Regulating high-voltage buses with partitioned sets of solar cells

Abstract

To provide a solar device with one or more solar arrays supplying power to an electronic apparatus in which both of low voltage and high voltage are installed.SOLUTION: A solar device (200) comprises one or more solar arrays (202) having a low-voltage set (204) of solar cells and a high-voltage set (206) of the solar cells, a low-voltage bus (208) connected to the low-voltage set (204) of the solar cells, a high-voltage bus (212) connected to the high-voltage set (206) of the solar cells, a low-voltage battery (214) connected to the low-voltage bus (208), a high-voltage battery (218) connected to the high-voltage bus (212), and a switch (210) connected between the low-voltage battery (214) and an input of the high-voltage set (206) of the solar cells.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a solar device that provides power to electronic devices equipped with both low voltage and high voltage.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] A solar device may use an array of solar cells (“solar array”) to provide power to various equipped electronic devices. For example, a satellite may utilize a battery-on-bus power system to manage the power generated by the solar array. Such a power system draws power from the solar array when illuminated to supply power to the electronic devices and / or charge the battery. Further, when the solar array is not illuminated, the battery can supply power to the electronic devices.

Summary of the Invention

[0003]

[0003] One embodiment provides a solar device comprising one or more solar arrays. The one or more solar arrays comprise a low voltage set of solar cells and a high voltage set of solar cells. The solar device comprises a low voltage bus connected to the low voltage set of solar cells, a high voltage bus connected to the high voltage set of solar cells, a low voltage battery connected to the low voltage bus, a high voltage battery connected to the high voltage bus, and a switch connected between the low voltage battery and the input of the high voltage set of solar cells.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004]

Figure 1

[0004] An exemplary vehicle in the form of a satellite is schematically shown.

Figure 2

[0005] A block diagram of an exemplary solar device having a low voltage battery and a high voltage battery is shown.

Figure 3

[0006] A block diagram of an exemplary configuration of a solar array of the solar device of FIG. 2 is shown.

Figure 4

Figure 5

[0007] A diagram of an exemplary circuit used with the solar device of FIG. 2 is shown.

Figure 6

[0008] A schematic diagram of an exemplary current diagram of the circuit of FIG. 5 is shown.

Figure 7

Figure 8

[0009] Another exemplary solar device is schematically shown.

Figure 9

[0010] A block diagram of an exemplary high-voltage set of solar cells for selecting different rates of current is shown.

Figure 10

[0011] A diagram of an exemplary circuit utilizing the high-voltage set of solar cells of FIG. 9 is shown.

Figure 11

[0012] A flowchart of an exemplary method for charging a low-voltage battery and a high-voltage battery of a solar device is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005]

[0013] As described above, a satellite may utilize a battery string bus power system to manage power drawn from a solar array. There are also satellites that use both low-voltage batteries and high-voltage batteries to supply power to various electronic devices. As used herein, the term "high voltage" is used to indicate that the voltage output by a corresponding electronic component or used by a corresponding electronic component is higher than that of a similar electronic component modified by the term "low voltage". However, a low-voltage battery string bus power system can be inefficient when providing large amounts of power. This is because such a power system may have difficulty providing sufficient current to support large amounts of power. To address this problem, a high-voltage battery string bus power system can be used with an integrated power controller or converter component and connected to a low-voltage battery string bus power system. However, integrated power controllers and converter components have complex circuitry, adding manufacturing costs to the satellite and thus may not be desirable.

[0006]

[0014] Accordingly, a plurality of embodiments are disclosed that use switches on a low voltage bus to condition a high voltage bus of a solar device. As used herein, the term "switch" refers to a device having a first mode that creates an electrical connection and a second mode that breaks the electrical connection. Briefly, a solar device includes one or more solar arrays including a low voltage set of solar cells and a high voltage set of solar cells. The low voltage bus is connected to the low voltage set of solar cells and a low voltage battery. The high voltage bus is connected to the high voltage set of solar cells and a high voltage battery. In some embodiments, the high voltage bus and high voltage battery have a voltage of 100 volts, and the low voltage bus and low voltage battery have a voltage of 30 volts. In other embodiments, the low voltage battery and bus may have a different voltage. Further, in such embodiments, the high voltage battery bus may have any suitable voltage higher than the voltage of the low voltage battery and bus. The solar device further includes a switch connected between the low voltage battery and an input of the high voltage set of solar cells. The switch is controllable to selectively connect the high voltage set of solar cells electrically in series with the low voltage set of solar cells. Accordingly, the high voltage set of solar cells may provide a voltage on the high voltage bus that is higher than the voltage on the low voltage bus. The switch and the high voltage set of solar cells enable conditioning of the high voltage bus of a solar device that is simpler and lower cost than solutions using integrated power controllers and / or converter components. The disclosed solar device may be used in onshore, aviation, space, near-space, and / or marine environments. Exemplary solar devices may include satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, remote sensing / communication devices, and extraterrestrial sensing / communication devices.

