Abstract: An integral solar module power conditioning system includes one or more solar module support frames. Each frame includes a plurality of plug-and-play electrical connectors integrated therewith. A microinverter or microinverter connector is also integrated with each frame. Each frame is configured to receive a respective solar electric module and to carry electrical power through a plurality of solar electric modules and corresponding microinverters connected together via a plurality of solar module support frames connected together via the plurality of integrated plug-and-play electrical connectors.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) energy system includes a pulsed bus defined by a non-zero average value voltage that is proportional to a rectified utility grid AC supply voltage. The PV energy system also includes a plurality of PV modules, each PV module including a bucking circuit configured to convert a corresponding PV voltage into a pulsing current, wherein the pulsating bus is configured to sum the pulsing currents produced via the plurality of PV modules such that a resultant pulsing current is injected into the pulsating bus in phase with the non-zero average value voltage. A current unfolding circuit is configured to control the amount of AC current injected into the utility grid in response to the resultant pulsing current.

Abstract: An integral solar module power conditioning system includes one or more solar module support frames. Each frame includes a plurality of plug-and-play electrical connectors integrated therewith. A microinverter or microinverter connector is also integrated with each frame. Each frame is configured to receive a respective solar electric module and to carry electrical power through a plurality of solar electric modules and corresponding microinverters connected together via a plurality of solar module support frames connected together via the plurality of integrated plug-and-play electrical connectors.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus are provided for harvesting electrical energy from a photovoltaic source of electrical energy. The photovoltaic source has power-generating characteristics defined by a family of voltage-current curves comprising points of maximum electrical power over a respective range of at least one of the following for the photovoltaic source: distinct illumination intensities and distinct temperatures. The apparatus is made up of a switching converter coupled to the photovoltaic source. The converter has an input voltage-current curve having a predefined functional relationship between the input voltage and the input current.

Abstract: A smart capacitor includes a main capacitor having at least one intelligence mechanism selected from a prognostics mechanism and a high speed protection mechanism integrated within the main capacitor. The at least one intelligence mechanism and the main capacitor are together configured to generate at least one type of output signal selected from long term induced failure mechanism signals and sudden capacitor failure condition signals in response to desired input signals.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) inverter includes a single DC to AC converter configured to operate solely in a buck mode for PV array voltage levels greater than a connected power grid instantaneous voltage plus converter margin, and further configured to operate solely in a boost mode for PV array voltage levels plus margin less than the connected power grid instantaneous voltage, such that the PV inverter generates a rectified sine wave current in response to the available PV array power, and further such that the PV inverter generates a utility grid current in response to the rectified sine wave current.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) inverter system operates continuously in a buck converter mode to generate a sum of full wave rectified sine wave currents at a current node common to a plurality of buck converters in response to a plurality of full wave rectified sine wave currents generated via the plurality of buck converters. The PV inverter system increases the level of the voltage sourcing each buck converter when a corresponding DC power source voltage is lower than the instantaneous voltage of a utility grid connected to the PV inverter system.

Abstract: A transformer includes a flex or printed circuit board consisting of a substrate material having a desired permittivity, and at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding. Each winding is integrated with the flex or printed circuit board such that one or more respective transformer parasitic elements and the substrate permittivity between the primary and secondary windings together are tuned to a desired parallel resonant frequency.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus are provided for harvesting electrical energy from a photovoltaic source of electrical energy. The photovoltaic source has power-generating characteristics defined by a family of voltage-current curves comprising points of maximum electrical power over a respective range of at least one of the following for the photovoltaic source: distinct illumination intensities and distinct temperatures. The apparatus is made up of a switching converter coupled to the photovoltaic source. The converter has an input voltage-current curve having a predefined functional relationship between the input voltage and the input current.

Abstract: A ripple reduction circuit for use in a current doubler rectifier has first and second inductors coupled via a first coupling coefficient. The first and second inductors generate a first and a second ripple current, respectively. A third inductor is coupled to the first and second inductors; and an impedance is connected in series with the third inductor, wherein the circuit generates a third ripple current opposing the combination of the first and second ripple currents generated by the first and second inductors.

Abstract: A transformer includes a flex or printed circuit board consisting of a substrate material having a desired permitivity, and at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding. Each winding is integrated with the flex or printed circuit board such that one or more respective transformer parasitic elements and the substrate permitivity between the primary and secondary windings together are tuned to a desired parallel resonant frequency.

