Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly is disclosed which comprises a string formed from a plurality of series-connected photovoltaic generators, and a hierarchical structure of power-exchange units, which each exchange power between neighboring photovoltaic generators or groups of photovoltaic generators. The photovoltaic generators may be individual solar cells or a plurality of series-connected solar cells arranged as a segment. To compensate for differences in output between segments for instance due to partial shading, power-exchange units, such as DC-DC converters, are arranged across neighboring segments, such that each power-exchange unit effectively sources or sinks current between neighboring segments to current-match the string. To avoid unnecessary “rippling” of power matching along many power-exchange units and the associated power loss due to many power-exchange units operating at less than 100% efficiency, the power-exchange units are arranged in a hierarchical structure.

Abstract: A DC voltage converter, comprising: a multi-ratio capacitive converter; a linear voltage regulator in series with the multi-ratio capacitive converter; and a controller; the controller arranged to control the ratio of the multi-ratio capacitive converter dependent upon the voltage difference across the linear voltage regulator.

Abstract: An inductive component for a DC/DC converter is made by transferring a copper track (2) from a copper substrate (1) to a first ferrite plate (3). A second ferrite plate (5) is attached by glue to the first ferrite plate so that the track (2) forms an inductor coil sandwiched between the two ferrite plates (3,5). One of the plates has holes (4) in registration with the terminals of the coil, and these holes are filled with solder (5) to provide externally accessible contacts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of photovoltaic systems with solar cell (s) or modules having insolation differences or mismatch. Each solar module is formed by placing a large number of solar cells in series. The PV system is then formed by placing a number of solar modules in series in a string and sometimes by placing multiple strings of series-connected solar modules in parallel, depending on the desired output voltage and power range of the PV system. In practical cases, differences will exist between output powers of the solar cells in the various modules, e.g. due to (part of) the modules being temporarily shaded, pollution on one or more solar cells, or even spread in solar-cell behaviour that may become worse during aging. Due to the current-source-type behaviour of solar cells and their series connection these differences will lead to a relatively large drop in output power coming from the PV system.

Abstract: A charge-pump capacitive DC-DC converter (200) is disclosed, which includes a reconfigurable charge-pump capacitor array. The DC-DC converter is configured to provide a continuously variable ratio between its input voltage (Vin) and its output voltage (Vout), by means of at least one of the at least one charge-pump capacitors (C21, C22) forming the reconfigurable array being a variable capacitor. In the embodiments, the one or more variable capacitors (C21, C22) may be a ferroelectric capacitor, an anti-ferroelectric capacitor, or other ferrioc capacitor. The DC-DC converter (200) may provide a bias circuit to the capacitor or capacitors, and may further provide a control loop (220, 230). Alternatively, the capacitor may provide a degree of self-control.

Abstract: A DC voltage converter, comprising: a multi-ratio capacitive converter; a linear voltage regulator in series with the multi-ratio capacitive converter; and a controller; the controller arranged to control the ratio of the multi-ratio capacitive converter dependent upon the voltage difference across the linear voltage regulator.

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly is disclosed which comprises a string formed from a plurality of series-connected photovoltaic generators, and a hierarchical structure of power-exchange units, which each exchange power between neighbouring photovoltaic generators or groups of photovoltaic generators. The photovoltaic generators may be individual solar cells or a plurality of series-connected solar cells arranged as a segment. To compensate for differences in output between segments for instance due to partial shading, power-exchange units, such as DC-DC converters, are arranged across neighbouring segments, such that each power-exchange unit effectively sources or sinks current between neighbouring segments to current-match the string. To avoid unnecessary “rippling” of power matching along many power-exchange units and the associated power loss due to many power-exchange units operating at less than 100% efficiency, the power-exchange units are arranged in a hierarchical structure.

Abstract: A photovoltaic unit is disclosed comprising a plurality of sub-units connected in series, each sub-unit having a main input and a main output, which main output is connected to the respective main input of a neighbouring sub-unit, each sub-unit further comprising a segment comprising one or more series-connected solar cells, and a supplementary power unit, wherein the supplementary power unit is configured to at least one of receive power from or supply power to the neighbouring sub-unit. The supplementary power unit is preferably a DC-DC converter, and arranged to exchange energy between neighbouring segments, without requiring a high-voltage connection across the complete string (of more than 2 segments). The converter may be inductive or capacitive. A DC-DC converter configured for use in such a unit is also disclosed, as is a method of controlling such a photovoltaic unit.