[0007]

[0015] FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary vehicle 100 in the form of a satellite having flight electronics and payload electronics. The vehicle 100 includes a low-voltage battery 102 to assist in powering the flight electronics. Further, a first solar array 104 includes a low-voltage set 106 of solar cells configured to provide power to selectively charge the low-voltage battery 102 and / or assist in powering the flight electronics when illuminated. The payload electronics support the mission of the vehicle 100, such as a communication and / or remote sensing mission. The payload electronics use a voltage higher than the voltage of the low-voltage battery 102. Thus, the vehicle 100 further includes a second solar array 108 including a high-voltage set 110 of solar cells. Additionally, a switch 112 selectively electrically connects the high-voltage set 110 of solar cells in series with the low-voltage set 106 of solar cells to thereby charge a high-voltage battery 114 based on the mission stage of the vehicle 100 and / or the electrical charge of the high-voltage battery 114. Although described with respect to a vehicle, a switch controllable to selectively electrically connect a high-voltage set of solar cells in series with a low-voltage set of solar cells may also be used in regulating a high-voltage bus in other solar devices.

[0008]

[0016] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary solar device 200. Vehicle 100 is one example of a solar device 200. Other examples of solar devices 200 include unmanned aerial vehicles and remote sensing / communication devices configured to operate in an aerial environment, a marine environment, a terrestrial environment, an extraterrestrial environment, and / or a space / near-space environment. The solar device 200 includes one or more solar arrays 202 that draw power when illuminated. The one or more solar arrays 202 include a low-voltage set 204 of solar cells and a high-voltage set 206 of solar cells. Further, a low-voltage bus 208 is connected to the low-voltage set 204 of solar cells and a switch 210 that is also connected to an input of the high-voltage set 206 of solar cells. The switch 210 is controllable to selectively connect the high-voltage set 206 of solar cells to the low-voltage bus 208. Thereby, as will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the high-voltage set 206 of solar cells can provide a voltage on a high-voltage bus 212 that is higher than the voltage on the low-voltage bus 208.

[0009]

[0017] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the one or more solar arrays 202 include a first solar array 300 that includes the low-voltage set 204 of solar cells and a second solar array 302 that includes the high-voltage set 206 of solar cells. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the one or more solar arrays 202 include a solar array 400 that is divided into the low-voltage set 204 of solar cells and the high-voltage set 206 of solar cells. Thereby, it becomes possible to modify the solar array of an existing solar device without major hardware changes to the solar device. In further embodiments, the one or more solar arrays 202 may have another configuration.

[0010]

[0018] Referring back to FIG. 2, the solar device 200 further includes a low-voltage battery 214 connected to the low-voltage bus 208 and the switch 210. Further, a low-voltage load 216 is also connected to the low-voltage bus 208 to selectively receive power. The solar device 200 also includes a high-voltage battery 218 and a high-voltage load 220 connected to the high-voltage bus 212. Each of the high-voltage battery 218 and the high-voltage load 220 (e.g., payload electronics) can be controlled to selectively receive power as will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In other embodiments, the solar device may include additional switches for selectively connecting an additional set of solar cells in electrical series with the high-voltage set 206 of solar cells in order to add another voltage bus at a voltage higher than the voltage of the high-voltage bus 212. In yet other embodiments, the solar device 200 may have additional low-voltage and / or high-voltage batteries.

[0011]

[0019] The controller 222 is configured to control the switch 210 to regulate the high voltage bus 212. More specifically, the controller 222 is configured to control the switch 210 such that the low voltage bus 208 is connected to the input of the high voltage set 206 of the solar cells. Thus, the switch 210 can electrically connect the high voltage set 206 of the solar cells in series with the low voltage bus 208, thereby charging the high voltage battery 218. As will be described with reference to FIG. 7, the controller 222 is further configured to stop charging the high voltage battery 218 by controlling the switch 210 to disconnect the connection between the high voltage set 206 of the solar cells and the low voltage bus 208. The controller 222 can control the switch 210 based at least on the electrical charge of the high voltage battery 218. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 222 can further control the switch 210 based on one or more of the operating mode of the solar device 200, the power extraction from the one or more solar arrays 202, the electrical charge of the low voltage battery 214, and / or the electrical demand of the low voltage load 216 and / or the high voltage load 220, or in another suitable manner. In some embodiments, the controller 222 can control a plurality of other operations of the solar device 200, such as, for example, electrical load management, battery management, and / or power extraction.

[0012]

[0020] In such a manner, the solar device 200 utilizes the switch 210 to regulate the first battery ion bus system of the low voltage battery 214 on the low voltage bus 208 and the second battery ion bus system of the high voltage battery 218 on the high voltage bus 212. Further, this regulation is performed without significant additional hardware (e.g., an integrated power controller), and thus can help reduce the cost of the solar device 200.

