Analog Photovoltaic Power Circuit for Maximum Power Point Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior digital photovoltaic power circuits are complex and inefficient in extracting maximum power from solar cells due to the need for sophisticated digital calculations and sweeping processes to find the maximum power point, which increases costs and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An analog photovoltaic power circuit that estimates the optimum voltage point using a ratio of the open circuit voltage and controls the power stage with an analog comparison and control circuit, eliminating the need for digital calculations and sweeping processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If digital calculation modules and sophisticated digital circuits are used to extract maximum power, then power extraction accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower extraction accuracyVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces digital calculation modules and sophisticated digital circuits with an analog circuit system. The analog maximum power point tracking circuit directly processes voltage and current signals through analog computation, eliminating the need for digital-to-analog converters, ADCs, and complex digital processing hardware. This substitution of digital systems with analog systems reduces device complexity while maintaining power extraction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an analog copy of the photovoltaic device's electrical characteristics through operational amplifiers and feedback circuits. The analog maximum power point tracking circuit creates an electrical analog model that replicates the I-V characteristics, allowing direct analog computation of the maximum power point without digital sampling and calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If sweeping processes are implemented to find the maximum power point, then power extraction accuracy is improved, but loss of time and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaximum power point detection accuracyVSAvoidtime for finding MPP

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The analog maximum power point tracking circuit operates continuously without interruption. The analog computation processes voltage and current signals in real-time through continuous analog feedback loops, eliminating the need for periodic sweeping processes. This continuous operation ensures constant power extraction at the maximum power point without time loss for periodic recalibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements an analog feedback mechanism where the output of the maximum power point tracking circuit is continuously fed back to adjust the operating point. The operational amplifiers compare the actual operating conditions with the optimal power point and continuously adjust the extraction parameters, enabling real-time tracking without sweeping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If digital controllers with many transistors are used, then control precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and cost deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage and current signal processing precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces digital controllers with multiple transistors, ADCs, and complex digital logic circuits with a simplified analog circuit implementation. The analog maximum power point tracking uses operational amplifiers and passive components to achieve the same signal processing functions with fewer elements, improving ease of manufacture and reducing cost while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The analog circuit simplifies the design, reduces the number of transistors required, and maintains efficient energy extraction by locking the input voltage at the estimated optimum voltage point, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

A photovoltaic device for receiving photo energy and generating an input voltage corresponding to an input current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8390242B2Analog photovoltaic power circuit

Publication Date: 2013.03.05 RICHTEK TECH

AI summary

The present invention discloses an analog photovoltaic power circuit, comprising: a photovoltaic device group for receiving photo energy to generate an input voltage; a power stage circuit for converting the input voltage to an output voltage; an optimum voltage estimation circuit for receiving a predetermined voltage and estimating an optimum voltage according to a direction of variation of the input voltage and a direction of variation of the power generated by the photovoltaic device group; and an analog comparison and control circuit for comparing the optimum voltage with the input voltage, to thereby control the operation of the power stage circuit.