Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090045848 | PHASE-FREQUENCY DETECTOR WITH HIGH JITTER TOLERANCE - A phase-frequency detection system and method for enhancing performance of the frequency detector in a phase-frequency detection system. Filtering of the frequency detector inputs makes operation of the frequency detector more robust in the presence of intersymbol interference within the incoming data signal and other non-ideal characteristics such as noise and crosstalk. | 02-19-2009 |
20090283128 | Method and system for activating and deactivating an energy generating system - A method for activating a local converter for one of a plurality of energy generating devices in an energy generating array is provided. The local converter includes a power stage and a local controller. The method includes comparing a device voltage for the energy generating device to a voltage activation level. The local converter is automatically activated when the device voltage exceeds the voltage activation level. | 11-19-2009 |
20090284232 | Method and system for selecting between centralized and distributed maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system - A method for selecting between centralized and distributed maximum power point tracking in energy generating system is provided. The energy generating system includes a plurality of energy generating devices, each of which is coupled to a corresponding local converter. Each local converter includes a local controller for the corresponding energy generating device. The method includes determining whether the energy generating devices are operating under quasi-ideal conditions. The energy generating system is placed in a centralized maximum power point tracking (CMPPT) mode when the energy generating devices are operating under quasi-ideal conditions and is placed in a distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) mode when the energy generating devices are not operating under quasi-ideal conditions. | 11-19-2009 |
20090284240 | Method and system for providing local converters to provide maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system - A method for providing maximum power point tracking for an energy generating device using a local buck-boost converter coupled to the device is provided. The method includes operating in a tracking mode, which includes initializing a conversion ratio for the buck-boost converter based on a previous optimum conversion ratio. A device power associated with the initialized conversion ratio is calculated. The conversion ratio is repeatedly modified and a device power associated with each of the modified conversion ratios is calculated. A current optimum conversion ratio for the buck-boost converter is identified based on the calculated device powers. The current optimum conversion ratio corresponds to one of a buck mode, a boost mode and a buck-boost mode for the buck-boost converter. | 11-19-2009 |
20090284998 | Method and system for providing maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system - A method for providing a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) process for an energy generating device is provided. The method includes coupling a local converter to the energy generating device. A determination is made regarding whether the local converter is operating at or below a maximum acceptable temperature. A determination is made regarding whether at least one current associated with the local converter is acceptable. When the local converter is determined to be operating at or below the maximum acceptable temperature and when the at least one current associated with the local converter is determined to be acceptable, the MPPT process is enabled within the local converter. | 11-19-2009 |
20100039840 | AC-TO-DC VOLTAGE CONVERSION AND CHARGING CIRCUITRY - Voltage conversion and charging circuitry and method for converting an alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for charging an energy storage element (e.g., battery or supercapacitor). An output capacitance, which is initially charged quickly for use in the slower charging of a battery, also maintains the charge on an input capacitance which provides power for the charging control circuitry during such charging process. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the DC charging current is substantially constant during a first time interval following which the DC charging power is substantially constant during a second time interval. | 02-18-2010 |
20100215995 | MAGNETIC STATE OF CHARGE SENSOR FOR A BATTERY - A battery includes multiple conductive battery plates and a complex electrolytic material located between the conductive battery plates. The battery also includes a conductive sensor wire located within the complex electrolytic material. The conductive sensor wire may be configured to generate a magnetic field within the complex electrolytic material based on an electrical signal flowing through the conductive sensor wire. The battery may further include a temperature sensor wire within the complex electrolytic material. | 08-26-2010 |
20100288327 | System and method for over-Voltage protection of a photovoltaic string with distributed maximum power point tracking - A string over-voltage protection system and method for arrays of photovoltaic panels. The system and method includes a device for use in a photovoltaic array power system. The device includes a voltage converter. The voltage converter is adapted to be coupled to a photovoltaic panel in a string of photovoltaic panels. The device also includes a string over-voltage protection circuit. The string over-voltage protection circuit is coupled to the voltage converter. The string over-voltage protection circuit senses a string voltage and determines if a string over-voltage condition exists. Additionally, the string over-voltage protection circuit is configured to disable the voltage converter in the event of a string over-voltage condition. | 11-18-2010 |
20100327659 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM WITH DISTRIBUTED MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING - A solar panel array for use in a solar cell power system is provided. The solar panel array includes a string of solar panels and multiple voltage converters. Each voltage converter is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. The solar panel array also includes multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers. Each MPPT controller is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. Each MPPT controller is configured to sense an instantaneous power unbalance between the corresponding solar panel and an inverter. | 12-30-2010 |
20110084646 | Off-grid led street lighting system with multiple panel-storage matching - A system includes multiple photovoltaic panels having a combined output profile that defines energy or power generated by the photovoltaic panels over time. Each photovoltaic panel is configured to generate a peak amount of energy or power at a different time. The system also includes a storage device having a charging profile and configured to be charged by the photovoltaic panels. The charging profile defines a maximum amount of energy or power sinkable by the storage device at a given time. The output profile and the charging profile are substantially matched such that a maximum level of the output profile is approximately equal to the maximum amount of energy or power sinkable by the storage device. The maximum level of the output profile could be substantially constant over time between first and second peak amounts of energy or power generated by different photovoltaic panels. | 04-14-2011 |
