US 12,142,927 B2
Power optimizers in series with voltage sensors and a common reference signal
Mark Holveck, Sunnyvale, CA (US); Randol Aikin, Piedmont, CA (US); and Craig Patrick Timms, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to Lunar Energy, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed by Lunar Energy, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/139,841.
Application 18/139,841 is a continuation of application No. 17/964,699, filed on Oct. 12, 2022, granted, now 11,670,945.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/314,975, filed on Feb. 28, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0154429 A1, May 9, 2024
Int. Cl. H02J 3/46 (2006.01); H02J 3/38 (2006.01); H02M 3/00 (2006.01); H02M 7/483 (2007.01); H02M 7/487 (2007.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.01)
CPC H02J 3/46 (2013.01) [H02J 3/381 (2013.01); H02M 3/003 (2021.05); H02M 7/487 (2013.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.12); H02J 2300/24 (2020.01); H02M 7/483 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a first power optimizer that (1) includes a first sensor and a first controller and (2) is associated with a first photovoltaic panel; and
a second power optimizer that (1) includes a second sensor and a second controller and (2) is associated with a second photovoltaic panel, wherein:
the first power optimizer and the second power optimizer are included in a plurality of power optimizers that are serially-connected;
the first sensor and the second sensor receive a common reference signal, wherein the common reference signal is used by the first power optimizer and the second power optimizer to respectively manage the first photovoltaic panel and the second photovoltaic panel;
the first sensor receives (1) a first individual voltage output that is associated with the first power optimizer and (2) a first combined voltage output;
the second sensor receives (1) a second individual voltage output that is associated with the second power optimizer and (2) a second combined voltage output;
the first combined voltage output and the second combined voltage output are respectively based at least in part on the first individual voltage output and the second individual voltage output;
the first controller:
determines whether the first individual voltage output exceeds an individual limit;
in the event it is determined that the first individual voltage output exceeds the individual limit, performs an adjustment which causes a reduction in the first individual voltage output which in turn causes a reduction in the first combined voltage output;
determines whether the first combined voltage output relative to the common reference signal exceeds a maximum offset; and
in the event it is determined that the first combined voltage output relative to the common reference signal exceeds the maximum offset, performs an adjustment which causes a reduction in the first individual voltage output which in turn causes a reduction in the first combined voltage output; and
the second controller:
determines whether the second individual voltage output exceeds the individual limit;
in the event it is determined that the second individual voltage output exceeds the individual limit, performs an adjustment which causes a reduction in the second individual voltage output which in turn causes a reduction in the second combined voltage output;
determines whether the second combined voltage output relative to the common reference signal exceeds the maximum offset; and
in the event it is determined that the second combined voltage output relative to the common reference signal exceeds the maximum offset, performs an adjustment which causes a reduction in the second individual voltage output which in turn causes a reduction in the second combined voltage output.