Abstract: A micro electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) device INCLUDES a MEMS substrate and at least one MEMS structure on the MEMS substrate. In addition, there is at least one battery cell on the MEMS substrate coupled to the at least one MEMS structure. The at least one battery cell includes a support fin extending vertically upward from the MEMS substrate and a first electrode layer on the support fin. In addition, there is an electrolyte layer on the cathode layer, and a second electrode layer on the electrolyte layer. The support fin may have a height greater than a width. The first electrode layer may have a processing temperature associated therewith that exceeds a stability temperature associated with the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A self-contained power source to charge a battery and/or power a load is provided. The power source does not utilize a connection to an external power supply, such as AC mains and/or an AC to DC converter. In one embodiment, the self-contained power source includes an ultra low voltage power generator, such as 0.3V of a single solar cell, or even lower to slightly above the GND potential, that provides a voltage to a rechargeable battery, a load or both. A voltage converter with boost topology is used to supply a voltage comparable to the voltage of the rechargeable battery. A first push circuit containing a zero threshold voltage switch, a MUX circuit and a one-pulse-control block is utilized to ensure initial and continued operation of the voltage converter.

Abstract: A power converter arrangement configured to convert a direct voltage into an alternating voltage to be supplied to a grid includes a photovoltaic generator configured to generate the direct voltage, a voltage intermediate circuit, a main power converter connected in series with a bypass switch, a maximum power point controller configured to set a maximum power point voltage, and at least one voltage-limited additional circuit configured to be active during a start-up phase of the photovoltaic generator. The at least one voltage-limited additional circuit and the main power converter are configured as a voltage divider in parallel with the photovoltaic generator. The at least one voltage-limited additional circuit is configured as a capacitive voltage divider having a first capacitor and an intermediate circuit capacitor connected in series.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a photovoltaic element at or near a maximum power point. A maximum power point tracker changes a voltage or current set point of a photovoltaic element in sequential discrete steps, measuring an output power at each step after a predetermined settling time. A slope of a power-voltage curve is then estimated and the slope is corrected for irradiance changes. Finally, an operating voltage or current of the photovoltaic element is adjusted based on the slope of the power-voltage curve and other factors, causing the photovoltaic element to operate at or near its maximum power.

Abstract: A solar power supply system includes at least one solar power conversion circuit and an inverter circuit. Each solar power conversion circuit comprises a solar module and a direct current (DC) module. The solar module converts the solar power into the DC signals. The DC module with two-stage conversion comprises a DC transformer circuit and a maximum power point tracking circuit, to boost the DC signals and adjust output power of the solar module to a maximum value. The inverter circuit converts the boosted DC signals output from the solar power conversion circuits into AC signals and combines the AC signals into the AC utility network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for producing an alternating voltage or an alternating current from a unipolar direct current source having an inverter relating to a neutral conductor. The direct current source is connected to an inverter which converts the unipolar voltage of the direct current source into a bipolar intermediate circuit voltage that is stored in a buffer circuit (C1, C2) which is connected to the inverter. The inverter comprises a clocked switch (So) and an energy converting unit which is configured as a dual coil (DR1,DR2) having two windings (W1,W2) which are closely coupled to each other.

