Abstract: A gateway controller allows a plurality of individual power generation units coupled to an electrical distribution grid to be controlled in a coordinated fashion. The gateway controller allows control of the plurality of individual power generation units as a single power generation unit. The gateway controller may determine required control parameters of the power generation units that will provide a desired combined behavior, such as combined alternating current injected into the grid, and issues commands to the power generation units based on the determined control parameters.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a photovoltaic (PV) installation includes providing a string of multiple panel interface device enabled PV panels; operatively connecting an inverter to the string; operatively connecting at least one PV panel to the string; discharging an input capacitance of the inverter; comparing a current in the string to a predetermined current threshold value; and controlling connection of the at least one PV panel to the string based on the comparing of the current in the string to the predetermined current threshold value. A panel interface device may be used to discharge the input capacitance of the inverter.

Abstract: A PhotoVoltaic (PV) panel bypass switching arrangement includes first and second switches. The first switch is to be coupled between a power system and a first end of a circuit path of the PV panel in which a PV cells are connected, and is controllable to connect the first end of the circuit path to a power system and to disconnect the first end of the circuit path from the power system. The second switch is to be coupled between (i) a point between the first switch and the power system and (ii) a point between a second end of the circuit path and the power system, and is controllable to open and close a bypass circuit path that bypasses the circuit path. The first and second switches are controlled based on a determination as to whether the circuit path of the PV panel is to be bypassed.

Abstract: Intelligent safety disconnect switching methods and arrangements for PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels are disclosed. A determination is made as to whether a reconnect condition, for reconnecting a PV panel to a power system from which the PV panel is disconnected, is satisfied. The PV panel is automatically reconnected to the power system responsive to determining that the reconnect condition is satisfied. A determination is then made as to whether a power system operating condition is satisfied on reconnection of the PV panel, and the PV panel is automatically disconnected from the power system responsive to determining that the power system operating condition is not satisfied on reconnection of the PV panel.

Abstract: Power generating component connectivity resistance monitoring techniques are disclosed. In an array of power generating components that are connected in parallel to a power bus, a power generating component measures an output current that it supplies to the power bus. Respective first and second power generating components measure a first voltage at an output of the first power generating component and a second voltage at an output of the second power generating component. A resistance in the array between first and second connection points in the array through which the output current flows is determined based on the measurements of the output current, the first voltage, and the second voltage.

Abstract: A circuit includes a control circuit coupled to detect whether an electrical energy source is coupled to an input of a power converter. A switch is coupled to the control circuit to transfer energy from the input of the power converter to an output of the power converter during a first operating mode. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in the first operating mode when the electrical energy source is coupled to the input of the power converter. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a second operating mode when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input of the power converter. The control circuit is coupled to discharge a capacitance coupled between input terminals of the power converter through the switch to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time in the second operating mode.

Abstract: Forward boost power converters, and related methods, are disclosed. In a switching mode power converter coupled between a first terminal pair and a second terminal pair, a first inductance is coupled to a first switch in a first circuit path across the first terminal pair. A capacitance is coupled to a second inductance in a second circuit path, and to the first inductance in a third circuit path. During their respective conduction periods, the first switch couples the first inductance across the first terminal pair, a second switch completes a circuit between the second terminal pair and one of: the second circuit path or the third circuit path, and a third switch completes the other of: the second circuit path and the third circuit path. Energy transfer involves both substantially linearly varying currents and substantially half sinusoidal current pulses.

Abstract: An inverter having extended lifetime DC-link capacitors for use with a DC power source such as a photovoltaic panel is described. The inverter uses a plurality of switchable capacitors to control the voltage across the capacitors. The expected lifetime of the capacitors can be extended by disconnecting unnecessary capacitors from a voltage. The capacitors may be periodically connected to a voltage in order to maintain an oxide dielectric layer of the capacitor.

Abstract: A switch is coupled to a control circuit and to an input of a power converter. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a first operating mode to transfer energy from the input to an output of the power converter when an electrical energy source is coupled to the input of the power converter. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a second operating mode when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input. A capacitance is coupled between input terminals of the input of the power converter and is discharged to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time from when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input terminals. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch to have a high average impedance in the first operating mode.

Abstract: A power supply includes an energy transfer element having first, second and third windings. An input of the first winding is coupled to an input of the power supply and an output of the second winding is coupled to an output of the power supply. A secondary control circuit is coupled across the second winding to switch a switched element coupled to the second winding in response to a difference between an actual output value and a desired output value to force a current in the third winding that is representative of the difference between the actual output value and the desired output value. A primary control circuit is coupled to a primary switch and to the third winding. The primary control circuit is coupled to switch the primary switch in response to the current forced in the third winding by the secondary control circuit.

Abstract: A controller that forces primary regulation is disclosed. An example controller includes a switched element to be coupled to a second winding of an energy transfer element of a power supply. A secondary control circuit is coupled to the switched element. The secondary control circuit is to be coupled across an output of the second winding to switch the switched element in response to a difference between an actual output value at the output of the second winding and a desired output value to force a current in a third winding of the energy transfer element that is representative of the difference between the actual output value at the output of the second winding and the desired output value. A primary switch is to be coupled to a first winding of the energy transfer element. A primary control circuit is coupled to the primary switch. The primary control circuit is to be coupled to receive the current forced in the third winding of the energy transfer element in response to the secondary control circuit.

