HK1141148B

HK1141148B - Multi-source, multi-load systems with a power extractor

Info

Publication number: HK1141148B
Application number: HK10107485.5A
Authority: HK
Inventors: David A. Besser; Stefan Matan; Malvin J. Bullen
Original assignee: Xslent Energy Technologies, Llc
Priority date: 2007-02-06
Filing date: 2008-02-05
Publication date: 2016-05-13

Description

Multi-power-supply multi-load system with power extractor

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to co-pending U.S. patent applications: no.11/849,242, filed on 31/8/2007 under the heading: "Multi-Source, Multi-Load Systems with a Power Extractor"; no.11/774,562, filed on 7/2007 under the heading: "Power Extractureting a Power Change"; no.11/774,563, filed on 7/2007 under the heading: "Power Extractor with Control Loop"; no.11/774,564, filed on 7/2007 under the heading: "System and appurtenances with Multiple Power Extracturecoupled to Differencent Power Sources"; no.11/774,565, filed on 7/2007 under the heading: "Power Extractor for Impedance Matching"; no.11/774,566, filed on 7/2007 under the heading: "Power Extractor Detecting Power and VoltageChange"; and claims priority from these applications. This application also claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application 60/888,486, entitled "XPX Power changer," filed on 6/2/2007.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to power supplies, and more particularly to power transfer from one or more power supplies to one or more loads using a power extractor.

Background

Conventional power transfer between a power source and a load involves a static system configuration. The power supply and load configuration is generally known prior to system design. System design is performed in an attempt to maximize power transfer between the power source and the load. Conventional systems typically rely on their static design principles to regulate output, which can result in continuous, regulated power delivery. Without proper design, conventional power transfer circuits are not well suited for many system applications.

Drawings

The following description includes a discussion of the figures with illustrations given by way of example of embodiments of the invention. The drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. One or more "embodiments" as used herein is understood to describe a particular feature, structure, or characteristic included in at least one implementation of the invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an alternative embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. However, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art system using a solar power source to charge a battery or provide power to other loads;

FIG. 2 illustrates a power supply and power extractor array providing power to a load according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a system including a power supply, a power extractor, and a load, configured in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates impedance matching characteristics of a power extractor from a power supply perspective, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 5 illustrates impedance matching characteristics of a power extractor from a load perspective, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 each illustrate a system including a power supply, a power extractor, and a load according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates details of some embodiments of the system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of power variation associated with a current-voltage (IV) curve and a power curve;

FIG. 10 is a table illustrating operational concepts of a power extractor according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates two examples of sawtooth waves and switch control signals according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 12 and 13 each show a block diagram of a power slope detection circuit according to some embodiments;

FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of an example of an integrator circuit that may be used in some embodiments;

fig. 15 illustrates connectors connecting a power source and a load to a power extractor and/or a circuit board, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 16 illustrates a circuit between a power supply and a node according to some embodiments;

FIG. 17 illustrates a diode between a power supply and a node according to some embodiments;

fig. 18 shows an example of the power transfer circuit of fig. 8;

19-22 each show an example of a power transfer circuit according to some embodiments;

FIG. 23 shows a battery with the positive terminal connected to ground;

FIG. 24 illustrates a comparison circuit that may be used in some embodiments;

FIG. 25 illustrates a system including a power supply, a power extractor, and a load, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 26 illustrates process control connected to a load according to some embodiments;

FIG. 27 illustrates two different battery loads connected to an output node through a switch, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate various details of a power extractor according to some embodiments;

FIG. 30 illustrates a power extractor coupled between one or more batteries and a load, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 31 illustrates a parallel configuration of a battery and a power extractor coupled to a load, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 32 illustrates a side view of an integrated circuit including an optoelectronic power supply and a power extractor, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 33 shows a top view of the integrated circuit of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 shows the set of integrated circuits of FIG. 32 in an array;

35-37 each illustrate a group of Photovoltaic (PV) cells or panels with corresponding power extractors, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 38 illustrates groups of series-connected power extractors in parallel, wherein each group is coupled to a power supply, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 39 illustrates a series connected group of power extractors, wherein each power extractor is coupled to a power supply, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 40 illustrates a power extractor and transmission line according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 41 and 42 illustrate a power extractor for use in an apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 43 illustrates a system having a power extractor coupled between a regenerative generator and a battery, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 44 illustrates the assembly of a planar inductive device using transformer clamps;

FIG. 45 illustrates a system similar to FIG. 2 with a central processor collecting data from or providing signals to a power extractor, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 46 illustrates a system having a power supply, a power extractor, and a central station that collects data from or provides signals to the power extractor, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 47 illustrates a system having multiple power sources, power extractors, and multiple loads, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 48 illustrates a watch system with multiple power sources, a power extractor, and multiple loads, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 49 illustrates a wireless router system with multiple power sources, power extractors, and multiple loads according to some embodiments;

fig. 50 illustrates a pacemaker system having multiple power sources, power extractors, and loads according to some embodiments;

fig. 51 illustrates a system having multiple power sources, power extractors, and multiple AC loads according to some embodiments.

The following description of specific details and implementations includes a drawing description that describes some or all of the implementations described below, and discusses other possible implementations or implementations of the inventive concepts presented herein. An overview of embodiments of the invention is as follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are described in more detail below.

Detailed Description

Power extractors for providing DC to DC or DC to AC power from one or more power sources to one or more loads are described below. The power extractor is referred to as a power "extractor" because its operation may, to some extent, draw more power from the power source than it would otherwise. In an example of the invention, the power extractor operates to obtain impedance matching between the power source and the combination of the power extractor and the load, and between the load and the combination of the power source and the power extractor. This is called universal impedance matching because it occurs both from the power source perspective and from the load perspective. Impedance matching allows the power supply to provide more power than without impedance matching. In some embodiments, the power extractor is a power extraction switching converter, as described below.

As described herein, the power extractor may be provided in any number of dynamic adjustment applications. The system may have one or more power sources, either wired or offline, and one or more loads, either likewise wired or offline. Power transfer may be applied dynamically and intelligently by the power extractor rather than having a static configuration of the transfer power.

In some embodiments, impedance matching occurs as a result of the power extractor seeking maximum power. In some embodiments, the power extractor generates impedance matching by varying a duty cycle of a switching circuit of a power transfer circuit coupled to the power extractor, thereby increasing power until maximum power is reached. The duty cycle is changed in response to the detected power change. In some embodiments, the power change is detected continuously by analog circuitry, while in other embodiments, the power change is detected continuously by digital circuitry. In some embodiments, the detected change in power comprises a power slope, such as an instantaneous power slope. When the detected power changes to zero (not just a local zero change) at the true power maximum, the power delivered is of a magnitude (class or amount) that the power supply provides maximum power under certain conditions outside the power extractor control. In some embodiments, the maximum available power is typically reached very closely. The maximum available power that is actually reached is a very closely reached example. Examples of conditions outside of power extractor control to which some power sources are applied include environmental conditions (e.g., amount of sunlight, amount of temperature) and power source size (e.g., larger photovoltaic cells or a larger number of cells that can provide more power). If the impedance of the power extractor is such that power is extracted when the power is at a current too high, a voltage too high, a current too low, or a voltage too low, the power supply will provide less power than the maximum amount of power. The maximum amount of power will be obtained at a particular impedance. Reference is made to fig. 9 and 10 and the related discussion.

As used herein, a DC power source (referred to herein as a power source) includes any power source that can generate and/or draw DC power. Examples of DC power sources that may be used in embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic cells or panels, batteries or battery packs, and sources of power derived from wind, water (e.g., hydroelectric), tidal power, thermal power (e.g., thermal coupling), hydrogen power, gas power, nuclear power, mechanical deformation, piezoelectricity, and motion (e.g., human motion such as walking or running, etc.). The power source may include natural and artificial sources of energy, and may be steady (providing substantially constant power that varies at a certain magnitude) or unsteady (providing power that varies over time). In some embodiments, the power source comprises a sub-power source (e.g., there may be many units of a solar panel), while in other embodiments, the power source is unitary. One disadvantage of using sub-sources is that they may have different impedances and a single power extractor may be matched to the combined impedance, which may not be ideal for having separate power extractors for each source. A "power source" may also be considered an "energy source".

Fig. 2 shows a system that includes power supplies 32, 34, and 36 coupled to power extractors 42, 44, and 46, respectively. The power source 32 and the power extractor 42 form a power cell 52 that may be physically separate as shown in fig. 2, or may be connected as shown in other figures. Likewise, power supplies 34 and 36 form power cells 54 and 56. The outputs of the power extractors 42, 44, and 46 are connected at node N2 and cumulatively provide power to node N2. Load 64 is also connected to node N2. The load 64 may comprise a single load or sub-load, such as a battery (or battery pack), inverter, and/or another sub-load or other load. Nodes N1-1, N1-2, and N1-3 are between power supplies 32, 34, and 36 and power extractors 42, 44, and 46. The power supply units 52, 54 and 56 constitute a power module 58. A power module may include more than three power units, or only two power units. A load line 62 is shown. A unidirectional protection device (e.g., a diode) may be used to prevent reverse flow of current to the power supply, but this is not required.

Fig. 3 shows a system having a power supply 32, the power supply 32 having an output impedance Z1, the power supply 32 coupled to a power extractor 42 by a conductor 60 and a node N1. The power extractor 42 is referred to as an impedance matcher because, as described above, it matches the impedance in at least one mode of operation. In some embodiments, the power extractor 42 may operate in different modes. For example, in a normal mode of operation (referred to herein as the first mode), the power extractor 42 operates to impedance match such that the power supply provides the maximum available power. When referring to the power extractor 42 "operating to impedance match such that the maximum available power is provided," it should be understood that in practice, ideal impedance matching is generally not possible, and the absolute maximum available power is generally not possible from the power supply. However, under closed loop control including the power analysis circuit 74 and described below, the power extractor 42 operates to seek a desired impedance match, or a near-desired impedance match. In some embodiments, in the steady state case, the ideal impedance match may be very close.

Likewise, when it is said that the power delivery circuit delivers power at a magnitude such that the power supply provides the maximum power possible under certain conditions outside the control of the power extractor, it can be appreciated that under closed loop control of the power extractor, the power supply approaches the maximum power. In some embodiments, the maximum available power is reached in close proximity. It can be said that the power extractor seeks to operate in a manner such that the power supply provides the maximum available power. Approaching the ideal impedance match or maximum power does not mean moving continuously closer to the ideal match or maximum power. Sometimes a change in input impedance causes the impedance match to be closer to the ideal (or optimal) impedance match, and sometimes a change in input impedance (or a change in supply impedance) causes the impedance to be further from the ideal match, but overall the control loop causes the impedance match to be significantly improved than it would be without the control loop. This is also true near maximum power.

In the protection mode (referred to herein as the second mode), the power extractor 42 operates to protect itself and/or the load 64 and/or the power source 32. The protected mode may be entered in response to a restriction condition. Examples of limiting conditions are excessive voltage, power or current in the first node, the power extractor or the second node; too little voltage, power, or current in the first node, the power extractor, or the second node; and a means for limiting the conditions. In some embodiments, the power extractor 42 detects only a few of these constraints to determine whether to enter the protected mode. There may be additional modes and there may be more than one type of normal operation mode, and more than one type of protection mode. For example, in at least one mode, power conservation is important to achieve maximum power. This may be the case, for example, where the power source is a battery (see the embodiment of fig. 41).

The power extractor 42 includes a power transfer circuit 72, fig. 3, located between nodes N1 and N2 and provides output power to a load 64 through node N2 and load line 62. For ease of illustration, power extractor 42 is shown partially overlapping nodes N1 and N2. However, nodes N1 and N2 may be considered to be at the boundary of the power extractor 42, but note the discussion in fig. 8 and 15. Load 64 has an input impedance Z3. The power extractor 42 includes a power analysis circuit 74, which power analysis circuit 74 analyzes the power and provides a switching circuit control signal to a control switching circuit 78. The switching circuit 78 operates to at least partially control the operation of the power transfer circuit 72. The power extractor 42 includes an input impedance Z2 and an output impedance Z2^*. When a change in power is detected, the power analysis circuit 74 responds by adjusting the timing (e.g., duty cycle) of the switching circuit 78. The switching circuit 78 may also react in a manner that seeks to maximize energy transfer efficiency, for example, by varying the switching frequency of the switching circuit 78.

Fig. 4 and 5 show the power extractor 42 impedance matching characteristics of fig. 3. In fig. 4, the power supply 32 has an impedance Z1, referred to as a first impedance in fig. 4. The power extractor 42 has an input impedance Z2 and the load 64 has an impedance Z3. In fig. 4, the combination of Z2 and Z3 is referred to as a second impedance. When considering the power extractor 42, the impedance seen (see) by the power supply 32 is equal to its own impedance. In other words, the power extractor 42 dynamically matches the impedance of the power supply 32 (i.e., Z1 — Z2+ Z3), so the first and second impedances are equal to each other.

Fig. 5 shows that the impedance encountered by the load 64 when considering the power extractor 42 is also equal to its own impedance. In FIG. 5, the first impedance is Z1 and Z2^*(the output impedance of the power extractor 42) and the second impedance is Z3. Load 64 encounters an output impedance Z2 on power extractor 42^*. In this way, the power extractor 42 also dynamically matches the impedance of the load (i.e., Z3-Z1 + Z2)^*) And thus the first and second impedances are matched. Assuming the impedance of the power extractor 42, it typically differs depending on whether the impedance is measured at N1 or N2 (Z2 or Z2)^*) The impedance encountered by the source (Z2+ Z3) and the impedance encountered by the load (Z1+ Z2)^*) Can be considered as a virtual impedance.

In some embodiments, whether the power extractor 42 seeks impedance matching with the power source 32 depends on whether the load 64 can receive all of the power that the power source 32 can provide. If the load 64 can receive more power than the power source 32 can provide, the power extractor 42 seeks to match its input impedance to the output impedance of the power source 32, but does not necessarily seek to match its output impedance to the input impedance of the load 64. If the load 64 can receive less power than the power source 32 can provide, the power extractor 42 may enter a mode (possibly a protection mode) in which the power extractor 42 does not seek to match its input impedance to the output impedance of the power source 32, but may seek to match its output impedance to the input impedance of the load 64. If the load 64 can just or substantially just receive the power that the power source 32 can provide, the power extractor 42 seeks to match its input impedance to the output impedance of the power source 32 and its output impedance to the input impedance of the load 64. In other embodiments, the power extractor 42 may operate differently. Impedance matching at the output node (node N2 in fig. 3) may occur when the power extractors are connected together.