Abstract: A solar energy includes a charging control unit to output a number of charge voltages, a switch control unit, and a comparing unit. The switch control unit receives a break control signal and a charging control signal from the charging control unit to switch the charging control unit to charge the rechargeable battery, and receives a voltage detecting signal from the charging control unit to output a detect voltage corresponding to a charge voltage of the rechargeable battery. The comparing unit receives the detect voltage and correspondingly outputs a selecting signal to the charging control unit. The charging control unit determines the charge voltage of the rechargeable battery according to the selecting signal, and outputs a corresponding charge voltage to charge the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A two-stage voltage step-up converter and energy storage system is utilized for harvesting trickling electrons from benthic microbe habitats. A relatively random low voltage from the microbial fuel cell (less than about 0.8 VDC) is provided to the first stage step-up converter, which stores power in a first output storage device. A first comparator circuit turns on the second stage step-up converter to transfer energy from the first output storage device to a second output storage device. A second comparator circuit intermittently connects the load to the second output storage device. After initial start-up, the system is self-powered utilizing the first and second output devices but may use a battery for the initial start-up, after which an automatic switch can switch the battery out of the circuit.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus are provided for harvesting electrical energy from a photovoltaic source of electrical energy. The photovoltaic source has power-generating characteristics defined by a family of voltage-current curves comprising points of maximum electrical power over a respective range of at least one of the following for the photovoltaic source: distinct illumination intensities and distinct temperatures. The apparatus is made up of a switching converter coupled to the photovoltaic source. The converter has an input voltage-current curve having a predefined functional relationship between the input voltage and the input current.

Abstract: A photovoltaic circuit configured to supply an output current to a tank module is provided. The photovoltaic circuit comprises a photovoltaic transformation module, a first process module, a plurality of second process modules, and a first control module. The process modules are connected to each other in parallel. The process modules in the parallel connection are connected to the photovoltaic transformation module and the tank module in series. The first control module is connected to the first process module and generates a control signal to the process modules in response to a divided current, a modulation current, and a last output current generated by the first process module. Thereby, the process modules interlacedly output the corresponding modulation current as the output current supplied to the energy reserve module.

Abstract: An apparatus, device, and system for generating an amount of output power in response to a direct current (DC) power input includes a configurable power supply, which may be electrically coupled to the DC power input. The configurable power supply is selectively configurable between multiple circuit topologies to generate various DC power outputs and/or and AC power output. The system may also include one or more DC power electronic accessories, such as DC-to-DC power converters, and/or one or more AC power electronic accessories such as DC-to-AC power converters. The power electronic accessories are couplable to the configurable power supply to receive the corresponding DC or AC power output of the configurable power supply.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a single stage inverter device for power converters, comprising switching means (M1-M4) capable to periodically connect an energy source, in particular a photovoltaic one, to an electric network or grid, the switching means (M1-M4) being controlled by controlling electronic means operating according to a single switching cycle control of the switching means (M1-M4), the operative and circuit device parameters being such to fulfill a series of constraints simultaneously optimizing both the maximum power point tracking or MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) and the output power factor or PF-out (Power Factor-output) for one or more operation conditions. The present invention further concerns the related method of controlling and the related method of scaling such device.

Abstract: A system for energizing an energy storage device includes an electric power source, an energy system in communication with the electric power source, and a switching time control multiplexer. The energy storage system includes at least two parallel energy storage devices. The switching time control multiplexer is configured to supply total charging current from the electric power source to the energy storage system such that each storage device is charged in an alternating manner with the total charging current being less than a total charging current required for parallel charging.

Abstract: An onboard solar cell array current and voltage characteristic determination method is preferably used on small spacecraft and determines the solar cell orientation relative to the sun by a comparison between prelaunch solar cell characteristics with on-orbit solar cell characteristics well suited for spin axis determinations and monitoring the degradation of on-orbit solar cells over the operational life of a picosatellite.

Abstract: A surface texturization method is provided. First, a polymer film is formed on a substrate. Thereafter, a heating treatment is performed on the substrate. The heating treatment results in a textured polymer film having island-shaped and/or microcrack-shaped patterns. Afterwards, an etching process is performed using the textured polymer film as a mask, so as to remove a portion of the substrate to form a textured structure on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A control strategy for distributed power generation modules in a power system that varies the line frequency or voltage according to a predetermined pattern to cause a PV inverter to modify its power output and thereby avoid overcharging a battery. When the power system operates in islanded mode, the AC load demand can be lower than the available energy from the PV array, causing the battery to become overcharged. To avoid this scenario, a hybrid inverter executes a pattern generator algorithm that varies the line frequency or voltage linearly, exponentially or any mathematical function or look-up tables. The PV inverter executes a pattern detection algorithm that detects the linear, exponential, or any mathematical function or look-up table change in the line frequency. In response, the PV inverter modifies its power output until an overcharging condition of the battery is removed. The line frequency/voltage can be varied within the anti-islanding limits.

