Power Controller for Parallel Power Generators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for controlling power output from multiple interconnected power generating devices fail to extract the maximum amount of power, leading to inefficiencies and increased system scale due to the need for multiple constant voltage circuits.
Innovation Solution
A power controller system that measures and adjusts output voltages of multiple power generating devices to a common target value, calculated based on their power-voltage characteristics, allowing for parallel connection and maximizing power extraction without increasing system scale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple constant voltage circuits are used to control power output from each power generating device individually, then power extraction from each device can be optimized, but the system scale and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple constant voltage circuits into a single shared circuit. Instead of having separate constant voltage circuits for each power generating device, the invention uses one common constant voltage circuit that serves all devices simultaneously. This is achieved by having the control unit adjust the output voltages of all power generating devices to match a single target voltage value, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate voltage regulation circuits and reducing system complexity while maintaining power extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The single constant voltage circuit is designed to serve multiple functions - it regulates voltage for all power generating devices simultaneously. The control unit performs the universal function of calculating a common target voltage based on the aggregate power-voltage characteristics of all devices and adjusting each device's output to match this target, making the single circuit universally applicable to all devices in the system.
2Power
If output voltages of multiple power generating devices are adjusted to different values based on individual maximum power points, then maximum power can be extracted from each device, but the devices cannot be connected in parallel efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the equipotentiality principle by adjusting the output voltages of all power generating devices to the same target voltage value. This creates an equipotential condition across all devices, enabling them to be connected in parallel without voltage conflicts. The control unit calculates a common target voltage that allows all devices to operate at their optimal power output while maintaining equal voltage levels, thus facilitating efficient parallel connection and power aggregation.
3Device complexity
If a single constant voltage circuit is used for multiple power generating devices, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to optimize each device's power output individually is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the output characteristics of all power generating devices, calculates the aggregate power-voltage characteristics, determines an optimal target voltage, and adjusts each device's output voltage accordingly. This closed-loop feedback control ensures that even with a single constant voltage circuit, the system can optimize power extraction from all devices by dynamically adjusting their operating points to match the calculated target voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic voltage adjustment where the target voltage is not fixed but is continuously recalculated based on the real-time power-voltage characteristics of all power generating devices. The control unit dynamically adapts the common target voltage to maximize overall power extraction, allowing the single constant voltage circuit to effectively optimize power output from multiple devices with varying characteristics through continuous dynamic control.
Data Source
AI summary
A power controller includes: a measuring unit that measures outputs from plural power generating devices outputting power to a common load in parallel; an adjusting unit that controls the outputs of the plural power generating devices to adjust output voltages of the plural power generating devices to a predetermined value; and a matching control unit that calculates power-voltage characteristics of the plural power generating devices based on values measured by the measuring unit, determines a target value of output voltage to be shared by all the plural power generating devices based on the power-voltage characteristics thus calculated and corresponding to the whole parallel connection of the plural power generating devices, and allows the adjusting unit to match the predetermined value with the target value.