[0013]

[0021] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary circuit 500 that utilizes switch 210 to regulate high voltage bus 212. In circuit 500, a low voltage set 204 of solar cells selectively provides a first voltage 502 (Va) at low voltage bus 208. A first diode 504 is connected to the low voltage set 204 of solar cells to help block potential reverse current into the low voltage set 204 of solar cells. As shown, a high voltage set 206 of solar cells draws a second voltage 506 (Vb - Va). As will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6, when the high voltage set 206 of solar cells is electrically connected in series with the low voltage set 204 of solar cells, the high voltage set 206 of solar cells is configured to combine the second voltage 506 with the first voltage 502 to provide a third voltage 508 (Vb) at high voltage bus 212. Further, a second diode 510 is connected to the high voltage set 206 of solar cells to help block potential reverse current into the high voltage set 206 of solar cells. Further, as will be described with reference to FIG. 7, the electrical connection between the high voltage set 206 of solar cells and the low voltage set 204 of solar cells can be selectively disconnected by switch 210.

[0014]

[0022] Circuit 500 includes a high-resistance component 512. In some embodiments, the high-resistance component 512 is configured to have a resistance that is orders of magnitude higher than the resistance of the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cell. In some embodiments, the high-resistance component 512 has a resistance on the order of 100 kiloohms. In such a configuration, the high-resistance component 512 can help prevent accidental charging of the high-voltage battery 218 and / or provide insulation for the return node of the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cell from other return nodes (e.g., the return node of the low-voltage set 204 of the solar cell and / or the return node of the solar device 200). Circuit 500 also includes an electrical ground 514 as part of the return path to the low-voltage set 204 of the solar cell. In some embodiments, the electrical ground 514 includes the device ground of the solar device 200, such as the chassis of the solar device 200. FIG. 5 is illustrative. In a plurality of other embodiments, circuit 500 may have a different configuration.

[0015]

[0023] FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically illustrate exemplary current diagrams of circuit 500. First, FIG. 6 schematically shows an exemplary current diagram 600 for charging the high-voltage battery 218 within circuit 500. As can be seen, the controller 222 electrically connects the low-voltage bus 208 to the input of the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cell, thereby controlling the switch 210 to electrically connect the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cell in series with the low-voltage set 204 of the solar cell. Accordingly, a first current 602 flows from the low-voltage set 204 of the solar cell to the input of the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cell. Further, when the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cell receives the first current 602 and is illuminated, the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cell combines the first voltage 502 and the second voltage 506 to provide a third voltage 508 on the high-voltage bus 212. Further, a second current 604 flows from the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cell to the high-voltage battery 218, thereby charging the high-voltage battery 218.

[0016]

[0024] In various embodiments, portions of the first current 602 can flow to various components within the circuit 500. Thus, the high voltage set 206 of the solar cell can receive a first portion of the first current 602. In some embodiments, a second portion of the first current 602 can be selectively received by one or more of the low voltage battery 214 or the low voltage load 216. This enables charging of the low voltage battery 214 and / or power supply to the low voltage load 216 while also charging the high voltage battery 218. Further or alternatively, for example, the high resistance component 512 can receive a third portion of the first current 602, such as when the rate of the first current 602 is higher than the rate of the current of the high voltage set 206 of the solar cell. In such a manner, the high resistance component 512 can act as a leakage current path and help protect the high voltage set 206 of the solar cell and / or the high voltage battery 218 from excessive current. In a plurality of other embodiments, the low voltage battery 214 can provide some current to the low voltage bus 208. Further, in some embodiments, the high voltage battery 218 can receive a portion of the second current 604 and the high voltage load 220 can receive another portion of the second current 604.

[0017]

[0025] As described above, the controller 222 may control the switch 210 based on the electrical charge of the high-voltage battery 218. For example, when the electrical charge of the high-voltage battery 218 satisfies the charging threshold condition, the controller 222 is configured to stop charging the high-voltage battery 218 by controlling the switch 210. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary current diagram 700 when the high-voltage battery 218 in the circuit 500 is not being charged. As can be seen, the controller 222 controls the switch 210 to disconnect the electrical connection between the low-voltage battery 214 and the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cells. Accordingly, the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cells does not receive the first current 702 from the low-voltage set 204 of the solar cells. In such a configuration, the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cells is considered to have an open circuit. In some embodiments, the open-circuit voltage of the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cells may be a voltage of approximately Vb - Va (e.g., a voltage range similar to the second voltage 506 in FIGS. 5 and 6). Here, when the high-voltage battery 218 provides the third voltage 508 (Vb) to the high-voltage bus 212, the second diode 510 is reverse-biased. This helps prevent reverse current to the high-voltage battery 218. Further, the high-resistance component 512 also helps prevent a large current from the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cells. As a specific example, for instance, when a satellite emerges from an eclipse, if the open-circuit voltage of the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cells cannot fall below the third voltage 508, current may flow from the high-voltage set 206 of the solar cells to the high-voltage battery 218.

