US 12,268,094 B2
Piezoelectric power converter with trajectory control
Michael J. Harrison, Petaluma, CA (US)
Assigned to Enphase Energy, Inc., Petaluma, CA (US)
Filed by Enphase Energy, Inc., Petaluma, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 4, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/093,020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/296,323, filed on Jan. 4, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0217829 A1, Jul. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. H10N 30/40 (2023.01); H02M 1/00 (2006.01); H02M 5/12 (2006.01); H10N 30/80 (2023.01)
CPC H10N 30/40 (2023.02) [H02M 1/0009 (2021.05); H02M 1/007 (2021.05); H02M 5/12 (2013.01); H10N 30/804 (2023.02)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Apparatus for converting power comprising:
an input bridge having an input adapted for coupling to a DC source;
a piezoelectric transformer having an input coupled to an output of the input bridge;
an output bridge having an input coupled to an output of the piezoelectric transformer and an output adapted to couple to a load; and
a trajectory controller that (1) measures current or voltage in the input bridge, the output bridge or both, (2) measures a current into or out of the piezoelectric transformer, (3) determines switch timing for control signals for the input bridge and output bridge based on the measured current and/or voltage, and (4) applies the control signals to the input bridge and output bridge,
wherein the trajectory controller controls the input bridge to apply voltage to the input of the piezoelectric transformer and controls the output bridge to receive voltage from the output of the piezoelectric transformer, and
wherein the switch timing uses a switching sequence having the following states: (1) enable the input bridge to apply input voltage to the piezoelectric transformer input, (2) disconnect both input and output bridges from the piezoelectric transformer, (3) enable the output bridge to receive voltage from the piezoelectric transformer output, and return to state (2).