Methods and systems for automotive-type transient protection for a solar charging source

Abstract

Battery charging system (100) for charging a battery (105), comprising the following: the battery (105) that provides electrical power to a load; an electrical machine charging source (110) for charging the battery (105), wherein the electrical machine charging source (110) comprises a power machine (112) configured to generate mechanical power and an electrical machine (114) connected to the power machine (112) and configured to convert the mechanical power generated by the power machine (112) into electrical power for charging the battery (105); and a solar charging source (120) for charging the battery (105), wherein the solar charging source (120) is connected in parallel with the electrical machine charging source (110), wherein the solar charging source (120) comprises the following: a solar panel (122) designed to absorb sunlight and generate electrical power from sunlight, and a solar charge controller (124) connected to the solar panel (122), wherein the solar charge controller (124) comprises an automotive-type transient suppression module (220) configured to provide automotive-type transient protection to the solar charge source (120) against an automotive-type transient, wherein the solar charge controller (124) further comprises a load control module (215) configured to control / regulate the operation of the solar charge source (120) of the battery charging system (100), and wherein the load control module (215) comprises the following: a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) section (235) which is designed to obtain solar cell data from the solar panel (122) and to determine power optimization information from solar panel data; a temperature compensation section (240) configured to receive temperature data from the battery (105) and to determine correction information based on the temperature data; and a start and charge rate intelligence section (245) designed to determine state-of-charge data from the battery (105) and to determine charge optimization information based on the state-of-charge data; and a load control and output regulation section (230) designed to control / regulate and control electrical power sent to charge the battery (105) based on the power optimization information received from the MPPT section (235), the correction information received from the temperature compensation section (240), and the charge optimization information received from the start and charge rate intelligence section (245).

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a solar charging source. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for automotive-type transient protection for a solar charging source. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A transport refrigeration system (TRS) is generally used to control / regulate an environmental condition (e.g., temperature, humidity, air quality, etc.) within a transport unit (e.g., a container (such as a container on a flatbed truck, a combined transport container, etc.), a truck, a closed freight wagon, or another similar transport unit (generally referred to as a "transport unit")). A refrigerated transport unit (e.g., a transport unit equipped with a TRS) is generally used to transport perishable goods, such as flowers, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, frozen foods, and meat products. Typically, the TRS includes a transport refrigeration unit attached to the transport unit to control an environmental condition (e.g., temperature, humidity, atmosphere, etc.).The TRU (Transport Refrigerant Unit) is designed to control / regulate the temperature of the cargo space. It can, without limitation, include a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, and fans or blowers to control / regulate the heat exchange between the air inside the cargo space and the ambient air outside the refrigerated transport unit. The TRS (Transport Refrigerant Supply System) is typically powered by a motor as its primary energy source. US 8,866,334 B2 describes a method and systems for making an intermittent renewable energy source, such as a solar or wind farm, capable of utilizing the grid. US 9,793,788 B2 describes an electronic circuit design for controlling an energy storage system within a renewable energy facility. US 2015 / 0236,638 A1 describes a system for power control and monitoring at the level of individual solar panels.

[0003] US 6,678,183 B2 describes a portable DC conditioning device. US 2015 / 0270731 A1 describes a hybrid energy storage system and a corresponding control strategy that combines a conventional lead-acid battery with a high-cycle battery. US 6,545,600 B1 describes an electronic signal converter for the safe connection of a trailer lighting system to the electrical system of a towing vehicle.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to propose a battery charging system for charging a battery and a method for providing power to a load using a solar charging source. This object is achieved by a battery charging system according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 7. SUMMARY

[0005] In particular, the embodiments described here provide systems and methods for protecting a solar charging source (e.g., a solar panel, a solar charge controller, etc.) from various automotive-type electrical transients, including, for example, load shedding, overcurrent and / or overvoltage, inductive switching spikes, DC motor recovery transients, etc.

[0006] In one embodiment, a system is provided comprising a load and a solar charging source for providing DC power to the load. The solar charging source includes a solar charge controller which incorporates an automotive-grade transient suppression module configured to provide automotive-grade transient protection to the solar charging source against automotive-grade transients.