[0018]

[0026] Optionally, the second current 704 may flow from the high-voltage battery 218 to the high-voltage load 220, thereby powering the high-voltage load 220. Alternatively or additionally, the first current 702 may flow from the low-voltage set 204 of the solar cells to the low-voltage battery 214 and / or the low-voltage load 216. In further embodiments, the low-voltage battery 214 may power the low-voltage load 216 via the low-voltage bus 208. The current diagrams 600 and 700 are exemplary. In other embodiments, the circuit 500 may have other current diagrams.

[0019]

[0027] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of another exemplary solar device 800. Similar to the solar device 200, the solar device 800 includes a low-voltage set 802 of solar cells, a low-voltage bus 804, a low-voltage battery 806, and a low-voltage load 808. Further, a high-voltage bus 810 is connected to a high-voltage set 812 of solar cells, a high-voltage battery 814, and a high-voltage load 816. In one illustrated embodiment, the solar device 800 includes a plurality of solar arrays mounted within a plurality of solar cell wings 818. As illustrated, the plurality of solar cell wings 818 includes a low-voltage set 802 of solar cells and a high-voltage set 812 of solar cells. A solar cell wing drive 820 is connected to the plurality of solar cell wings 818 to make electrical connections while rotating the plurality of solar cell wings 818, such as for tracking sunlight.

[0020]

[0028] The solar device 800 further includes a low-voltage PMAD (Power Management and Distribution) 822 configured to manage the power of the solar device 800. The PMAD 822 is configured to selectively connect the low-voltage bus 804 to one or more of the inputs of the low-voltage battery 806, the low-voltage load 808, or the high-voltage set 812 of solar cells, such as by using internal switches. The PMAD 822 also receives information regarding the state of charge of the high-voltage battery 814 to assist in managing the high-voltage bus 810 and / or the high-voltage battery 814. The PMAD 822 may connect the low-voltage bus 804 to the input of the high-voltage set 812 of solar cells when the state of charge of the high-voltage battery 814 meets a low-voltage threshold condition. Further, the PMAD 822 may disconnect the connection to the input of the high-voltage set 812 of solar cells to stop charging the high-voltage battery 814 when the state of charge meets a voltage threshold condition. In some embodiments, the PMAD 822 may also perform other controls of the solar device 800, such as, for example, bus management and / or battery management. The solar device 800 is one embodiment of the solar device 200. In a plurality of other embodiments, the solar device may have a different configuration.

[0021]

[0029] In the above-described multiple embodiments, the high-voltage set of solar cells provides current to the high-voltage bus at a single rate. Alternatively, the high-voltage set of solar cells may be configured to provide additional rates of current to the high-voltage bus. FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of such a high-voltage set 900 of solar cells. Here, the high-voltage bus 902 is connected to the high-voltage set 900 of solar cells. The high-voltage bus 902 can be used, for example, for the high-voltage bus 212 or the high-voltage bus 810. To provide multiple rates of current, the high-voltage set 900 of solar cells includes a first series 904 of solar cells and a second series 906 of solar cells. These are electrically connected in parallel. In other multiple embodiments, three or more series of solar cells can be used in the high-voltage set 900 of solar cells. Such a configuration can help provide a greater number of selectable current rates for the high-voltage bus 902. As shown, the first series 904 of solar cells has a first rate 908 that allows a corresponding first portion of the current 910 to flow through the first series 904 of solar cells. Further, the second series 906 of solar cells has a second rate 912 that allows a corresponding second portion of the current 910 to flow through the second series 906 of solar cells.

[0022]

[0030] The first series 904 of solar cells and the second series 906 of solar cells are electrically in parallel, and the high-voltage set 900 of solar cells can provide an appropriate combination of a first rate 908 and / or a second rate 912 with respect to the high-voltage bus 902. As a specific example, the first rate 908 can have 3 A (amperes), and the second rate 912 can have 4 A. Thus, in this example, the high-voltage set 900 of solar cells can provide a set of rates of 0 A, 3 A, 4 A, or 7 A with respect to the high-voltage bus 902. In a plurality of other examples, any other appropriate rate can be provided. The first switch 914 is controllable to selectively direct a corresponding first portion of the current 910 to the first series 904 of solar cells. Further, the second switch 916 is controllable to selectively direct a corresponding second portion of the current 910 to the second series 906 of solar cells. The controller 918 is configured to selectively control the first switch 914 and / or the second switch 916. As a specific example, the controller 918 is configured to select a desired rate of current with respect to the high-voltage bus 902 by selectively controlling the first switch 914 to connect the current 910 to the first series 904 of solar cells and / or selectively controlling the second switch 916 to connect the current 910 to the second series 906 of solar cells.

[0023]

[0031] Further, a first diode 920 is configured to protect the first series 904 of solar cells from a potential reverse current, such as when the first series 904 of solar cells is not illuminated. Similarly, a second diode 922 is configured to protect the second series 906 of solar cells from a potential reverse current. Although two series of solar cells are illustrated, the high-voltage set of solar cells can have three or more series of solar cells and corresponding components in a plurality of other examples. FIG. 9 is illustrative. The high-voltage set 900 of solar cells can have other configurations in a plurality of other examples.

[0024]

[0032] FIG. 10 schematically shows an exemplary circuit 1000 that utilizes the high-voltage set 900 of solar cells. The circuit 1000 can be used, for example, by the solar device 200 or the vehicle 100. Similar to the circuit 500, the circuit 1000 includes a low-voltage bus 1002 connected to the low-voltage set 1004 of solar cells and the low-voltage battery 1006. The first diode 1008 is connected between the low-voltage set 1004 of solar cells and the low-voltage battery 1006. Further, the high-voltage bus 1010 is connected to the high-voltage battery 1012.

[0025]

[0033] Here, the circuit 1000 includes a high-voltage set 900 of solar cells that includes a first series 904 of solar cells configured to provide a first rate of current to the high-voltage bus 1010. The high-voltage set 900 of solar cells also includes a second series 906 of solar cells configured to provide a second rate of current to the high-voltage bus 1010. Further, the circuit 1000 includes a first switch 1014 connected between the low-voltage battery 1006 and the first series 904 of solar cells. Further, a second switch 1016 is connected between the low-voltage battery 1006 and the second series 906 of solar cells. The controller can select the rate of the current 1018 to the high-voltage bus 1010 by controlling one or more of the first switch 1014 or the second switch 1016. The circuit 1000 also includes a first high-resistance component 1020 connected to the first series 904 of solar cells. The high-resistance component 1020 can help prevent accidental charging of the high-voltage battery 1012 and / or provide insulation for the return node of the first series 904 of solar cells in a manner similar to the high-resistance component 512 in the circuit 500. Similarly, a second high-resistance component 1021 is connected to the second series 906 of solar cells. The circuit 1000 is exemplary. In other embodiments, the circuit 1000 can include a plurality of other components not shown and / or have a different configuration.

[0026]

[0034] FIG. 11 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method 1100 for charging a low voltage battery and a high voltage battery of a solar device. Method 1100 can be performed by any suitable solar device, such as, for example, solar device 200 or vehicle 100. The solar device also includes one or more solar arrays including a low voltage set of solar cells and a high voltage set of solar cells. Method 1100 includes, at 1102, providing current from the low voltage set of solar cells of the solar device to one or more of a low voltage battery or a low voltage load. In some embodiments, as shown at 1104, providing current from the low voltage set of solar cells of the solar device to one or more of a low voltage battery or a low voltage load includes selectively providing current to the low voltage battery, thereby charging the low voltage battery.

[0027]

[0035] At 1106, method 1100 includes selectively providing current to a high-voltage battery by using a switch to connect a low-voltage battery to the input of a high-voltage set of solar cells, thereby charging the high-voltage battery. This electrically connects the high-voltage set of solar cells in series with a low-voltage set of solar cells. In such a configuration, as described above, the high-voltage set of solar cells can provide current to the high-voltage battery. In some embodiments, as shown at 1108, selectively providing current to the high-voltage battery includes selecting the rate of current to a high-voltage bus connected to the high-voltage set of solar cells and the high-voltage battery. In such embodiments, for example, in a high-voltage set 900 of solar cells, the high-voltage set of solar cells includes a first series of solar cells and a second series of solar cells. Further, as shown at 1110, selecting the rate of current to the high-voltage bus can include using a first switch to connect the low-voltage battery to the first series of solar cells of the high-voltage set of solar cells. Additionally or alternatively, as shown at 1112, selecting the rate of current to the high-voltage bus can include using a second switch to connect the low-voltage battery to the second series of solar cells of the high-voltage set of solar cells. In this way, the rate of current to the high-voltage bus can include any suitable combination of the rates of current of the first series of solar cells and / or the second series of solar cells. This can help manage power supply to various high-voltage loads of the solar device and / or charge the high-voltage battery. In other embodiments, any suitable number of series of solar cells and corresponding switching can be used.

[0028]

[0036] Method 1100 further includes, at 1114, stopping the flow of current from a low-voltage set of solar cells to a high-voltage battery by using a switch to selectively disconnect a low-voltage battery from a high-voltage set of solar cells. Method 1100 also includes, at 1116, directing a bleed current to a high-resistance component to move away from a high-voltage set of solar cells when the switch is open. In one example of a satellite, a high-voltage set of solar cells may cool at the end of an eclipse and inadvertently charge a high-voltage battery. In such a manner, the high-resistance component may help prevent the unintentional charging of the high-voltage battery. Further, the high-resistance component may help insulate the return node of the high-voltage set of solar cells from other return nodes of the solar device. In a plurality of other examples, 1114 and / or 1116 may be omitted.