Abstract: A method of operating a three level converter includes controlling the output voltage of the converter when a DC link voltage of the three level converter is lower than one-half of a rated DC link voltage of the converter by, for each leg of the converter, alternately connecting an output terminal of the leg to the positive terminal or the negative terminal of the DC link. When the DC link voltage is at least one-half of the rated DC link voltage, the method includes controlling the output voltage of the converter by, for each leg, selectively connecting the output terminal of the converter to the positive terminal, the negative terminal, or a mid-point of the DC link.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device for a solar cell includes at least one electrode substrate coated with a oxide or mixed oxides layer. When the electrical energy storage device is electrically connected with a receive unit of the solar unit in parallel, the electrical energy storage device can have the advantages of high electric energy density, enhancing the charging efficiency of the solar cell, and reducing the charging time of the solar cell.

Abstract: A solar wind chime having a structure that supports a solar energy system, a electrical subsystem, a cage, and a chime. The solar energy system includes a rechargeable electrical power source conductively coupled to a solar energy collection system. The rechargeable electrical power source powers one or more electrical subsystems. The electrical subsystem having at least one light for illuminating the solar wind chime. The cage is configured for protecting an ornamental object. The chime includes a bracket disposed within the chime. A wire extends through the chime and is at least partially supported by the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformerless photovoltaic grid-connecting inverting device and an inverting control method thereof. The inverting device comprising a boosting unit, an inverting unit, a grid-connecting unit and a control unit. The boosting unit is connected to a solar cell, for boosting an output voltage of the solar cell and then outputting a direct voltage. The inverting unit is used to convert the direct voltage output by the boosting unit into an alternating voltage. The grid-connecting unit is connected between the inverting unit and an alternating power grid, and closes or breaks up the electrical connection between the inverting unit and the alternating power grid based on a control signal.

Abstract: A multi-stage power supply uses a boost stage and an inverter stage to boost the voltage value of a DC power supply to a desired level, and then convert the power into an AC form. The multi-stage power supply additionally has a controller which can simultaneously control the boost stage and the inverter stage using counter-synchronous signals.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for providing power from solar cells whereby each cell or cell array is allowed to produce its maximum available power and converted by an operatively connected DC/DC converter. Each cell or cell array has its own DC/DC converter.

Abstract: An electrical management device for a vehicle power supply that includes a single converter to minimize the number of components required to simultaneously control two energy sources, such as a photovoltaic source and a thermoelectric source, on board a motor vehicle that includes at least one electrical energy storage battery.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc photovoltaic power source to an ac mains power supply is disclosed. The photovoltaic power conditioning unit may include a non-electrolytic energy storage capacitor, a dc-to-dc converter having an input connection coupled to an input and an output connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor. The photovoltaic power conditioning unit also may include a dc-to-ac converter having an input connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor and an output connection coupled to an output and a power injection control block configured to control an amount of power transferred from the dc-to-ac converter to the ac mains power supply based, at least in part, on an amplitude of a fluctuating sinusoidal component of a dc voltage on the non-electrolytic energy storage capacitor.

Abstract: An electronic module compares the output voltage of a solar panel to an expected value and controls the power demand from the solar panel such that the output voltage does not vary from the expected value by more than a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be determined by correcting a room temperature value for the temperature dependence of the photodiodes comprising the solar panel and manufacturing tolerance.