[0007] In another embodiment, a battery charging system is provided for charging a battery. The battery charging system comprises the battery, which provides electrical power to a load, an electric machine charging source, and a solar charging source for charging the power source. The electric machine charging source comprises a power machine configured to generate mechanical power and an electric machine connected to the power machine and configured to convert the mechanical power generated by the power machine into electrical power for charging the power source.The solar charging source is connected in parallel with the electrical machine charging source and comprises a solar panel designed to absorb sunlight and generate electrical power from the sunlight, and a solar charge controller connected to the solar panel, the solar charge controller comprising an automotive-type transient suppression module designed to provide automotive-type transient protection to the solar charging source against an automotive-type transient.

[0008] In yet another embodiment, a method for supplying power to a load using a solar charge source is provided. The method includes receiving electrical power from a solar panel via a solar charge controller of the solar charge source. The method also includes passing the electrical power through an electrostatic discharge protection module to protect the solar charge source from a sudden flow of electricity between the solar charge controller and an electrically charged object. The method further includes converting the received electrical power from a first voltage level to a second voltage level by a converter module. Finally, the method includes regulating the converted electrical power by the load control module to control the power supplied to the load.Furthermore, the method includes routing the regulated electrical power through an automotive-type transient suppression module to protect the solar charging source from automotive-type transients. The method also includes routing the regulated electrical power through the electrostatic discharge protection module and from the solar charge controller.

[0009] In another embodiment, a solar charging source is provided to supply DC power to a load. The solar charging source includes a solar charge controller which incorporates an automotive-type transient suppression module configured to provide automotive-type transient protection to the solar charging source against automotive-type transients.

[0010] Other features and aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a DC battery power system according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a solar charge controller with automotive-type transient protection according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for automotive-type transient protection of a solar charge controller according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The present disclosure relates to a solar charging source. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for automotive-type transient protection for a solar charging source.

[0012] In particular, the embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for protecting a solar charging source (e.g., a solar panel, a solar charge controller, etc.) from an automotive-type transient (also referred to as an automotive-type voltage transient, an automotive-type electrical transient, an automotive-type transient spike, etc.), such as load shedding, overcurrent and / or overvoltage, inductive switching spike, DC motor recovery transient, etc. An automotive-type transient, as defined herein, is directed at one or more of the transients specified in SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) J1113, SAE J1455, ISO (International Standards Organization) 11452, ISO 7637, ISO 10605, and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) CISPR-25.In particular, an automotive-type transient, as defined here, may be directed towards one or more of a J1113 / 11 pulse 1c transient, a J1113 / 11 pulse 2a transient, a J1113 / 11 pulse 2b transient, a J1113 / 11 pulse 3a / 3b transient, a J1113 / 11 pulse 4 transient, or a J1113 / 11 load shedding transient.

[0013] The embodiments described here can provide automotive-grade transient protection for a solar charging source against both blocked and unblocked automotive-grade transients. Automotive-grade transient protection for the solar charging source can prevent the temporary and / or permanent loss of the solar charging source and, consequently, the solar charging of a battery. Automotive-grade transient protection for the solar charging source can also prevent the temporary and / or permanent loss of electrical components (e.g., charging source, batteries, loads, etc.) connected to the solar charging source.

[0014] The embodiments described here can be used to provide automotive-type transient protection for a solar charging source connected in parallel with an electric motor charging source, for example, in a transportation environment. For instance, an automotive-type transient may occur if an electric motor charging source (e.g., a power motor connected to an electric motor) used to control / regulate an output voltage for charging a battery is disconnected from, or has an interrupted connection to, the currently charged battery.

[0015] The embodiments described here can be used for a solar charging source provided in a dual-energy application, such as a vehicle (e.g., a refrigerated transport unit, a bus, a shuttle bus, an ambulance, a boat, an aircraft, a tractor, a semi-trailer truck, a sweeper, a dump truck, etc.), heavy machinery (industrial equipment, all-terrain vehicles, backup generator sets, pumps, oilfield equipment, railway equipment, etc.), and an auxiliary power unit (APU), etc. The embodiments described here, which include the solar charging source, can be sized for use in automobiles.