[0029]

[0037] A solar device comprising a switch of a low-voltage bus for regulating a high-voltage bus as disclosed herein may enable simple control for regulating the high-voltage bus and / or help reduce the cost of the solar device as compared to current solutions (e.g., an integrated power controller). This may help enhance a less expensive solar device having high-voltage components without a significant impact on cost.

[0030]

[0038] Further, the present disclosure includes a plurality of configurations according to the following clauses.

[0031]

[0039] Clause 1. A solar device comprising: one or more solar arrays comprising a low-voltage set of solar cells and a high-voltage set of solar cells; a low-voltage bus connected to the low-voltage set of solar cells; a high-voltage bus connected to the high-voltage set of solar cells; a low-voltage battery connected to the low-voltage bus; a high-voltage battery connected to the high-voltage bus; and a switch connected between the low-voltage battery and an input of the high-voltage set of solar cells.

[0032]

[0040] Article 2. The solar device according to clause 1, wherein the one or more solar arrays include a first solar array including the low voltage set of the solar cells and a second solar array including the high voltage set of the solar cells.

[0033]

[0041] Article 3. The solar device according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the one or more solar arrays include a solar array divided into the low voltage set of the solar cells and the high voltage set of the solar cells.

[0034]

[0042] Article 4. The solar device according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, further comprising a first diode electrically connected between the low voltage set of the solar cells and the low voltage battery, and a second diode electrically connected between the high voltage set of the solar cells and the high voltage battery.

[0035]

[0043] Article 5. The solar device according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, further comprising a high resistance component electrically connected to the high voltage set of the solar cells such that the high resistance component is electrically in parallel with the low voltage battery.

[0036]

[0044] Article 6. The high voltage set of the solar cells includes a first series of solar cells configured to provide a first rate of current to the high voltage bus and a second series of solar cells configured to provide a second rate of current to the high voltage bus, the switch is a first switch connected between the low voltage battery and the first series of solar cells, and the solar device further comprises a second switch connected between the low voltage battery and the high voltage set of the solar cells. The solar device according to any one of clauses 1 to 5.

[0037]

[0045] Article 7. The solar device is a satellite, and is the solar device according to any one of clauses 1 to 6.

[0038]

[0046] Clause 8. The solar device according to any one of clauses 1 to 7, further comprising a controller configured to control the switch based at least on the electrical charge amount of the high-voltage battery.

[0039]

[0047] Clause 9. A solar device, comprising: one or more solar arrays, each of the one or more solar arrays comprising a low-voltage set of solar cells and a high-voltage set of solar cells; a low-voltage bus connected to the low-voltage set of the solar cells; a high-voltage bus connected to the high-voltage set of the solar cells; a low-voltage battery connected to the low-voltage bus; a high-voltage battery connected to the high-voltage bus; a switch connected between the low-voltage battery and an input of the high-voltage set of the solar cells; and a controller configured to control the switch based at least on the electrical charge amount of the high-voltage battery.

[0040]

[0048] Clause 10. The solar device according to clause 9, wherein the one or more solar arrays comprise a first solar array including the low-voltage set of the solar cells and a second solar array including the high-voltage set of the solar cells.

[0041]

[0049] Clause 11. The solar device according to clause 9 or 10, wherein the one or more solar arrays comprise a solar array divided into the low-voltage set of the solar cells and the high-voltage set of the solar cells.

[0042]

[0050] Clause 12. A solar device according to any one of clauses 9 to 11, further comprising a first diode electrically connected between the low-voltage set of the solar cell and the low-voltage battery, and a second diode electrically connected between the high-voltage set of the solar cell and the high-voltage battery.

[0043]

[0051] Clause 13. A solar device according to any one of clauses 9 to 12, further comprising the high-resistance component electrically connected to the high-voltage set of the solar cell such that the high-resistance component is electrically in parallel with the low-voltage battery.

[0044]

[0052] Clause 14. The high-voltage set of the solar cell includes a first series of solar cells configured to provide a first rate of current to the high-voltage bus, and a second series of solar cells configured to provide a second rate of the current to the high-voltage bus. The switch is a first switch connected between the low-voltage battery and the first series of the solar cells. The solar device further comprises a second switch connected between the low-voltage battery and the second series of the solar cells. The controller is further configured to selectively control one or more of the first switch or the second switch. A solar device according to any one of clauses 9 to 13.

[0045]

[0053] Clause 15. The solar device is a satellite. A solar device according to any one of clauses 9 to 14.