Fig. 6 shows circuit 82 and circuit 86 separated by node N3 in power transfer circuit 72. The impedances of circuits 82 and 86 are complementary (given mutual assistance) and are adjusted so that the total impedance of power extractor 42 and load 64 matches the output impedance of power source 32. In some embodiments and cases, the total impedance of the power source 32 and the power extractor 42 matches the input impedance of the load 64. Power is continuously transferred from the power supply 32 through the circuit 82. The duty cycle of S1 is dynamically adjusted to facilitate matching the virtual impedance to the power supply 32. Once the impedances are matched, the power drawn from the power supply 32 is maximized. Likewise, power is continuously delivered from the circuit 86 to the load 64. When the impedance of circuit 86 matches the impedance of load 64, the amount of power into load 64 is maximized. Control loop 70 includes a power analysis circuit 74 and a switch control circuit 80. In some embodiments, the control loop 70 is implemented in part in software. Switch S1 is controlled by switch control circuit 80. The power change analysis circuit 74 detects a change in power from the power supply 32 at node N1 and communicates with the switch control circuit 80. The switch control circuit 80 controls, for example, the duty cycle of S1 to increase power, as described below.

Fig. 7 illustrates another power transfer circuit configuration that may be used with some embodiments of the invention. In fig. 7, power transfer circuit 72 includes a circuit 84 between circuits 82 and 86, having a node N3 between circuits 82 and 84 and a node N4 between circuits 84 and 86. The switch control circuit 80 provides switching signals for controlling the switches S1 and S2. In some embodiments, the duty cycle of the switching signal to S1 is opposite to the duty cycle of the switching signal to S2. In other embodiments, the switching signals to S1 and S2 are intentionally not phase-inverted. In some embodiments there are additional switches. Circuits 82, 84, and 86 may be complimentary (complementary) impedances and adjusted by switches S1 and S2 under control of switch control circuit 80, whereby the total impedance of power extractor 42 and load 64 matches the output impedance of power source 32 and the total impedance of power source 32 and power extractor 42 matches the input impedance of load 64. When the impedance of the power source 32 matches the combination of the power extractor 42 and the load 64, the circuit 72 may extract maximum power from the power source 32.

In some embodiments, circuit 84 transfers the accumulated potential from N3 to N4 without interrupting the power flow from circuit 82 to circuit 86. Circuit 86 has its output impedance adapted to facilitate impedance matching with load 64. The duty cycle of S2 is dynamically adjusted to cause impedance matching between circuit 86 and load 64. Thus, the circuit 86 may deliver maximum power to the load 64. When circuit 86 delivers power to load 64, circuit 82 continues to match its impedance to the impedance of power source 32, allowing maximum power to be delivered from power source 32 through circuit 82. The process continues when S1 and S2 are alternately turned on and off according to the duty ratio of the switching signal. In some embodiments, the switching states of S1 and S2 are controlled by a switch control circuit 80, the switch control circuit 80 receiving a switch control signal from the power variation analysis circuit 74 based on the available power variation at N1. Alternatively, the detected power change is a power change at a location outside of node N1, e.g., inside node N2 or power extractor 42.

Fig. 8 shows details included in some embodiments of fig. 5 and 7, but other embodiments include different details. Referring to fig. 8, the power change analysis circuit 74 includes a circuit change detection circuit 94 and other circuits shown in other figures. The power transfer circuit 72 includes circuits 82, 84, and 86. Circuits 82 and 84 include transformer T1 (including inductors L1 and L3) and transformer T2 (including inductors L2 and L4). Circuit 82 includes capacitors C1 and C2 and a node N5 that isolates C1 and C2 and is connected to inductors L3 and L4. Power supply through conductor 60 of node N1, interface connector 110, and node N1^*Is coupled to inductor L1. As an example, the connector 110 may be a receptacle (see fig. 15). If N1, connector 110, and N1^*The impedance difference between them is relatively small, they can be regarded as one node. Otherwise, they can be viewed as multiple nodes. For node N2^*Connector 112 and node N2 are the same. Inductor L1 is located at node N1^*And N3, and inductor L2 is located at nodes N4 and N2^*In the meantime.

The power change detection circuit 94 detects that at node N1^*Power of the line and in the conductorThe switch control signal is provided at 98 to one input of the comparison circuit 80. In some embodiments, the power change detection circuit 94 detects the slope of the power change and may be referred to as a power slope detection circuit 94 and provides a power slope indication signal (as shown in fig. 8). In some embodiments, the power slope is an instantaneous power slope. The other input of the comparison circuit 106 receives a waveform, such as a sawtooth waveform, from the waveform generator circuit 102. The comparator circuit 106 controls the duty cycles of the switches S1 and S2. In some embodiments, S1 and S2 are not both on or both off at the same time (except where there may be a brief transition when they are on and off). The waveform generator circuit 102 and the comparison circuit 106 are examples of circuits in the switch control circuit 80.

When S1 is turned off, as the electrostatic potential on C1 and C2 changes, the electromagnetic fields in T1 and T2 change and the energy from power supply 32 is electromagnetically distributed to T1 and T2 and electrostatically in C1 and C2. When S1 is turned on and S2 is turned off, the magnetic flux in T1 begins to decrease. Thus, the energy stored in T1 flows through N3 to capacitors C1 and C2 of circuit 84, storing some energy in a static electric field onto C1 and C2, and storing some energy through node N5 and inductor L4 into T2 of circuit 86. The remaining flux in T2 also begins to decrease, transferring energy to load 64 through N2. When S1 is turned off and S2 is turned on again, the magnetic flux in T1 begins to increase, as does the magnetic flux in T2, as it consumes some of the electrostatic energy previously stored on C1 and C2. The energy stored in circuit 84 is discharged and transmitted to T2 and load 64.

Multiphase energy transfer combines two or more phased inputs to produce a resultant flux in the magnetic core equal to the bisector of the input angle. (note: as is well known, the angle bisector of the angle is the locus of points equidistant from the two rays (half-lines) forming the angle.) in this embodiment of the power extractor, capacitors C1 and C2 are used to switch the phase of the current applied to the secondary coils of T1 and T2 (L3 and L4, respectively). Thus, the polyphase input is applied to the cores of T2 and T3. The sum of the polyphase inputs causes a change in the electromotive force that occurs during the increase and decrease of the flux in the transformer primary coils L1 and L3. The result is that circuits 82 and 86 exhibit neutralization of high frequency variations in the reactive components of the impedance of the power supply and load, respectively (within the bandwidth of the operable frequency of the power extractor). Circuits 82 and 86 may be poly-bisector energy transfer circuits to cause poly-bisector energy transfer and are connected to circuit 84.

Due to the dynamic nature of circuit 82, power supply 32 "sees" the equivalent impedance of power extractor 42 at inductor L1. Also for inductor L2 and load 64. By controlling the duty cycles of S1 and S2, the input and output impedances of the power extractor 42 are adjusted. The best match of the power supply 32 to the impedance occurs when the maximum power draw from the power supply is reached.

The power slope detection circuit 94, the power change indication signal, and the comparison circuit 106 are part of a control loop that controls the duty cycle of the switching circuit 78 to achieve maximum power extraction from the power supply 32 (i.e., Δ P/Δ V ═ 0). The control loop may also control the switching frequency of the switching circuit 78 to affect the efficiency of power transfer through the power transfer circuit 72. For example only, the frequency may be in the range of 100KHz to 250KHz, depending on the saturation limit of the inductor. However, in other embodiments, the frequencies may be completely different. The size and other aspects of the inductor and associated core and other devices, such as capacitors, may be selected to meet various criteria, including desired power transfer capability, efficiency, and available space. In some implementations, the frequency can be changed by changing the frequency of the waveform from the waveform generator circuit 102. Other figures show the control of the circuit 102. In some embodiments, the frequency is controlled by a control loop as a function of whether the current rise of the on-time in the energy transfer circuit is between a minimum and a maximum current.

As used herein, the duty cycle of the switch circuit 78 is the ratio of the on-time of S1 to the total on-time of S1 and S2 (i.e., the duty cycle is S1/(S1+ S2)). In other embodiments, the duty cycle may be defined by different ratios associated with S1 and/or S2. In some embodiments, when the voltages of the power source 32 and the load 64 are equal and the duty cycle is 50%, the power transfer through the power extractor 42 is zero. A higher or lower duty cycle may cause zero power transfer through the power extractor 42 if the voltages of the power source 32 and the load 64 are different. In other words, the particular duty cycle of the switching circuit 78 is not dependent on the particular direction or amount of power transfer through the power transfer circuit 72.

Note that power changes may be continuously detected and the switch control signals (fig. 7, 8 and 11) may be continuously updated. Using analog circuitry is one way to perform continuous detection and updating. The use of digital circuitry (e.g., a processor) is another way to perform continuous detection and update of the switch control signal. Even though updates from some digital circuits may not be exactly continuous in some sense, they may also be considered continuous when for all practical purposes producing the same result as actually continuously updating. As an example, the updating of the switch control signal is also considered continuous when the frequency of the change is outside the control loop bandwidth. In some cases, the updating of the switch control signal may also be considered continuous when the frequency of the change is within the control bandwidth. For example only, in some implementations the control loop bandwidth may be approximately 800 Hz. In other embodiments, the control loop bandwidth is above 800Hz, perhaps well above 800 Hz. In other embodiments, the control loop bandwidth is below 800Hz and may be below 400Hz depending on the desired performance and performance.

Fig. 9 shows an example of a typical current-voltage (I-V) curve and power curve. Multiple power sources (e.g., solar panels) produce relatively stable currents at different voltages. However, when the voltage reaches a certain threshold of these power supplies, the current begins to drop rapidly. The threshold voltage corresponds to the knee region in the I-V curve. Maximum power point (P)_max) Also corresponding to the knee region in the I-V curve.

Fig. 10 is a table illustrating the operational concept of the power extractor 42 according to various embodiments. Example (1), shown as arrow (1) in fig. 9, shows the power extractor as both power and voltage increaseOperating point of (B) is at P_maxTo the left of (c). When in P_maxIs operated, a large amount of current is drawn from the power supply 32 by the power extractor 42 and, accordingly, the power supply 32 provides less than the maximum available power provided by the power supply 32. The maximum available power is the maximum amount of power that can be achieved given environmental conditions and other conditions outside the control range of the power extractor 42. To reduce the current, the duty cycle of the switch control circuit 78 is reduced. This is also the case in example (2), where arrow (2) shows that there is also much current and less than the maximum available power from power supply 32 when both power and voltage are reduced. On the contrary, when in P_maxIn operation on the right side (examples (3) and (4)), very little current is drawn by the power extractor and is less than the maximum available power from the power supply 32. Therefore, to increase the current, the duty cycle of the switch control circuit 89 is increased. Fig. 9 and 10 show specific implementations in certain situations. Other implementations may operate differently and include additional factors. In a different implementation, the current may be increased by decreasing the duty cycle.

Referring again to FIG. 9, if the power is at P_maxFor a certain length of time, neither the power nor the voltage is increased nor decreased for this length of time. Accordingly, the duty cycle may remain the same. In some embodiments, the control loop includes a mechanism that prevents local power maximization (local minimum slope) from being interpreted as a power maximization (which is not true maximum power), so the duty cycle does not vary. One mechanism is natural noise that tends to cause the control loop to fluctuate resulting in power variations. Another mechanism is to artificially sense control loop fluctuations that, in some implementations, can cause duty cycle changes after a certain amount of time if the detection circuit indicates that power or voltage has not changed.

The power slope detection circuit 94 generates the switch control signal in response to the condition of fig. 10. Fig. 11 shows how the comparison circuit 106 compares the switch control signal with the sawtooth waveform. The duty cycle variation of the switch control circuit 78 varies with the area of the sawtooth waveform above the switch control signal. E.g. on the switch control signalFrom time t₃To t₄Than from time t₁To t₂Is small. A smaller area above the switch control signal corresponds to a lower duty cycle. In other embodiments, a smaller area above the switch control signal corresponds to a higher duty cycle. The voltages 5V1 and 6V1 are used for illustration and not for limitation. Additionally, in other embodiments, other waveforms (triangular, sinusoidal, etc.) may be used instead of the sawtooth waveform.

Fig. 12 and 13 illustrate examples of power slope detection circuits 94 that may be used in some embodiments of the present invention. The same or similar functions may be performed in various other ways. In fig. 12, the current measurement circuit 128 includes a voltage measurement circuit 130 internal to the power slope detection circuit 94 that measures the voltage across the small resistance Rs at N1 (or at another location) to determine the current (I ═ V/R). Although a small resistance Rs is shown, the current may be measured in various other ways, including by measuring a magnetic field. The voltage level signal (i.e., VN1) from N1 (or at another location) and the current level signal (i.e., IN1) from N1 (or at another location) are continuous signals. (in other embodiments, the voltage is indirectly derived.) the multiplier 134 continuously multiplies the voltage and current at N1 to determine the power at N1 (PN 1).

The differentiator 136 provides a signal responsive to the power change (Δ P) and the processor 132 provides a signal responsive to the voltage change (Δ V). In some embodiments, the differentiator 136 measures the power slope. Δ P/Δ V represents the slope of the power at node N1 (or elsewhere). Maximum power is reached when Δ P/Δ V is 0. The slope of the power (or just the power change) can be determined in various ways. The power slope may be an instantaneous power slope determined by analog circuitry. Alternatively, the power slope or just the power change may be detected by a digital circuit, e.g. a processor, by comparing the samples. The processor may compare the samples and determine the slope and corresponding voltage change (or voltage slope). Alternatively, the processor may simply determine whether the power is increasing or decreasing and the corresponding voltage is increasing or decreasing. In some embodiments, the differentiator 136 provides only the magnitude of the power change (power slope), in other embodiments both magnitude and direction. For example, the slope direction at point (1) in fig. 9 is positive, while the slope direction at point (2) is negative, although having similar magnitudes.

