17457376. HYBRID CHARGER AND INVERTER SYSTEM simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)

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HYBRID CHARGER AND INVERTER SYSTEM

Organization Name

Apple Inc.

Inventor(s)

Ashish K. Sahoo of Santa Clara CA (US)

Jie Lu of San Jose CA (US)

Brandon Pierquet of San Francisco CA (US)

Anish Prasai of Santa Clara CA (US)

HYBRID CHARGER AND INVERTER SYSTEM - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17457376 titled 'HYBRID CHARGER AND INVERTER SYSTEM

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes an electrical system that includes two bidirectional AC-DC converters and a controller. The converters are used to charge a battery and power a convenience outlet, and the controller controls their operation in different modes.

  • The electrical system includes a first bidirectional AC-DC converter that connects to a grid and a battery, and a second bidirectional AC-DC converter that connects to the grid or a convenience outlet.
  • A controller is used to control the operation of the converters in different modes, including a two-stage charging mode, a single-stage charging mode, and a non-charging mode.
  • In the two-stage charging mode, both converters work together to charge the battery.
  • In the single-stage charging mode, only the first converter charges the battery while the second converter powers the convenience outlet.
  • In the non-charging mode, the first converter is idle while the second converter powers the convenience outlet.

Potential Applications

This technology can have various applications in electrical systems, including:

  • Renewable energy systems: The bidirectional converters can be used to efficiently charge batteries from renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind turbines.
  • Electric vehicle charging: The converters can be used to charge electric vehicle batteries from the grid or a convenience outlet.
  • Backup power systems: The converters can be used to charge batteries and power essential appliances during power outages.

Problems Solved

The electrical system described in the patent application solves several problems, including:

  • Efficient charging: The bidirectional converters allow for efficient charging of batteries from the grid or a convenience outlet.
  • Flexibility: The different modes of operation provide flexibility in how the converters are used, allowing for simultaneous charging and powering of devices.
  • Optimization: The controller optimizes the operation of the converters based on the available power source and the needs of the system.

Benefits

The use of this technology in electrical systems offers several benefits, including:

  • Energy efficiency: The bidirectional converters minimize energy losses during charging and powering operations.
  • Cost savings: The ability to charge batteries from the grid or a convenience outlet reduces the need for expensive charging infrastructure.
  • Versatility: The different modes of operation provide versatility in how the electrical system is used, adapting to different power sources and loads.


Original Abstract Submitted

An electrical system can include a first bidirectional AC-DC converter having an input couplable to a grid connection and an output couplable to a battery and a second bidirectional AC-DC converter having an input couplable to the grid connection or a convenience outlet and an output couplable to the battery. The electrical system can further include a controller that controls the first and second converters to operate in a plurality of modes including a two-stage charging mode in which the first and second converters operate in a forward direction to charge the battery, a single-stage charging mode in which the first converter operates in a forward direction to charge the battery and the second converter operates in a reverse direction to power the convenience outlet, and a non-charging mode in which the first converter is idle and the second converter operates in a reverse direction to power the convenience outlet.