Abstract: An inductive component for a DC/DC converter is made by transferring a copper track (2) from a copper substrate (1) to a first ferrite plate (3). A second ferrite plate (5) is attached by glue to the first ferrite plate so that the track (2) forms an inductor coil sandwiched between the two ferrite plates (3,5). One of the plates has holes (4) in registration with the terminals of the coil, and these holes are filled with solder (5) to provide externally accessible contacts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of charging a rechargeable unit, such as a rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery pack, wherein the charging current is larger than the nominal charging current (C) if at least one condition in the rechargeable unit is met, and wherein the at least one condition is continuously calculated from measurable variables of the rechargeable unit through a physics-based model. The invention also relates to a corresponding method. The features of the invention allow a continuous monitoring of the variables in the battery, so that a proper criterion is available for the decision if charging with high charge current is allowable without a reduction of the lifetime of the battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determination of the state-of-charge (SoC) of a rechargeable battery as a function of the Electro-Motive Force (EMF) prevailing in said battery. The invention also relates to a method for measuring the relation between the state-of-charge (SoC) and the EMF. The invention further relates to an apparatus for determination of the State-of-Charge (SoC) of a rechargeable battery as a function of the Electro-Motive Force (EMF) prevailing in said battery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus, like a charger for determining the state-of-charge of a battery which has been charged or discharged and which has not reached its equilibrium state, the method comprising the steps of determining the EMF of the battery by extrapolation of the battery voltage sampled during relaxation after the charge or the discharge process, wherein the extrapolation is based on a model using only variables sampled during the relaxation process and deriving the state-of-charge from the EMF of the battery by using a predetermined relation between the EMF and the state-of-charge. This method is a voltage-prediction method without the need to store parameters beforehand. Instead, the voltage relaxation end value is determined based on the measured first part of a voltage relaxation curve and mathematical optimisation/fitting of a function to this measured part of the relaxation curve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device comprising excitation wires (11, 13) for generating a magnetic excitation field and a magnetic sensor element, particularly a GMR sensor (12), for sensing magnetic fields generated by labeling particles in reaction to the excitation field. The magnetic excitation fields are generated with non-sinusoidal forms, particularly as square-waves, such that their spectral range comprises a plurality of frequency components. Magnetic particles with different magnetic response characteristics can then be differentiated according to their reactions to the different frequency components of the excitation fields. The magnetic excitation field and the sensing current driving the GMR sensor (12) are preferably generated with the help of ring modulators (22, 24). Moreover, ring modulators (27, 29) may be used for the demodulation of the sensor signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating the state-of-charge of a rechargeable battery, taking into account the factors battery spread and ageing. The method comprises the steps of: determining the starting state-of-charge of the battery by measuring the voltage across the battery and converting this measured value into a state-of-charge value; charging the battery; integrating the charge current and determining the accumulated charge during charging of the battery and adding said value to the starting state-of-charge. Also disclosed is a method for determining the use time left of a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating the state of charge of a rechargeable lithium battery. The first step of said method is to determine whether the battery is in an equilibrium state or in a non-equilibrium state. If the battery is determined to be in an equilibrium state, the voltage across the battery is measured and converted into an equilibrium state-of-charge value. If the battery is in a non-equilibrium state, the charge withdrawn from or supplied to the battery is calculated by means of current integration, and this charge is subtracted from or added to a state-of-charge value calculated earlier. Also disclosed is a method of estimating the time that an application can be used under predefined conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating the state of charge of a rechargeable lithium battery. The first step of said method is to determine whether the battery is in an equilibrium state or in a non-equilibrium state. If the battery is determined to be in an equilibrium state, the voltage across the battery is measured and converted into an equilibrium state-of-charge value. If the battery is in a non-equilibrium state, the charge withdrawn from or supplied to the battery is calculated by means of current integration, and this charge is subtracted from or added to a state-of-charge value calculated earlier.