Abstract: A system for supplying AC power from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic array is disclosed. The system includes a converter and an inverter coupled by a DC link. Control methods and systems are provided to maintain the DC source voltage and the DC link voltage below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source. During steady state conditions, the DC source voltage and the DC link voltage are maintained below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source by controlling the output of the inverter. The DC link voltage is temporarily adjusted to allow for higher DC link transients when the DC power source is first coupled or re-coupled to the system. During conditions when the inverter is decoupled from the system, the converter is controlled to maintain the DC link voltage below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source.

Abstract: A solar powered apparatus that includes a battery, at least one photovoltaic cell (which may be part of a solar module comprising multiple photovoltaic cells), and a DC-capable AC appliance, such as a compact fluorescent light. The solar powered apparatus may also include a first DC to DC converter that receives a first electrical signal from the at least one photovoltaic cell and provides a charging signal to the battery, and a second DC to DC converter that receives a second electrical signal from the battery and provides a DC power signal to the DC-capable AC appliance.

Abstract: A solar farm system is provided that is configured for reducing electrical loss. The solar farm system includes a plurality of PV arrays coupled to inverters and a collector system including a conductor or network of conductors. The collector system also includes a plurality of transformers with one or more transformers connected between the inverters and the conductors. The solar farm also includes a substation transformer connecting the solar farm collector system to the electrical grid. The solar farm includes a control system configured to determine at least one operating parameter for the solar farm system to reduce electrical loss and to regulate the collector system and the plurality of inverters based at least in part on the at least one operating parameter.

Abstract: An organic dye used in a dye-sensitized solar cell is described, having general formula (1): D-Sp1-Ch-Sp2-Acc-Y??(1) wherein the groups D, Ch, Acc and Y are conjugate with each other, the group D is a donor group, the group Ch is a chromophore rendering low HOMO-LUMO gap or a polyaromatic chromophore, the group Acc is an acceptor group, the group Y is an anchoring group, and each of Sp1 and Sp2 represents a single bond or a spacer group allowing conjugation between the groups D and Ch or between the groups Ch and Acc.

Abstract: Solar panels of certain technologies may experience a degradation of their efficiency as a result of exposure to sunlight, either prior to installation or during normal operation. A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to the solar panel and to a source of alternating current. The PAMCC receives direct current from the solar panel and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output terminals at such times that the solar panel is capable to provide current, denominated “normal operation”. The PAMCC may be reconfigured to form a buck converter and a rectifier wherein the rectifier converts power received at the output (during normal operation) terminals to provide rectified, direct current to the buck converter. The buck converter provides direct current in the forward biased direction to the solar panel, thereby reconditioning the solar panel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electric energy control circuit for a solar power illumination system. The solar power illumination system has at least one solar panel coupled to a charging controller, and the solar panel charges at least one battery via the charging controller. An electric energy control circuit according to the present invention controls a driving unit to acquire electric energy from the battery and turn on at least one lamp set. The electric energy control circuit comprises: a power detection loop and an output control loop. The power detection loop is coupled to the solar panel and the battery and detects the power generation of the solar panel and the remaining capacity of the battery. The output control loop is coupled to the power detection loop and determines the power output to the lamp set according to the power generation and the remaining capacity.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a photovoltaic element at or near a maximum power point. A maximum power point tracker changes a voltage or current set point of a photovoltaic element in sequential discrete steps, measuring an output power at each step after a predetermined settling time. A slope of a power-voltage curve is then estimated and the slope is corrected for irradiance changes. Finally, an operating voltage or current of the photovoltaic element is adjusted based on the slope of the power-voltage curve and other factors, causing the photovoltaic element to operate at or near its maximum power.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for generating electric power, comprising: an electric-power source (1) having a preferential point of operation; a double-stage inverter (3A, 3B), which transfers the energy from said source to an external a.c.-voltage electrical network (9); a block (5) for identification of the preferential point of operation, which supplies a reference signal according to the conditions of operation of the electric-power source and to the preferential point of operation of said source; a corrector block (10), provided for setting the parameter for control of the boost converter (3A) of the double-stage inverter (3A, 3B) as a function of the reference signal and of a signal of actual operation of said electric-power source, and for maintaining the source in the proximity of the preferential point of operation.

