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EP0895146B1 - Operating point control device of an electrical energy generator, especially of a solar generator - Google Patents

Operating point control device of an electrical energy generator, especially of a solar generator Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0895146B1
EP0895146B1 EP98401903A EP98401903A EP0895146B1 EP 0895146 B1 EP0895146 B1 EP 0895146B1 EP 98401903 A EP98401903 A EP 98401903A EP 98401903 A EP98401903 A EP 98401903A EP 0895146 B1 EP0895146 B1 EP 0895146B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
generator
signal
transformer
primary winding
current
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EP98401903A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0895146A1 (en
Inventor
Alphonse Barnaba
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Centre National dEtudes Spatiales CNES
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Centre National dEtudes Spatiales CNES
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05F—SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G05F1/00—Automatic systems in which deviations of an electric quantity from one or more predetermined values are detected at the output of the system and fed back to a device within the system to restore the detected quantity to its predetermined value or values, i.e. retroactive systems
    • G05F1/66—Regulating electric power
    • G05F1/67—Regulating electric power to the maximum power available from a generator, e.g. from solar cell

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device generator operating point control electrical energy, including a solar generator supplying a load and, more particularly, to such a device designed to operate the generator at its maximum power.
  • the device described includes a width modulation converter of pulses coupled to a current generator, means delivering signals representative of the voltage and of the current delivered by said generator to said converter, means supplied by said signals to signal the existence or not of a state of dropping out of the converter, a width regulation loop pulse itself comprising means for measuring the voltage delivered by the converter to a load, a differential amplifier, inverter, integrator and pulse width modulation means controlling said converter.
  • the device described makes it possible to eliminate the dropout phenomenon that is observed when the power called by the load becomes greater than the maximum power that the generator can provide. he also allows to regulate the operating point of feeding the load to a corresponding position at the maximum power that this supply can deliver as in any other point of the characteristic generator current / voltage. It is however relatively complex, including two sensors for current intensity and voltage delivered by the generator, and therefore expensive.
  • DE-A-43 43 822 a device for generator operating point setting of electrical energy supplying a load located in the secondary winding circuit from a transformer to primary and secondary windings in opposite directions.
  • the device compares the output voltage or current of the transformer at a predetermined value, the difference ensuring the regulation of the operating point of the generator.
  • US-A-5 530335 describes a regulating device a solar energy generator comprising a computer duly programmed to ensure regulation.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a operating point control device of a solar generator which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above devices of the technique and therefore simple and of little realization expensive, allowing flexible fixing and regulation the position of the generator operating point, any point of the current / voltage characteristic of this one, and in particular at the point corresponding to the supply of maximum electrical power by said generator.
  • This object of the invention is achieved, as well as other which will appear on reading the description which will track, with a point of control device operation of an electric power generator supplying a load, this device being remarkable in what it includes a) a storage transformer of energy, with primary and secondary sense windings reverse, the primary winding being supplied by the generator under the control of a switch, winding secondary being connected in series with a diode and with the load, b) a detector sensitive to the intensity of the average current flowing in the primary winding of the transformer to deliver a signal representative of this intensity, and c) means for controlling the switch switching, sensitive to said signal for establish a primary winding in the transformer average current corresponding to an operating point predetermined generator.
  • this device for simple structure, with a single detector, is therefore economical, and yet very flexible to operate.
  • this detector is constituted by a second energy storage transformer comprising primary and secondary windings in opposite directions, the primary winding being traversed by the current flowing in the primary winding of the first transformer, the secondary winding being placed in series with a diode and a load, the signal delivered by the detector being sampled at the terminals of said load.
  • control means thereof include a signal-powered microcontroller delivered by the detector and representative of the current means circulating in the primary winding of the first electric storage transformer and a amplitude-duration converter powered by a signal setpoint developed by the microcontroller, to control switching the switch with a signal to pulse width modulation.
  • the graph of this characteristic has, as shown, a generally rectangular shape comprising a part substantially parallel to the axis of the voltages and another part substantially parallel to the axis of the intensities, these two parts being connected by a rounded part.
  • a solar generator ordinarily feeds into a storage battery and into various consumers of electrical energy constituted by satellite equipment. The generator operating point is then located at the intersection of its current / voltage characteristic with a load line passing the origin of the coordinates.
  • This point can thus be located on various parts of the characteristic, for example at its intersection with the load line D 1 , on the part of this characteristic where the current remains substantially constant, that is to say when the generator operates as a "current generator” . It could likewise be located on the part of the characteristic where the voltage is substantially constant, if an operation is sought as a "voltage generator”.
  • This figure shows the generator solar GS discharging on a load represented by a storage battery 1 and a resistor 2 symbolizing various consumers of electrical energy on board a satellite for example.