Abstract: A power generation system including a plurality of isolated power converters and a plurality of first weatherable units is provided. Each of the isolated power converters includes a primary stage, a secondary stage and a transformer providing an electrically contactless connection between the primary and secondary stages. The first weatherable unit includes a photovoltaic module coupled to the primary stage of a respective one of the plurality of isolated power converters and a primary side of the transformer. The system further includes a plurality of second units, each having a second side of the transformer coupled to the secondary stage of a respective one of the plurality of isolated power converters. The system also includes a direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) inverter and a connection unit for coupling the secondary stages of the isolated power converter and the DC to AC inverter. The DC to AC inverter is configured to transfer power from the photovoltaic module to a power grid.

Abstract: A smart capacitor includes a main capacitor having at least one intelligence mechanism selected from a prognostics mechanism and a high speed protection mechanism integrated within the main capacitor. The at least one intelligence mechanism and the main capacitor are together configured to generate at least one type of output signal selected from long term induced failure mechanism signals and sudden capacitor failure condition signals in response to desired input signals.

Abstract: A dual coil induction cooking system and method for heating ferrous and non-ferrous cooking vessels. The system includes a first resonant circuit for inducing a current in a ferrous metal cooking vessel at a first frequency and a second resonant circuit, wired in a parallel combination with the first resonant circuit, for inducing a current in a non-ferrous metal cooking vessel at a second frequency. The system also includes a power source for powering the parallel combination, so that one of the first and the second resonant circuits is coupled to supply power through the parallel combination to a respective one of the cooking vessels. A method for coupling power to a load includes sweeping a parallel combination of resonant circuits with a variable frequency power, detecting a resonant frequency response corresponding to a metallic composition of the load, and simultaneously powering the parallel combination of resonant circuits at a frequency corresponding to the detected resonant frequency.

Abstract: A power electronic module includes: a switch module including a desaturation detection diode and a power semiconductor switch, and wherein the desaturation detection diode is coupled to a switching connection of the power semiconductor switch; and a driver module coupled to the switch module, wherein the driver module is configured for obtaining a voltage signal across the desaturation detection diode and the power semiconductor switch and configured for turning off the power semiconductor switch upon the voltage signal exceeding a threshold. In one example, the driver module is discrete from the switch module. In another example, the switch module and driver modules are configured to respectively provide and receive a voltage signal of less than or equal to seventy volts.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) energy system includes a pulsed bus defined by a non-zero average value voltage that is proportional to a rectified utility grid AC supply voltage. The PV energy system also includes a plurality of PV modules, each PV module including a bucking circuit configured to convert a corresponding PV voltage into a pulsing current, wherein the pulsating bus is configured to sum the pulsing currents produced via the plurality of PV modules such that a resultant pulsing current is injected into the pulsating bus in phase with the non-zero average value voltage. A current unfolding circuit is configured to control the amount of AC current injected into the utility grid in response to the resultant pulsing current.

Abstract: A power converter includes an output filter circuit including first and second inductive elements; a voltage source coupled to the output filter circuit, the voltage source for generating a voltage across the output filter circuit, the voltage including an alternating voltage component, the alternating voltage component causing the application of an alternating current to the first inductive element of the output filter circuit; and an attenuation filtering circuit.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) inverter includes a single DC to AC converter configured to operate solely in a buck mode for PV array voltage levels greater than a connected power grid instantaneous voltage plus converter margin, and further configured to operate solely in a boost mode for PV array voltage levels plus margin less than the connected power grid instantaneous voltage, such that the PV inverter generates a rectified sine wave current in response to the available PV array power, and further such that the PV inverter generates a utility grid current in response to the rectified sine wave current.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) inverter system operates continuously in a buck converter mode to generate a sum of full wave rectified sine wave currents at a current node common to a plurality of buck converters in response to a plurality of full wave rectified sine wave currents generated via the plurality of buck converters. The PV inverter system increases the level of the voltage sourcing each buck converter when a corresponding DC power source voltage is lower than the instantaneous voltage of a utility grid connected to the PV inverter system.

Abstract: An integrated inductor and capacitor component is provided and includes a number of tapered conductors. Neighboring ones of the tapered conductors are separated by a gap extending along a length of the component. A first one of the tapered conductors is characterized by a first width w1 that is larger at a first end of the component and tapers along the length of the component toward a second end of the component, and a second one of the tapered conductors is characterized by a second width w2 that is larger at the second end of the component and tapers toward the first end of the component.