Abstract: A method and apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, the method comprises operating an inverter in bursts by (i) enabling power production by the inverter during a first plurality of periods, and (ii) disabling power production by the inverter during a second plurality of periods.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for converting DC input power to AC output power, including a DC-AC inverter employing: a first feedback loop for determining a maximum power point (MPP) and operating the DC-AC inverter proximate the MPP. A second feedback loop for determining a difference between a first power measurement and a second power measurement, producing an error signal indicative of the difference, and coupling the error signal to the first feedback loop to adjust at least one operating parameter of the DC-AC inverter to drive toward the MPP, where the first power measurement and the second power measurement are each determined based on a phase shift between an AC output voltage from the DC-AC inverter and an AC output current from the DC-AC inverter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing AC power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cycloconverter controller for determining a DC value based on a reference waveform and a three-phase cycloconverter, coupled to the cycloconverter controller, for selectively coupling, based on the DC value, an alternating current to an AC line to generate a single-phase AC output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a first power to a second power. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a power conversion circuit for receiving the first power; and a controller, coupled to the power conversion circuit, for dynamically selecting between a non-interleaved mode and an interleaved mode for operating the power conversion circuit to convert the first power to the second power.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a balanced three-phase power line communication signal. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating a plurality of modulation signals based on at least one data stream; modulating a plurality of carrier signals by the plurality of modulation signals to generate a balanced three-phase PLC signal comprising a first phase signal, a second phase signal, and a third phase signal; and coupling the balanced three-phase PLC signal to a three-phase power line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating AC power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a DC/AC inversion stage capable of generating at least two of a single-phase output power, a two-phase output power, and a three-phase output power; and a conversion control module, coupled to the DC/AC inversion stage, for driving the DC/AC inversion stage to (i) generate the single-phase output power while an input power is less than a first threshold, and (ii) operate in burst mode while the input power satisfies a burst mode threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings; and a cyclo-converter comprising a plurality of switch pairs for converting an alternating current to an AC current, wherein each switch pair in the plurality of switch pairs (i) is coupled between two lines of an AC output and (ii) has a different secondary winding of the plurality of secondary windings coupled between its switches.

Abstract: Apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a battery unit, coupled to a power line, comprising (a) a plurality of power cells, wherein each power cell of the plurality of power cells comprises a battery cell coupled to a pico-converter, wherein the pico-converter is a bidirectional power converter; and (b) a master controller, coupled to each power cell of the plurality of power cells, for dynamically and individually controlling both an operating state and a power conversion direction for each power cell in the plurality of power cells to generate a predetermined power output from the battery unit.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for energy storage/delivery device mounting. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a mounting plate comprising (i) a plurality of plate mounting features for securing the mounting plate to at least one structure; (ii) a plurality of spatial alignment features for spatially aligning the mounting plate with a second mounting plate; and (iii) at least one energy storage/delivery device mounting feature for mating with a corresponding feature of the energy storage/delivery device to removably mount the energy storage/delivery device on the mounting plate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for obtaining photovoltaic (PV) module I-V curve data. In one embodiment, the method comprises reducing an operating voltage of a PV module coupled to a power conditioner to a minimum operating value; once the operating voltage has stabilized at the minimum operating value, stopping power production in the power conditioner; and determining, by the power conditioner, a plurality of sets of I-V curve data from PV module, wherein each set of I-V curve data in the plurality of sets comprises a voltage value indicating output voltage from the PV module and a current value indicating output current from the PV module.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining a ground fault impedance. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a voltage divider and a ground fault detection module for (i) determining a first voltage based on at least one voltage measurement of the voltage divider while the voltage divider is coupled between the first AC line and the DC line; (ii) determining a second voltage based on at least one voltage measurement of the voltage divider while the voltage divider is coupled between the second AC line and the DC line; (iii) determining a differential voltage based on at least one voltage measurement between the first AC line and the second AC line; and (iv) computing the ground fault impedance based on the first voltage, the second voltage, and the differential voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring an AC voltage. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an AC voltage monitoring circuit, coupled to at least one AC line, for producing a digital representation of a voltage on the at least one AC line, processing the digital representation to create a data stream containing information regarding the digital representation, and coupling the data stream through an isolation device to form an output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power converter comprising a first plate for receiving an input power; a second plate for providing an output power; a plurality of power converter bricks coupled in parallel between the first and the second plates, each power converter brick comprising (i) an input stage for converting a brick input power to a second power, (ii) an output stage, coupled to the input stage by a transformer, for converting the second power to a brick output power, (iii) a local controller coupled to the input stage for controlling power conversion by the power converter brick; and a master controller coupled to each power converter brick of the plurality of power converter bricks, wherein the master controller dynamically controls operation of each power converter brick of the plurality of power converter bricks to generate the output power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for light emitting diode (LED) lighting power conversion including a full bridge rectifier circuit coupled to a first half-bridge rectifier circuit and a resonant tank circuit supplying AC power to a LED circuit and forming a first port to the LED circuit. The apparatus further includes a second half-bridge rectifier circuit and energy storage device receiving and supplying DC power to the LED circuit as determined by a controller to form a second port of the LED circuit, wherein the LED circuit further comprises a rectifier circuit for the LED circuit, and at least one LED.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for flexibly mounting a power module to a photovoltaic (PV) module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of distributed mounting points adapted to be adhered to a face of the PV module for mechanically coupling the power module to the PV module, wherein the plurality of distributed mounting points flexibly retain the power module such that the PV module is able to flex without subjecting the power module to stress from flexure of the PV module.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting DC input power to DC output power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of flyback circuits, coupled in parallel, for providing DC-to-DC conversion; and a controller for automatically adjusting activation timing of each flyback circuit in said plurality of flyback circuits to achieve a balanced operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a redeployment of a distributed generator component, at least a portion of the method being performed by a controller comprising at least one processor. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a first identification (ID) for a first component of a distributed generator (DG) and a second ID for a second component of the DG; generating an association between the first identifier and the second identifier, wherein the association identifies a relationship between the first and the second components; and comparing the association to a plurality of documented associations to determine whether the association has changed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a balanced three-phase power line communication signal. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating a plurality of modulation signals based on at least one data stream; modulating a plurality of carrier signals by the plurality of modulation signals to generate a balanced three-phase PLC signal comprising a first phase signal, a second phase signal, and a third phase signal; and coupling the balanced three-phase PLC signal to a three-phase power line.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing operation of one or more appliances to an amount of energy produced by a local power generator comprises a controller for reducing the power consumed by the one or more appliances in relation to an amount of power being generated by the local power generator. In one embodiment, the operation of the appliance(s) is controlled by the controller so that the system of appliance(s) and the local power generator does not consume any external energy (e.g., from a commercial power grid), despite variations in the amount of power delivered by the local power generator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for potting an electronic device. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing an enclosure having a first inner volume with the electronic device disposed therein; placing a fill control element within the enclosure such that a second inner volume of the fill control element is fluidly coupled to the first inner volume; and filling a remaining portion of the first inner volume, the remaining portion not occupied by the electronic device or the fill control element, with a sealant such that air is trapped within at least a first portion of the second inner volume.