The power slope detection circuit 94 includes a voltage change detection circuit 132, which may be a processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or other circuit. The circuit 132 may also perform the scaling discussed. In some embodiments, circuit 94 detects the slope of the voltage change, and in other embodiments, it only detects whether the voltage is increasing or decreasing. Which may detect the change by analog or digital circuitry. In some embodiments, only the direction of the voltage change is relevant. Referring again to fig. 9, example (1) involves increasing the voltage (positive) and example (2) involves decreasing the voltage (negative). Therefore, in example (2) of fig. 10, when the differentiator 136 indicates a power decrease, the voltage change detection circuit 132 indicates a voltage decrease. When the voltage decreases, the control inverter 138 inverts the negative output of the differentiator 136, which results in a positive number corresponding to a positive power slope at point (2). Thus, by combining the results of the differentiator 136 and the voltage change detection circuit 132, the power slope detection circuit 94 may determine whether to increase or decrease the current. As shown in fig. 10, when the power slope is positive (examples (1) and (2)), the duty cycle of the switching circuit 78 is reduced; when the power slope is negative (examples (3) and (4)), the duty cycle is increased. In some embodiments, the output of the control inverter 138 is amplified by amplifier 140 (amplifier a1), which outputs a signal in a suitable range for comparison with a waveform (as shown in fig. 11). Further, in some embodiments, the integrator 144 may be used as a low pass filter and smooth out other fast variations.

In some embodiments, the switch control signal is dependent on the steepness of the power slope or the amount of power change, in other embodiments the change is incremental. In some embodiments, circuit 94 does not model the power curve, which is simply responsive to detected voltage and current changes to move toward maximum power, without knowing where in the curve the maximum power is. Of course, it is not necessary to know what the power curve looks like. In other embodiments, circuit 94 or other circuitry, such as processor 172 in fig. 25, models the power curve.

In some embodiments, the input (e.g., voltage and/or current) and the control loop may define a saturation limit for each inductor in the power transfer circuit 72. In other words, the saturation limit of each inductor may be independent of the output of the power extractor and the switching frequency.

Fig. 13 illustrates how, in some embodiments, the voltage change is detected by an analog detection circuit 148 (e.g., a differentiator, etc.). Additionally, the external current sensor 146 may measure the amount of current delivered through the power extractor and communicate this information to the power slope detection circuit 94. The amplifier 140 may also be controlled by a processor, ASIC, or FPGA150 based on various conditions including, but not limited to, weather conditions, charge levels of a load (e.g., a battery).

Fig. 14 shows an example of the alternative integrator 144 of fig. 12 and 13. An integrator 144 may be included in some embodiments of the power slope detection circuit 94 to attenuate (dampen) the switch control signal from the power slope detection circuit 94. The integrator 144 includes a resistor R1 at the input of the operational amplifier 152 and a resistor R2 in parallel with the capacitor C. The charge stored in the capacitor is "discharged" by the resistor R2. The discharge of charge by resistor R2 causes the output of integrator 144 to be lower over time than the input (received from the power slope detection circuit). This reduced output reduces the effect (i.e., damping) of the switching control signal on the duty cycle of the switching circuit 78.

The switch control signal may be derived in various other ways. Examples include making all analysis in a processor. Other examples include considering the saturation level of the inductor. In connection with the example shown in fig. 28. A Phase Locked Loop (PLL) may be used to detect the open and close times of the switches S1 and S2. This information may be provided to a processor, which may use the information for various purposes. Two phase-related signals may be used in conjunction with controlling the duty cycle.

Fig. 15 shows a plurality of connectors (110, 112, 116, 118, 122, and 124) for connecting the power source 32 and the load 64 to the power extractor 42 and/or the circuit board 156. The circuit board 156 may be in a housing 158. The circuit board 156 and the housing 158 may be in a wide variety of forms including, for example, a stand-alone box. Alternatively, the circuit board 156 may be in a consumer electronic device (e.g., a cellular telephone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)) or a computer card, where the load may be integrated into the housing, or in other different implementations. As described below, in some implementations, the power supply may be integrated with the housing. Different nodes (e.g., N1, N1) if the connector has a completely different impedance compared to surrounding nodes^*，N1^**) Can be viewed as a split node. A different node may be considered a node if the connector has a relatively smaller impedance than the surrounding nodes.

Fig. 16 illustrates that in some embodiments circuitry 160 may be included between power supply 32 and node N1. Fig. 17 illustrates that in some embodiments diode 162 may be included between power supply 32 and N1.

Fig. 18 duplicates the power transfer circuit of fig. 8 for comparison with alternative power transfer circuits shown in fig. 19-22. The values of the resistors, capacitors, and inductors (e.g., R1, R2, C1, C2, C3, C4, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, and L6) in fig. 18-22 are not necessarily the same.

Fig. 23 shows a battery 164, the positive terminal of which is connected to ground. N2 represents the node at the output of the power extractor 42. In some embodiments, battery 164 is connected to N2, whereby the negative pole of battery 164 is connected to N2 and its positive pole is connected to ground. Referring to fig. 7 and 8, one reason for having the configuration of fig. 23 is that, in some embodiments, the voltages at N4 and N3 have opposite polarities. For example, if the voltages at N3 and N4 are VN3 and VN4, respectively, VN3 is-VN 4. In other embodiments, battery 164 may be connected such that its positive terminal is connected to N2 and its negative terminal is connected to ground. Further, in some embodiments, the voltages at N4 and N3 are not opposite voltages.

FIG. 24 shows an example of a comparison circuit that may be used in some embodiments of the invention. The comparison circuit 106 may be any circuit for comparing the power change indication signal 98 with a reference signal (e.g., voltage reference Vr) for adjusting the duty cycle of the switching circuit_ef) The circuit of (1).

Fig. 25 is similar to fig. 8, but includes additional circuitry including a processor/ASIC/and/or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)172 (hereinafter processor 172), scaling circuitry 176, current sensors 184, 186 and 188. The processor 172 receives the indication of the sensed current and node N1^*Of the voltage of (c). Letters a and B show the connections between the current sensors 184 and 186 and the processor 172. In some embodiments, processor 172 also collects information and/or provides control to sub-load inverter 64-1, battery 64-2, and/or other loads 64-3 of load 64. The current information may be used to indicate information such as the rate, amount, and efficiency of power transfer. One reason for gathering this information is for the processor 172 to determine whether to enter a protected mode (e.g., the second mode) or a normal operating mode (e.g., the first mode). In the protected mode, the processor 172 may do various things to provide the power extractor 42 or the load 64. One option is to open switch S3. Another option is to open switch S4 shown in fig. 26. Another option is to provide a bias signal having a power slope indication signal to a scaling circuit 176 combined in circuit 178 to generate the switch control signal on conductor 98. For example, if the bias signal causes the switch control signal to be high, the duty cycle will be low, causing the current to be small. The adjustment of power in the protection mode may turn the power off completely or just reduce the power. In the protection mode, the aim is no longer to maximize the transmission power. In some embodiments, the purpose of the bias signal is not just the guard mode.

FIG. 26 shows a processor control line controlling switch S4, switch S4 may be opened to shut down any power transfer from the power extractor 42 to the load (e.g., inverter 64-1, battery 64-2, and/or other load 64-3). In some embodiments, processor 172 also controls power path selection between different sub-loads (e.g., inverter 64-1, battery 64-2, and/or other loads 64-3). In addition, temperature sensors 192-1, 192-2 and 192-3 are shown connected to different loads. Based on the temperature (e.g., much heat), the processor may cause switch S4 to open or close or otherwise regulate power, such as by biasing a signal or opening switch S3. The power extractor 42 may operate in the protected mode based on any device limitations. Examples of device limitations include one or more of the following: overheating, voltage, power, or current in N1, power extractor 42, and/or N2. Other equipment constraints are also possible. The power extractor may sense the state of an external switch, such as an immersed switch, or obtain updates through a memory (e.g., flash memory) to determine the load characteristics to consider when deciding whether to enter a protected mode.

FIG. 27 shows two different battery loads 64-1-1 and 64-1-2 connected to output node N2 through switch S5. This configuration illustrates the functional flexibility of the power extractor 42 in different embodiments. Given the source-side and load-side impedance matching characteristics, the power extractor 42 automatically adapts to and provides power to the load. In other words, the output of the power extractor 42 is power-the power, including the output voltage and the output current, is not fixed. The output voltage and output current are automatically adapted to the load without reducing the power. In other words, the power extractor 42 may operate independently of any voltage. In this way, the output power may be unregulated except for the protected mode.

For example, in some embodiments, the power extractor 42 extracts 60 watts of power from the power source 32 for delivery to the battery 186-1. If the battery 64-2-1 is a 12V battery, the power extractor 42 may provide 5A of current to charge the battery at 12V. If the battery 64-2-1 is switched or swapped to the 15V battery 64-2-2, the power extractor 42 will still provide 60 watts of power to charge the battery, in the form of 15V, 4A current. This example illustrates the flexibility of the power extractor 42, it being noted that the output voltage from the power extractor 42 needs to be slightly higher than the battery voltage to flow current into the battery.

In the above examples, and in some other implementations, the power extractor feedback point may be based on the output power delivery, rather than a conventional system where the feedback point is based on the output voltage or current. Other embodiments operate differently.

Fig. 28 shows further details of the power extractor 42 according to other embodiments. The current sensors 222 and 224 provide signals indicative of the current through the switches S1 and S2, which are summed in the summer 202. The power is related to the average current from summer 202. These may be provided to integrator 206 to provide a signal indicative of power, which is differentiated by differentiator 212 and amplified by amplifier 214. The voltage change (or voltage slope) may be considered as described above.

Fig. 29 shows voltage regulators 232 and 236 that take the unregulated voltage from power extractor 42 and provide regulated voltages as needed (e.g., to power various circuits within power extractor 42). Unregulated power is provided to regulator 232 through transformer T2 (inductors L5 and L6) and diode D1. Unregulated power is provided to regulator 236 through transformer T4 (inductors L7 and L8) and diode D2.

The power extractor 42 may be used to transfer power from one or more batteries 272 to the load 64, with the load 64 possibly including another battery. Fig. 30 shows a battery or battery pack 272 as a power source. One reason for using the power extractor 42 with a battery as a power source is that batteries with lower power and lower voltage may be used to charge other batteries including batteries with higher or lower voltages. Given that the power extractor 42 extracts DC power in whatever possible form (e.g., not a specified or fixed voltage or current), and whatever form of output power the load requires (e.g., not a specified or fixed voltage or current), the power extractor 42 is flexible and adaptable-with safety or other reasonable limits, with no limits on the types of power sources and/or loads that may be connected to the power extractor 42. For example, the power extractor 42 may transfer the available power in a 9V battery to a 15V battery for charging. In another embodiment, the power extractor 42 may transfer power from two 5V batteries to a 12V battery. The flexibility and adaptability of the power extractor 42 is in contrast to conventional charge controllers and other power delivery systems, where energy delivery from input to output is a byproduct of output voltage regulation. Fig. 31 shows parallel power extractors 42 and 44 receiving power from battery sources 276 and 278, respectively, and providing power to load 64.

Fig. 32 shows a side view of an integrated circuit chip (IC1) that includes an opto-electronic power supply 284 and a power extractor 286 fabricated on a substrate 282 of an IC 1. Power extractor 286 may be the same as or slightly different from power extractor 42. Fig. 33 shows a top view of IC1, which includes an opto-electronic power supply 284, a power extractor 286, first and second nodes, and a chip interface 288. There may be a diode between the power extractor 286 and the power supply 284. In practice, the layout may be slightly different, with the photovoltaic power supply 284 occupying more or less area than the service area shown. Likewise, the power extractor 286 may occupy more or less than the area shown. Fig. 34 shows a plurality of IC chips IC1, IC2, … IC25 connected by a frame 296 similar to IC1 in fig. 32 and 33. In addition to the power extractor and the power supply, the integrated circuit may also contain various functional circuits. Fig. 32 shows that the power extractor can be of very small size. Conversely, the power extractor 42 may also be of a very large size, for example in high power implementations. Fig. 40 is an example of such a high power implementation. For example, a portion of the control loop, such as the power slope detection circuit 94, may reach a significant distance from the node N1. In some embodiments, the distance is less than one meter, in other embodiments, the distance may be greater than one meter or may be much greater than one meter. Alternatively, the power slope detection circuit and the power transfer circuit may be in close proximity in the same container or housing. Optical or magnetic coupling may be used at various locations, including between node N1 and the power change detector.

Fig. 35, 36 and 37 show different configurations for connecting one or more power extractors (power extractors 1, 2, 3) and one or more photovoltaic power sources (PV), according to different embodiments. For example, in fig. 35, PV power sources (e.g., PV cells or PV panels) are directly connected together and to power extractors 1, 2, and 3 via connectors 320-1, 320-2, and 320-3, and 322-1 and 322-2, which in various embodiments may be glues, adhesives, mounts, and/or other connectors. In fig. 36, PV power sources 1, 2, and 3 and power extractors 1, 2, and 3 are directly connected while the entire unit is supported by an external frame 320. In fig. 37, PV power sources are interconnected and connected to power extractors 1, 2, and 3 by frame elements 330, 334-1, 334-2, 338-1, 338-2, and 228-3.

Fig. 38 and 39 illustrate different configurations for connecting multiple power sources and multiple power extractors, according to different embodiments. For example, fig. 38 shows power extractor PE11, PE12, and PE13 connected in series to increase the voltage from power supply S1. The power extractors PE21, PE22, PE23 in series with power supply PS2 are combined in parallel with PE31, PE32, PE33 in series with power supply PS3 to increase the current. Fig. 39 is similar, but each power extractor is coupled to a power source (PS11 to PE11, PS12 to PE12, PS13 to PE13, PS21 to PE21, PS22 to PE22, and PS23 to PE 23).

Fig. 40 shows an arrangement of power extractors on one or more transmission lines. Of course, the magnitude of power that can be delivered by power extractors 1, 2, and 3 in fig. 40 is much greater than that which can be delivered by the integrated circuits in fig. 32-34.

