Patent ID: 8022661
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: H01M,H02J,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A battery and photovoltaic based power system, comprising: a power bus comprising a supply side and a return side; a battery coupled to the return side; a battery switch circuit coupling the battery to the supply side, the battery switch circuit comprising a battery switch and a battery diode in parallel with the battery switch, wherein a cathode of the battery diode is coupled to the battery and an anode of the battery diode is coupled to the supply side; a first photovoltaic array circuit coupled to the return side, the first photovoltaic array circuit comprising a first photovoltaic array and a first photovoltaic array switch in parallel with the first photovoltaic array, wherein the first photovoltaic array switch is configured to open if the supply side is substantially depleted of power; a first photovoltaic array diode connected in series with the first photovoltaic array circuit, wherein a cathode of the first photovoltaic array diode is coupled to the supply side and an anode of the first photovoltaic array diode is coupled to the first photovoltaic array circuit; and a switch control module coupled to the battery, the battery switch, and the first photovoltaic array switch, the switch control module configured to monitor one or more battery parameters and control the battery switch based on the one or more battery parameters.