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a DC battery power system 100 for charging a battery 105 according to one embodiment. The DC battery system 100 comprises an electric machine charging source 110 and a solar charging source 120 for charging the battery 105 using DC power. The battery 105 can be used to power a random load 125. In some embodiments, the DC battery power system 100 can be a 12-volt DC battery power system. In other embodiments, the DC battery power system 100 can be a higher-voltage DC battery power system, such as a 24-volt DC battery power system, a 48-volt DC battery power system, etc.

[0017] The electrical machine charging source 110 comprises a power machine (e.g., a motor) 112 connected to an electrical machine (AC generator, generator, etc.) 114. The power machine 112 is configured to generate mechanical power and transmit this mechanical power to the electrical machine 114. The electrical machine can be, for example, an electric motor, an electric generator, an AC generator, an electromechanical energy converter, or the like, and is configured to convert mechanical power into electrical power. The electrical machine 114 is configured to convert the mechanical power from the power machine 112 into electrical power before the electrical power is sent to charge the battery 105. In some embodiments, the electrical machine 114 can, for example, comprise an AC generator, a generator, etc.In embodiments where the electric machine 114 comprises an AC generator, the electric machine 114 may include a regulator (e.g. a DC regulator) for regulating the electrical power sent to the battery 105.

[0018] The solar charge source 120 comprises a solar panel 122 and a solar charge controller 124. The solar panel 122 comprises one or more solar cells (not shown) designed to absorb sunlight from the sun and generate electrical power. Since the solar panel 122's output depends on the amount of light energy captured from the sun, the electrical power generated and output by the solar panel 122 can vary. The variable electrical power output by the solar panel 122 is sent to the solar charge controller 124. Although Fig. Figure 1 shows a single solar panel 122, it is understood that the solar panel 122 can comprise several solar panels.

[0019] The solar charge controller 124 is designed to regulate the variable voltage and / or current of the electrical power received from the solar panel 122 before the regulated electrical power is sent to charge the battery 105. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the electric machine 114 is designed to send an execution signal to the solar charge controller 124 to actuate the solar charge controller 124.

[0020] In some embodiments, the electric machine charging source 110 can be the primary charging source for the battery 105, and the solar charging source 120 can be the secondary charging source. In other embodiments, the solar charging source 120 can be the primary charging source for the battery 105, and the electric machine charging source 110 can be the secondary charging source.

[0021] The solar charge controller 124 can be configured to regulate the electrical power sent to charge the battery 105 based on the battery's state of charge. For example, when the battery 105 is at a low state of charge, the solar charge controller can be configured to send a specified maximum electrical power to the battery 105. When the battery 105 is fully or nearly fully charged (e.g., at a high state of charge), the charge controller can be configured to buffer charge the battery 105 (e.g., charging the battery 105 at a rate equal to its self-discharge rate when the battery 105 is not supplying power to the load 125). In some embodiments, the solar charge controller 124 can be configured to switch between a bulk charging mode (in which, for example,as much current as possible is supplied to battery 105 in order to charge battery 105 quickly), an adsorption charging mode (in which, for example, a lower current and a constant voltage are supplied to battery 105 to charge battery 105 safely and to prevent overheating of battery 105) and a maintenance charging mode (in which, for example, an even lower current and a lower voltage are supplied to battery 105 to prevent overheating and outgassing of battery 105).

[0022] The battery 105 can comprise one or more battery modules that can be used to provide electrical power to the optional load 125. The optional load 125 can be, for example, a vehicle (e.g., a refrigerated transport unit, a bus, a shuttle bus, an ambulance, a boat, an aircraft, a tractor, a semi-trailer truck, a sweeper, a dump truck, etc.), heavy machinery (industrial equipment, all-terrain vehicles, backup generator sets, pumps, oil field equipment, railway equipment, etc.), and an auxiliary power unit (APU), etc.