The power extractor of the present invention can be used to connect many different types of devices. For example, fig. 41 shows a power extractor 358 used in a device 350, such as a pacemaker. The pacemaker in this example is for illustration only; other types of devices may similarly be used in other embodiments. The power extractor 358 extracts power from the battery or batteries 354 to power the load 312 (e.g., the pacemaker itself). Power extractor 358 includes a processor/ASIC and/or other circuitry 360 for determining battery usage and/or battery life in the pacemaker. This information may be transmitted via the antenna 366. Based on this information, the doctor or technician or other person may send control information to the processor 360 to bias the power extractor, thereby conserving, optimizing, etc., battery power in the device 302 as desired. That is, it is not necessary to expect to use the battery having the most electric power, but it is desirable to conserve the electric power. The bias signal of fig. 25 can be used to assist in battery conservation.

Fig. 42 shows the power extractor 388 used in another device 382, such as a cellular telephone. Again, a cellular telephone is used as an example and illustration; other devices may incorporate power extractors in a similar manner. A power extractor 388 is included in the device 382 to extract power from the power supply 384. Examples of power sources may include light energy (including solar energy), heat (e.g., body heat), kinetic energy (e.g., walking, running, general body movement, etc.), wind energy, batteries, converting infrared to electrical energy, and so forth. Any power generated by the power supply 384 can be extracted by the power extractor 388 and transferred to the load 392 to power the device 382. Processor 390 may be used to control the desired mode, for example, to obtain maximum power output from a solar cell or thermally coupled power supply, or to try to vary battery power when the battery is low. The device may have a combination of power sources. Thus, in some embodiments, the power extractor 288 may be used to partially or fully charge a cell phone battery without having to plug the device 382 into a conventional electrical outlet.

As another embodiment, fig. 43 shows a wheel 404 having a regenerative brake generator 408, the brake generator 408 providing electrical energy to a power extractor 418 to charge a battery 418. The power extractor may seek to obtain the maximum power of the generator 408.

Fig. 44 shows transformer clips (clips) 512-1, 512-2, 512-3, and 512-4 that may be used to provide cooling to planar inductive devices, such as planar induction coils or planar transformers, comprising I-cores 514-1, 514-2, 514-3, and 514-4 and E-cores 518-1, 518-2, 518-3, and 518-4, which are supported 520 by Printed Circuit Board (PCB) components disposed in a chassis 522. The chassis 522 may be attached to the back side of a solar cell, solar panel, or other power source. The clip 512 may be made of aluminum, copper, or some other thermally conductive material. A heated glue or other heat conductor may be used to aid heat conduction. Of course, the system of FIG. 44 is not used in many embodiments.

Fig. 45 is similar to fig. 2 except that the processor 484 is in communication with the power extractors 42, 44, and 46. The communication may be unidirectional only or bidirectional. Examples of data or other information communicated are provided in connection with fig. 46. Memory 488 may hold the data for subsequent analysis.

Fig. 46 shows a system having a power supply 550 providing power to the same Power Extractor Switching Converter (PESC)552 as the power extractor 42. In addition to controlling the PESC function, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor or digital signal processor) in the PESC 552 may collect statistics for all stages of energy conversion and transmit real-time telemetry, power statistics, and energy statistics to the central station, as well as receive real-time data power control algorithms, management information, sensor management commands, and new software images from the central station. The collected information (including one or more of status, statistics, power extractor configuration, GPS (global positioning system) information, and environmental information) is provided by a processor in the PESC 552 to a processor in the central station 564 via wired or wireless (560) communication. The processor 484 and memory 488 of FIG. 45 are examples of components of the hub 564. A communication subsystem (e.g., ethernet) allows communication between the processor and the central station 564. The processor in the PESC 552 may include an input line side DC voltage and current sensor, a power station output voltage and current sensor, an output side DC signal sensing, and an output line side DC sensor.

Various additional components may be used in the above-described components. For example, a fuse and blocking diode may be placed in parallel with the load. If the fuse is blown because the diode is forward biased, it can be used to provide information with over current or over voltage. This information may be immediate use placing the system in a protected mode or for subsequent diagnostic information. The fuse may also be between the extractor and the load.

In some embodiments, an electrical circuit, such as a thermocouple device, may be used to recapture heat from the power extractor and generate electrical energy therefrom.

In some embodiments, power may be delivered in discrete packets.

Fig. 47 illustrates a system having multiple power sources, a power extractor, and multiple loads, according to some embodiments. System 600 provides a general use case for power extractor 630. Power extractor 630 is an example of a power extractor according to any embodiment described herein. There may be one or more power sources 612-614 coupled to the power extractor 630. Note that different power supplies may require different coupling hardware. The input coupling hardware 620 includes interface circuitry that couples an input power source to the power extractor 630. In some embodiments, the interface circuit 622 is different than the interface circuit 624. However, they may be the same.

The power supply 612-614 may be any type of DC power source (referred to as a power source or energy source). Examples of DC power sources that may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic cells or panels, batteries or battery packs, sources from which energy may be derived from wind energy, water energy (e.g., hydroelectric), tidal power, thermal energy (e.g., thermocouples), hydrogen energy, gas energy, nuclear energy, mechanical deformation, piezoelectricity, and motion (e.g., human motion such as walking, running, etc.). The power source may include natural sources of energy and artificial sources of energy, and may be stable (providing substantially constant power, but varying in intensity) and unstable (providing power that varies over time). The input coupling hardware 620 may be considered to include the entire interface (e.g., from cable/wire/trace to connector/plug-in to circuit), or only interface circuitry. The interface circuit may include any of the types of discrete components described herein (e.g., resistors, capacitors, inductors/transformers, diodes, etc.), as well as other components known in the art.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the input coupling hardware 620 includes switches (e.g., power Field Effect Transistors (FETs)) or other similar mechanisms that enable one or more power sources to be selectively decoupled or decoupled from the power extractor 630. The coupling or decoupling of the power supply may be performed by, for example, a control signal from a management portion of the power extractor.

Similar to the input side, the power extractor 630 includes, or is coupled to, output coupling hardware 640, which is coupled to the power extractor 630 in the system 600. Output coupling hardware 640 includes interface components 642-644. There may be a one-to-one relationship between interface elements 642-644 and loads 652-654, but such a relationship is not strictly required. One or more loads may be coupled through the same output coupling hardware. Similar configurations may exist in the in-coupling hardware 620-the relationship of elements to power supply may be one-to-one or other ratios. Ratios other than one-to-one may restrict the option of introducing an independent power source or load online or offline. These limitations can lead to reduced efficiency in impedance matching, although group matching is not necessarily inefficient. Thus, the loads and/or power sources are treated as a group, which may then be entered online or offline as a group, and the impedances matched as a group.

Loads 652-654 may also be selectively coupled to power extractor 630 through output coupling hardware 640. One or more loads may be coupled or decoupled via control signals according to a management policy. Power transfer manager 634 generally represents any type of power transfer management circuitry and may include one or more processing circuit elements, such as microprocessors, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Programmable Logic Arrays (PLAs), microcontrollers, etc. Management of power transfer is performed by power transfer manager 634, which may be viewed as operating in accordance with a power transfer management policy. Such policies control how power is transmitted or how power transmission manager 634 operates to manage power transmission. Managing power transfer operations may include setting output lines to an active or inactive state (e.g., switching (toggle) microprocessor I/O pins), or sending configuration control to other circuitry.

Power transfer manager 634 monitors the input power for power variations to determine how to control the operation of power transfer circuit 632. The power transfer circuit 632, as described above, may generally cause the power extractor 630 to convert power from a power source to power delivered to a load. Note that with the ability to selectively couple or decouple power sources and loads, power transfer manager 634 may include logic to adjust power transfer according to any number of power transfer scenarios. Such capability allows dynamic system configuration changes while power extractor 630 maintains transmission efficiency. The power transfer manager 634 and the power extractor 630 may dynamically and continuously adjust the system configuration and continuously monitor the input and/or output power curves. Logic may account for load requirements and power supply inputs. In some embodiments, the need for the load may be determined by monitoring hardware. A simple approach is to include a power profile of the planned load that informs the power transfer manager 634 how to control the output for the particular load. Based on load detection/monitoring, and/or an indication of the load by the external power source (e.g., the load itself sends a signal, such as triggering a load pin on a microprocessor, or a system management entity indicates which load is present, etc.), power transfer manager 634 may identify which load is present, and thus which feature is applicable.

One inefficiency of conventional systems is the "always on" aspect for switching power supplies. That is, conventional power transfer techniques consume power even when the load does not require power, and/or even when the power supply is unavailable. That is, some portions of the power transfer circuit always consume power. In some embodiments, the power transfer manager 634 may automatically turn the power extractor 630 on and off based on the presence of power and/or load. That is, for example, if the input power falls below a threshold (e.g., 1.0mA at 5V), the power transfer manager 634 may automatically enter a sleep state. When the power is above the threshold, the power transfer manager 634 may determine whether any loads are connected or should be connected. In the absence of power and/or a load, the power transfer manager 634 does not provide a control signal, which does not result in power transfer, or may generate a signal to disable active circuitry. The power transfer manager 634 may be complex and may also or alternatively include a timer structure that causes the system to wake up after a periodic time (e.g., 5 minutes) to recheck the state of the system.

In some embodiments, the concepts of power management embodied by power transfer manager 634 may be viewed as including a number of aspects. For example, power management may include business rules and controls, where each rule may control a different power control aspect, or control the same power control aspect in a different manner. Business rules and controls may be implemented in hardware, software, or some combination. Business rules can be broken down into planning rules, which are policy rules that focus on impedance matching or power curve monitoring. An organizational rule is a tactical rule that decides how to handle multiple inputs and multiple outputs. The rules may provide and/or execute parameters that provide specific functions of the power extractor 630. The control may perform an action or enforce a business rule. For example, in some embodiments, impedance matching may match only a single power supply. Selective matching may be performed for the input sources that best match reasonably.

In some embodiments, determining how to transfer energy to the load or determining the power transfer strategy includes determining or identifying and selecting a power allocation rule. Power transmission then occurs according to the selected power allocation rule. The power allocation rules may be simple or complex and may be generally categorized as follows.

The classification rules result in a simple priority of one load over another. As the source power fluctuates up and down, the power delivered to the loads may give priority to one load over another. One example may be operating circuitry that supports critically ill task devices while recharging one of a plurality of backup batteries at a lower priority.

The loop rules define a schedule for allocating power. For example, power may be allocated to one load for a period of time, then to another, and then to another. In this way, all loads may receive a portion of the allocated power in a given time period. A fixed allocation may be made for each load based on allocation rules. For example, the system may allocate 80% of all allocated power to charging the main battery, leaving 20% to one or more other loads.

Time-based rules allow power allocation based on time of day or time of week. For example, the system may be programmed with a daily rise/fall schedule and have logic to determine the peak hours of the sun. Therefore, a peak in power of the solar panel at a specific time of day is desired. Based on the time of day, the system may allocate power according to one policy or another. In another case, the system may have historical data indicating peak load usage. Power may be allocated at specific times of day according to the expected usage. Note that the peak input power and peak load may be actively determined and dynamically accounted for as described below. The time-based rule may then act as another framework for applying the rule. For example, cycles may be used during certain times of the day, while demand-based strategies are used at other times of the day.

The system is enabled to distribute power according to the function or purpose of the load in the system based on the function rules. For example, in a pacemaker, the functional circuitry may be given priority over charging the battery. Similarly, in an aircraft a priority level of treatment may be given to the navigation device over the cabin lights. The power delivery may be adjusted based on the demand rules to match the demand of the load. Additional detection circuitry (not shown) in the output coupling hardware 640 is required based on the demand rules. In some embodiments, power extractor 630 includes load balancing logic (hardware and/or software) to execute command-based rules. In some embodiments, command-based rules may also be used. That is, a hub or other control entity may provide rules on how power should be allocated, which may override any other rules or conditions already in the (override) system.

As already mentioned, the power allocation rules may be applied consistently, or adjusted, for any of a number of situations (change in demand, time of day, number/intensity of power sources, etc.).

The power transfer manager 634 may include or have an associated impedance controller 635. The impedance controller 635 may involve hardware and software that match the impedance of the input coupling hardware 620 and/or the output coupling hardware 640 to the impedance of the associated power source or load, respectively. The technique of impedance matching is as described above and will not be repeated here.

In some implementations, the power extractor 630 includes display logic 636. The display logic 636 may include hardware and software to generate status outputs and potential user interface functions for the power extractor 630 or the system 600. In some implementations, the display logic 636 is coupled to the power extractor 630 and is not a required part of the power extractor. In such an implementation, the block display logic 636 may represent a coupling component that connects the power extractor 630 to the display logic. The display logic 636 may provide the operational status 662 to the physical external power extractor 630. Examples include heartbeat signals, or more detailed information about parameters and operations passed to other hardware. Display logic 636 may include display control capabilities that allow system 600 to generate text and/or image representations for presentation to a user. In some implementations, the display logic 636 can include a message indicating information on how to operate the system. For example, in a system that relies on solar power, display logic 636 may indicate that the user should find a light source to prevent machine shutdown due to power loss. The skilled reader will appreciate that many other similar applications are possible.

In some implementations, information is exchanged with entities separate from the system 600. Such an entity may be a management entity or a central station, or some other entity. The transceiver 638 provides the power extractor 630 with the ability to send and receive information. The transceiver 638 may transmit telemetry indicating the operational status 662, such as where the system 600 is located, what the current hardware/software version is, what memory is available, what the current configuration on the system is, how much battery power is left, etc. The transceiver 638 may receive algorithms, configuration parameters, power characteristics, update firmware, or other control information. The transceiver 638 may communicate over a network or to individual devices via a wired or wireless link, potentially also providing secure communications.

Interface 660 represents a default interface that may couple power extractor 630 to any type of local circuitry, user input mechanism, or any other interface not explicitly discussed herein.

FIG. 48 illustrates a watch system having multiple power sources, a power extractor, and multiple loads, according to some embodiments. The watch 700 represents a watch having two power sources-a solar power source 712 and a thermal power source 714. The solar power source 712 may include a solar panel located on the surface or body of the watch. When worn, solar cells may provide energy from ambient light. The thermal power source 714 may be located on the distal side of the watch. Thus, when worn, the thermal power source is near the wearer's arm and can generate energy from heat emanating from the wearer. Neither source is a stable power supply. Without constant light, the wearer may remove the watch to remove the heat source (assuming "room temperature" heat is not a sufficient heat source).

