voltage, a relatively constant discharge current value/output current, or a relatively constant discharge power value/output power. The discharge circuitry may include at least one power device, such as a DC to DC converter.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for calibration of a current transformer. In some examples, one or more electrical elements may be affected in order to set a calibration of the current transformer. A calibration circuit of the current transformer may be permanently or non-permanently affected according to a calibration code in order to set the calibration of the current transformer. For example, one or more fuses may be burned to lock in a certain configuration of the current transformer.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for efficient operation of a switch arrangement are described. Selectively operating one of a plurality of parallel-connected switches at different times along a period of a periodic waveform may allow for improved efficiency, uniform loss-spreading, and enhanced thermal design of an electronic circuit including use of power switches.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for power conversion. Dampening circuitry may be operatively connected to power converter circuitry to reduce accumulated charge during different portions of an alternating current (AC) cycle. The dampening circuitry may be arranged for soft switching of the converter circuitry to reduce voltage or current spikes and noise.

Abstract: A distributed power system including multiple (DC) batteries each DC battery with positive and negative poles. Multiple power converters are coupled respectively to the DC batteries. Each power converter includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The first terminal is adapted for coupling to the positive pole. The second terminal is adapted for coupling to the negative pole. The power converter includes: (i) a control loop adapted for setting the voltage between or current through the first and second terminals, and (ii) a power conversion portion adapted to selectively either: convert power from said first and second terminals to said third and fourth terminals to discharge the battery connected thereto, or to convert power from the third and fourth terminals to the first and second terminals to charge the battery connected thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a signal transformer coupled to a power line and a signal transmission, reception, or detection circuit. A sensor is configured to be responsive to the power line current or magnetic flux generated in a ferrite core of the signal transformer. When the sensor indicates that the flux generated by the power line current mat cause an attenuation of the signal strength, a second circuit generates a current through a flux cancelling winding that cancels at least some of the flux generated by the power line current.

Abstract: Methods for arc detection in a system including one or more photovoltaic generators, one or more photovoltaic power devices and a system power device and/or a load connectible to the photovoltaic generators and/or the photovoltaic power devices. The methods may measure voltage, current, and/or power delivered to the load or system power device, and the methods may measure voltage noise or current noise within the photovoltaic system. The methods may periodically, and/or in response to detecting noise, reduce an electrical parameter such as current or voltage in order to extinguish an arc. The methods may compare one or more measurements to one or more thresholds to detect arcing, and upon a comparison indicating that arcing is or was present, an alarm condition may be set.