[0023] As discussed in more detail below, the DC battery power system 100 is designed to provide automotive-grade transient protection for the solar charging source 120 against automotive-grade transients such as load shedding, overcurrent and / or overvoltage, inductive switching spikes, DC motor recovery transients, etc. In one embodiment, the solar charge controller 124 can be designed to provide automotive-grade transient protection for the solar charging source 120 against automotive-grade transients. Examples of automotive-grade transients include, for example, SAE J1113 transients, SAE J1455 transients, ISO 11452 transients, ISO 7637 transients, ISO 10605 transients, IEC CISPR-25 transients, etc.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a 200-watt solar charge controller (such as the 124-watt solar charge controller, which is used in...) Fig. (1 shown) with automotive-type transient protection according to one embodiment. The solar charge controller 200 comprises an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection module 205, a DC-DC converter 210, a load control module 215, an automotive-type transient suppression mechanism 220, and a power supply module 225. The solar charge controller 200 may also include a memory, a clock, and an input / output (I / O) interface (not shown).

[0025] The ESD protection module 205 is designed to protect the solar charge controller 200 and, in general, a solar charge source (e.g., the solar charge source 120, which is in Fig. (as shown in Figure 1) to protect against a sudden flow of electricity between the solar charge controller 200 and another electrically charged object, caused, for example, by contact, an electrical short circuit, a dielectric breakdown, etc. In general, the ESD protection module 205 can protect the solar charge source from electrostatic discharge, which can occur, for example, in a situation with very high voltage and low power.

[0026] The DC-DC converter module 210 is designed to convert electrical power from, for example, a solar panel (e.g., the solar panel 122, which is in Fig. (as shown in Figure 1) to convert the electrical power from a first voltage level to a second voltage level. The first voltage level, representing the electrical power from, for example, the solar panel, can be a variable voltage level that depends on the amount of sunlight absorbed by the solar panel. The second voltage level can be a predefined voltage level selected based on the required electrical output power of the 200-volt solar charge controller.

[0027] The load control module 215 is designed to control / regulate the operation of the solar charge controller 200 and, more generally, the solar charging source. The load control module 215 includes a processor (not shown) that has a load control and output control section 230, a temperature compensation section 235, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) section 240, and a start and charge rate intelligence section 245.

[0028] The load control and output control section 230 is designed to regulate the electrical power required to charge a battery (e.g., battery 105, which is located in Fig. 1 is shown) is sent based on information to control / regulate and regulate received from the MPPT section 235, the temperature compensation section 240 and the start and load rate intelligence section 245.

[0029] The MPPT section 235 is designed to receive solar cell data from a solar panel (e.g., the solar panel 122 located in Fig. (as shown in Figure 1) to obtain power optimization information from the solar panel data and to provide this information to the load control and output control section 230 to adjust the electrical power supplied by the solar charge controller 200 for charging the battery. The power optimization information can be determined based on maximizing the sunlight absorbed by the solar panel, by handling variable inputs from the solar panel, etc.

[0030] The temperature compensation section 240 is designed to receive temperature data from the battery, determine voltage and / or current correction information based on the battery temperature, and provide the voltage and / or current correction information to the load control and output regulation section 230 to adjust the electrical power supplied by the solar charge controller 200 for charging the battery.

[0031] The start and charge rate intelligence section 245 is configured to receive state-of-charge (State of Charge) data from the battery, determine charge optimization information based on the State of Charge data, and provide the charge optimization information to the load control and output regulation section 230 to adjust the electrical power supplied to the solar charge controller 200 for charging the battery. For example, if the charge optimization information indicates that the battery is at a low State of Charge, the load control and output regulation section 230 can be configured to send a designated maximum electrical power to the battery. If the charge optimization information indicates that the battery is fully or nearly fully charged (e.g., at a high State of Charge), the load control and output regulation section 230 can be configured to buffer-charge the battery (e.g.,Charging the battery at a rate equal to the battery's self-discharge rate when the battery is not supplying power to a load). In some embodiments, the load control and output regulation section 230 can be configured to switch between a bulk charge mode (in which, for example, as much current as possible is supplied to the battery to charge it quickly), an adsorption charge mode (in which, for example, a lower current and a constant voltage are supplied to the battery to charge it safely and prevent overheating), and a float charge mode (in which, for example, an even lower current and voltage are supplied to the battery to prevent overheating and outgassing) when charging the battery, based on charge optimization information.