[0046]

[0054] Clause 16. A method for charging one or more of a low-voltage battery or a high-voltage battery of a solar device, wherein the solar device comprises one or more solar arrays, and the one or more solar arrays comprise a low-voltage set of solar cells connected to the low-voltage battery and a high-voltage set of solar cells connected to the high-voltage battery, and the method comprises providing current from the low-voltage set of solar cells of the solar device to one or more of the low-voltage battery or a low-voltage load, and selectively providing the current to the high-voltage battery by using a switch to connect the low-voltage battery to an input of the high-voltage set of solar cells, thereby charging the high-voltage battery.

[0047]

[0055] Clause 17. The method according to clause 16, further comprising stopping the flow of the current from the low-voltage set of solar cells to the high-voltage battery by using a switch to selectively disconnect the low-voltage battery from an input of the high-voltage set of solar cells.

[0048]

[0056] Clause 18. The method according to clause 17, further comprising directing a bleed current away from the high-voltage set of solar cells to a high-resistance component.

[0049]

[0057] Clause 19. Providing the current from the low-voltage set of solar cells of the solar device to one or more of the low-voltage battery or a low-voltage load as described in any one of clauses 16 to 18 includes selectively providing the current to the low-voltage battery, thereby charging the low-voltage battery.

[0050]

[0058] Clause 20. Selectively providing the current to the high-voltage battery includes selecting the rate of the current to a high-voltage bus connected to the high-voltage battery by using a first switch to connect the low-voltage battery to a first series of solar cells of a high-voltage set of the solar cells, or by using a second switch to connect the low-voltage battery to a second series of solar cells of the high-voltage set of the solar cells, according to one or more of the above, the method according to any one of clauses 16 to 19.

[0051]

[0059] It should be understood that the configurations and / or approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and these specific embodiments or examples should not be considered in a limiting sense. This is because numerous modifications are possible. The specific routines or methods described herein may represent one or more of any number of processing strategies. In that way, the various operations shown and / or described may be performed in other orders, simultaneously in parallel, or omitted, in the order shown and / or described. Similarly, the order of the processes described above may be changed.

[0052]

[0060] The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various processes, systems, and configurations disclosed herein, as well as other features, functions, operations, and / or characteristics, and any and all equivalents thereof.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0053] 100 vehicle 102, 214, 806, 1006 low-voltage battery 104, 300 first solar array 106, 204, 802, 1004 low-voltage set of solar cells 108, 302 second solar array 110, 206, 812, 900 high-voltage set of solar cells 112, 210 switch 114, 218, 814, 1012 200, 800 solar devices 202, 400 solar arrays 208, 804, 1002 low-voltage buses 212, 810, 902, 1010 high-voltage buses 216, 808 low-voltage loads 220, 816 high-voltage loads 222, 918 controllers 500 circuits 502 first voltage 504, 1008 first diodes 506 second voltage 508 third voltage 510 second diode 512 high-resistance components 514 electrical ground 600 current diagrams 602, 702, 910 first current 604, 704, 1018 second current 700 current diagrams 818 solar panels 820 solar panel drive 822 PMAD 904 first series of solar cells 906 second series of solar cells 908 first rate 912 second rate 914, 1014 first switches 916, 1016 second switches 920 first diode 922 second diode 1000 circuits 1020 first high-resistance component 1021 second high-resistance component 1100 methods 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112, 1114, 1116 steps

Claims

1. A solar device (200, 800), comprising: One or more solar arrays (202), each comprising a low-voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of solar cells and a high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of solar cells; A low-voltage bus (208, 804, 1002) connected to the low-voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of solar cells; A high-voltage bus (212, 810, 902, 1010) connected to the high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of solar cells; A low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006) connected to the low-voltage bus (208, 804, 1002); A high-voltage battery (114, 218, 814, 1012) connected to the high-voltage bus (212, 810, 902, 1010); and A switch (112, 210) connected between the low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006) and the input of the high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of solar cells.

2. The solar device (200, 800) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more solar arrays (202) comprise a first solar array (104, 300) including the low-voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of solar cells and a second solar array (108, 302) including the high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of solar cells.

3. The solar device (200, 800) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more solar arrays (202) comprise a solar array (400) divided into the low-voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of solar cells and the high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of solar cells.

4. The solar device (200, 800) according to claim 1, further comprising a first diode (504, 1008) electrically connected between the low-voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of solar cells and the low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006), and A second diode (510) electrically connected between the high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of solar cells and the high-voltage battery (114, 218, 814, 1012).

5. The solar device (200, 800) according to claim 1, further comprising a high resistance component (512) electrically connected to the high voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of the solar cell such that the high resistance component (512) is electrically parallel to the low voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006).