  • the GS generator delivers on this load through a transformer 3 with energy accumulation, of which the primary 5 and secondary 6 windings are meaningless inverses as indicated by the points placed on these windings.
  • the primary winding 5 is supplied by the generator, under the control of a switch 7, advantageously electronic, placed in series with this winding between a terminal thereof and ground.
  • transformer 3 is associated with a diode 8 arranged in series with the winding 6 and a capacitor 9 mounted between the terminals of the winding, in parallel with the load 1.2.
  • Another capacitor 10 is mounted between the output of the GS generator and the mass. Seen from transformer 3, this capacitor shows up, in dynamic regime, the GS generator as a voltage generator.
  • this one benefits from the galvanic isolation provided by the presence of this transformer between the generator and the charge. Furthermore, as will be seen later, this power supply gives the device according to the invention a great flexibility, allowing to fix the point of operation of the solar generator at any point in its current / voltage characteristic and in particular at the point corresponding to the provision of maximum power by this generator.
  • the device further comprises a detector 11 sensitive to the average current I p flowing in the primary winding of the transformer 3 to deliver a voltage signal V det representative of the intensity of this current.
  • This signal is delivered to control means constituted by a microcontroller 12, for example, this microcontroller being duly programmed to form, from the signal V det , a reference signal V cons delivered to an amplitude-duration converter 13 controlling the switch 7.
  • the means 11, 12, 13 thus constitute a loop for regulating the average current passing through the primary winding 5 of the transformer 3, the regulation of this average current at a predetermined value making it possible to fix the operating point of the solar generator. , as will be explained later.
  • the detector 11 is shown in more detail in Figure 3.
  • this detector is constituted by a second transformer 14 with energy accumulation, operating in "heavy" mode whose primary winding 15 is supplied by the current I p delivered by the generator to the primary winding of the first transformer 3, and whose secondary winding 16 is mounted in series with a diode 17.
  • the voltage V det is taken between the terminals of a load constituted by a resistor 18 and a capacitor 19 mounted in parallel between the diode 7 and a terminal of the secondary winding 16.
  • adequate programming of the microcontroller 12 is used which is suitable for calculating the value of a reference signal V cons delivered to the amplitude-duration converter 13, shown in more detail in FIG. 5.
  • the output of comparator 20 switches one or the other of two transistors 23, 24 of opposite type, whose emitter / collector circuits are connected in series between a line at voltage V dd and ground so as to produce a signal S 2 of the same period as S 1 , and whose duty cycle t / T is a function of V cons .
  • This signal S 2 controls the switching of the electronic switch 7, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • This switch can be constituted by a transistor whose emitter circuit / collector is placed in series with the primary winding 5 of the transformer 3 and whose base is controlled by the signal S 2 .
  • the microcontroller 12 can be programmed to search, from knowledge of the graph of V det (see FIG. 4), the value of V cons to be delivered to the amplitude-duration converter 13 so that the generator solar works at its maximum power, taking into account the level of current illumination of the generator solar cells.
  • the microcontroller can, for example, control variations of the set value V cons , of excursion V ac , the changes in the measurements x 1 , x 2 , x 3 , ... of V det supplied by the detector 11 during this excursion, and in particular the direction of the variations of these measurements, making it possible to locate the position x 2 of the vertex of the graph and therefore the value V cons corresponding to this vertex.
  • V cons controlled by the microcontroller conventionally operate in steps.
  • the pitch can easily be varied as a function, for example, of the position of the operating point of the solar generator. If we consider that the dynamic operation of the device according to the invention is very different depending on whether it operates as a current generator or as a voltage generator, this possibility of varying the pitch of the control is advantageous because it makes it possible to adapt this dynamic operation resulting from the selected operating point, for example to the right or left of the point corresponding to the supply of maximum power.
  • the invention allows achieve the set goals of providing a operating point control device of a solar generator of electrical energy, allowing operate this generator at maximum power as well as any other weaker power, which is particularly advantageous for adapting this power to variations in consumption by consumers fed, especially when these have a battery accumulators which reaches its maximum charge.
  • the device is also simple, and therefore of realization economical and flexible, thanks to the use of a microcontroller, which allows automatic management of the device, without maintenance or recalibration.
  • the device according to the invention can be adapted to electric power generators other than of the type solar cells, especially when the current / voltage characteristic of this generator present a pace that approximates that of a generator solar.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)
  • Control Of Electrical Variables (AREA)
  • Supply And Distribution Of Alternating Current (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The control system includes a load with a transformer (3), having primary (5) and secondary (6) windings. The primary winding (5) is fed from the solar energy electricity generator (GS) through a switch (7). The secondary winding (6) is connected in series with a diode (8) and the load (1,2). The system includes a sensor (11) which detects the average intensity of the current (Ip) circulating in the primary winding (5) of the transformer (3), and delivers a signal (Vdet) that represents this current (Ip). A control unit (12,13), which is sensitive to the signal (Vdet), controls operation of the switch (7) so as to establish in the primary winding (5) of the transformer (3) an average current (I-p) corresponding to a pre-determined operating regime for the generator (GS). The control unit (12,13) is designed to set the current (Ip) to a value which corresponds to the maximum power (Pmax) of the power delivered by the generator (GS).