[0032] The automotive-grade transient suppression module 220 is designed to provide automotive-grade transient protection for the solar charge controller 200 and, more generally, the solar charging source. The automotive-grade transient suppression module 220 can provide automotive-grade transient protection against, for example, load shedding, overcurrent and / or overvoltage, inductive switching spikes, DC motor recovery transients, etc. In some embodiments, the automotive-grade transient suppression module 220 may include a transient voltage suppression (TVS) circuit designed to respond to sudden or instantaneous transient conditions. The TVS circuit may include automotive-grade transient suppression to protect the solar charge controller 200 and, more generally, the solar charging source from automotive-grade transients.Examples of automotive-type transients include, for example, SAE J1113 transients, SAE J1455 transients, ISO 11452 transients, ISO 7637 transients, ISO 10605 transients, IEC CISPR-25 transients, etc.

[0033] The power supply module 225 is designed to provide power to the solar charge controller 200, which generally includes, for example, the automotive-type ESD module 205, the DC-DC converter module 210, the load control module 215 and the transient suppression module 220.

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of a procedure 300 for charging a battery (e.g., the battery 105, which is in Fig. 1) using an automotive-type solar charging source with transient protection (e.g., the 120 solar charging source shown in Fig. 1 is shown), which is connected to an electrical machine charging source (e.g. the electrical machine charging source 110, which is shown in Fig. 1 is shown) according to one embodiment, connected in parallel.

[0035] At 305, a solar panel (e.g., the solar panel 122, which is in Fig. (as shown in Figure 1) sunlight and generates electrical power from the absorbed sunlight. At 310, the solar panel sends the generated electrical power to a solar charge controller (e.g., the solar charge controller 124, 200, which is in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is shown). At 315, the generated electrical power passes through an ESD protection module (e.g., the ESD protection module 205, which is shown in Fig. 2 shown), to protect the solar charge controller and, more generally, the solar charging source from a sudden flow of electricity between the solar charge controller 200 and another electrically charged object, which is caused, for example, by a contact, an electrical short circuit, a dielectric breakdown, etc.

[0036] At 320, the electrical power, which then passes through the ESD protection module, traverses a DC-DC converter module (e.g., the DC-DC converter module 210, which is in Fig. (as shown in Figure 2) to convert the electrical power from a first voltage level to a second voltage level. The first voltage level of the electrical power from the solar panel can, for example, be a variable voltage level that depends on the amount of sunlight absorbed by the solar panel. The second voltage level can be a predefined voltage level that is selected based on the required electrical output power of the solar charge controller.

[0037] At 330, the converted electrical power from the DC-DC converter module then passes through a load control module (e.g., the load control module 215, which is located in Fig. (as shown in Figure 2) to regulate the converted electrical power. The load control module can regulate the converted electrical power, for example, based on temperature compensation, MPPT, start and charge rate intelligence, etc., as previously described in relation to the load control module 215 shown in Figure 2. Fig. 2 is shown, discussed.

[0038] At 335, the regulated electrical power from the load control module then passes through an automotive-type transient suppression module (e.g., the automotive-type transient suppression module 220, which is located in Fig.(as shown in Figure 2) to provide automotive-grade transient protection for the solar charge controller and, more generally, the solar charge source. The automotive-grade transient suppression module can provide automotive-grade transient protection for, for example, load shedding, overcurrent and / or overvoltage, inductive switching spikes, DC motor recovery transients, etc. In some embodiments, the regulated electrical power traverses a TVS circuit designed to respond to sudden or instantaneous transient conditions. The TVS circuit may include an automotive-grade transient suppression circuit to protect the solar charge controller and, more generally, the solar charge source from an automotive-grade transient.Examples of automotive-type transients include SAE J1113 transients, SAE J1455 transients, ISO 11452 transients, ISO 7637 transients, ISO 10605 transients, IEC CISPR-25 transients, etc.

