Patents by Inventor Phillip T. Krein

Phillip T. Krein 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).

  • Optimizing solar power conversion
    Patent number: 9583939
    Abstract: A solar power system is provided for maximizing solar power conversion. The solar power system includes n power units connected in series and n?1 DC-DC converting units, and each of the n?1 DC-DC converting units is coupled to at least one of n solar power units. Each of the n?1 DC-DC converting units is configured to control the correspondingly connected solar power units to operate at a target current generation. The solar power system further includes a controlling unit coupled to the n?1 DC-DC converting units. The controlling unit monitors and compares the n currents generated by the n solar power units. Based on the current comparison, the controlling unit determines a series current and controls the n solar power units so that each of the generated photovoltaic currents is substantially equal to the determined series current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: Pradeep S. Shenoy, Phillip T. Krein
  • Optimizing Solar Power Conversion
    Publication number: 20130307341
    Abstract: A solar power system is provided for maximizing solar power conversion. The solar power system includes n power units connected in series and n?1 DC-DC converting units, and each of the n?1 DC-DC converting units is coupled to at least one of n solar power units. Each of the n?1 DC-DC converting units is configured to control the correspondingly connected solar power units to operate at a target current generation. The solar power system further includes a controlling unit coupled to the n?1 DC-DC converting units. The controlling unit monitors and compares the n currents generated by the n solar power units. Based on the current comparison, the controlling unit determines a series current and controls the n solar power units so that each of the generated photovoltaic currents is substantially equal to the determined series current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Pradeep S. Shenoy, Phillip T. Krein