The power extractor 720 receives power from the two sources 712 and 714 and then delivers it to a plurality of loads. In the watch 700, one load is the watch mechanism 730. Another load is a battery 740. Watch mechanism 730 represents an internal mechanism that causes the watch to display time, calculate date, perform a stopwatch function, store data, generate a display, move hands, or other available functions of watch 700. Battery 740 is a rechargeable battery and is therefore a load. When a power source is available, the power extractor 720 provides power to the watch mechanism 730 from one or both power sources. When neither power source 712, 714 is available, the battery 740 provides power to the watch mechanism 730.

In some embodiments, the watch mechanism 730 is a higher priority load than the battery 740. That is, the power extractor 720 first powers the watch mechanism 730 before charging the battery 740. Under certain operating conditions, the power supply 712 and 714 may provide more power than is required to operate the watch mechanism 730, the power extractor 720 will charge the battery 740. In implementations where impedance matching is performed, the power extractor 720 may choose to match impedances with only one load. In some embodiments, the highest priority available load will be impedance matched, while the other loads will not be matched.

In some embodiments, the power extractor 720 is impedance matched to the power supply 712 and 714. The power extractor 720 may only match a single power supply. In such an implementation, power extractor 720 may select an impedance matching the power source with the largest power input.

Both the battery 740 and the watch mechanism 730 have associated power characteristics. Along similar lines, both the solar power source 712 and the thermal power source 714 have input power capacity. Consider that the solar power supply 712 provides 0.3W of power in good lighting conditions and the thermal power supply provides 0.1W of power, for a total of 0.4W of power. If the watch mechanism 730 requires only 0.3W of power, the power extractor 720 may choose to close the connection to the thermal power source 714 when the battery 740 does not require charging (e.g., its power level is greater than a threshold). Perhaps the solar cell 712 drops to 0.25W under low light conditions. Therefore, the power extractor 720 will connect the thermal power source 714 to make up for the gap. If the combined power supply is unable to meet the needs of the watch mechanism, the power extractor may choose to have the battery operate the watch mechanism and direct the input power to charge the battery. The flexibility of the power extractor 720 provides the ability to apply power in any of a variety of situations.

In further discussion of the above rules, in some embodiments, watch 700 includes a dynamic power allocation policy. For example, dynamic ranking may be employed. Such an implementation may operate as follows: running the watch with battery 740 when neither power source 712 nor power source 714 is available; when the thermal power source is available, operating the watch mechanism 730 with the thermal power source 714; when both the solar power source 712 and the thermal power source 714 are available, the watch mechanism 730 is operated with the thermal power source and the battery 740 is charged with the solar power source 712. Other scenarios may be employed.

Fig. 49 illustrates a wireless router system having multiple power sources, a power extractor, and multiple loads, according to some embodiments. System 800 shows wireless router 810 having power extractor 812 coupled to two power sources, wind turbine 832 and solar panel 834. The power extractor 812 selectively transmits power from the power supply 832 and 834 to circuitry of the wireless router 810, such as the routing circuitry 814, and to the battery 816. The routing circuitry represents functional circuitry of the wireless router 810. The functional circuitry converts power into useful work. In particular, wireless router 810 provides network connectivity functionality to wireless communication devices.

It is contemplated that the power extractor 812 includes power features for the routing circuit 814. The power signature described herein may be a dynamic signature. That is, the power characteristics depend on specific conditions. For example, wireless router 810 is accessed more frequently during peak daytime hours or at night. At midnight or noon, the demand for routing services is much smaller. Thus, the features may account for business rules used that vary with time of day and/or device activity. In implementations where priority of loads is established, the priority may be switched under certain circumstances.

For example, if the wireless router 810 experiences less traffic during periods of light intensity when the use of the solar panel 834 is most efficient, then the solar panel 834 is preferentially used to charge the battery 816. In some embodiments, the battery 816 includes multiple battery technologies. For power characteristics of the batteries 816, which may include rules that instruct the power extractor how to deliver power to the battery assembly, each of the batteries is treated as a separate load. For example, peak hours of sunlight are better suited for charging lead-acid batteries (e.g., main batteries), and off-peak hours are better suited for charging Ni-Cad batteries (e.g., backup batteries).

The system 800 thus illustrates the use of various power sources and various loads. At least one of the loads is complex or consists of multiple loads. The concept of complex power characterization is also illustrated. Additionally, in some embodiments, wireless router 810 includes telemetry 818, which represents data regarding the operational status of wireless router 810. Communication controller 820 may be used to communicate telemetry 818 with a remote or separate entity. The communication controller 820 may also receive data from a separate entity. The communication controller 820 may operate via a wireless transceiver 822 and/or a wired connection 824. Wireless and wired communication techniques are conventional and well known to those skilled in the art. Any suitable communication medium and technique may be used.

Fig. 50 illustrates a pacemaker system having multiple power sources, a power extractor, and a load according to some embodiments. Pacemaker 910 illustrates a system having multiple power sources and a single load. Any number of power source and load combinations may be employed as desired for a given application.

Pacemaker 910 includes a power extractor 912 coupled to two power sources, a battery 922 and a thermocouple 924. The business rules may indicate that as many thermocouples 924 as possible are used, or that it is used continuously to trickle charge battery 922, or some other situation. Power extractor 912 transfers power from one or both power sources to operational circuitry 914, and operational circuitry 914 performs the functions of pacemaker 910.

Pacemaker 910 includes operating parameters 916 representing data indicative of pacemaker status, which may include critical information about how the machine is operating, whether it is active, whether service is needed, etc. The operating parameters 916 may also include information (e.g., configuration, rules) related to the operation of the power extractor 912. Thus, the power extractor 912 may obtain data from the operating parameters 916 for execution. In some implementations, this information is transmitted or received via a passive wireless communication system (e.g., Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) technology).

Pacemaker 910 includes an RFID communication integrated circuit (comm IC) 930. The IC 930 controls the antenna 932 and includes generating messages to be transmitted via the antenna 932 and receiving and processing signals received via the antenna. The general operation of the circuit, shown for example by RFID communication IC 930 and antenna 932, is as follows. Electromagnetic (EM) waves (e.g., inches or feet) are generated in close proximity to the pacemaker 910. The EM wave strikes the antenna 932, which then generates an electrical charge and produces a potential. The IC 930 stores potential energy (e.g., in a capacitor) and uses the potential energy to power the IC. The IC then generates a message from the operating parameters 916 and sends the message. In the receive case, IC 930 receives and processes the message and stores one or more entries into operating parameters 916 for use by power extractor 912.

FIG. 51 illustrates a system having multiple power sources, a power extractor, and multiple AC loads, according to some embodiments. System 1000 represents a power transfer system having an inverter. As is well known in the art, an inverter is an electronic device or system that generates Alternating Current (AC) from Direct Current (DC). Typically, the DC-to-AC conversion is done as a square wave DC current to a sinusoidal AC current. Inverters are generally a key component of conventional Photovoltaic (PV) and other renewable energy systems for controlling the flow of electrons between these energy systems and various electronic loads. The inverter performs conversion of various DC power sources to clean 50-60Hz sinusoidal Alternating Current (AC). The inverter also performs Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), ostensibly keeping the generated power as efficient as possible. The inverters described herein may also have a communication interface to a central station for sending statistics and alarms.

As shown, the power extractor 1022 is a component of the inverter 1020. That is, the inverter system may include a power extractor as a power transfer element. The system 1000 includes one or more DC power sources 1012 and 1014 that can be dynamically coupled and decoupled from the power extractor 1022 to provide DC current. The operation of the power extractor 1022 is the same as the embodiments already described herein. The system 1000 differs from that described above in that the powered device at the output of the power extractor 1022 is an inverter circuit 1024. One or more AC loads 1042-.

Inverter circuit 1024 generally converts the output power efficiently delivered by power extractor 1022 and converts and filters the power in an efficient manner. The result is an inverter that performs at a higher efficiency than systems that perform with conventional techniques. The above discussion regarding power distribution strategies, distributing power to one or more loads, and the like, applies well to system 1000, as it does in the above-described embodiments. The difference is that the load consumes AC power instead of DC power. Similar problems of monitoring output power when implemented in the power extractor 1022 also apply to the inverter circuit 1024. The mechanism to monitor the power output is differentiated in the inverter circuit 1024 and the power extractor 1022.

The inverter circuit 1024 is a nonlinear current-mode energy converter that operates algorithmically. The inverter 1020 uses geometry or topology via an inverter circuit 1024 to perform its current transformation from the output provided by the power extractor 1022. The current conversion topology converts DC power to AC power under microprocessor control. The microprocessor may be a stand-alone microprocessor instead of the one used in the power extractor 1022. The load demand of the AC loads 1042-1044 for voltage, frequency, and/or phase may be sensed under software control and thus performed towards a desired voltage, frequency, and/or phase. Alternatively, or additionally (e.g., alternatively), the load demand for voltage, frequency, and/or phase may be a controlled configuration.

Load monitor 1026 represents one or more components, whether hardware, software, or a combination (e.g., hardware with installed firmware controls), that monitor the voltage (V), Frequency (FREQ), and/or phase of the output of inverter circuit 1024. Based on the detected and/or based on rules or external inputs, load monitor 1026 may provide a configuration to inverter circuit 1024. Note that even if the load monitor 1026 is implemented in hardware, if input to the microprocessor of the inverter circuit 1024, its input to the inverter circuit 1024 may be regarded as "software control". The load monitor 1026 may also include a communication connection (not shown) to, for example, a central station, wherein the central station transmits configuration parameters that are communicated to the inverter circuit 1024.

Additionally, or alternatively, the inverter 1020 may include a more "manual" configuration mechanism for the load monitor 1026. These configuration mechanisms may include switches (e.g., typically using configuration "DIP" switches (dual inline package)). Other switches or comparable mechanisms may also be used. DIP switches typically have an array of sliding bars or rockers (or even a screw-like rotary mechanism) that can be set in one or the other position. Each switch position may be configured with a different item, or a combination of all switch positions may provide a binary "digital" input to the microprocessor. Frequency selection 1032 represents a configuration mechanism that sets the output frequency of inverter 1020. Voltage select 1034 may be used to select the output voltage of inverter 1020. Phase select 1036 may be used to select the output phase of inverter 1020. The use of frequency select 1032, voltage select 1034, and phase select 1036 may enable inverter 1020 to operate properly even if the voltage, frequency, or phase information provided in the grid in which inverter 1020 operates is incorrect.

In one embodiment, an apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; a power extractor to transfer power between the first and second nodes, wherein when the power extractor is operating in the first mode, the power extractor is operated such that the strength of the power transferred is at least partially dependent on the continuously detected power change, and wherein the voltage and current of the first and second nodes are unregulated. The detected power change may include an instantaneous power slope. The strength of the power transmitted may also depend on the voltage change occurring simultaneously with the continuously detected power change.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a power source coupled to the first node, wherein the power extractor delivers power at a magnitude that causes the power source to approach providing a maximum available power in a given situation outside of the control of the power extractor, and the magnitude of the delivered power is dependent in part on the maximum available power. In one embodiment, the power extractor delivers maximum power provided by the power source when the power extractor is inefficient. In one embodiment, the power extractor typically does not actually reach to have the absolute maximum power from the power source in a given situation outside of the control of the power extractor, and typically does not actually reach to transmit the absolute maximum power provided by the power source when the power extractor is inefficient.

In one embodiment, the power change is a change in power of one of: the first node, the second node, and the power extractor. Sometimes the power extractor operates in a second mode that is a protected mode in which power transfer is adjusted in response to at least one detected limitation condition.

In one embodiment, the adjusting includes, in some cases, preventing full power transfer, and in other cases, the adjusting includes reducing power transfer below other available amounts. In one embodiment, the at least one detected constraint comprises one or more of: an over-voltage, over-power, or over-current in the first node, the power extractor, or the second node; too little voltage, power, or current in the first node, power extractor, or second node; and equipment constraints. In one embodiment, the device further comprises a temperature sensor to sense a temperature of a load coupled to the second node, wherein an exceeded sensed temperature is an example of a device limitation condition.

In one embodiment, when the power extractor operates in the first mode, the magnitude of the power transmitted depends in part on the value of the bias signal. In one embodiment, the power extractor adaptively matches impedance between the power source and the combination of the power extractor and the load.

In one embodiment, the power extractor includes a first energy transfer circuit connected to the first node to continuously transfer energy, a second energy transfer circuit connected to the second node to continuously transfer energy, and an intermediate energy transfer circuit connected between the first node and the second node to discontinuously transfer energy between the first energy transfer circuit and the second energy transfer circuit. In one embodiment, the first and second energy transfer circuits may be multi-phase bisector energy transfer circuits to cause multi-phase bisector energy transfer and are connected to the discontinuous intermediate energy transfer circuit. In one embodiment, the power extractor includes a switching circuit that regulates a voltage at a third node between the first and intermediate energy transfer circuits and a fourth node between the intermediate and second energy transfer circuits. In one embodiment, the operating frequency of the switching circuit may be dynamically adjusted to maximize the efficiency of power transfer between the first node and the second node. In one embodiment, the first and second energy transfer circuits each comprise an inductor and the intermediate energy transfer circuit comprises a capacitor. In one embodiment, the first, second and intermediate energy transfer circuits each comprise at least one capacitor.

In one embodiment, the power extractor includes a switching circuit having a duty cycle that depends at least in part on the detected power variation, the magnitude of the transmitted power depending at least in part on the duty cycle.

In one embodiment, a power extractor includes: power transfer circuitry for transferring power between the first and second nodes; an analysis circuit for providing a switch control signal; and a switching circuit for controlling the magnitude of the transmitted power in response to the switching control signal. In one embodiment, the analysis circuit includes a power change detection circuit for continuously determining a power change and providing a power change indication signal indicative of the power change, the switch control signal and the power change indication signal being the same. In some embodiments, the analysis circuit further comprises: a power change detection circuit for determining a power change and providing a power change indication signal indicative of the power change; a processing circuit for generating a bias signal in at least one mode of operation; a scaling circuit for scaling the bias signal; a combining circuit for combining the scaled bias signal and the power change indication signal to generate the switch control signal in at least one mode of operation.

In one embodiment, the power extractor is a switching converter. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a power source coupled to the first node, wherein the power source comprises at least one of the following power source types: photovoltaic, wind, hydrogen generators, batteries, piezoelectric, hydroelectric, thermocouple, mechanical deformation, and other stable and unstable power sources.

