Patents Assigned to SPARQ Systems Inc.
  • Patent number: 9553500
    Abstract: Provided is a maximum power point (MPP) tracker for a PV cell inverter, and a PV cell inverter. The MPP tracker decouples output power oscillations from the input power generation and extracts maximum available power from the PV cell. The PV cell inverter uses the MPP tracker and generates a sinusoidal output current from the MPP tracker output. The sinusoidal output current may be fed to a power distribution grid. The PV cell inverter may use a pulse width modulation technique to cancel harmonics in the sinusoidal output current. The circuits use a minimum number of components and avoid use of large electrolytic capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SPARQ Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Khajehoddin, Praveen K. Jain, Alireza Bakhshai
  • Patent number: 9172299
    Abstract: The invention provides a digital active EMI filter that removes, minimizes, or reduces unwanted interference (i.e., EMI noise) generated by a power circuit such as, for example, a power converter. Digital active filtering includes digital sampling of the incident noise signal amplitude and frequency, discrete time conversion of the EMI noise source, processing (e.g., inverting) the digital signal, and then constructing an analog output signal (i.e., an EMI compensation signal) which is injected to the input of the power circuit. A digital EMI filter as described herein may be used in both differential-mode and common-mode configurations, and overcomes limitations of passive and active analog EMI filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: SPARQ Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Djilali Hamza, Praveen K. Jain
  • Publication number: 20140268957
    Abstract: Provided herein is a single phase power system controller and a method for controlling a single phase power system. The single phase power system controller comprises an error signal generator that generates an error signal from an instantaneous power reference signal and a measured instantaneous output power signal corresponding to the power delivered to a power distribution grid; and a modulator that modulates the error signal according to a trigonometric function of the grid voltage phase angle and produces a control signal for an inverter controller. In accordance with the circuits and methods provided herein, real and reactive power delivered to the grid are controlled simultaneously based on instantaneous output power feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SPARQ Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Sayed Ali Khajehoddin, Masoud Karimi Ghartemani, Praveen K. Jain, Alireza Bakhshai
  • Publication number: 20140204633
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for a controller for a power circuit that interfaces distributed power generation with a power distribution grid, comprising: a first portion, including a maximum power point tracker, that receives signals corresponding to the distributed power generation voltage and current, and outputs to the power circuit a signal for controlling the voltage of the distributed power generation; a second portion, including a current reference generator, a current controller, and a dc voltage controller, that receives signals corresponding to a dc voltage of the power circuit, the power distribution grid voltage and current, and the inverter current, and outputs signals for controlling the power circuit output voltage; wherein the current reference generator includes nonlinear circuit elements and generates a current reference signal from the dc voltage of the power circuit and the grid voltage and current; such that substantially harmonic-free power is injected into the p
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Sparq Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Sayed Ali KHAJEHODDIN, Masoud Karimi GHARTEMANI, Praveen K. JAIN, Alireza BAKHSHAI
  • Publication number: 20140192568
    Abstract: Provided is a maximum power point (MPP) tracker for a PV cell inverter, and a PV cell inverter. The MPP tracker decouples output power oscillations from the input power generation and extracts maximum available power from the PV cell. The PV cell inverter uses the MPP tracker and generates a sinusoidal output current from the MPP tracker output. The sinusoidal output current may be fed to a power distribution grid. The PV cell inverter may use a pulse width modulation technique to cancel harmonics in the sinusoidal output current. The circuits use a minimum number of components and avoid use of large electrolytic capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: SPARQ Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Khajehoddin, Praveen K. Jain, Alireza Bakhshai
  • Patent number: 8688287
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for a controller for a power circuit that interfaces distributed power generation with a power distribution grid, comprising: a first portion, including a maximum power point tracker, that receives signals corresponding to the distributed power generation voltage and current, and outputs to the power circuit a signal for controlling the voltage of the distributed power generation; a second portion, including a current reference generator, a current controller, and a dc voltage controller, that receives signals corresponding to a dc voltage of the power circuit, the power distribution grid voltage and current, and the inverter current, and outputs signals for controlling the power circuit output voltage; wherein the current reference generator includes nonlinear circuit elements and generates a current reference signal from the dc voltage of the power circuit and the grid voltage and current; such that substantially harmonic-free power is injected into the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sparq Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Sayed Ali Khajehoddin, Masoud Karimi Ghartemani, Praveen Jain, Alireza Bakhshai
  • Publication number: 20140078780
    Abstract: Provided are methods and circuits for a controller for a control system, comprising first and second control loops that operate substantially independently, wherein the first control loop is an amplitude control loop and the second loop is a phase or frequency control loop. In some embodiments the amplitude control loop operates at an amplitude that is proportional to an amplitude of an input signal at a fundamental system frequency and at a selected harmonic of a fundamental system frequency; and the frequency control loop operates at a fundamental system frequency and at a selected harmonic of the fundamental system frequency. The frequency control loop may adaptable to a fundamental control system frequency or to a selected harmonic of the fundamental control system frequency. The controller may be implemented as a resonant controller and used in various ac systems, and offers high structural robustness in digital implementations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Sparq Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Sayed Ali KHAJEHODDIN, Masoud KARIMI GHARTEMANI, Praveen K. JAIN, Alireza BAKHSHAI
  • Patent number: 8670249
    Abstract: Provided is a maximum power point (MPP) tracker for a PV cell inverter, and a PV cell inverter. The MPP tracker decouples output power oscillations from the input power generation and extracts maximum available power from the PV cell. The PV cell inverter uses the MPP tracker and generates a sinusoidal output current from the MPP tracker output. The sinusoidal output current may be fed to a power distribution grid. The PV cell inverter may use a pulse width modulation technique to cancel harmonics in the sinusoidal output current. The circuits use a minimum number of components and avoid use of large electrolytic capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: SPARQ Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Sayed Ali Khajehoddin, Praveen Jain, Alireza Bakhshai
  • Publication number: 20140063872
    Abstract: The invention provides a digital active EMI filter that removes, minimizes, or reduces unwanted interference (i.e., EMI noise) generated by a power circuit such as, for example, a power converter. Digital active filtering includes digital sampling of the incident noise signal amplitude and frequency, discrete time conversion of the EMI noise source, processing (e.g., inverting) the digital signal, and then constructing an analog output signal (i.e., an EMI compensation signal) which is injected to the input of the power circuit. A digital EMI filter as described herein may be used in both differential-mode and common-mode configurations, and overcomes limitations of passive and active analog EMI filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: SPARQ SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Djilali Hamza, Praveen K. Jain
  • Patent number: 8638571
    Abstract: This invention relates to circuits and methods for controlling a resonant power converter. Control of the power converter may comprise comparing an output voltage or current of the converter to at least one reference voltage or current; enabling primary side switching signals based on a first selected result of the comparison; and disabling primary side switching signals based on a second selected result of the comparison; wherein a primary side switching signal for each primary side switch includes at least one off-on-off transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: SPARQ Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl J. Tschirhart, Praveen K. Jain
  • Patent number: 8612058
    Abstract: A maximum power point tracking method and system for use with a power generator comprises sampling instantaneous output voltage and current of the power generator at a first instant in time and at a second instant in time to obtain first and second power samples, generating a reference voltage or current signal from a difference of the first and second power samples; comparing the reference voltage or current to the instantaneous power generator voltage or current and generating at least one gating signal; and repeating so as to minimize the difference of the first and second power samples; wherein the gating signal affects magnitude of the output voltage and current of the power generator; wherein the maximum power point is tracked when the difference signal is minimized. The power generator may be at least one photovoltaic cell, wind turbine, or fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: SPARQ Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Sayed Ali Khajehoddin, Praveen K. Jain, Alireza Bakhshai