Fyre Storm, Inc.

Array Converter, Inc.

Exar Corporation

Array Power, Inc.

Other

Aessense Technology Hong Kong Limited

Air Communications, Inc.

Fyresstorm, Inc.

Kent Kernahan

John Carl Thomas

Sorin Andrei Spanoche

Elias Lozano

Milton Ribeiro

Craig N Lambert

Jack Roan

David F Fraser

Ion E Opris

Dongsheng Zhou

Xuecheng Jin

Ping Lo

Mark J Nohr

Mika Nuotio

Daniel W Yoder

Gavin Grant

Larry Albert Klein

Wenpeng Hsueh

Huafang Zhou

Tianshu Chen

Simon Wong

Christopher Caldwell

Milton D Ribelro

A solar panel is constructed by electrically connecting one or more banks of solar cells in series, wherein each cell in each bank is electrically connected in series. In some aspects the cells are a quarter of typical full size cells in the direction of current flow. A panel may comprise banks of differing cell counts. Bypass diodes are not used.

Idealized solar panel

A hydroponic system includes a first sensor system that measures one or more characteristics of a nutrient solution, a second sensor system that measures one or more characteristics of an environment of a plant; and a network device including a communication interface to the first sensor system and a communication interface to the second sensor system. The network device may be configured to transmit measurements from the sensor systems through a wireless network to a remote device or database. The network device and the sensor systems may be implemented in a housing that fits within a collar of the hydroponic system. The collar can allow easy replacement of the sensor systems and can electrically isolate the sensor systems.

Wireless sensor systems for hydroponics

A system for providing water to the roots of a plant being grown in an aeroponic growth system includes small reservoirs containing water and a mist generator, wherein the mist generator provides mist under low pressure to a channel which directs the mist to the roots of the plant.

Root misting system

Plant growing system

A solar panel is constructed by electrically connecting one or more banks of solar cells in series, wherein each cell in each bank is electrically connected in series. In some aspects the cells are a quarter of typical full size cells in the direction of current flow. A module senses and controls small signal conduction and total conduction of the panel such that reverse current conduction of a weak or partially shaded cell is prevented, thereby allowing the panel to be constructed without bypass diodes. In some aspects the module prevents damage to the panel by an external inverter's maximum power point experiments; in other aspects the module itself provides maximum power point control.

A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated ('PAM') current converter, denominated a 'PAMCC', is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its three output terminals, wherein the current of each terminal is one hundred twenty degrees out of phase with the other two terminals. The pulses are produced at a high frequency relative to the signal modulated on a sequence of pulses. The signal modulated onto a sequence of pulses may represent portions of a lower frequency sine wave or other lower frequency waveform, including DC. When each phased output is connected in parallel with the outputs of similar PAMCCs an array of PAMCCs is formed, wherein each voltage phased output pulse is out of phase with respect to a corresponding current output pulse of the other PAMCCs. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed three-phase multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC on each phase.

Three phase power generation from a plurality of direct current sources

Due to their exposure to extreme environments, it is expected that parts or all of a solar power system will experience degradation in performance. The degradation may be due to temporary environmental factors, such as cloud cover; damage or localized soiling; a general dirty condition; or ageing of the components. A method is disclosed wherein a remote system may detect degraded performance and determine the cause, thereby enabling a decision as to the appropriate corrective action to be taken, if any.

Method for determining the operating condition of a photovoltaic panel

A power converter circuit senses the output voltage (Vo) and controls the converter's duty cycle (d) to provide a steady output current (Io) or input power (Pin) in each switching cycle (T). During an initial period (Tramp), the controller provides a possibly smaller target current (Iramp) to reduce the system stress while the output voltage rises to a suitable value (InitVtar).

Output current and input power regulation with a power converter

Power output of a power generation system is controlled by measuring the output voltage of the system, dividing the measured voltage value into a target power value, then controlling the current provided by the generation system to the calculated value. In some embodiments the power generation system is connected to a grid.

Method for controlling electrical power

Methods for compensating for reduced power output in stages of electrical power may be implemented within a direct current to pulse amplitude modulated ('PAM') current converter, denominated a 'PAMCC', is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC. The array is configured as a series of stages, wherein the power sources within each stage are in parallel. In some embodiments two or more stages are connected in series. In some embodiments tow or more stages are connected in a &#x201c;Y&#x201d; configuration. In some embodiments a weak power source is compensated for by adjusting the voltage or the current of the weak power source.

High voltage array converter

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.

Detection and prevention of hot spots in a solar panel

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 &#x201c;normal operation&#x201d;. 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. Alternating current received at the output terminals of the PAMCC may be provided by an electric grid or by other means, such as other solar power converters.

Apparatus providing bias to solar cells

A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated ('PAM') current converter, denominated a 'PAMCC', is connected to an individual source of direct current. Some embodiments provide a PAMCC for each direct current source in an array, for example multiple solar panels. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output. The pulses are produced at a high frequency relative to the signal modulated on a sequence of pulses. The signal modulated onto a sequence of pulses may represent portions of a lower frequency sine wave or other lower frequency waveform, including DC. When a PAMCC's output is connected in parallel with the outputs of similar PAMCCs an array of PAMCCs is formed, wherein the output pulses of the PAMCCs are out of phase with respect to each other. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC.

Blade architecture array converter

A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated ('PAM') current converter, denominated a 'PAMCC', is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output. The pulses are produced at a high frequency relative to the signal modulated on a sequence of pulses. The signal modulated onto a sequence of pulses may represent portions of a lower frequency sine wave or other lower frequency waveform, including DC. When the PAMCC's output is connected in parallel with the outputs of similar PAMCCs an array of PAMCCs is formed, wherein the output pulses of the PAMCCs are out of phase with respect to each other. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC.

Growing community of inventors

Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Kent Kernahan