In one implementation, an apparatus disclosed herein includes: a first node and a second node; and a power extractor that transfers power between the first and second nodes, wherein the power extractor transfers power between the first and second nodes but does not adjust an input voltage or an input current at the first node and does not adjust an output voltage or an output current at the second node, wherein the power extractor includes a protection circuit for adjusting the transfer of power between the first and second nodes in response to an indication of a limit condition.

In one embodiment, the power extractor includes a power change detection circuit for a power change, the magnitude of the power transmitted being dependent at least in part on the detected power change. In one embodiment, the magnitude of the power transmitted may also depend on the voltage change that occurs simultaneously with the continuously detected power change. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a power source coupled to the first node, the power extractor at the first node transmits power at a magnitude that causes the power source to approach providing a maximum available power in a given situation outside of the control of the power extractor, and the magnitude of the transmitted power depends in part on the maximum available power. In one embodiment, the power extractor operates to transfer the maximum power provided by the power source when the power extractor is inefficient, wherein the power extractor typically does not actually reach to have the absolute maximum power from the power source in a given situation outside of the control of the power extractor, and typically does not actually transfer the absolute maximum power provided by the power source when the power extractor is inefficient. In one embodiment, the power extractor operates in different modes, wherein in a first mode the power extractor delivers maximum available power without adjusting an input voltage or input current at the first node and without adjusting an output voltage or output current at the second node, in a second mode that is a protected mode, wherein power delivery is adjusted in response to at least one detected limit condition and one or more of the input voltage, input current, output voltage or output current is adjusted.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; a switching converter for transferring power between the first and second nodes, wherein the switching converter is sensitive to changes in the power transferred between the first and second nodes, and the switching converter is continuously operated to seek maximum power by detecting a power slope and varying the power transferred such that the power slope tends towards zero.

In one embodiment, the magnitude of the power transmitted is dependent at least in part on the detected power slope and the voltage change occurring concurrently with the detected power slope. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a power supply coupled to the first node at which the switching converter is a power extractor that delivers power at a magnitude that causes the power supply to approach providing maximum available power given circumstances outside of control of the switching converter, and the magnitude of the delivered power is dependent in part on the maximum available power. In one embodiment, the switching converter operates in different modes, wherein in a first mode the switching converter is near delivering maximum available power but does not regulate the input voltage and input current at the first node nor the output voltage and output current at the second node, in a second mode which is a protection mode, wherein power delivery is regulated in response to at least one detected limit condition, and one or more of the input voltage, input current, output voltage or output current is regulated.

In one embodiment, a system disclosed herein comprises: a power supply coupled to the first node; a load coupled to the second node; a power extractor for transferring power between the first and second nodes, wherein when the power extractor is operating in the first mode, the magnitude of the power that the power extractor is operated to transfer thereby depends at least in part on the continuously detected power variations, and wherein the voltages and currents at the first and second nodes are unregulated.

In one embodiment, the power extractor may include a processor for detecting the changes and performing statistical analysis on the collected data. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a sub-power supply and the load includes a sub-load. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a power source and an additional power extractor, and may further comprise a central station for receiving information from the power extractor.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; and a power extractor comprising: a switching circuit; a control loop for controlling switching of the switching circuit; a power transfer circuit for transferring power between the first and second nodes under control of the switching circuit, and wherein when the power extractor is operating in the first mode, the control loop controls the switching circuit to cause the power transfer circuit to transfer power by an amount such that the power supply is close to providing the maximum available power at a given instance outside the control of the power extractor.

In one embodiment, the control loop includes a power variation analysis circuit for detecting a power variation and providing a switch control signal in response to the power variation, and in the first mode, the control loop controls the switching circuit in response to the switch control signal. In one embodiment, the control loop further comprises a comparison circuit for comparing the switch control signal with a reference voltage and providing a switching signal to control the duty cycle of the switch in response to the comparison. In one embodiment, the power change analysis circuit includes a power slope detection circuit for detecting a power slope of the power change. In one embodiment, the power slope detection circuit further detects an instantaneous power slope. In one embodiment, the control loop includes circuitry to detect a voltage change corresponding to the power change, and the control loop takes into account the power change and the voltage change in determining the switch control signal. In one embodiment, the power change may be a change in power at one of: the first node, the second node, or inside the power extractor.

In one embodiment, the control loop controls the frequency of the switching circuit, and the frequency affects the efficiency of the power transfer circuit. In one embodiment, the power extractor is a switching converter and the control loop controls a duty cycle of the switching circuit. In one embodiment, the power source is part of the device, wherein the other power source is external to the device. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a first connector and a first additional node between the first node and the power extractor, and a second connector and a second additional node between the second node and a load coupled to the second node. In this embodiment, the power extractor delivers the maximum power provided by the power source in the event that the efficiency of the power extractor is low.

In one embodiment, at times the power extractor operates in a second mode that is a protected mode, wherein power transfer is adjusted in response to at least one detected limit condition. In one embodiment, the adjusting includes, in some cases, preventing power from being completely transmitted, and in other cases, the adjusting includes reducing power transmission below other available amounts. In one embodiment, the control loop may include a processor that generates the bias signal and the magnitude of the power transmitted when the power extractor operates in the second mode depends at least in part on the value of the bias signal. In one embodiment, the control loop includes a processor that generates a bias signal and the magnitude of the power transmitted when the power extractor operates in the first mode depends in part on the value of the bias signal.

In one embodiment, a power transfer circuit includes a first energy transfer circuit connected to a first node to transfer energy continuously; a second energy transfer circuit connected to the second node to continuously transfer energy; and an intermediate energy transfer circuit connected between the first and second energy transfer circuits to discontinuously transfer energy between the first and second energy transfer circuits. In one embodiment, the switching circuit regulates a voltage at a third node between the first and intermediate energy transfer circuits and regulates a voltage at a fourth node between the intermediate and second energy transfer circuits.

In one embodiment, during the first mode of operation, the magnitude of the energy transfer is typically very close to the maximum available power provided by the power source. In some embodiments, the switch circuit, control loop, and power transmission circuit are supported by a printed circuit board sealed in the housing.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; and a power extractor comprising: a switching circuit; a control loop for controlling switching of the switching circuit; and a power transfer circuit for transferring power between the first and second nodes under control of the switching circuit, wherein when the power extractor is operating in the first mode, the control loop controls the switching circuit to seek to cause the power transfer circuit to transfer power at an order such that the power supply provides maximum available power in a given situation outside the control of the power extractor.

In one embodiment, the control loop includes a power variation analysis circuit for detecting a power variation and providing a switch control signal in response to the power variation, wherein in the first mode the control loop controls the switching circuit in response to the switch control signal. In one embodiment, the control loop further comprises a comparison circuit for comparing the switch control signal with a reference voltage to provide a switching signal for controlling the duty cycle of the switch in response to the comparison. In one embodiment, the power change analysis circuit includes a power slope detection circuit for detecting a power slope of the power change. In one embodiment, a power slope detection circuit detects an instantaneous power slope. In one embodiment, the control loop includes circuitry to detect a voltage change corresponding to the power change, and the control loop takes into account the power change and the voltage change in determining the switch control signal.

In one embodiment, a system disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; power transfer circuitry for transferring power between the first and second nodes; a switching circuit for controlling power transfer between the first and second nodes; and a control loop including circuitry for detecting a power change and controlling a duty cycle of the switching circuitry in response to the detected power change, thereby controlling the power delivery circuitry.

In one embodiment, the circuit that detects the change in power is more than one meter away from the power transfer circuit. In one embodiment, the circuitry to detect the change in power and the power delivery circuitry are located within a common container. In one embodiment, the power change is determined by measuring a signal from at least one of the following locations: at the first node, at the power transfer circuit or at the second node. In one embodiment, the control loop comprises a signal generator for generating a signal for use in the control of the duty cycle. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a load coupled to the first node. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a load coupled to the second node. In one embodiment, the power transfer circuit includes a first energy transfer circuit coupled to the first node to continuously transfer energy, a second energy transfer circuit coupled to the second node to continuously transfer energy, and an intermediate energy transfer circuit coupled between the first and second energy transfer circuits to discontinuously transfer energy between the first and second energy transfer circuits. In one embodiment, the switching circuit regulates a voltage at a third node between the first and intermediate energy transfer circuits and a voltage at a fourth node between the intermediate and second energy transfer circuits.

In one embodiment, the method disclosed herein comprises: transmitting power at a first node to a second node through a power transmission circuit; detecting a power change; in a first mode of operation, generating a switch control signal in response to a detected change in power; generating a switching signal for controlling the switch in response to the switching control signal; and adjusting the power delivery circuit by opening and closing the switch.

In one embodiment, the switching signal is generated by comparing a switching control signal to a reference signal. In one embodiment, the method further comprises generating a bias signal for generating the switch control signal. In one embodiment, the bias signal is used to generate the switch control signal in the first mode and the protection mode. In one embodiment, the adjustment of the power transfer circuit is such that power provided from a power source coupled to the first node approaches a maximum available amount given the circumstances outside of the control of the power transfer circuit.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; a photovoltaic power supply; and a power extractor for transferring power from the opto-electronic power supply between the first and second nodes, wherein the power extractor, the first node, the power supply, and the second node are respective portions of a single integrated circuit.

In one embodiment, the power extractor seeks to match the input impedance of the power extractor with the output impedance of the power supply. In one embodiment, the power extractor is operated to seek to deliver a magnitude of power from the power supply, whereby the power supply provides the maximum available power given circumstances outside the control of the power extractor. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a third node and a fourth node; a second photovoltaic power supply; and a second power extractor for transferring power from the second photovoltaic power supply between third and fourth nodes, wherein the power extractor, the third node, the power supply, and the fourth node are respective portions of a second single integrated circuit, wherein the second and fourth nodes are interconnected.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node, a second node, a third node and a fourth node; and a first power extractor for transferring a first power between the first and second nodes, including providing a first current to the second node, wherein the first power extractor includes a first power variation analysis circuit that detects a first power variation, and wherein the first power extractor transfers the first power at a magnitude that depends at least in part on the detected first power variation; and a second power extractor for transferring a second power between the third and fourth nodes, including providing a second current to the fourth node, wherein the second power extractor includes a second power variation analysis circuit that detects a second power variation, and wherein the second power extractor transfers the second power at a magnitude that depends at least in part on the detected second power variation.

In one embodiment, the first load is coupled to the second node, and the second node is coupled to the fourth node. In one embodiment, the second and fourth nodes are interconnected and a load is coupled to the first and fourth nodes. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a first power supply coupled to the first node and a second power supply coupled to the third node. In one embodiment, the device further comprises a frame supporting the first and second power supplies and the first and second power extractors. In one embodiment, the first power source is adjacent to the first power extractor and the second power source is adjacent to the second power extractor. In one embodiment, the first power extractor is operated such that in at least one mode the first power extractor seeks impedance matching with the first power source, and the second power extractor is operated such that in at least one mode the second power extractor seeks impedance matching with the second power source.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a central station for obtaining information from the first and second power extractors. In one embodiment, the central station also provides information to the first and second power extractors.

In one embodiment, the system disclosed herein comprises: a first power supply and a second power supply; a first node, a second node, and a third node; a first power extractor coupled to the first power source through the first node to transfer power from the first power source to the second node through the first node; and a second power extractor coupled to the second power source through a third node to transfer power from the second power source to the second node through the third node, wherein the first current from the first power extractor and the second current from the second power extractor combine at the third node.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises a load at the second node for receiving the combined first and second currents. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a frame, the first and second power sources being rigidly connected to the frame. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a frame to which the first and second power sources and the first and second power extractors are rigidly connected.

In one embodiment, a first power extractor is positioned adjacent to a first power source and a second power extractor is positioned adjacent to a second power source. In one embodiment, the amount of power provided by the first power extractor is dependent at least in part on a characteristic of the first power source and the amount of power provided by the second power extractor is dependent at least in part on a characteristic of the second power source. In one embodiment, the first and second power extractors selectively transfer power from the first and second power sources, and sometimes the first and second power extractors do not transfer power from the first and second power sources. In one embodiment, the system further comprises an additional power extractor for providing current from an additional power source to the second node. In one embodiment, the power source comprises at least one of: photovoltaic, wind, hydrogen generators, batteries, piezoelectric, hydroelectric, thermocouple power and other stable variable power sources, as well as other unstable power sources.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises a central station for obtaining information from the first and second power extractors. In one embodiment, the central station also provides information to the first and second power extractors.

In one embodiment, the system disclosed herein comprises: a node; a set of power supplies arranged in the frame; a set of power extractors each providing power from only one of the power supplies to the node.

In one embodiment, each of the power extractors is disposed adjacent to one of the power sources. In one embodiment, the power source is a photovoltaic power source. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic power sources are photovoltaic panels, each comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic power sources are each individual photovoltaic cells.

In one embodiment, the system further includes additional power sources arranged in the frame, and additional power extractors electrically coupled between one of the additional power sources and the node, respectively, wherein the additional power extractors are each positioned proximate to one of the additional power sources. In one embodiment, the power extractor and the corresponding one of the power sources are separated by a portion of the frame. In one embodiment, the power extractor and the corresponding power source are connected together. In one embodiment, the power extractor and the corresponding power source are coupled together by a viscous material.

In one embodiment, the system disclosed herein comprises: first, second, and third nodes; a power supply for supplying power to the first node; a first power extractor for transmitting power from a first node to a second node; and a second power extractor for transferring power from the second node to the third node and increasing the power voltage at the second node.

In one embodiment, the power source is a photovoltaic cell. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a transmission line between the second and third nodes. In one embodiment, the system further comprises: a fourth and fifth node; a second power supply for supplying power to the fourth node; a third power extractor for transmitting power from the fourth node to the fifth node; a fourth power extractor for transferring power from the fifth node to the third node and increasing the power voltage at the fifth node. In one embodiment, the first and second power extractors provide impedance matching. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a central station for obtaining information from the first and second power extractors.

In one embodiment, the system disclosed herein comprises: an energy source providing an unregulated source voltage and source current; a load; a power extractor for transferring power between the energy source and the load, wherein the power extractor transfers power having a magnitude that depends at least in part on the continuously detected power variations, and wherein the power extractor output voltage and output current are unregulated.