Abstract: A switch is coupled to a control circuit and to an input of a power converter. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a first operating mode to transfer energy from the input to an output of the power converter when an electrical energy source is coupled to the input of the power converter. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a second operating mode when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input. A capacitance is coupled between input terminals of the input of the power converter and is discharged to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time from when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input terminals. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch to have a high average impedance in the first operating mode.

Abstract: A circuit to discharge a capacitance between input terminals of a power system is disclosed. An example circuit includes a control circuit coupled to an input of a power system. The control circuit is coupled to detect whether an electrical energy source is coupled to an input of the power system. A switch is also included and is coupled to the control circuit and to the input of the power system. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a first operating mode when the electrical energy source is coupled to the input of the power system. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a second operating mode when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input of the power system. A capacitance coupled between input terminals of the input of the power system is discharged through the switch to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time from when the electrical power source is uncoupled from the input terminals of the power system.

Abstract: A controller that forces primary regulation is disclosed. An example controller includes a switched element to be coupled to a second winding of an energy transfer element of a power supply. A secondary control circuit is coupled to the switched element. The secondary control circuit is to be coupled across an output of the second winding to switch the switched element in response to a difference between an actual output value at the output of the second winding and a desired output value to force a current in a third winding of the energy transfer element that is representative of the difference between the actual output value at the output of the second winding and the desired output value. A primary switch is to be coupled to a first winding of the energy transfer element. A primary control circuit is coupled to the primary switch. The primary control circuit is to be coupled to receive the current forced in the third winding of the energy transfer element in response to the secondary control circuit.

Abstract: A plurality of DC power supply modules have track pins interconnected for tracking of output voltages of the modules during power-up and normal power-down. Each module pulls down its track pin voltage in response to any fault, and detects a track pin voltage below a threshold to detect a fault communicated from any other module, to facilitate fault power-down. The track pin voltage is initially raised above the threshold for power-up. One module can be designated a master for monitoring an input voltage to the modules and for determining the track pin voltage for normal power-up and power-down.

Abstract: A flyback converter controller with forced primary regulation is disclosed. An example flyback converter controller includes a secondary control circuit to be coupled to a switched element coupled to a second winding of a coupled inductor of a flyback converter. The secondary control circuit is to be coupled across an output of the second winding to switch the switched element in response to a difference between an actual output value at the output of the second winding and a desired output value to force a current in a third winding of the coupled inductor that is representative of the difference between the actual output value at the output of the second winding and the desired output value. A primary control circuit is also included and is to be coupled to a primary switch coupled to a first winding of the coupled inductor. The primary control circuit is to be coupled to receive the current forced in the third winding by the secondary control circuit.

Abstract: A power supply includes a PFC (power factor correction) converter that has an input and an output. The PFC converter input is coupled to an input of the power supply. The power supply also includes a resonant mode converter that has an input and an output. The resonant mode converter input is coupled to the PFC converter output and the resonant mode output is coupled to an output of the power supply. A control unit is also included in the power supply and is coupled to receive a feedback signal that is representative of the output of the power supply. The control unit is coupled to provide control signals coupled to control switches of the resonant mode converter at a controlled switching frequency to control the output of the power supply. The control unit is further coupled to provide a PFC control signal coupled to control a switch of the PFC converter at a switching frequency that is harmonically related to the controlled switching frequency.

Abstract: A flyback converter controller with forced primary regulation is disclosed. An example flyback converter controller includes a secondary control circuit to be coupled to a switched element coupled to a second winding of a coupled inductor of a flyback converter. The secondary control circuit is to be coupled across an output of the second winding to switch the switched element in response to a difference between an actual output value at the output of the second winding and a desired output value to force a current in a third winding of the coupled inductor that is representative of the difference between the actual output value at the output of the second winding and the desired output value. A primary control circuit is also included and is to be coupled to a primary switch coupled to a first winding of the coupled inductor. The primary control circuit is to be coupled to receive the current forced in the third winding by the secondary control circuit.

Abstract: A control unit controls cascaded PFC and LLC converters, the LLC converter having an input coupled to an output, of the PFC converter and providing an output voltage that decreases with increasing switching frequency. The control unit produces a sawtooth waveform with a linear ramp for controlling the LLC converter switching frequency, and hence its output voltage, in dependence upon a feedback signal. It also produces for the PFC converter a PWM signal with a frequency that is the same as or an integer fraction of the LLC converter switching frequency, by comparing two thresholds with the linear ramp in respective different cycles of the sawtooth waveform to turn on and off a switch of the PFC converter during these different cycles. Logic circuits prevent PFC converter switch transitions from occurring simultaneously with switching transitions of the LLC converter.

Abstract: A circuit to discharge a capacitance between input terminals of a power system is disclosed. An example circuit includes a control circuit coupled to an input of a power system. The control circuit is coupled to detect whether an electrical energy source is coupled to an input of the power system. A switch is also included and is coupled to the control circuit and to the input of the power system. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a first operating mode when the electrical energy source is coupled to the input of the power system. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a second operating mode when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input of the power system. A capacitance coupled between input terminals of the input of the power system is discharged through the switch to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time from when the electrical power source is uncoupled from the input terminals of the power system.