Abstract: A multi-phase hybrid power converter architecture which provides high efficiency, high power density and high conversion ratios for non-isolated DC to DC power conversion. Hybrid converters are described in which a switched-capacitor network is interoperably merged with a switched-inductor network having multiple inductors, resulting in a circuit with reduced component count and in which soft-charging of the capacitors is performed. Multi-phase switching is utilized and includes a freewheeling state for output voltage regulation in which inductor current ramps down. The SC converter can be configured to provide various conversion ratios, such as 4-to-1, 6-to-1 and 8-to-1, and optimized for the needs of specific application.

Abstract: A switched-capacitor (SC) network in an SC converter is controlled to operate at varying resonant modes to achieve high conversion ratio efficiency, at a low circuit component count. These power converters are suited to numerous application areas including improving energy efficiency of data centers. A family of resonant switched capacitor (SC) converters with multiple operating phases are presented “Multi-Resonant SC Converters”. Described in detail are an 8-to-1 Multi-Resonant-Doubler (MRD) converter and a 6-to-1 Cascaded Series-Parallel (CaSP). The topology of these converters make them amenable to combining like units in parallel toward reaching higher power levels.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a power conversion circuit is disclosed. The power conversion circuit includes at least one DC bus. The power conversion circuit further includes a plurality of DC-AC conversion units coupled to the DC bus and configured to convert a DC voltage into an AC voltage. The power conversion circuit also includes a multi-winding transformer comprising a magnetic core and a plurality of windings, where each DC-AC conversion unit is coupled to a corresponding winding of the multi-winding transformer.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a container having a water-based fluid in which are immersed printed circuit boards (PCBs). One or more high-thermal electrical components are disposed on the PCBs. A condenser causes water vapor generated by the one or more high-thermal electrical components to condense and passively return to the water-based fluid. A nano-engineered coating is deposited over the one or more high-thermal electrical components that includes an electrical insulation coating of between two to 25 microns in thickness deposited on the one or more high-thermal electrical components. A metallic nano-layer comprising a porous metallic nano-structure deposited on the electrical insulation coating.

Abstract: A method includes coating, via chemical vapor deposition, electronics disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) with an electrical insulation coating of between one micron to 25 microns. The method further include depositing, on the electrical insulation coating, a metallic nano-layer comprising a porous metallic nano-structure. The method further includes, after the coating and the depositing, immersing the PCB in a water-based fluid to cool the electronics while the electronics are powered on.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a power conversion circuit is disclosed. The power conversion circuit includes at least one DC bus. The power conversion circuit further includes a plurality of DC-AC conversion units coupled to the DC bus and configured to convert a DC voltage into an AC voltage. The power conversion circuit also includes a multi-winding transformer comprising a magnetic core and a plurality of windings, where each DC-AC conversion unit is coupled to a corresponding winding of the multi-winding transformer.

Abstract: High power output may be obtained from a photovoltaic (PV) system by controlling each photovoltaic cell of a solar array individually to operate at its maximum power point. Each cell may have associated power electronics and control circuitry that may be integrated together on a chip which may be advantageously implemented in CMOS, enabling reductions in cost and size. A perturb and observe algorithm may be used to find the maximum power point by measuring the power produced at different operating points, and modifying the operating point in the direction of increased power production. In one aspect, performance of a perturb and observe algorithm may be improved in the presence of noise.

Abstract: A system includes a first photovoltaic sub-module connected with a second photovoltaic sub-module. A first differential power processing converter connects with the first photovoltaic submodule and the second photovoltaic sub-module, and a third photovoltaic sub-module connects with the second photovoltaic sub-module and the first differential power processing converter. A second differential power processing converter connects with the first differential power processing converter, the first photovoltaic sub-module, the second photovoltaic sub-module and the third photovoltaic sub-module, where the second differential power processing converter communicates with the first differential power processing converter to exchange an information about determined perturbation of the first differential power processing converter and the second differential power processing converter.

Abstract: Inventive systems and methods for the generation of energy using thermophotovoltaic cells are described. Also described are systems and methods for selectively emitting electromagnetic radiation from an emitter for use in thermophotovoltaic energy generation systems. In at least some of the inventive energy generation systems and methods, a voltage applied to the thermophotovoltaic cell (e.g., to enhance the power produced by the cell) can be adjusted to enhance system performance. Certain embodiments of the systems and methods described herein can be used to generate energy relatively efficiently.

Abstract: High power output may be obtained from a photovoltaic (PV) system by controlling each photovoltaic cell of a solar array individually to operate at its maximum power point. Each cell may have associated power electronics and control circuitry that may be integrated together on a chip which may be advantageously implemented in CMOS, enabling reductions in cost and size. A perturb and observe algorithm may be used to find the maximum power point by measuring the power produced at different operating points, and modifying the operating point in the direction of increased power production. In one aspect, performance of a perturb and observe algorithm may be improved in the presence of noise.

Abstract: Inventive systems and methods for the generation of energy using thermophotovoltaic cells are described. Also described are systems and methods for selectively emitting electromagnetic radiation from an emitter for use in thermophotovoltaic energy generation systems. In at least some of the inventive energy generation systems and methods, a voltage applied to the thermophotovoltaic cell (e.g., to enhance the power produced by the cell) can be adjusted to enhance system performance. Certain embodiments of the systems and methods described herein can be used to generate energy relatively efficiently.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dc-dc converter for operating at substantially fixed switching frequency, the converter including a rectifier, and a resonant inverter coupled to the rectifier, the resonant inverter including a switch and a reactive network having first, second, third and fourth energy storage elements, wherein an impedance magnitude at the output of the switch due to the reactive network has minima at dc and at a frequency near a second harmonic of the switching frequency.