Maximum Power Point Tracking Circuit with Voltage Clamping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power conversion apparatuses for tracking maximum power point are complex, costly, and disrupt downstream circuits by constantly turning ON and OFF, affecting charging periods and load operations.
Innovation Solution
A power conversion apparatus with a signal processing circuit, comparison circuit, and converter circuit that generates a sensing signal, control signal, and clamps it to adjust output voltage/current, allowing operation near maximum power point without disrupting the circuit loop, featuring a bias sensing circuit and clamp circuit to manage input voltage and maintain efficient power conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If both input voltage and input current are sensed and power is calculated by a calculation circuit to track maximum power point, then maximum power point tracking is achieved, but the circuit configuration becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the voltage sensing function from the conventional dual-sensing approach. By using a capacitor to sample and hold the input voltage, the system eliminates the need for current sensing and power calculation circuits, achieving maximum power point tracking through voltage alone while significantly simplifying the circuit configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a capacitor to create a copied version of the input voltage signal that can be held and compared without continuously measuring the actual voltage. This copied signal allows the control circuit to track maximum power point without requiring complex real-time measurement and calculation circuits.
2Measurement precision
If the power conversion apparatus turns ON and OFF the circuit loop to track maximum power point of photovoltaic battery, then maximum power point tracking is achieved, but downstream circuits are adversely affected including prolonged charging period and impacted load circuit operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary voltage sampling and holding using a capacitor before the comparison and control actions are taken. This allows the maximum power point tracking to be based on pre-captured voltage information, enabling continuous operation without interrupting the downstream circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor acts as an intermediary element that stores the input voltage information. This mediator allows the control circuit to access voltage data without directly interrupting the power flow to downstream circuits, thus maintaining both tracking accuracy and circuit stability.
3Device complexity
If a simple voltage sampling method is used to track maximum power point, then circuit configuration is simplified and cost is reduced, but the sensing signal may exceed reference voltage range under varying illumination intensities and temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic clamp circuit that actively adjusts the sensing signal based on the reference voltage level. This dynamic adjustment ensures the sensing signal remains within the valid comparison range regardless of variations in illumination intensity or temperature, providing adaptability while maintaining circuit simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp circuit changes the voltage parameter of the sensing signal by clamping it to match the reference voltage level. This parameter adjustment ensures the sensing signal stays within the acceptable range for maximum power point tracking under varying environmental conditions without complicating the overall circuit design.
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 solution simplifies circuit configuration, reduces costs, and ensures uninterrupted charging operations while effectively tracking maximum power points, even under varying illumination intensities and temperatures, with a flexible reference voltage range and adaptable clamp voltage.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing capacitor, wherein the sensing capacitor is configured to sample-and-hold an input voltage of the input power
Implementation Method 2
a bias device, which is configured to operably supply a bias current; and a sensing capacitor, wherein the sensing capacitor and the bias device are connected in parallel between the input power and the sensing node
Implementation Method 3
a clamp circuit coupled to the sensing node, wherein the clamp circuit is configured to operably clamp the sensing signal so that the sensing signal is not greater than a clamp voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A power conversion apparatus for tracking maximum power point, includes: a signal processing circuit, which generates a sensing signal at a sensing node according to an input voltage; and a comparison circuit, which controls a converter circuit according to a difference between the sensing signal and a reference voltage, to convert the input voltage to an output power. The signal processing circuit includes: a bias sensing circuit, which generates the sensing signal at the sensing node according to the input voltage; and a clamp circuit coupled to the sensing node, for clamping the sensing signal to be not greater than a clamp voltage. The converter circuit adjusts an output voltage and/or an output current of the output power, so that a power retrieval source operates near its maximum power point.