Abstract: A system reconfigures a photovoltaic array used in solar energy based on observed shading conditions to determine an optimal topology of the photovoltaic array to maximize power output. Specifically, the system is designed to reconfigure a photovoltaic array when the photovoltaic array is partially shaded. The system uses a neural network model to determine a topology that maximizes power output of the photovoltaic array based on irradiance data obtained from the photovoltaic array.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a connection topology reconfiguration technique for photovoltaic (PV) arrays to maximize power output under partial shading and fault conditions using neural networks are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A soft-switching, high-performance single-phase alternating current (AC)-direct current (DC) converter is provided. The AC-DC converter described herein provides a new circuit topology for single-stage, single-phase or multi-phase AC-DC power conversion with power factor correction (PFC) and galvanic isolation using a high-frequency isolation transformer. The AC-DC converter improves power conversion efficiency and power density—two of the most important metrics for a power converter. It achieves soft switching for high frequency switches in the circuit, leading to higher efficiency and lower electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Abstract: Power converter circuitry includes a direct current (DC) input comprising a first DC input node and a second DC input node, an alternating current (AC) output comprising a first AC output node coupled to the first DC input node and a second AC output node, a first boost switch coupled between the second DC input node and a boost intermediate node, a second boost switch coupled between the boost intermediate node and a common node, a boost inductor coupled between the boost intermediate node and the first DC input node, a link capacitor coupled between the second DC input node and the common node, a first half-bridge switch coupled between the second DC input node and a half-bridge intermediate node, a second half-bridge switch coupled between the half-bridge intermediate node and the common node, and a half-bridge inductor coupled between the half-bridge intermediate node and the second AC output node.

Abstract: A soft-switching, high-performance single-phase alternating current (AC)-direct current (DC) converter is provided. The AC-DC converter described herein provides a new circuit topology for single-stage, single-phase or multi-phase AC-DC power conversion with power factor correction (PFC) and galvanic isolation using a high-frequency isolation transformer. The AC-DC converter improves power conversion efficiency and power density—two of the most important metrics for a power converter. It achieves soft switching for high frequency switches in the circuit, leading to higher efficiency and lower electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Abstract: Various embodiments for a connection topology reconfiguration technique for photovoltaic (PV) arrays to maximize power output under partial shading and fault conditions using neural networks are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Power converter circuitry includes a direct current (DC) input comprising a first DC input node and a second DC input node, an alternating current (AC) output comprising a first AC output node coupled to the first DC input node and a second AC output node, a first boost switch coupled between the second DC input node and a boost intermediate node, a second boost switch coupled between the boost intermediate node and a common node, a boost inductor coupled between the boost intermediate node and the first DC input node, a link capacitor coupled between the second DC input node and the common node, a first half-bridge switch coupled between the second DC input node and a half-bridge intermediate node, a second half-bridge switch coupled between the half-bridge intermediate node and the common node, and a half-bridge inductor coupled between the half-bridge intermediate node and the second AC output node.

Abstract: An auxiliary circuit may be used to assist in the operation of a power converter to obtain zero-voltage switching. For example, an auxiliary circuit including a low-voltage switch, a diode, and an inductor may be coupled to a power converter, such as a DC-to-DC buck converter or a DC-to-AC inverter or rectifier. The auxiliary circuit may consume current during transitions in the power converter to obtain zero-voltage switching.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for photovoltaic inverters are provided. In some embodiments, a power inverter circuit is provided, the inverter comprising: an input terminal for a direct current source coupled to a first conductor; a first side of a capacitor coupled to the input terminal; a second input terminal for the direct current source coupled to first sides of a first switch and second switch; a second side of the capacitor coupled to first sides of a third switch and fourth switch; a first side of a first inductor coupled to the first input terminal, the first side of the capacitor and the first conductor; a second side of the first inductor coupled to second sides of the first switch and third switch; and a first side of a second inductor coupled to a second conductor, and second sides of the second switch and fourth switch.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for photovoltaic inverters are provided. In some embodiments, a power inverter circuit is provided, the inverter comprising: an input terminal for a direct current source coupled to a first conductor; a first side of a capacitor coupled to the input terminal; a second input terminal for the direct current source coupled to first sides of a first switch and second switch; a second side of the capacitor coupled to first sides of a third switch and fourth switch; a first side of a first inductor coupled to the first input terminal, the first side of the capacitor and the first conductor; a second side of the first inductor coupled to second sides of the first switch and third switch; and a first side of a second inductor coupled to a second conductor, and second sides of the second switch and fourth switch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a modular three-phase converter including two or more interleaved, parallel connected Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) utilizing a hybrid Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVM) control scheme are provided. For the hybrid SVM control scheme, six active vectors utilized for SVM define six sectors in a space vector plane. Each sector is divided into two or more regions having corresponding optimal SVM switching sequences. In operation, a revolving reference voltage vector is sampled to provide a reference voltage vector. The SVM controller then identifies one of the regions in one of the sectors that corresponds to an angle and, in some embodiments, a magnitude of the revolving reference voltage vector and applies the corresponding optimal SVM switching sequence to the two or more interleaved, parallel connected VSCs.

