Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.

Ampt, LLC

Robert M Porter, Jr

Anatoli V Ledenev

Michael L Mueller

John M Dorrenbacher

Gennady G Gurov

The inventive technology, in certain embodiments, may be generally described as a solar power generation system with a converter, which may potentially include two or more sub-converters, established intermediately of one or more strings of solar panels. Particular embodiments may involve sweet spot operation in order to achieve improvements in efficiency, and bucking of open circuit voltages by the converter in order that more panels may be placed on an individual string or substring, reducing the number of strings required for a given design, and achieving overall system and array manufacture savings.

Solar panel power conversion circuit

Different systems to achieve solar power conversion are provided in at least three different general aspects, with circuitry that can be used to harvest maximum power from a solar source () or strings of panels () for DC or AC use, perhaps for transfer to a power grid () three aspects can exist perhaps independently and relate to: 1) electrical power conversion in a multimodal manner, 2) alternating between differing processes such as by an alternative mode photovoltaic power converter functionality control (), and 3) systems that can achieve efficiencies in conversion that are extraordinarily high compared to traditional through substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion capability that can achieve 99.2% efficiency or even only wire transmission losses. Switchmode impedance conversion circuits may have pairs of photovoltaic power series switch elements () and pairs photovoltaic power shunt switch elements ().

Optimized photovoltaic conversion configuration

Different systems to achieve solar power conversion are provided in at least three different general aspects, with circuitry that can be used to harvest maximum power from a solar source () or strings of panels () for DC or AC use, perhaps for transfer to a power grid () three aspects can exist perhaps independently and relate to: 1) electrical power conversion in a multimodal manner, 2) alternating between differing processes such as by an alternative mode photovoltaic power converter functionality control (), and 3) systems that can achieve efficiencies in conversion that are extraordinarily high compared to traditional through substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion capability that can achieve 99.2% efficiency or even only wire transmission losses. Switchmode impedance conversion circuits may have pairs of photovoltaic power series switch elements () and pairs of photovoltaic power shunt switch elements ().

Optimized conversion system

An apparatus utilizing additive interleaved switchmode (PWM) power conversion stages, having minimal or no output filter, to achieve high bandwidth or even ideally instantaneous power conversion. The additive process may involve voltage stacking of isolated PWM converters, which are interleaved in time, or may involve a single input power supply and inductively combining output currents of PWM power converters interleaved in time, with either additive circuit having minimal or no output filtering. This circuit may overcome limitations for the frequency of feedback control loops once thought to be physical limitations, such as, fundamental switching frequency, output filter delay and the Nyquist criteria.

Additive synthesis of interleaved switch mode power stages for minimal delay in set point tracking

A high power radio frequency power method of amplifications described in which a variety of amplifiers ( & ) may be used to reduce the stress any one amplifier experiences. The power leads ( & ) may be arranged in a series to power each amplifier at potentials which are lower than the total potential. Outputs ( ) may then be connected in a parallel fashion to combine the power output by the system. A variety of unique stabilization, drive, division, combination, and supply configurations are presented as well as the possibility of utilization and adaptation of the designs for a plasma processing system. An aspect of tiered combining is included such as may be especially appropriate for larger numbers of devices which may include switchmode amplifiers and the like.

System for high power RF plasma processing

Disclosed are both methods and a circuit to achieve powers of many kilowatts in radio frequency amplification using a switch mode amplifier in a new class of operation. In operation the invention utilizes internal switch characteristics. Methods create a substantial voltage step at the end of a response time period which allows greater output power without increasing the maximum switch voltage, reduces the maximum switch voltage for the same power, and which permits reduction of the stress on the switch element. Utilization of internal varactor capacitance avoids undesirable circulating currents and avoids the effects of lead inductance. The design allows use of less expensive components and high voltage switches not manufactured for radio frequency applications by preferring a substantial internal capacitance to establish maximum power. Other components of the network circuitry are also coordinated with the internal varactor capacitance. Adjustment of the conduction angle for optimum power and elimination of a need to bias the driver are also disclosed.

High power switch-mode radio frequency amplifier method and apparatus

Circuitry and techniques designed to allow stable and continuous delivery of alternating power to a plasma with switch-mode power supply (16) include a variety of embodiments. Parallel, series, and other circuit elements connected across switching element (7) are tuned so that energy at other than the fundamental frequency is absorbed and dissipated. This energy may be only at the second harmonic or it may be across broad frequency ranges through selecting high impedance at the fundamental frequency and relatively low impedance at other frequencies. In overcoming instabilities, oscillations, and even changing class of operation of the switch-mode power supply, the stabilizing element absorbs the energy to avoid allowing it to affect switch (7) of power supply (16).

Stabilizer for switch-mode powered RF plasma

Circuitry and techniques designed to allow stable and continuous delivery of alternating power to a processing plasma with switch-mode power supply (16) include a variety of embodiments. Parallel, series, and other circuit elements connected across switching element (7) are tuned so that energy at other than the fundamental frequency is absorbed and dissipated. This energy may be only at the second harmonic or it may be across broad frequency ranges through selecting high impedance at the fundamental frequency and relatively low impedance at other frequencies. In overcoming instabilities, oscillations, and even changing class of operation of the switch-mode power supply, the stabilizing element absorbs the energy to avoid allowing it to affect switch (7) of power supply (16).

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Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Robert M Porter, Jr