[0039] At 340, the solar charge controller sends the regulated electrical power to the battery for charging. VIEWPOINTS

[0040] Any one of the aspects 1 to 6 can be combined with any one of the aspects 7 to 10 and any one of the aspects 11 to 15. Any one of the aspects 7 to 10 can be combined with any one of the aspects 11 to 15. Point 1: System comprising the following: a burden; a solar charging source for providing direct current power to the load, wherein the solar charging source comprises the following: a solar charge controller that includes an automotive-grade transient suppression module designed to provide automotive-grade transient protection to the solar charge source against automotive-grade transients. Point 2 system according to point 1, wherein the solar charge source further comprises a solar panel connected to the solar charge controller, the solar panel being designed to absorb sunlight and generate electrical power from the sunlight. Point 3 System according to one of points 1 or 2, wherein the solar charge controller further comprises a load control module designed to control / regulate the operation of the solar charge source. Point 4 system according to point 3, wherein the load control module comprises the following: a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) section designed to obtain solar cell data from a solar panel and to determine power optimization information from the solar panel data; a temperature compensation section designed to obtain temperature data from the load and to determine correction information based on the temperature data; and a start and charge rate intelligence section designed to determine state-of-charge data from the load and to determine charge optimization information based on the state-of-charge data; and a charge control and output control section designed to control / regulate and control electrical power sent to charge the load based on power optimization information received from the MPPT section, correction information received from the temperature compensation section, and charge optimization information received from the start and charge rate intelligence section. Point 5 System according to one of points 1 to 4, wherein the transient suppression module is of automotive type design to protect the solar charging source from one or more of a transient of type SAE J1113, a transient of type SAE J1455, a transient of type ISO 11452, a transient of type ISO 7637, a transient of type ISO 10605 and a transient of type IEC CISPR-25. Point 6 system according to point 5, wherein the transient suppression module is of automotive type design to protect the solar charging source from one or more J1113 / 11 pulse 1c transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2a transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 3a / 3b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 4 transients, or J1113 / 11 load shedding transients. Point 7 System according to one of points 1 to 6, wherein the load is a power source for providing electrical power. Point 8 System according to any of points 1 to 7, further comprising an electric machine charging source for providing DC power to the load, wherein the electric machine charging source comprises an electric machine; where the electrical machine charging source and the solar charging source are connected in parallel with the load. Point 9 System according to any of points 1 to 8, wherein the solar charge controller includes an electrostatic discharge protection module designed to protect the solar charge source from a sudden flow of electricity between the solar charge controller and an electrically charged object. Point 10 Battery charging system for charging a battery, comprising the following: the battery that provides electrical power to a load; an electrical machine charging source for charging the power source, wherein the electrical machine charging source comprises a power machine configured to produce mechanical power and an electrical machine connected to the power machine and configured to convert the mechanical power produced by the power machine into electrical power for charging the power source; and a solar charging source for charging the power source, wherein the solar charging source is connected in parallel with the electrical machine charging source, the solar charging source comprising the following: a solar panel designed to absorb sunlight and generate electrical power from sunlight, and a solar charge controller connected to the solar panel, wherein the solar charge controller includes an automotive-type transient suppression module designed to provide automotive-type transient protection to the solar charge source against automotive-type transients. Point 11 Battery charging system according to point 10, wherein the solar charge controller further comprises a load control module designed to control / regulate the operation of the solar charging source. Point 12 Battery charging system according to point 11, wherein the load control module comprises the following: a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) section designed to obtain solar cell data from the solar panel and to determine power optimization information from the solar panel data; a temperature compensation section designed to receive temperature data from the battery and determine correction information based on the temperature data; and a start and charge rate intelligence section designed to determine state-of-charge data from the battery and to determine charge optimization information based on the state-of-charge data; and a load control and output control section designed to control / regulate and control electrical power sent to charge the battery based on power optimization information received from the MPPT section, correction information received from the temperature compensation section, and charge optimization information received from the start and charge rate intelligence section. Point 13 Battery charging system according to one of points 10 to 12, wherein the transient suppression module is of automotive type design to protect the solar charging source from one or more of a transient of type SAE J1113, a transient of type SAE J1455, a transient of type ISO 11452, a transient of type ISO 7637, a transient of type ISO 10605 and a transient of type IEC CISPR-25. Point 14 Battery charging system according to point 13, wherein the transient suppression module is of automotive type design to protect the