US3896368A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage regulating device
Assignee: Umicore NV SA
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Filing: 1973-10-19
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Granted: 1975-07-22
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Expires: 1993-10-19
Abstract
Abstract Device for regulating the voltage of an electric energy source constituted of a group of solar cells gathered into modules. Each module have one terminal connected to a common conductor and an other terminal connected through a diode to a distribution conductor. The device comprises electronic interrupters connected between the common conductor and the terminal of a module connected to the diode, so as to short-circuit the module. A proportional shunt is connected between a point at the distribution conductor potential and the common conductor. A differential amplifier is provided between the distribution conductor and a reference voltage generating device. An analogdigital converter the input of which is connected to the output of the differential amplifier and a part of the outputs of which control the electronic interrupters, the remaining outputs controlling the proportional shunt.
Inventors
- 👤 Christian Rym
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:10
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; G05F1/613; G05F1/62; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291; Y10S136/293; Y10S323/00; Y10S323/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for regulating the voltage of an energy source constituted of a plurality of solar cells grouped into modules, each module having one terminal connected to a common conductor and another terminal connected through a diode to a distribution conductor, said device comprising: an electronic interrupter connected to the common conductor and the diode connected terminal of each module so as to shortcircuit the module; a proportional shunt connected between the distribution conductor and the common conductor; a differential amplifier connected between said distribution conductor and a reference voltage generating device; and an analog-digital converter the input of which is connected to the output of said differential amplifier and a part of the binary outputs of which control said electronic interrupters, the remaining binary outputs controlling said proportional shunt.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for regulating the voltage of an energy source constituted of a plurality of solar cells grouped into modules, each module having one terminal connected to a common conductor and another terminal connected through a diode to a distribution conductor, said device comprising: an electronic interrupter connected to the common conductor and the diode connected terminal of each module so as to shortcircuit the module; a proportional shunt connected between the distribution conductor and the common conductor; a differential amplifier connected between said distribution conductor and a reference voltage generating device; and an analog-digital converter the input of which is connected to the output of said differential amplifier and a part of the binary outputs of which control said electronic interrupters, the remaining binary outputs controlling said proportional shunt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said proportional shunt is constituted of a group of dissapating circuits in parallel each circuit being constituted of a shunt electronic interrupter controlled by one binary output of said converter and of a resistor serially connected to said shunt interrupter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device as recited in claim 2, characterized in that the values of the resistors serially connected to the shunt electronic interrupters are equal to the terms of the geometrical series: R (20, 21, 22, 23, . . . , 2n 3, 2n 3, 2n 2) n being the number of resistors.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for regulating the voltage of an electric energy source comprising a plurality of solar cells grouped into modules, each module having one terminal connected to a common conductor and another terminal connected through a diode to a distribution conductor, said device comprising: an electronic interrupter connected to the common conductor and the diode connected terminal of each module so as to short-circuit the module; a pulse width modulation regulator connected between the distribution conductor and the common conductor; a differential amplifier connected between said distribution conductor and a reference voltage generating device; and an analog-digital converter the input of which is connected to the output of said differential amplifier and a part of the outputs of which control said electronic interrupters, the remaining outputs controlling said pulse width modulation regulator.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for regulating the voltage of an electric energy source comprising a plurality of solar cells grouped into modules, each module having one terminal connected to a common conductor and another terminal connected through a diode to a distribution conductor, said device comprising: an electronic interrupter connected to the common conductor and the diode connected terminal of each module so as to short-circuit the module; a pulse width modulation regulator connected between the distribution conductor and the common conductor; a differential amplifier connected between said distribution conductor and a reference voltage generating device; and an analog-digital converter the input of which is connected to the output of said differential amplifier and a part of the outputs of which control said electronic interrupters, the remaining outputs controlling said pulse width modulation regulator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
169 words
A regulating device for a first plurality of solar cells grouped into modules, each of said modules having one terminal connected to a common conductor and another terminal connected through a diode to a distribution conductor, said device comprising; an electronic interrupter connected between the common conductor and the diode connected terminal of each of said modules so as to short-circuit said modules, a proportional shunt connected between the distribution conductor and the common conductor, a differential amplifier connected between said distribution conductor and a reference voltage generator, an analog-digital converter having an input connected to the output of said differential amplifier and having a plurality of binary outputs, said outputs connected for controlling said electronic interrupters, a digital-analog converter connected to receive said binary outputs from said analog-digital converter, said digital-analog converter having an analog output, a difference circuit connected to receive said analog output from said digital-analog converter and the output of said differential amplifier, said difference circuit having an output connected for controlling said proportional shunt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
169 words
A regulating device for a first plurality of solar cells grouped into modules, each of said modules having one terminal connected to a common conductor and another terminal connected through a diode to a distribution conductor, said device comprising; an electronic interrupter connected between the common conductor and the diode connected terminal of each of said modules so as to short-circuit said modules, a proportional shunt connected between the distribution conductor and the common conductor, a differential amplifier connected between said distribution conductor and a reference voltage generator, an analog-digital converter having an input connected to the output of said differential amplifier and having a plurality of binary outputs, said outputs connected for controlling said electronic interrupters, a digital-analog converter connected to receive said binary outputs from said analog-digital converter, said digital-analog converter having an analog output, a difference circuit connected to receive said analog output from said digital-analog converter and the output of said differential amplifier, said difference circuit having an output connected for controlling said proportional shunt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as recited in claim 5 further comprising an analog regulator connected to receive the output of said difference circuit for controlling said proportional shunt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as recited in claim 5 further comprising a second plurality of solar cells grouped into modules and connected to said distribution conductor for fine regulation thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
173 words
A regulating device for a first plurality of solar cells grouped into modules, each of said modules having one terminal connected to a common conductor and another terminal connected through a diode to a distribution conductor, said device comprising: an electronic interrupter connected between the common conductoR and the diode connected terminal of each of said modules so as to short-circuit said modules, a pulse width modulation regulator connected between the distribution conductor and the common conductor, a differential amplifier connected between said distribution conductor and a reference voltage generator, an analog-digital converter having an input connected to the output of said differential amplifier and having a plurality of binary outputs, said outputs connected for controlling said electronic interrupters, a digital-analog converter connected to receive said binary outputs from said analog-digital converter, said digital-analog converter having an analog output, a difference circuit connected to receive said analog output from said digital-analog converter and the output of said differential amplifier, said difference circuit having an output connected for controlling said pulse width modulation regulator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
173 words
A regulating device for a first plurality of solar cells grouped into modules, each of said modules having one terminal connected to a common conductor and another terminal connected through a diode to a distribution conductor, said device comprising: an electronic interrupter connected between the common conductoR and the diode connected terminal of each of said modules so as to short-circuit said modules, a pulse width modulation regulator connected between the distribution conductor and the common conductor, a differential amplifier connected between said distribution conductor and a reference voltage generator, an analog-digital converter having an input connected to the output of said differential amplifier and having a plurality of binary outputs, said outputs connected for controlling said electronic interrupters, a digital-analog converter connected to receive said binary outputs from said analog-digital converter, said digital-analog converter having an analog output, a difference circuit connected to receive said analog output from said digital-analog converter and the output of said differential amplifier, said difference circuit having an output connected for controlling said pulse width modulation regulator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-21 | 1979-01-20 | 1979-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-21 | 1983-01-20 | 1983-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-21 | 1987-01-20 | 1987-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |