Patents by Inventor Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez

Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10193467
    Abstract: We describe a power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source, in particular a photovoltaic panel. A power injection control block has a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link and controls a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. In embodiments the signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls an amplitude of an ac current output such that an amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on an amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10033292
    Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a power source to a mains utility supply, the power conditioning unit comprising a plurality of input terminals for connecting to the power source, a plurality of output terminals for connecting to the mains utility supply, a voltage increasing converter connected to the input terminals, a voltage reducing converter connected to the voltage increasing converter and a dc-to-ac converter connected to the voltage reducing converter and to the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20180069482
    Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a power source to a mains utility supply, the power conditioning unit comprising a plurality of input terminals for connecting to the power source, a plurality of output terminals for connecting to the mains utility supply, a voltage increasing converter connected to the input terminals, a voltage reducing converter connected to the voltage increasing converter and a dc-to-ac converter connected to the voltage reducing converter and to the output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9831794
    Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a power source to a mains utility supply, the power conditioning unit comprising a plurality of input terminals for connecting to the power source, a plurality of output terminals for connecting to the mains utility supply, a voltage increasing converter connected to the input terminals, a voltage reducing converter connected to the voltage increasing converter and a dc-to-ac converter connected to the voltage reducing converter and to the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9812980
    Abstract: We describe a power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source, in particular a photovoltaic panel. A power injection control block has a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link and controls a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. In embodiments the signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls an amplitude of an ac current output such that an amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on an amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9812985
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac output, particularly ac voltages greater than 50 volts, either for connecting directly to a grid utility supply, or for powering mains devices independent from the mains utility supply. We describe a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac mains output, the power conditioning unit comprising an input for receiving power from said dc power source, an output for delivering ac power, an energy storage capacitor, a dc-to-dc converter having an input connection coupled to said input and an output connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor, and a dc-to-ac converter having an input connection coupled to said energy storage capacitor and an output connection coupled to said output, wherein said energy storage capacitor has a capacitance of less than twenty microfarads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SOLARCITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20170288406
    Abstract: We describe a power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source, in particular a photovoltaic panel. A power injection control block has a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link and controls a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. In embodiments the signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls an amplitude of an ac current output such that an amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on an amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20170054381
    Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a power source to a mains utility supply, the power conditioning unit comprising a plurality of input terminals for connecting to the power source, a plurality of output terminals for connecting to the mains utility supply, a voltage increasing converter connected to the input terminals, a voltage reducing converter connected to the voltage increasing converter and a dc-to-ac converter connected to the voltage reducing converter and to the output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9473038
    Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a power source to a mains utility supply, the power conditioning unit comprising a plurality of input terminals for connecting to the power source, a plurality of output terminals for connecting to the mains utility supply, a voltage increasing converter connected to the input terminals, a voltage reducing converter connected to the voltage increasing converter and a dc-to-ac converter connected to the voltage reducing converter and to the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SOLARCITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20160226390
    Abstract: We describe a power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source, in particular a photovoltaic panel. A power injection control block has a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link and controls a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. In embodiments the signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls an amplitude of an ac current output such that an amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on an amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20160226399
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac output, particularly ac voltages greater than 50 volts, either for connecting directly to a grid utility supply, or for powering mains devices independent from the mains utility supply. We describe a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac mains output, the power conditioning unit comprising an input for receiving power from said dc power source, an output for delivering ac power, an energy storage capacitor, a dc-to-dc converter having an input connection coupled to said input and an output connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor, and a dc-to-ac converter having an input connection coupled to said energy storage capacitor and an output connection coupled to said output, wherein said energy storage capacitor has a capacitance of less than twenty microfarads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9270191
    Abstract: A power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source in a photovoltaic panel is provided. The power conditioning unit includes a power injection control block having a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link for controlling a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. The measured signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls the amplitude of an ac current output such that the amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on the amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: SOLARCITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9246397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac output, particularly ac voltages greater than 50 volts, either for connecting directly to a grid utility supply, or for powering mains devices independent from the mains utility supply. We describe a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac mains output, the power conditioning unit comprising an input for receiving power from said dc power source, an output for delivering ac power, an energy storage capacitor, a dc-to-dc converter having an input connection coupled to said input and an output connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor, and a dc-to-ac converter having an input connection coupled to said energy storage capacitor and an output connection coupled to said output, wherein said energy storage capacitor has a capacitance of less than twenty microfarads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SOLARCITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20150236604
    Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a power source to a mains utility supply, the power conditioning unit comprising a plurality of input terminals for connecting to the power source, a plurality of output terminals for connecting to the mains utility supply, a voltage increasing converter connected to the input terminals, a voltage reducing converter connected to the voltage increasing converter and a dc-to-ac converter connected to the voltage reducing converter and to the output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20150009724
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac output, particularly ac voltages greater than 50 volts, either for connecting directly to a grid utility supply, or for powering mains devices independent from the mains utility supply. We describe a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac mains output, the power conditioning unit comprising an input for receiving power from said dc power source, an output for delivering ac power, an energy storage capacitor, a dc-to-dc converter having an input connection coupled to said input and an output connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor, and a dc-to-ac converter having an input connection coupled to said energy storage capacitor and an output connection coupled to said output, wherein said energy storage capacitor has a capacitance of less than twenty microfarads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8811047
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac output, particularly ac voltages greater than 50 volts, either for connecting directly to a grid utility supply, or for powering mains devices independent from the mains utility supply. We describe a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac mains output, the power conditioning unit comprising an input for receiving power from said dc power source, an output for delivering ac power, an energy storage capacitor, a dc-to-dc converter having an input connection coupled to said input and an output connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor, and a dc-to-ac converter having an input connection coupled to said energy storage capacitor and an output connection coupled to said output, wherein said energy storage capacitor has a capacitance of less than twenty microfarads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Enecsys Limited
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20130279210
    Abstract: We describe a power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source, in particular a photovoltaic panel. A power injection control block has a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link and controls a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. In embodiments the signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls an amplitude of an ac current output such that an amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on an amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20130235637
    Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a power source to a mains utility supply, the power conditioning unit comprising a plurality of input terminals for connecting to the power source, a plurality of output terminals for connecting to the mains utility supply, a voltage increasing converter connected to the input terminals, a voltage reducing converter connected to the voltage increasing converter and a dc-to-ac converter connected to the voltage reducing converter and to the output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Enecsys Limited
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8461809
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac output, particularly ac voltages greater than 50 volts, either for connecting directly to a grid utility supply, or for powering mains devices independent from the mains utility supply. We describe a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac mains output, the power conditioning unit comprising an input for receiving power from said dc power source, an output for delivering ac power, an energy storage capacitor, a dc-to-dc converter having an input connection coupled to said input and an output connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor, and a dc-to-ac converter having an input connection coupled to said energy storage capacitor and an output connection coupled to said output, wherein said energy storage capacitor has a capacitance of less than twenty microfarads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Enecsys Limited
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8405367
    Abstract: We describe a power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source, in particular a photovoltaic panel. A power injection control block has a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link and controls a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. In embodiments the signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls an amplitude of an ac current output such that an amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on an amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Enecsys Limited
    Inventors: Lesley Chisenga, Gehan Anil Joseph Amaratunga, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez