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: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for direct current (DC) bus management. In some examples, an energy storage device may be controlled to balance the voltage of the DC bus to maintain a substantially constant voltage on the DC bus. In some examples, control circuitry may determine the total power produced and the total power consumed of the power system and control the energy storage device to balance the power. The energy storage device may balance the power while maintaining a substantially constant voltage on the DC bus. In some examples, a DC to alternating current (AC) converter may be connected between the DC bus and an AC bus, and/or an AC to DC converter may be connected between the AC bus and the DC bus. The DC to AC converter and the AC to DC converter may have different power ratings.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to a pyrotechnic fuse comprising a magnetic concentrator configured to partially surround at least a portion of a busbar, wherein the magnetic concentrator may comprise an aperture, a pyrotechnic actuator (which may be coupled to the busbar and configured to stop electrical flow in the busbar when the pyrotechnic actuator is activated), and a magnetic switch (which may be located within or near the aperture). The magnetic switch may be configured to activate the pyrotechnic actuator when a current through the busbar reaches a threshold current. An angle of the magnetic switch relative to the aperture may determine the threshold current.

Abstract: A protection method in a distributed power system including of DC power sources and multiple power modules which include inputs coupled to the DC power sources. The power modules include outputs coupled in series with one or more other power modules to form a serial string. An inverter is coupled to the serial string. The inverter converts power input from the string and produces output power. When the inverter stops production of the output power, each of the power modules is shut down and thereby the power input to the inverter is ceased.

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: 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: A multiplicity of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices may be equipped with a plurality of sensors which report on the state of various operational parameters of the UPS devices to a registry device. Output of the registry device may be displayed on a dedicated GUI and/or written to log files at a monitoring station. In the event that one or more sensors reports a parameter to the registry device which is indicative of a malfunction of one or more of the UPS devices, examination the registry device output may indicate which UPS device or devices is/are malfunctioning. Related embodiments, apparatus, systems, and methods are also discussed.

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.