Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for operation of a switched capacitor converter (SCC). In some variations, the SCC includes a resonant circuit including an inductor. Aspects of the disclosure include methods for controlling the SCC switches to decrease switching losses associated with operating the converter and to increase efficiency of the SCC. According to some aspects, a control method is used to switch converter switches under zero voltage conditions. According to some aspects, a control method may is used to switch converter switches under zero-current conditions.

Abstract: A driver for improving reliability of a switch in a power device, comprising one or more sensors configured to sense an operational parameter of a power device. The driver comprises a controller configured to receive one or more sensor values from the respective sensors. The controller is configured to adjust a driving pulse according to the sensor values. The controller is configured to apply the driving pulse to one or more control terminal of one or more switch of the power device.

Abstract: A bypass mechanism for a photovoltaic module which switches out the electronics and switches in a bypass mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit for combining direct current (DC) power including multiple direct current (DC) voltage inputs; multiple inductive elements. The inductive elements are adapted for operatively connecting respectively to the DC voltage inputs. Multiple switches connect respectively with the inductive elements. A controller is configured to switch the switches periodically at a frequency sufficiently high so that direct currents flowing through the inductive elements are substantially zero. A direct current voltage output is connected across one of the DC voltage inputs and a common reference to both the inputs and the output.

Abstract: A method and a system sense at least one phase difference between at least two phases of a group of parallel connected three phase AC output terminals (e.g., a first phase AC output terminal, a second phase AC output terminal, or a third phase AC output terminal). The parallel connected AC output terminals may be three parallel connected DC to AC three phase inverters. Features of the parallel connected three phase AC output terminals enable wiring of conductors to one phase of an AC output terminal to be swapped with wiring of conductors of one phase of another phase AC output terminal. A sign of at least one phase difference is verified different from signs of other phase differences thereby the system determining the lateral position of the at least one three phase inverters relative to at least one other of the three phase inverters.

Abstract: An apparatus for a power system. The apparatus includes multiple electrical power sources and an enclosure operatively connected to the power sources at multiple input terminals. Multiple loads operatively connect to the enclosure at multiple output terminals by multiple cables. The enclosure includes the input terminals and the output terminals and a controller unit. Multiple selection units operatively connect to the controller unit, multiple power converters are connected to multiple connection paths. The selection units connect to at least one of multiple switches connected in the connection paths. Multiple sensor units are operatively attached to the controller unit which is configured to sense multiple parameters in the connection paths. Responsive to the parameters sensed by the sensor units, the selection units select the connection paths between the electrical power sources and the loads.

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 relay array may connect an electrical device (e.g., an inverter, power converter, etc.) to a utility grid. Based on a detection of a power interruption or fault, the relay array may disconnect the electrical device from the grid to ensure safety or reduce damage to the electrical device or grid. The relay array may include one or more electromechanical relays (e.g., latching relays). A safety catch may prevent the latching relay(s) from changing states. The electrical device may be configured to facilitate removal of the safety catch once the ability to change states is desired. The latching relay(s) may also be supplied with a power pulse for changing a state of the latching relay(s). The power pulse may be provided by a power bank that may be maintained with power in case of a power interruption or fault.

Abstract: A fault identification may be triggered by a component of a power generation system (PGS), such as a hardware component, a controller of a hardware component, a device of the PGS, a computer connected to the PGS, a computer configured to monitor the PGS, and/or the like. The fault identification may be the result of a failure of a component of the PGS, a future failure of a component of the PGS, a routine maintenance of the PGS, and/or the like. The fault is converted to a notification on a user interface using a mapping of faults, root-causes, notification rules, and/or the like. The conversion may use one or more lookup tables and/or formulas for determining the impact of the fault on the PGS, and/or the like.

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 switching device includes a first leg having a plurality of transistors connected in series. The switching device also includes a second leg having a transistor, where the second leg is connected in parallel to plurality of transistors of the first leg. The switching device further includes a third leg having a diode, and the third leg has lower reverse recovery losses relative to the first leg and/or the second leg.

Abstract: A method for arc detection in a system including a photovoltaic panel and a load connectible to the photovoltaic panel with a DC power line. The method measures power delivered to the load thereby producing a first measurement result of the power delivered to the load. Power produced by the photovoltaic panel is also measured, thereby producing a second measurement result of power produced by the photovoltaic panel. The first measurement result is compared with the second measurement result thereby producing a differential power measurement result. Upon the differential power measurement result being more than a threshold value, an alarm condition may also be set. The second measurement result may be modulated and transmitted over the DC power line.

Abstract: Controlling a power converter circuit for a direct current (DC) power source is disclosed. The power converter may be operative to convert input power received from the DC power source to an output power and to perform maximum power point tracking of the power source. The power converter is adapted to provide the output power to a load that also performs maximum power point tracking.

Abstract: A photovoltaic panel with multiple photovoltaic sub-strings including serially-connected photovoltaic cells and having direct current (DC) outputs adapted for interconnection in parallel into a parallel-connected DC power source. A direct current (DC) power converter including input terminals and output terminals is adapted for coupling to the parallel-connected DC power source and for converting an input power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. The direct current (DC) power converter optionally has a control loop configured to set the input power received at the input terminals according to a previously determined criterion. The control loop may be adapted to receive a feedback signal from the input terminals for maximizing the input power. A bypass diode is typically connected in shunt across the input terminals of the converter. The bypass diode functions by passing current during a failure of any of the sub-strings and/or a partial shading of the sub-strings.

Abstract: A power converter includes an input circuit, an output circuit and a controller. The output circuit may comprise a plurality of output terminals configured to be connected to a plurality of loads. The input circuit may comprise a plurality of input terminals configured to be connected to one or more power sources. An inductive element may be coupled between the input circuit and the output circuit. The output circuit may feature one or more voltage compensation circuits connected between two output terminals, the voltage compensation circuits activated to compensate an output voltage at one of the two output terminals.

Abstract: A vehicle having a motor with a transmission, provided with a fixed gear ratio, to a propelling unit includes a virtual gearbox including a microprocessor, operatively interfaced with the motor and programmed to manage and check the generation of motor driving torque, limiting, at the motor output, a maximum angular velocity and a maximum torque which are variable with a predetermined law.

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: 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: Apparatuses for locking PV panels to support structures, e.g., support beams. The support beams may be designed and built with corresponding connection elements, e.g., slots and tabs, which may be used to enable locking and unlocking of the PV panels on the support beams. Once in place, a ferromagnetic flap may be put into an engaged position, thereby closing and engaging a panel locking mechanism. The ferromagnetic flap may be lifted by using a magnet. The magnet may be may be embedded in a suction cup device which is designed to lift and maneuver an object with a relatively flat surface, e.g. a glass pane. The suction cup device may, when suction is applied, be attached to glass covering the PV panels, and thus the suction cup device may be used to move the PV panels.

Abstract: An power system for a power system. The power system includes multiple electrical power sources and an enclosure operatively connected to the power sources at multiple input terminals. Multiple loads operatively connect to the enclosure at multiple output terminals by multiple cables. The enclosure includes the input terminals and the output terminals and a controller unit. Multiple selection units operatively connect to the controller unit, multiple power converters are connected to multiple connection paths. The selection units connect to at least one of multiple switches connected in the connection paths. Multiple sensor units are operatively attached to the controller unit which is configured to sense multiple parameters in the connection paths. Responsive to the parameters sensed by the sensor units, the selection units select the connection paths between the electrical power sources and the loads.