solar charging source from one or more J1113 / 11 pulse 1c transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2a transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 3a / 3b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 4 transients, or J1113 / 11 load shedding transients. Point 15 Battery charging system according to any of points 10 to 14, wherein the solar charge controller includes an electrostatic discharge protection module designed to protect the solar charging source from a sudden flow of electricity between the solar charge controller and an electrically charged object. Point 16 Battery charging system according to any of points 10 to 15, wherein the transient suppression module is designed to be of automotive type to provide automotive-type transient protection for the solar charging source against an automotive-type transient that occurs when the electrical machine charging source is disconnected from the battery. Point 17 Method for providing power to a load using a solar charging source, wherein the method comprises: Receiving electrical power from a solar panel through a solar charge controller of the solar charging source; Passing the electrical power through an electrostatic discharge protection module to protect the solar charging source from a sudden flow of electricity between the solar charge controller and an electrically charged object; Converting the received electrical power from a first voltage level to a second voltage level using a converter module; Regulating the converted electrical power by the load control module to control / regulate the power supplied to the load; Routing the regulated electrical power through an automotive-type transient suppression module to protect the solar charging source from an automotive-type transient; and Forwarding the regulated electrical power through the electrostatic discharge protection module and from the solar charge controller. Point 18 Procedure according to point 17, which further includes sending the regulated electrical power to the load. Point 19: Procedure according to one of points 17 or 18, wherein the regulation of the converted electrical power by the load control module for controlling / regulating the power supplied to the load comprises the following: a maximum power point tracking section that determines power optimization information based on solar cell data from a solar panel; a temperature compensation section that determines correction information based on temperature data from the power source; a start and charge rate intelligence section that determines charge optimization information based on state-of-charge data from the power source; and the load control module, which regulates the converted electrical power based on the power optimization information, the correction information, and the charging optimization information. Point 21 Method according to one of points 17 to 20, which further comprises protecting the solar charging source from one or more transients of type SAE J1113, type SAE J1455, type ISO 11452, type ISO 7637, type ISO 10605 and type IEC CISPR-25 by the automotive-type transient suppression module. Point 22 Procedure according to point 21, which further includes protecting the solar charging source from one or more J1113 / 11 pulse 1c transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2a transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 3a / 3b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 4 transients, J1113 / 11 load shedding transients by the automotive-type transient suppression module. Point 23 Solar charging source for providing DC power to a load, wherein the solar charging source comprises the following: a solar charge controller that includes an automotive-grade transient suppression module designed to provide automotive-grade transient protection to the solar charge source against automotive-grade transients. Point 24 Solar charging source according to point 23, further comprising a solar panel connected to the solar charge controller, the solar panel being designed to absorb sunlight and generate electrical power from the sunlight. Point 25 Solar charging source according to one of points 23 or 24, wherein the solar charge controller further comprises a load control module designed to control / regulate the operation of the solar charging source. Point 26 Solar charging source according to point 25, wherein the load control module comprises the following: a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) section designed to obtain solar cell data from a solar panel and to determine power optimization information from the solar panel data; a temperature compensation section designed to obtain temperature data from the load and to determine correction information based on the temperature data; and a start and charge rate intelligence section designed to determine state-of-charge data from the load and to determine charge optimization information based on the state-of-charge data; and a charge control and output control section designed to control / regulate and control electrical power sent to charge the load based on power optimization information received from the MPPT section, correction information received from the temperature compensation section, and charge optimization information received from the start and charge rate intelligence section. Point 27 Solar charging source according to one of points 23 to 26, wherein the transient suppression module is designed to be of automotive type to protect the solar charging source from one or more of a transient of type SAE J1113, a transient of type SAE J1455, a transient of type ISO 11452, a transient of type ISO 7637, a transient of type ISO 10605 and a transient of type IEC CISPR-25. Point 28 Solar charging source according to point 27, wherein an automotive-type transient suppression module is designed to protect the solar charging source from one or more J1113 / 11 pulse 1c transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2a transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 3a / 3b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 4 transients, or J1113 / 11 load shedding transients. Point 29 Solar charging source according to any of points 23 to 28, wherein the solar charge controller includes an electrostatic discharge protection module designed to protect the solar charging source from a sudden flow of electricity between the solar charge controller and an electrically charged object.