20110115436 | ACTIVE CELL AND MODULE BALANCING FOR BATTERIES OR OTHER POWER SUPPLIES - A system includes multiple power modules, each having multiple power cells coupled in series. Each power module has a charge that is based on charges of the power cells in that power module. The system also includes multiple active cell balancing circuits, each configured to substantially balance the charges of the power cells in an associated one of the power modules. The system further includes an active module balancing system configured to substantially balance the charges of the power modules by charging a first subset of the power modules and/or discharging a second subset of the power modules. The active module balancing system could include multiple module balancing circuits, each associated with one of the power modules and configured to charge or discharge its associated power module. A direct current (DC) bus can be configured to transport DC power between the module balancing circuits. | 05-19-2011 |
20110289248 | Isolated communication bus and related protocol - A system includes a master device and multiple slave devices. The system also includes multiple bus interfaces forming a communication bus that couples the master and slave devices. Each bus interface includes a primary interface unit configured to communicate over first and second buses, where the first and second buses form a portion of the communication bus. Each bus interface also includes a secondary interface unit configured to communicate with the primary interface unit and to communicate with one of the slave devices over a third bus. Each bus interface further includes an isolator configured to electrically isolate the primary interface unit and the secondary interface unit. The primary interface unit is configured to receive multiple commands over the first bus, execute a first subset of commands, transmit a second subset of commands over the second bus, and transmit a third subset of commands over the third bus. | 11-24-2011 |
20120154003 | SPUR REDUCTION TECHNIQUE FOR SAMPLING PLL'S - Control circuitry and method of controlling for a sampling phase lock loop (PLL). By controlling the duty cycle of a sampling control signal, in accordance with the PLL reference and output signals, spurious output signals from the sampling PLL being controlled can be reduced. | 06-21-2012 |
20120169133 | TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER TUNING IN A WIRELESS CHARGING SYSTEM - A transmitter includes an alternating current power source with tunable parameters. A tunable parameter may be capacitance, inductance, or frequency. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169136 | NON-RESONANT AND QUASI-RESONANT SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION TO MULTIPLE RECEIVERS - A wireless power transfer system includes: a non-resonant transmitter, or a transmitter with a resonant circuit; and a non-resonant receiver, or a receiver with a resonant circuit. In some implementations, a transmitter with a resonant circuit is operated away from its resonance frequency. In some implementations, a receiver with a resonant circuit is operated away from the transmitter resonance frequency and/or the transmitter operating frequency. In some implementations, the selection of receiver resonance frequency is based on receiver power requirements. Thus, wireless power transfer may be accomplished by operating away from resonance in a quasi-resonant or non-resonant mode, and further may be accomplished using a non-resonant transmitter and/or a non-resonant receiver. Effective power transfer may also be achieved between a transmitter and multiple receivers. A combination of resonant and non-resonant transmitter and receiver(s) may be used for power transfer. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169137 | RESONANT SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION TO MULTIPLE RECEIVERS - In a wireless power transfer system with multiple receivers, receiver management may be necessary to effectively provide power to the multiple receivers. In one implementation, receiver management includes sweeping or stepping the transmitter resonant and/or operating frequency. In another implementation, receiver management includes receiver self-management, in which the receiver load current duty cycle is controlled to maintain receiver voltage even in the presence of multiple receivers. In another implementation, receiver management includes receiver self-management, in which one or more receivers use a time-sharing heuristic to identify when other receivers are charging and wait to begin receiving a transfer of power until another receiver has stopped receiving a transfer of power. | 07-05-2012 |
20120170337 | VOLTAGE MULTIPLICATION IN A WIRELESS RECEIVER - A wireless energy transfer receiver includes an input configured to receive alternating current (AC) electric energy and an output configured to make available direct current (DC) electric energy. The receiver further includes a rectification component configured to convert the AC energy received at the input into DC energy available at the output, the DC energy made available as DC voltage; and a multiplication component configured to amplify a peak voltage of the AC energy received at the input, the DC voltage made available at the output correspondingly being higher than the peak voltage of the AC energy received at the input. | 07-05-2012 |
20130038365 | Sampling Phase Lock Loop (PLL) With Low Power Clock Buffer - A sampling phase locked loop (PLL) circuit includes a pull-up/down buffer configured to convert an oscillator reference clock into a square wave sampling control signal input to a sampling phase detector. The buffer circuit is configured to reduce power by controlling the switching of the pull-up and pull-down transistors (and thereby the transitions of the sampling control signal) so that the transistors are not on at the same time. | 02-14-2013 |
20130193852 | LED MATRIX MANAGER - Circuits for controlling a plurality of LEDs connected in series are disclosed herein. The circuit includes a plurality of switches, wherein each switch is connectable between the anode and cathode of one of the plurality of LEDs. Each of the switches has a first state wherein current does not pass through the switch and a second state wherein current passes through the switch. The circuit also includes an input for receiving data to program the switches and a data line for transferring data between a circuit controlling second LEDs that are connected in parallel with the first LEDs and the circuit. In addition, the circuit includes a data output for transferring data to other circuits controlling third LEDs that are connected in series with the first LEDs. | 08-01-2013 |
20140232346 | ACTIVE CELL AND MODULE BALANCING FOR BATTERIES OR OTHER POWER SUPPLIES - A system configured to actively balance power among power cells such as batteries. The system includes a power module of series-coupled power cells, each exhibiting different charge levels during charging and discharging. A power module includes active cell balancing circuitry configured to substantially balance the charges of the power cells at least during charging. In one embodiment, the active cell balancing circuitry includes: (a) current source circuitry configured to supply extra charging current to a selected power cell; and (b) current source control circuitry configured to control the current source circuitry to supply extra charging current to the power cell with the lowest state of charge. In another embodiment, the system includes multiple power modules, each having multiple power cells coupled in series, and each having an active cell balancing circuit configured to substantially balance the charges of the power cells in an associated one of the power modules. | 08-21-2014 |
20140319921 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTING AMPLITUDE AND PHASE INFORMATION IN A RESONANT SYSTEM - A resonant power transfer system includes resonant circuitry ( | 10-30-2014 |