Abstract: Photovoltaics and an MPPT DC/DC converter powers a DC bus of a controller. It uses an electric heat pump to heat a mass like water, and also has a resistive heating element to heat the mass. A microcontroller controls a variable frequency (VFD) motor drive to power the electric heat pump when sufficient solar power is available to run the heat pump and uses the resistive element to heat the thermal mass when insufficient solar power exists for the heat pump or when excess solar power is available. A controller has an MPPT input for solar power and a VFD to provide power through an output to a heat pump-based water heater and an output to power a resistive water heating element. A microcontroller determines solar power available and runs the heat pump when possible and the resistive element when insufficient power is available or when excess power is available.

Abstract: An induction-type AC electric motor system has a variable frequency motor (VFD) drive having at least two outputs, the VFD drive coupled to be powered by a solar input and to power the motor with a switching device in a first setting. With the switching device in a second setting, a run winding of the AC electric motor couples to an AC input and a start winding of the AC motor couples through a capacitor and start switch to the AC input. The system is configured to, upon determining motor start, put the contactor in first setting and use the VFD drive to continue running the motor, and, when the AC motor is not rotating, the system is configured to periodically measure available solar power and to start the AC motor if the available solar power exceeds a first threshold power determined sufficient to run the AC motor.

Abstract: An energy blending device has a first input for alternating current, a second input for connection to a solar array, and an output, the energy blending device receiving energy from the first input, both inputs coupled to power an energy blending node. The device is in a configuration either with the solar array matching a voltage of the energy blending node, the blending node providing power through a DC-DC converter to a load interface device, and the solar array coupled through a DC-DC converter to the energy blending node, the energy blending node providing power to a load interface device. A microcontroller controls the DC-DC converter and a load interface device. The energy blending device has an energy storage system having a battery coupled either directly to the energy blending node or through a bidirectional energy storage interface to the energy blending node.

Abstract: Photovoltaics and an MPPT DC/DC converter powers a DC bus of a controller. It uses an electric heat pump to heat a mass like water, and also has a resistive heating element to heat the mass. A microcontroller controls a variable frequency (VFD) motor drive to power the electric heat pump when sufficient solar power is available to run the heat pump and uses the resistive element to heat the thermal mass when insufficient solar power exists for the heat pump or when excess solar power is available. A controller has an MPPT input for solar power and a VFD to provide power through an output to a heat pump-based water heater and an output to power a resistive water heating element. A microcontroller determines solar power available and runs the heat pump when possible and the resistive element when insufficient power is available or when excess power is available.

Abstract: An energy blending device has a first input for alternating current, a second input for connection to a solar array, and an output, the energy blending device receiving energy from the first input, both inputs coupled to power an energy blending node. The device is in a configuration either with the solar array matching a voltage of the energy blending node, the blending node providing power through a DC-DC converter to a load interface device, and the solar array coupled through a DC-DC converter to the energy blending node, the energy blending node providing power to a load interface device. A microcontroller controls the DC-DC converter and a load interface device. The energy blending device has an energy storage system having a battery coupled either directly to the energy blending node or through a bidirectional energy storage interface to the energy blending node.

Abstract: An energy blending device has a first input for alternating current, a second input for connection to a solar array, and an output, the energy blending device receiving energy from the first input, both inputs coupled to power an energy blending node. The device is in a configuration either with the solar array matching a voltage of the energy blending node, the blending node providing power through a DC-DC converter to a load interface device, and the solar array coupled through a DC-DC converter to the energy blending node, the energy blending node providing power to a load interface device. A microcontroller controls the DC-DC converter and a load interface device. The energy blending device has an energy storage system having a battery coupled either directly to the energy blending node or through a bidirectional energy storage interface to the energy blending node.

Abstract: An energy blending device has a first input for alternating current, a second input for connection to a solar array, and an output, the energy blending device receiving energy from the first input, both inputs coupled to power an energy blending node. The device is in a configuration either with the solar array matching a voltage of the energy blending node, the blending node providing power through a DC-DC converter to a load interface device, and the solar array coupled through a DC-DC converter to the energy blending node, the energy blending node providing power to a load interface device. A microcontroller controls the DC-DC converter and a load interface device. The energy blending device has an energy storage system having a battery coupled either directly to the energy blending node or through a bidirectional energy storage interface to the energy blending node.

Abstract: An induction-type AC electric motor system has a variable frequency motor (VFD) drive having at least two outputs, the VFD drive coupled to be powered by a solar input and to power the motor with a switching device in a first setting. With the switching device in a second setting, a run winding of the AC electric motor couples to an AC input and a start winding of the AC motor couples through a capacitor and start switch to the AC input. The system is configured to, upon determining motor start, put the contactor in first setting and use the VFD drive to continue running the motor, and, when the AC motor is not rotating, the system is configured to periodically measure available solar power and to start the AC motor if the available solar power exceeds a first threshold power determined sufficient to run the AC motor.

