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An electrical power conversion system that supplies the maximum available output power from a power source such as a solar array to a plurality of loads such as rechargeable batteries. The output power of the solar array peaks at an optimum current that is less than is maximum available output curre

An electrical power conversion system that supplies the maximum available output power from a power source such as a solar array to a plurality of loads such as rechargeable batteries. The output power of the solar array peaks at an optimum current that is less than is maximum available output current. The system includes a controller and a plurality of dc-to-dc converters that charge the batteries. The controller monitors the solar array\s output power and adjusts the battery charging by generating a current control signal that tracks a peak of the solar array\s available output power and sets a current limit such that the combined current draw of the plurality of dc-to-dc converters is substantially equal to the solar array\s optimum current at which it provides its maximum available power. The electrical power and control signals are transmitted from the power source and controller to the power converters on three bus bars, including a power bus, a control bus, and a common bus. The current control signal and the voltage control signal are multiplexed onto the single control bus. The controller and the dc-to-dc converters are mounted on planar printed circuit boards having clips arranged in a triangular pattern that allow the dc-to-dc converters to be easily attached to and removed from the buses.

대표청구항 ▼

An electrical power conversion system for delivering the maximum available output power to a plurality of electrical power loads from a power source that has an output power that varies with changes in the output current of the power source such that the output power from the power source peaks at a

An electrical power conversion system for delivering the maximum available output power to a plurality of electrical power loads from a power source that has an output power that varies with changes in the output current of the power source such that the output power from the power source peaks at an optimum current that is less than the maximum available output current of the power source, comprising: a voltage sensor that generates an output voltage signal based on the output voltage of the power source; a current sensor that generates an output current signal based on the output current of the power source; a controller that calculates the output power of the power source based on the output voltage signal and the output current signal and generates a current control signal associated with the calculated output power; and a plurality of electrical power converters associated with the plurality of power loads, each power converter receiving the current control signal and drawing current from the power source in accordance with a predetermined current limit set by the current control signal; wherein the controller tracks a peak in the available output power of the power source and sets the predetermined current limit of the current control signal such that the combined current draw of the plurality of power converters is substantially equal to the optimum current, thereby allowing the power converters, in combination, to consume the maximum available power from the power source.