In one embodiment, the energy source comprises at least one of a stable energy source or an unstable energy source. In one embodiment, the energy source comprises one or more of a solar energy source, a tidal energy source, a piezoelectric energy source, a wind energy source, a mechanical energy source, a thermocouple energy source, a fuel cell, a battery, or a kinetic energy coupling.

In one embodiment, the energy source is a first energy source, and the system further comprises a second energy source providing an unregulated source voltage and source current. In one embodiment, the second energy source is a different type of energy source than the first energy source. In one embodiment, the system further comprises logic for dynamically selecting a transmission power from zero or more of the first and second energy sources. In one embodiment, the logic dynamically selects the transmission power from the first and/or second energy sources based at least in part on a power characteristic of the load. In one embodiment, the logic dynamically adjusts the power level delivered from the first and/or second energy sources based at least in part on the power specifics of the load.

In one embodiment, the load includes one or more energy storage elements or components that convert power into useful work. In one embodiment, the load comprises one or more batteries. In one embodiment, the battery is one of a lead-acid battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium ion polymer battery, or a nickel-cadmium battery. In one embodiment, the load comprises one of a capacitor, a supercapacitor, or a fuel cell. In one embodiment, the power extractor further dynamically matches an impedance of the energy source. In one embodiment, the power extractor further dynamically matches an impedance of the load. In one embodiment, the system further comprises an energy source detection circuit for identifying possible energy sources coupled to the power extractor.

In one embodiment, the system further includes a processing circuit coupled to the power extractor for managing power transfer from the energy source to the load. In one embodiment, the processing circuit comprises one of a microprocessor, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). In one embodiment, the system further includes a display circuit that displays an operating state of the power extractor. In one embodiment, the display circuit further provides an operating recommendation for the system based on the operating state of the power extractor. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a transceiver for communicating with the central station, the communication including telemetry transmission and reception of configuration management information.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises an inverter for receiving the direct current provided by the power extractor and generating a sinusoidal alternating current from the direct current. In one embodiment, an inverter senses an output frequency demand of a load and generates an alternating current having a frequency in hertz based on the output frequency demand of the load. In one embodiment, the inverter generates alternating current having a frequency in hertz based on one or more software control parameters or switch configurations. In one embodiment, the inverter provides sinusoidal alternating current at one voltage. In one embodiment, an inverter senses an output voltage demand of a load and generates an alternating current having an output voltage based on the output voltage demand of the load. In one embodiment, the inverter generates ac power at a voltage based on one or more software control parameters or switching configurations. In one embodiment, the inverter provides sinusoidal alternating current at a voltage and one or more phases. In one embodiment, the inverter senses a phase demand of the load and generates an alternating current having the phase at the voltage based on the phase demand of the load. In one embodiment, the inverter generates the alternating current at the phase based on one or more software control parameters or switching configurations.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: input coupling hardware having interface hardware for selectively coupling to one or more unregulated energy sources, each energy source providing input power at a source voltage and a source current; output coupling hardware having interface hardware for selectively coupling to one or more loads to provide unregulated output power to the loads as an output current at an output voltage. Or as an output voltage at an output current; or a combination thereof; a power transfer circuit for receiving input power, continuously detecting power variations, and providing output power having a magnitude that is at least partially dependent on the continuously detected power variations.

In one embodiment, the input coupling hardware has interface hardware for selectively coupling energy sources that provide at least one of different source currents or different source voltages. In one embodiment, the power transfer circuit provides output power having at least one of different output currents or different output voltages to different loads. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a power delivery manager having load characteristics indicative of the output voltage and the output current of each load, wherein the power delivery circuit provides the output power in accordance with the load characteristics of the loads. In one embodiment, the device further comprises a transceiver to communicate with a remote management entity, including sending status information and receiving configuration information. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an impedance controller for dynamically controlling the impedance of the input coupling hardware and the output coupling hardware to match the impedance of the energy source or the load, respectively.

In one embodiment, disclosed herein is a method in a power transmission system, comprising: receiving an unregulated current at a voltage from a power source; identifying one or more loads; determining a power delivery management policy to deliver power from a power source to one or more loads; and transmitting power according to the determined strategy, including transmitting an unregulated output power having a magnitude that depends at least in part on the continuously detected power change.

In one embodiment, receiving the unregulated current at the voltage further comprises: detecting one or more power sources; and selectively coupling and decoupling the power supply to manage input power to the power transfer circuit; wherein the power management logic dynamically adjusts the level of power delivered from the one or more power sources based at least in part on the power characteristics of the load.

In one embodiment, determining the power transfer management policy further comprises determining a power consumption of the load. In one embodiment, determining the power consumption of the load further comprises obtaining a power characteristic of the load. In one embodiment, determining the power transmission management policy further comprises determining a power allocation rule; wherein transmitting power comprises prioritizing provision of power to the load based on the determined power allocation rule. In one embodiment, the transmitting power further comprises: detecting one or more loads; selectively coupling and decoupling a load to manage output power to the load; wherein the power management logic dynamically adjusts the magnitude of power delivered to the one or more loads based at least in part on the power characteristics of the loads. In one embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting information related to the operating state of the power transmission system to a remote management entity. In one embodiment, the method further comprises receiving information from a remote management entity relating to application of the power transmission management policy.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; and a power extractor for transferring power between the first and second nodes, wherein the power extractor comprises a detection circuit that detects a change in power, wherein in a first mode of operation the power extractor is operated whereby an input impedance of the power extractor is dynamically changed in response to the detected change in power to closely match a first impedance external to the power extractor comprising an impedance of a power source coupled to the first node.

In one embodiment, the input impedance of the power extractor, as viewed from the first node, is equal to a composite impedance of the power extractor and a load coupled to the second node. In one embodiment, in the first mode of operation, the power extractor is operated such that the output impedance of the power extractor is dynamically changed in response to detected power changes, such that under some load conditions the output impedance of the power extractor closely matches a second impedance external to the power extractor, which includes the impedance of a load coupled to the second node. In one embodiment, the output impedance of the power extractor is equal to the composite impedance of the power extractor and the power source as viewed from the second node. In one embodiment, the power extractor and the load are each external to the device. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a first connector between the power source and the power extractor, and a second connector between the power extractor and the load, wherein the first impedance comprises an impedance of the first connector and the second impedance comprises an impedance of the second connector. In one embodiment, the impedance of the first and second connectors is negligible.

In one embodiment, in practice the input impedance is typically not exactly matched to the supply impedance, the output impedance is not exactly matched to the load impedance, but the dynamic variation results in the impedances being very closely matched. In one embodiment, when the power changes to zero and the power is at an overall power maximum, the input and first impedances are substantially matched, causing the power supply to provide the maximum available power given circumstances outside of the control of the power extractor. In one embodiment, the power extractor includes circuitry that prevents power from staying at a local power maximum at which power changes to zero. In one embodiment, the power extractor is sometimes operated in a second mode of operation, which is a protected mode in which the impedances are mismatched. In one embodiment, the impedances are matched within certain parameters regardless of the voltage or current of a power source coupled to the first node and the voltage or current of a load coupled to the second node.

In one embodiment, the detected power change includes continuously detecting an instantaneous power slope. In one embodiment, the power extractor includes a first energy transfer circuit connected to the first node to continuously transfer energy, and a second energy transfer circuit connected to the second node to continuously transfer energy, and an intermediate energy transfer circuit connected between the first and second energy transfer circuits to discontinuously transfer energy between the first and second energy transfer circuits. In one embodiment, the first energy transfer circuit is matched to an input impedance of the power extractor having a first impedance. In one embodiment, the second energy transfer circuit is matched to an output impedance of a power extractor having a second impedance that includes a load coupled to the second node. In one embodiment, the power extractor includes a switching circuit to regulate a voltage at a third node between the first and intermediate energy transfer circuits and a voltage at a fourth node between the intermediate and second energy transfer circuits. In one embodiment, the power extractor includes a switching circuit having a duty cycle that depends at least in part on the detected power change, and the magnitude of the transmitted power depends at least in part on the duty cycle. In one embodiment, the frequency of the switching circuit also controls the efficiency of power transfer, thereby affecting the amount of power transferred to the second node.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: an input port and an output port; a power transfer circuit for transferring power between the input and output ports; a power change detection circuit for continuously detecting a change in power, wherein the apparatus is operated to seek a match of an input impedance of the power transfer circuit and a first impedance external to the power transfer circuit, wherein the first impedance comprises an impedance of the power supply.

In one embodiment, the input impedance of the power transfer circuit and the composite impedance of the power transfer circuit and a load coupled to the output port are equal from the perspective of the input port. In one embodiment, the power source and the power load are external to the device. In one embodiment, the power source and the power load are part of a device. In one embodiment, the power source is part of the device. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a first connector interposed between the power source and the power transfer circuit, wherein the first impedance comprises an impedance of the first connector.

In one embodiment, the input impedance is typically not exactly matched to the first impedance in practice. In one embodiment, the power transfer circuit is operative to transfer power at an order of magnitude such that the power supply approaches providing maximum available power in a given situation outside the control of the device. In one embodiment, a load is coupled to the second port and the device is operated such that under some load conditions, the power transfer circuit has an output impedance that seeks to match a second impedance external to the power transfer circuit, wherein the second impedance comprises an impedance of the load. In one embodiment, the power transfer circuit includes a first energy transfer circuit connected to the input node to continuously transfer energy, a second energy transfer circuit connected to the second node to continuously transfer energy, and an intermediate energy transfer circuit connected between the first and second energy transfer circuits to discontinuously transfer energy between the first and second energy transfer circuits.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; and a power extractor to transfer power between the first and second nodes, wherein the power extractor includes a detection circuit to detect a change in power, and wherein in the first mode of operation, the power extractor is operated to dynamically change input and output impedances of the power extractor between the first and second nodes in response to the detected change in power to seek to match the input impedance of the power extractor to a first impedance including the impedance of a power source coupled to the first node.

In one embodiment, the power extractor closely matches an output impedance of the power extractor to a second impedance comprising an impedance of a load coupled to the second node. In one embodiment, the input impedance of the power extractor and the composite impedance of the power extractor and the load are equal from the perspective of the first node, and the output impedance of the power extractor and the composite impedance of the power extractor and the power source are equal from the perspective of the second node.

In one embodiment, the system disclosed herein comprises: a power supply coupled to the first node, a load coupled to the second node; a power extractor to transfer power between the first and second nodes, wherein the power extractor includes a detection circuit to detect a change in power, and wherein in the first mode of operation, the power extractor is operated to dynamically change an input impedance of the power extractor to closely match a first impedance including an impedance of the power supply in response to the detected change in power.

In one embodiment, under some load conditions, the output impedance of the power extractor is dynamically changed to closely match a second impedance comprising the impedance of the load in response to the detected power change. In one embodiment, the input impedance of the power extractor and the composite impedance of the power extractor and the load are equal from the perspective of the first node, and the output impedance of the power extractor and the composite impedance of the power extractor and the power source are equal from the perspective of the second node. In one embodiment, in practice the input impedance typically does not match exactly the impedance of the power supply, and the output impedance typically does match exactly the impedance of the load, but the dynamic changes cause the impedances to match very closely.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; a power extractor for providing power between the first and second nodes, wherein the power extractor is operated to dynamically vary the impedance of the power extractor in order to match the impedance to achieve a maximum power output of a power source external to a device coupled to the first node at a given instance outside of the control of the power extractor.

In one embodiment, the impedance of the power extractor and the composite impedance of the power extractor and the load are equal from the perspective of the first node. In one embodiment, in practice the input impedance is typically not an exact match to the impedance of the power supply.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; a power extractor for providing power between the first and second nodes, wherein the power extractor is operated such that a first impedance of a power source external to the device coupled to the first node and a second impedance of a load coupled to the second node dynamically match even as the first impedance changes and the second impedance changes.

In one embodiment, the power source and the load are each part of a device. In one embodiment, the power source and the load are each external to the device.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; and a power extractor, comprising: a power transfer circuit for transferring power having a current between first and second nodes; a power change analysis circuit for detecting power changes and voltage changes and controlling, at least in part, the magnitude of the power delivered in response to the detected power changes and voltage changes.

In one embodiment, the power extractor further comprises: a switching circuit for controlling the power transfer circuit; and a switching control circuit for controlling a duty ratio of the switching circuit; and wherein the power variation analysis circuit operates in different modes, and wherein in the normal mode of operation, in some cases, the power analysis circuit causes the power transfer circuit to decrease the duty cycle if both the power variation and the voltage variation increase or both decrease, and to increase the duty cycle of the transferred power if both the power variation decrease and the voltage variation increase, or the power variation increase and the voltage variation decrease. In one embodiment, the power transfer circuit includes a first energy transfer circuit coupled to the first node to transfer energy continuously, a second energy transfer circuit coupled to the second node to transfer energy continuously, and an intermediate energy transfer circuit coupled between the first and second energy transfer circuits to transfer energy discontinuously between the first and second energy transfer circuits. In one embodiment, the switching circuit is configured to regulate a voltage at a third node between the first and intermediate energy transfer circuits and to regulate a voltage at a fourth node between the intermediate and second energy transfer circuits. In one embodiment, the operating frequency of the switching circuit is dynamically adjusted to maximize the efficiency of power transfer between the first and second nodes. In one embodiment, the first and second energy transfer circuits each comprise an inductor and the intermediate energy transfer circuit comprises a capacitor. In one embodiment, the first, second and intermediate energy transfer circuits each comprise at least one capacitor.

In one embodiment, the power extractor further comprises: a switching circuit for controlling the power transfer circuit; a switching control circuit for controlling a duty ratio of the switching circuit; wherein the power variation analysis circuit operates in different modes, and wherein in the normal mode of operation, in some cases the power analysis circuit causes the power transfer circuit to increase the duty cycle if both the power variation and the voltage variation increase or decrease, and to decrease the duty cycle of the transferred power if both the power variation and the voltage variation decrease or both the power variation and the voltage variation increase and decrease. In one embodiment, the power transfer circuit includes a first energy transfer circuit connected to the first node to continuously transfer energy, a second energy transfer circuit connected to the second node to continuously transfer energy, and an intermediate energy transfer circuit connected between the first and second energy transfer circuits to discontinuously transfer energy between the first and second energy transfer circuits. In one embodiment, the switching circuit is configured to regulate a voltage at a third node between the first and intermediate energy transfer circuits and to regulate a voltage at a fourth node between the intermediate and second energy transfer circuits. In one embodiment, the first and second energy transfer circuits each comprise an inductor and the intermediate energy transfer circuit comprises a capacitor. In one embodiment, the first, second and intermediate energy transfer circuits each comprise at least one capacitor.