Abstract: Solar Motor Controller is an electronic device with DC power input terminals that may connect directly to solar PV panels, and output terminals that may connect directly to single or multiphase phase AC electric motors without requiring an energy storage subsystem. The Controller runs electric motors of many frequencies and is capable of interfacing to multiple voltages of solar PV panels with or without maximum power point tracking. The Controller may drive motors in water pumping, HVAC, refrigeration, compressors operation, blowers, machine tools, and many other applications; some controller applications may operate at motor speeds adjusted to conform to power available from attached solar panels.

Abstract: A valve assembly that provides reliable opening and closing valves at specified times despite changing performance characteristics of the valve is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a controllable valve selectively actuatable to control flow of a fluid therethrough, with the controllable valve having a variable valve open/close response time. The valve assembly also includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure current operational parameters of the controllable valve and/or the fluid and a valve controller programmed to process valve timing control instructions generated by an external source, process inputs from the plurality of sensors regarding the measured operational parameters of the controllable valve and/or the fluid, and provide an actuation signal to the controllable valve based on the valve timing control instructions and the inputs from the plurality of sensors, so as to control a timing of an actuation of the controllable valve.

Abstract: A motor control system for induction-type capacitor-start AC electric motors having starting and run windings starts the electric motors on AC power then, without stopping the motor, switches to using a variable-frequency motor drive (VFD) configured with a maximum power point tracking method to run the motor from solar power. In particular embodiments, the MPPT method is adapted to reduce power consumed by the motor by reducing frequency and voltage provided by the VFD when available solar panel power is insufficient for full power operation, and to increase frequency and voltage provided by the VFD when available solar panel power is greater than power absorbed by the motor.

Abstract: A motor control system for induction-type capacitor-start AC electric motors having starting and run windings starts the electric motors on AC power then, without stopping the motor, switches to using a variable-frequency motor drive (VFD) configured with a maximum power point tracking method to run the motor from solar power. In particular embodiments, the MPPT method is adapted to reduce power consumed by the motor by reducing frequency and voltage provided by the VFD when available solar panel power is insufficient for full power operation, and to increase frequency and voltage provided by the VFD when available solar panel power is greater than power absorbed by the motor.

Abstract: A motor control system for induction-type AC electric motors having starting and run windings has a multiphase VFD drive with first and second phase outputs. A switching device with a first position, where a first output of the VFD drive is coupled to the run winding and a second output of the VFD drive couples to the start winding; and with the switching apparatus in second position, the run winding of the AC electric motor couples to an AC line input and the start winding of the AC electric motor couples through a capacitor and start switch to the AC line input. With the switching device in the first position, the second output of the VFD is configured to discontinue driving the start winding of the motor after the motor begins rotating.

Abstract: A motor control system for induction-type AC electric motors having starting and run windings has a multiphase VFD drive with first and second phase outputs. A switching device with a first position, where a first output of the VFD drive is coupled to the run winding and a second output of the VFD drive couples to the start winding; and with the switching apparatus in second position, the run winding of the AC electric motor couples to an AC line input and the start winding of the AC electric motor couples through a capacitor and start switch to the AC line input. With the switching device in the first position, the second output of the VFD is configured to discontinue driving the start winding of the motor after the motor begins rotating.

Abstract: Solar Motor Controller is an electronic device with DC power input terminals that may connect directly to solar PV panels, and output terminals that may connect directly to single or multiphase phase AC electric motors without requiring an energy storage subsystem. The Controller runs electric motors of many frequencies and is capable of interfacing to multiple voltages of solar PV panels with or without maximum power point tracking. The Controller may drive motors in water pumping, HVAC, refrigeration, compressors operation, blowers, machine tools, and many other applications; some controller applications may operate at motor speeds adjusted to conform to power available from attached solar panels.

Abstract: A valve assembly that provides reliable opening and closing valves at specified times despite changing performance characteristics of the valve is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a controllable valve selectively actuatable to control flow of a fluid therethrough, with the controllable valve having a variable valve open/close response time. The valve assembly also includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure current operational parameters of the controllable valve and/or the fluid and a valve controller programmed to process valve timing control instructions generated by an external source, process inputs from the plurality of sensors regarding the measured operational parameters of the controllable valve and/or the fluid, and provide an actuation signal to the controllable valve based on the valve timing control instructions and the inputs from the plurality of sensors, so as to control a timing of an actuation of the controllable valve.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a permanent magnet synchronous generator without rotor position information, utilizing sensor-less hysteresis control and brushless direct current switching scheme. The present invention controls the current and torque of the permanent magnet generator without information of the rotor position in respect to the stator.