Claims

[1] Battery charging system (100) for charging a battery (105) comprising the following: the battery (105) that provides electrical power to a load; an electrical machine charging source (110) for charging the battery (105), wherein the electrical machine charging source (110) comprises a power machine (112) configured to generate mechanical power and an electrical machine (114) connected to the power machine (112) and configured to convert the mechanical power generated by the power machine (112) into electrical power for charging the battery (105); and a solar charging source (120) for charging the battery (105), wherein the solar charging source (120) is connected in parallel with the electrical machine charging source (110), wherein the solar charging source (120) comprises the following: a solar panel (122) designed to absorb sunlight and generate electrical power from sunlight, and a solar charge controller (124) connected to the solar panel (122), wherein the solar charge controller (124) comprises an automotive-type transient suppression module (220) configured to provide automotive-type transient protection to the solar charge source (120) against an automotive-type transient, wherein the solar charge controller (124) further comprises a load control module (215) configured to control / regulate the operation of the solar charge source (120) of the battery charging system (100), and wherein the load control module (215) comprises the following: a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) section (235) which is designed to obtain solar cell data from the solar panel (122) and to determine power optimization information from solar panel data; a temperature compensation section (240) configured to receive temperature data from the battery (105) and to determine correction information based on the temperature data; and a start and charge rate intelligence section (245) designed to determine state-of-charge data from the battery (105) and to determine charge optimization information based on the state-of-charge data; and a load control and output regulation section (230) designed to control / regulate and control electrical power sent to charge the battery (105) based on the power optimization information received from the MPPT section (235), the correction information received from the temperature compensation section (240), and the charge optimization information received from the start and charge rate intelligence section (245). [2] Battery charging system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the automotive-type transient suppression module (220) comprises a transient suppression circuit and is configured to protect the solar charging source (120) from one or more transients of type SAE J1113, type SAE J1455, type ISO 11452, type ISO 7637, type ISO 10605 and type IEC CISPR-25. [3] Battery charging system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the automotive-type transient suppression module (220) comprises a transient suppression circuit and is configured to protect the solar charging source (120) from one or more J1113 / 11 pulse 1c transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2a transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 3a / 3b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 4 transients, J1113 / 11 load shedding transients, or wherein the solar charge controller (124) comprises an electrostatic discharge protection module configured to protect the solar charging source (120) from a sudden flow of electricity between the solar charge controller (124) and an electrically charged object. [4] Battery charging system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transient suppression module (220) is designed to be of automotive type to provide automotive-type transient protection for the solar charging source (120) against an automotive-type transient that occurs when the electrical machine charging source (110) is disconnected from the battery (105). [5] Method for providing power to a load using a solar charging source (120), the method comprising: Receiving electrical power from a solar panel (122) by a solar charge controller (124) of the solar charge source (120); Passing the electrical power through an electrostatic discharge protection module to protect the solar charging source (120) from a sudden flow of electricity between the solar charge controller (124) and an electrically charged object; Converting the received electrical power from a first voltage level to a second voltage level by a converter module (210); Regulating the converted electrical power by means of a load control module (215) to control / regulate the power supplied to the load; Passing the regulated electrical power through an automotive-type transient suppression module (220) to protect the solar charging source (120) from an automotive-type transient; and Forwarding the regulated electrical power through the electrostatic discharge protection module and from the solar charge controller (124), wherein the regulation of the converted electrical power by the load control module (215) to control / regulate the power supplied to the load includes the following: a maximum power point tracking section (235) of the power optimization information is determined based on solar cell data from a solar panel (122); a temperature compensation section (240) that determines correction information based on temperature data from the battery (105); a start and charge rate intelligence section (245) that determines charge optimization information based on battery state-of-charge data (105); and the load control module (215) that regulates the converted electrical power based on the power optimization information, the correction information and the charge optimization information. [6] Method according to claim 5, further comprising sending the regulated electrical power to the load. [7] A method according to any one of claims 5 to 6, further comprising protecting the solar charging source (120) from one or more transients of type SAE J1113, type SAE J1455, type ISO 11452, type ISO 7637, type ISO 10605 and type IEC CISPR-25 by the automotive-type transient suppression module (220), or further comprising protecting the solar charging source (120) from one or more J1113 / 11 pulse 1c transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2a transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 2b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 3a / 3b transients, J1113 / 11 pulse 4 transients, a J1113 / 11 Load shedding transients are covered by the automotive-type transient suppression module (220), wherein the automotive-type transient suppression module (220) comprises a transient suppression circuit.

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