Abstract: The control circuit 30 of power supply unit and power supply unit 10 controlling output power with electric power supplied from the external power 15, comprise a monitoring portion 40 monitoring current I1 and voltage outputted from the external power supply 15 and output power of the external power supply 15 and a setting portion e1 which sets an upper limit value of current outputted from the external power supply 15 based on a monitoring result of the monitoring portion 40.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an operating voltage lower bound for preventing photovoltaic (PV) cell reverse breakdown during power conversion. The method comprises determining a PV cell operating temperature; computing, at a controller, an operating voltage corresponding to a maximum power point (MPP) based on the PV cell operating temperature; and determining, at the controller, an operating voltage lower bound based on the operating voltage.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an inverter (3), more specifically for use in a photovoltaic plant (1) with a direct voltage input (connection terminals 4; 5) for connection to a generator (2) and an alternating voltage output (connection terminals 7; 8) for feeding into an energy supply network (6) as well as with a DC-AC converter (12) with semiconductor switch elements (15) and an intermediate circuit (11), at least one short-circuit switch element (18) being connected in parallel to the generator (2), so that the voltage will not exceed a maximum voltage value neither at the connection terminals (4; 5) of the generator (2) nor between the connection terminals (9; 10) of the inverter.

Abstract: Reliability enhanced systems are shown where an short-lived electrolytic capacitor can be replaced by a much smaller, perhaps film type, longer-lived capacitor to be implemented in circuits for power factor correction, solar power conversion, or otherwise to achieve DC voltage smoothing with circuitry that has solar photovoltaic source (1) a DC photovoltaic input (2) internal to a device (3) and uses an enhanced DC-DC power converter (4) to provide a smoothed DC output (6) with capacitor substitution circuitry (14) that may include interim signal circuitry (28) that creates a large voltage variation for a replaced capacitor (16). Switchmode designs may include first and second switch elements (17) and (18) and an alternative path controller (21) that operates a boost controller (22) and a buck controller (23) perhaps with a switch duty cycle controller (32).

Abstract: A detection circuit for generating a control signal for controlling output voltage of an AC adapter. The detection circuit for an electronic device receives power information from an external power supply via a cable to generate the control signal that controls DC input voltage output from the external power supply. In the detection circuit, a correction voltage generation circuit generates a correction voltage in correspondence with the parasitic resistance of the cable. A power information correction circuit corrects the power information provided from the external power supply via the cable with the correction voltage to generate corrected power information. A detection signal generation circuit calculates the total power amount of the electronic device and generates a power detection signal corresponding to the total power amount. The control signal generation circuit generates the control signal based on the corrected power information and the power detection signal.

Abstract: A grounding wire from a commercial power system is connected to a series-connection end of a series connection between two capacitors connected in series between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. A current detector monitors an output current of an inverter unit in which four switching elements and two diodes convert voltages at both ends of the series circuit of the capacitors at three levels. An operation control circuit controls a generation of a PWM signal to be applied to the four switching elements, to minimize a difference between a current value detected by the current detector and a target current value.

Abstract: An organic dye used in a dye-sensitized solar cell is described, having general formula (1): D-Sp1-Ch-Sp2-Acc-Y??(1) wherein the groups D, Ch, Acc and Y are conjugate with each other, the group D is a donor group, the group Ch is a chromophore rendering low HOMO-LUMO gap or a polyaromatic chromophore, the group Acc is an acceptor group, the group Y is an anchoring group, and each of Sp1 and Sp2 represents a single bond or a spacer group allowing conjugation between the groups D and Ch or between the groups Ch and Acc.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to the design and manufacturing of inexpensive photovoltaic or thermal receivers for cost-effective solar energy conversion of concentrated light. Particular embodiments in accordance with the present invention disclose the design of a photovoltaic receiver and a low-pressure, low-flow-rate liquid cooler. Embodiment of the present invention also disclose a preferred low-cost and scalable manufacturing approach.

