The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 17, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 20, 1996
Hirofumi Nakata, Yamatotakada, JP;
Hirokazu Kodama, Gojou, JP;
Masaki Eguchi, Uji, JP;
Tsukasa Takebayashi, Yamatotakada, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A pulse width of a pulse train signal used for PWM (pulse width modulation) control is monitored. When a variation of the pulse width substantially disappears within a specified time, it is determined that an operating point on an output characteristic curve of a photovoltaic array is located on the open-circuit voltage side of a maximum power point. When the variation of the pulse width does not disappear after the elapse of the specified time, it is determined that the operating point is located on the short-circuit current side of the maximum power point. Based on the determination result, the inverter control is performed such that the operating point follows the maximum power point.