6. The high voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of the solar cell includes a first series (904) of solar cells configured to provide a first rate (908) of current to the high voltage bus (212, 810, 902, 1010), and a second series (906) of solar cells configured to provide the second rate (912) of current to the high voltage bus (212, 810, 902, 1010), the switch (112, 210) is a first switch (914, 1014) connected between the low voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006) and the first series (904) of solar cells, The solar device (200, 800) according to claim 1, further comprising a second switch (916, 1016) connected between the low voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006) and the high voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of the solar cell.

7. The solar device (200, 800) according to claim 1, wherein the solar device (200, 800) is a satellite.

8. The solar device (200, 800) according to claim 1, further comprising a controller (222, 918) configured to control the switch (112, 210) based at least on the electrical charge of the high voltage battery (114, 218, 814, 1012).

9. A solar device (200, 800) comprising one or more solar arrays (202) comprising a low voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of solar cells and a high voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of solar cells, a low voltage bus (208, 804, 1002) connected to the low voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of the solar cells, a high voltage bus (212, 810, 902, 1010) connected to the high voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of the solar cells, A low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006) connected to the low-voltage bus (208, 804, 1002), A high-voltage battery (114, 218, 814, 1012) connected to the high-voltage bus (212, 810, 902, 1010), Switches (112, 210) connected between the low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006) and the input of the high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of the solar cell, and A solar device (200, 800) comprising a controller (222, 918) configured to control the switches (112, 210) at least based on the electrical charge of the high-voltage battery (114, 218, 814, 1012).

10. The one or more solar arrays (202) comprise a first solar array (104, 300) including a low-voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of the solar cell and a second solar array (108, 302) including a high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of the solar cell, the solar device (200, 800) according to claim 9.

11. The one or more solar arrays (202) comprise a solar array (400) divided into a low-voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of the solar cell and a high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of the solar cell, the solar device (200, 800) according to claim 9.

12. A first diode (504, 1008) electrically connected between the low-voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of the solar cell and the low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006), and A second diode (510) electrically connected between the high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of the solar cell and the high-voltage battery (114, 218, 814, 1012), the solar device (200, 800) according to claim 9.

13. The solar device (200, 800) according to claim 9 further comprising a high-resistance component (512) electrically connected to the high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of the solar cell such that the high-resistance component (512) is electrically in parallel with the low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006).

14. The high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of the solar cell is a first series (904) of solar cells configured to provide a first rate (908) of current to the high-voltage bus (212, 810, 902, 1010), and a second series (906) of solar cells configured to provide the second rate (912) of current to the high-voltage bus (212, 810, 902, 1010), the switch (112, 210) is a first switch (914, 1014) connected between the low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006) and the first series (904) of solar cells, the solar device (200, 800) further comprises a second switch (916, 1016) connected between the low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006) and the second series (906) of solar cells, the controller (222, 918) is further configured to selectively control one or more of the first switch (914, 1014) or the second switch (916, 1016), the solar device (200, 800) according to claim 9.

15. The solar device (200, 800) is a satellite, and the one or more solar arrays (202) are mounted within one or more solar panels (818), the solar device (200, 800) according to claim 9.

16. A method (1100) for charging one or more of a low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006) or a high-voltage battery (114, 218, 814, 1012) of a solar device (200, 800), the solar device (200, 800) comprises one or more solar arrays (202), the one or more solar arrays (202) comprising a low-voltage set (106, 204, 802, 1004) of solar cells connected to the low-voltage battery (102, 214, 806, 1006) and a high-voltage set (110, 206, 812, 900) of solar cells connected to the high-voltage battery (114, 218, 814, 1012), the method (1100) comprising providing current from the low-voltage set of solar cells of the solar device to one or more of the low-voltage battery or a low-voltage load (1102), and A method (1100) including selectively providing the current to the high-voltage battery (1106) by using a switch to connect the low-voltage battery to the input of the high-voltage set of the solar cell, thereby charging the high-voltage battery.

17. The method (1100) according to claim 16, further including stopping the flow of the current from the low-voltage set of the solar cell to the high-voltage battery (1114) by using a switch to selectively disconnect the low-voltage battery from the high-voltage set of the solar cell.

18. The method (1100) according to claim 17, further including diverting the bleed current to a high-resistance component away from the high-voltage set of the solar cell (1116).

19. Providing the current (1102) from the low-voltage set of the solar cell to one or more of the low-voltage battery or the low-voltage load includes selectively providing the current to the low-voltage battery, thereby charging the low-voltage battery (1104) in the method (1100) according to claim 16.

20. Selectively providing the current to the high-voltage battery (1106) includes using a first switch to connect the low-voltage battery to the first series of solar cells of the high-voltage set of the solar cell (1110), or using a second switch to connect the low-voltage battery to the second series of solar cells of the high-voltage set of the solar cell (1112), including selecting the rate of the current to a high-voltage bus connected to the high-voltage battery (1108) by one or more of the above, in the method (1100) according to claim 16.

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