Abstract: A power source system to be mounted in electrical devices is provided. The power source system includes a fuel cell which supplies electric power generated by consuming fuel, a fuel storage portion which stores the fuel and supplies the fuel to the fuel cell, a container which contains the fuel cell and the fuel storage portion, and a case which is provided so as to surround the container. A space for allowing air used for the reaction in the fuel cell to circulate therethrough is provided between the container and the case.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power generation controller, in which minute power change is detected even with a low-resolution AD converter, thereby being capable of performing maximum power point tracking control with high accuracy, is provided.

Abstract: A portable weather resistant enclosure for supporting electronics in the field, having a body in sealable engagement with a door, a pedestal for elevating the enclosure above a surface, at least two lifting eyes for transporting the enclosure, the portable weather resistant enclosure being constructed to resist deformation during transport.

Abstract: A solar powered apparatus that includes a battery, at least one photovoltaic cell (which may be part of a solar module comprising multiple photovoltaic cells), and a DC-capable AC appliance, such as a compact fluorescent light. The solar powered apparatus may also include a first DC to DC converter that receives a first electrical signal from the at least one photovoltaic cell and provides a charging signal to the battery, and a second DC to DC converter that receives a second electrical signal from the battery and provides a DC power signal to the DC-capable AC appliance.

Abstract: A control apparatus of a single-phase power converter for a photovoltaic power generation system is disclosed, including a POS MPPT controller for calculating a rating current by applying a POS MPPT control method to an output current detected through a current transformer of a single-phase AC filter, a bandpass filter for filtering only signals of a low-frequency band from a load, a single-phase reference current generator for producing a reference current by matching a phase of the current from the POS MPPT controller to a phase from the bandpass filter, a single-phase current subtractor for subtracting an output current of a current transformer from the reference current calculated by the single-phase reference current generator to thereby calculate a difference current between the output current of the current transformer and the reference current, a PI controller for outputting a control signal, corresponding to the difference current from the single-phase current subtractor, to a PWM signal generator, a

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC). The method comprises performing system analysis on at least one of a DC current, DC voltage, or an AC voltage; utilizing the system analysis for selecting at least one conversion parameter; and converting DC to AC utilizing the at least one conversion parameter.

Abstract: A solar cell regulator in a nanosatellite includes a pulse width modulated DC-DC boost converter and a peak power tracking controller for converting solar cell power to bus power for charging of system batteries and powering loads while the controller controls the pulse width modulation operation of the converter for sensing solar cell currents and voltages along a power characteristic curve of the solar cell for peak power tracking, for determining any power data point, including a peak power point, an open circuit voltage point, and a short circuit current point along the power characteristic curve of the solar cell, and for communicating the power data to a satellite processor for monitoring the performance of the solar cell during operational use of the satellite.

Abstract: An electrical energy generation system comprising: a plurality of photovoltaic generators connected in parallel and connected to a common load via respective DC voltage converters; and a regulator configured to vary the transconductances of said respective voltage converters to maximize the power generated by said current generators; wherein: said generators are also connected to a common input of an additional voltage converter the output of which is connected to said common load; and said regulator is also configured to vary the transconductance of said additional voltage converter to maximize the power generated by said current generators.

Abstract: A method for an inverter, for inputting power output by a direct current voltage source in an alternating current voltage network chops the direct current voltage source by a bridge inverter by alternate switching of parallel-mounted and series-mounted circuit elements, in the form of a pulse width modulation, and the chopped power is transmitted via a transformer which is connected between the series-mounted elements. The transmitted power is then rectified and input in the alternating current voltage network via a down-converter transformer. In order to adapt the inverter to the power supplied, the switching times of the circuit elements of the bridge inverter are controlled or regulated.