Abstract: A Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter and a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) scheme for controlling the DAB converter are disclosed. In general, the DAB converter includes a transformer, a first H-bridge that is connected to a primary winding of the transformer and controlled via first control signals, and a second H-bridge that is connected to a secondary winding of the transformer and controlled via second control signals. A controller provides the first and second control signals based on an input-to-output voltage ratio and load of the DAB converter such that, in addition to phase shift control, PWM control is simultaneously applied to both the first H-bridge and the second H-bridge when the DAB converter operates at low power and PWM control is applied to only one of the first H-bridge and the second H-bridge when the DAB converter operates above low power.

Abstract: A transient voltage compensation system is provided. The transient voltage compensation system includes a processor and a first voltage regulator coupled to the processor, wherein the first voltage regulator is to deliver a load current to the processor at an output voltage. The transient voltage compensation system also includes a second voltage regulator coupled to the first voltage regulator, wherein the second voltage regulator is to regulate the output voltage in response to transient loads of the processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a modular three-phase converter including two or more interleaved, parallel connected Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) utilizing a hybrid Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVM) control scheme are provided. For the hybrid SVM control scheme, six active vectors utilized for SVM define six sectors in a space vector plane. Each sector is divided into two or more regions having corresponding optimal SVM switching sequences. In operation, a revolving reference voltage vector is sampled to provide a reference voltage vector. The SVM controller then identifies one of the regions in one of the sectors that corresponds to an angle and, in some embodiments, a magnitude of the revolving reference voltage vector and applies the corresponding optimal SVM switching sequence to the two or more interleaved, parallel connected VSCs.

Abstract: A Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter and a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) scheme for controlling the DAB converter are disclosed. In general, the DAB converter includes a transformer, a first H-bridge that is connected to a primary winding of the transformer and controlled via first control signals, and a second H-bridge that is connected to a secondary winding of the transformer and controlled via second control signals. A controller provides the first and second control signals based on an input-to-output voltage ratio and load of the DAB converter such that, in addition to phase shift control, PWM control is simultaneously applied to both the first H-bridge and the second H-bridge when the DAB converter operates at low power and PWM control is applied to only one of the first H-bridge and the second H-bridge when the DAB converter operates above low power.

Abstract: A transient voltage compensation system is provided. The transient voltage compensation system includes a processor and a first voltage regulator coupled to the processor, wherein the first voltage regulator is to deliver a load current to the processor at an output voltage. The transient voltage compensation system also includes a second voltage regulator coupled to the first voltage regulator, wherein the second voltage regulator is to regulate the output voltage in response to transient loads of the processor.

Abstract: A DC—DC power converter includes input terminals and a rectifier circuit. An additional circuit is connected to the input terminals and the rectifier. The latter circuit is adapted to generate a varying voltage at output terminals of the rectifier that varies in amplitude from a maximum voltage value to a non-zero voltage value between the maximum voltage value and zero.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter includes input terminals and a rectifier circuit. An additional circuit is connected to the input terminals and the rectifier. The latter circuit is adapted to generate a varying voltage at output terminals of the rectifier that varies in amplitude from a maximum voltage value to a non-zero voltage value between the maximum voltage value and zero.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter includes input terminals and a rectifier circuit. An additional circuit is connected to the input terminals and the rectifier. The latter circuit is adapted to generate a varying voltage at output terminals of the rectifier that varies in amplitude from a maximum voltage value to a non-zero voltage value between the maximum voltage value and zero.