In one embodiment, the power analysis circuit operates in different modes, and wherein in a normal mode of operation the power analysis circuit controls, at least in part, the magnitude of the current in response to detected power changes and voltage changes, and in at least one other mode the power analysis circuit controls, at least in part, the magnitude of the current in response to at least one other factor.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a switching circuit for interacting with the power delivery circuit, and wherein the power analysis circuit controls a duty cycle of the switching circuit to at least partially control the magnitude of the current. In one embodiment, the power analysis circuit also controls the frequency of the switching circuit to at least partially control the magnitude of the current. In one embodiment, the device further comprises a power supply that provides power to the first node, and the power analysis circuit seeks to control the switching circuit to maximize power transfer through the power transfer circuit given circumstances outside of the control of the power analysis circuit and where the device is inefficient. In one embodiment, the power source is a photovoltaic power source, one of the cases outside the control of the power analysis circuit being the amount of insolation on the power source. In one embodiment, there is at least one intermediate node between the power supply and the first node.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a load coupled to the second node. In one embodiment, a power change analysis circuit is used to detect power and voltage slopes. In one embodiment, the power extractor operates to seek to match the input impedance of the power transfer circuit to the output impedance of the power supply.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; a power transfer circuit for transferring power having a current between first and second nodes; a power analysis circuit for detecting a power change and increasing the current whenever the power change indicates an increase in power and decreasing the current whenever the power change indicates a decrease in power. In one embodiment, the power analysis circuit includes circuitry for eliminating abrupt changes in power changes.

In one embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises: a first node and a second node; a power extractor, comprising: a switching circuit; a power transfer circuit for transferring power having a current between the first and second nodes, wherein the magnitude of the current is at least partially responsive to the duty cycle of the switching circuit; a power analysis circuit for detecting power variations and voltage variations and controlling the duty cycle in response to the detected power variations and voltage variations.

In one embodiment, the power analysis circuit operates in different modes, wherein in a normal mode of operation, in some cases, the power analysis circuit causes the power transfer circuit to reduce the current transferred if both the power change and the voltage change increase or both decrease, and causes the power transfer circuit to increase the current transferred if the power change decreases and the voltage change increases, or the power change increases and the voltage change decreases. In one embodiment, the power analysis circuit also controls the frequency of the switching circuit to at least partially control the magnitude of the current. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a power source coupled to the first node and a load coupled to the second node.

In one embodiment, the power extractor operates in different modes, and in a normal mode of operation the power analysis circuit controls the duty cycle in response to detected power changes and voltage changes, and in another mode which is a protection mode, the power analysis circuit controls the duty cycle in response to at least one different factor. In one embodiment, the at least one different factor comprises detection of at least one restriction condition. In one embodiment, the limiting conditions include any one or more of: an over-voltage, over-power, or over-current in the first node, the power extractor, or the second node; an excessively small voltage, power or current at the first node, power extractor or second node; and equipment constraints.

The background section of the disclosure herein provides various details that are believed to be correct, but may inadvertently include some errors. Such errors, if any, do not affect the description and claims of the present invention. The detailed description may also include some inadvertent errors that do not detract from the invention. Further, the detailed description section includes some theoretical explanations for explaining the operation of the power extractor. It is believed that these theoretical explanations are correct, but if some of them are incorrect, they will not affect the disclosure and description of the invention and the claims.

It will be appreciated that the flowcharts and diagrams included in the figures may be performed in a variety of ways, and that the actual implementation may include a variety of additional components and conductors.

As used herein, the term "embodiment" refers to the implementation of some aspects of the present invention. Reference in the specification to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," "some embodiments," or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, circuit, or characteristic described in connection with at least some embodiments is included in, but not necessarily all embodiments. Different references to "some embodiments" do not necessarily refer to the same "some embodiments".

When it is said that element "a" is coupled to element "B," element a may be directly coupled to element B or indirectly joined through, for example, element C. When the specification or claims state that a component, feature, circuit, structure, process, or characteristic a is responsive to a component, feature, circuit, structure, process, or characteristic B, it simply means that a is at least partially responsive to B (but may also be responsive to C, or both). That is, when it is said that a responds to B, a may respond to B and C simultaneously. Similarly, when it is said that A contributes to B, A contributes at least in part to B, but others, either alone or in combination with A, may contribute to B.

If the specification states a component, feature, structure, circuit, or characteristic "may", "might", or "could" be included, that particular component, feature, circuit, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claims refer to "a" or "an" structure, that does not mean there is only one of the structure.

Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments and implementations of the invention, in addition to those disclosed herein, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the illustrations and examples herein should be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-power-supply multi-load device having a power extractor, the device comprising:

a first node for providing power received from a power source, the first node having an associated first operating impedance;

a second node for receiving power to be supplied to a load separate from the power supply, the second node having an associated second operating impedance; and

a power extractor to transfer power from the first node to the second node, wherein each of an input impedance of the power extractor related to the first operating impedance and an output impedance of the power extractor related to the second operating impedance is adjusted based at least in part on an impedance from the power extractor toward the load and an impedance from the power extractor toward the power source including continuously detected changes in power when the power extractor is operating, and wherein a voltage and a current at the first node are not fixed and the power transferred to the second node is unregulated with respect to the load.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detected change in power at the first node comprises an instantaneous power slope.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power extractor adaptively matches impedance between a power source and a combination of the power extractor and a load.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power extractor comprises a first energy transfer circuit connected to the first node to continuously transfer energy, a second energy transfer circuit connected to the second node to continuously transfer energy, and an intermediate energy transfer circuit connected between the first and second energy transfer circuits to discontinuously transfer energy between the first and second energy transfer circuits.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power extractor comprises a switching circuit having a duty cycle that is at least partially dependent on the detected power variation, and a magnitude of the transmitted power is at least partially dependent on the duty cycle.

6. A multi-power-supply multi-load device having a power extractor, the device comprising:

a first node for providing power, the first node having an associated first operating impedance;

a second node for receiving power and coupled to a load, the second node having an associated second operating impedance; and

a power extractor, the power extractor comprising:

a switching circuit responsive to the duty cycle;

a control loop for controlling a duty cycle of the switching circuit, wherein the control loop comprises: a power variation analysis circuit for providing a switch control signal to the control loop, the control loop for controlling the switching circuit in response to the switch control signal; a detection circuit for continuously detecting a power change and a power level at the first node, a voltage level of the second node, and an amount of power that the second node can receive from the first node; and

a power transfer circuit for transferring unregulated power with respect to the load from the first node to the second node under control of the switching circuit, and wherein the control loop is responsive to the detection circuit when the power extractor is operating, and wherein each of first and second power storage circuits is modulated in relation to the first operating impedance of the first node for providing power and the second operating impedance of the second node for receiving power in response to the switching circuit and based at least in part on the detected power change and power level at the first node, the voltage level of the second node, and the amount of power that the second node is capable of receiving from the first node.

7. A multi-power-supply multi-load system with a power extractor, the system comprising:

a power source;

a load;

a first node for receiving power from the power source, the first node having an associated first operating impedance;

a second node for providing power to the load, the second node having an associated second operating impedance; and

a power extractor, the power extractor comprising:

a switching circuit responsive to the duty cycle;

a control loop for controlling a duty cycle of the switching circuit to provide a switching control signal thereto, the control loop for controlling the switching circuit in response to the switching control signal;

a detection circuit for continuously detecting a power change and a power level at the first node, a voltage level of the second node, and an amount of power that the second node can receive from the first node; and

a power transfer circuit comprising a first power storage circuit coupled with the first node and a second power storage circuit coupled with the second node for transferring unregulated power with respect to the load from the first node to the second node based on a duty cycle of the switching circuit, wherein the control loop adjusts a power transfer efficiency of the power transfer circuit under given conditions outside of control of the power extractor, and the control loop is responsive to a detection circuit, and wherein each of the first and second power storage circuits is modulated with the first and second operating impedances in response to the switching circuit and based at least in part on a detected change and power level at the first node, a voltage level of the second node, and an amount of power that the second node can receive from the first node And off.

8. A multi-power-supply multi-load device having a power extractor, the device comprising:

a first node;

a photovoltaic power supply coupled to the first node;

a second node coupled to a load; and

a power extractor for transferring power from the opto-electric power supply between the first node and the second node, wherein the power extractor, the first node, the opto-electric power supply, and the second node are portions of a single integrated circuit; and

wherein the power extractor is to be operated to dynamically vary an impedance of the power extractor in response to the detected power change and a capacity of the load to receive power generated by the photovoltaic power source;

when the load cannot receive all of the power generated by the opto-electric power supply, the output impedance as viewed from the second node is dynamically changed to closely match a first impedance external to the power extractor as viewed from the second node, the first impedance comprising the impedance of the power extractor and the opto-electric power supply coupled to the first node;

when the load is capable of receiving more power than the photovoltaic power supply generates, the input impedance as viewed from the first node is dynamically changed to closely match a second impedance external to the power extractor as viewed from the first node, the second impedance comprising the impedance of the power extractor and a load coupled to the second node; and

the output impedance and the input impedance of the power extractor are dynamically changed when the load is able to receive all of the power generated by the photovoltaic power supply.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the power extractor seeks to match an input impedance of the power extractor with an output impedance of the opto-electric power supply.

10. A multi-power-supply multi-load device having a power extractor, the device comprising:

a first node, a second node, a third node, and a fourth node, the second node coupled to a first load, the fourth node coupled to a second load; and

a first power supply coupled to the first node and a second power supply coupled to the third node;

a first power extractor for transferring a first power between the first node and the second node, the transferring the first power between the first node and the second node including providing a first current to the second node, wherein the first power extractor includes a first power variation analysis circuit for detecting a first power variation from the first power source, and wherein the first power extractor transfers the first power at a magnitude that depends at least in part on the detected first power variation;

wherein the first power extractor is operative to dynamically vary an impedance of the power extractor in response to the detected first power change and a capacity of the first load to receive power generated by the first power source;

when the first load cannot receive all of the power generated by the first power source, the output impedance as viewed from the second node is dynamically changed to closely match a first impedance external to the first power extractor as viewed from the second node, the first impedance comprising the first power extractor and an impedance of the first power source coupled to the first node;

when the first load is capable of receiving more power than the first power source generates, the input impedance as viewed from the first node is dynamically changed to closely match a second impedance external to the first power extractor as viewed from the first node, the second impedance comprising the impedance of the first power extractor and the first load coupled to the second node; and

the output impedance and the input impedance of the first power extractor are dynamically changed when the first load is capable of receiving all of the power generated by the first power source; and

a second power extractor for transferring a second power between the third node and the fourth node, the transferring the second power between the third node and the fourth node including providing a second current to the fourth node, wherein the second power extractor includes a second power variation analysis circuit for detecting a second power variation from the second power source, and wherein the second power extractor transfers the second power at a magnitude that depends at least in part on the detected second power variation;

wherein the second power extractor is operative to dynamically vary an impedance of the second power extractor in response to a detected second power change and a capacity of the second load to receive power generated by the second power source;

when the second load cannot receive all of the power generated by the second power source, the output impedance as viewed from the fourth node is dynamically changed to closely match a third impedance external to the second power extractor as viewed from the fourth node, the third impedance comprising the second power extractor and an impedance of the second power source coupled to the third node;

when the second load is capable of receiving more power than the second power source generates, the input impedance as viewed from the third node is dynamically changed to closely match a fourth impedance external to the second power extractor as viewed from the third node, the fourth impedance comprising the impedance of the second power extractor and the second load coupled to the fourth node; and

the output impedance and the input impedance of the second power extractor are dynamically changed when the second load is capable of receiving all power generated by the second power source; and

a frame to support the first and second power sources and the first and second power extractors.

11. A multi-power-supply multi-load system with a power extractor, the system comprising:

an energy source for providing an unregulated source voltage and source current;

a load;

a power extractor for transferring power between the energy source and the load and also dynamically matching an impedance of the energy source and/or an impedance of the load, wherein the power extractor transfers power having a magnitude that depends at least in part on continuously detected power variations, and wherein the power extractor output voltage and output current are unregulated.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the energy source is a first energy source, the system further comprising:

a second energy source for providing an unregulated source voltage and source current; and

logic circuitry to dynamically select to transfer power from zero or more of the first energy source and the second energy source;

wherein the logic circuit dynamically adjusts the magnitude of power delivered from the first energy source and/or the second energy source based at least in part on the power characteristics of the load.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

an inverter for receiving the DC power output from the power extractor and generating a sinusoidal AC power from the DC power.

14. A method of multi-power multi-load operation with a power extractor, the method comprising:

receiving a source current at an unregulated source voltage from a power source;

identifying one or more loads;

determining a power delivery management policy to deliver power from the power source to one or more loads;

continuously detecting a power change in an amount of power generated by the power source and

delivering power according to the determined strategy includes generating a current output without a fixed voltage to deliver an unregulated output power having a magnitude that depends at least in part on a continuously detected power change.

15. A multi-power-supply multi-load device having a power extractor, the device comprising:

a first node connected to a power supply;

a second node connected to a variable load; and

a power extractor to transmit power from the first node to the second node; and

wherein the power extractor comprises a first detection circuit for detecting a change in power at the first node and a second detection circuit for detecting a change in power at the second node, and wherein the power extractor is operative such that an input impedance and an output impedance of the power extractor between the first and second nodes are dynamically changed in response to the detected change in power at the power source and the capacity of the load to receive power generated by the power source;

when the load cannot receive all of the power generated by the power source, the output impedance of the power extractor as viewed from the second node is dynamically changed to closely match a first impedance as viewed from the second node into the power extractor, the first impedance comprising the impedance of the power extractor and the power source coupled to the first node;

when the load is capable of receiving more power than the power source generates, the input impedance of the power extractor as viewed from the first node is dynamically changed to closely match a second impedance as viewed from the first node into the power extractor, the second impedance comprising the impedance of the power extractor and the load coupled to the second node; and

the output impedance and the input impedance are dynamically changed when the load is able to receive all of the power generated by the power source.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the power extractor is to closely match an output impedance of the power extractor to a second impedance, the second impedance comprising an impedance of a load coupled to the second node.