Description

La présente invention est relative à un dispositif de commande du point de fonctionnement d'un générateur d'énergie électrique, notamment d'un générateur solaire alimentant une charge et, plus particulièrement, à un tel dispositif conçu pour faire fonctionner le générateur à sa puissance maximale.The present invention relates to a device generator operating point control electrical energy, including a solar generator supplying a load and, more particularly, to such a device designed to operate the generator at its maximum power.

On connaít un tel dispositif du brevet français n° 2 626 689 au nom de la demanderesse. Le dispositif décrit comprend un convertisseur à modulation de largeur d'impulsions couplé à un générateur de courant, des moyens délivrant des signaux représentatifs de la tension et du courant délivré par ledit générateur audit convertisseur, des moyens alimentés par lesdits signaux pour signaler l'existence ou non d'un état de décrochage du convertisseur, une boucle de régulation de la largeur d'impulsions comprenant elle-même des moyens de mesure de la tension délivrée par le convertisseur à une charge, un amplificateur différentiel, un inverseur, un intégrateur et des moyens de modulation de largeur d'impulsions commandant ledit convertisseur.We know such a device from French patent no. 2,626,689 in the name of the plaintiff. The device described includes a width modulation converter of pulses coupled to a current generator, means delivering signals representative of the voltage and of the current delivered by said generator to said converter, means supplied by said signals to signal the existence or not of a state of dropping out of the converter, a width regulation loop pulse itself comprising means for measuring the voltage delivered by the converter to a load, a differential amplifier, inverter, integrator and pulse width modulation means controlling said converter.

Le dispositif décrit permet bien de supprimer le phénomène de décrochage que l'on observe quand la puissance appelée par la charge devient supérieure à la puissance maximale que peut fournir le générateur. Il permet aussi de réguler le point de fonctionnement de l'alimentation de la charge en une position correspondant à la puissance maximale que peut délivrer cette alimentation comme en tout autre point de la caractéristique courant/tension du générateur. Il est cependant relativement complexe, comprenant entre autres deux capteurs pour l'intensité et la tension du courant délivré par le générateur, et donc coûteux. The device described makes it possible to eliminate the dropout phenomenon that is observed when the power called by the load becomes greater than the maximum power that the generator can provide. he also allows to regulate the operating point of feeding the load to a corresponding position at the maximum power that this supply can deliver as in any other point of the characteristic generator current / voltage. It is however relatively complex, including two sensors for current intensity and voltage delivered by the generator, and therefore expensive.

Or, il existe actuellement un besoin pour un système d'alimentation de divers consommateurs d'énergie électrique installés dans des véhicules spatiaux tels que des satellites voués à des missions dites "économiques", dispositifs capable de réguler le fonctionnement de l'alimentation à sa puissance maximale ou à d'autres niveaux de puissance, et ceci tout en étant de réalisation aussi peu coûteuse que possible.However, there is currently a need for a system supply of various consumers of electrical energy installed in space vehicles such as satellites dedicated to so-called "economic" missions, devices capable of regulating the operation of power at its maximum power or to others power levels, and this while being as inexpensive as possible.

A cet égard, on connaít de la publication intitulée "A minimum component photovoltaic array maximum power point tracker" par M.J. Case et J.J. Schoeman, présentée à la Conférence dite "European Space Power Conference" qui s'est tenue à Graz, en Autriche, du 23 au 27 août 1993, un dispositif de poursuite du point de puissance maximale d'un générateur solaire, relativement simple, constitué d'un générateur d'impulsions, d'un circuit échantillonneur/bloqueur, d'un modulateur de largeur d'impulsions, d'un transistor de puissance à effet de champ et d'une inductance. Cependant, ce dispositif exige la détermination et l'utilisation d'un rapport entre la tension délivrée à la puissance maximale et la tension délivrée en circuit ouvert, rapport qui peut être faussé en cas de mauvais fonctionnement de certaines cellules d'un générateur solaire, du fait de salissures ou de détériorations, par exemple. En outre, ce dispositif n'est utilisable que lorsque le générateur solaire fonctionne en générateur de courant, alors qu'un tel générateur peut aussi, du fait de la forme sensiblement rectangulaire de sa caractéristique I GS = f(V GS ) représentée à la figure 1 du dessin annexé, fonctionner en générateur de tension.In this regard, we know of the publication entitled "A minimum component photovoltaic array maximum power point tracker" by MJ Case and JJ Schoeman, presented at the Conference called "European Space Power Conference" held in Graz, Austria, from 23 to 27 August 1993, a device for tracking the point of maximum power of a solar generator, relatively simple, consisting of a pulse generator, a sampler / blocker circuit, a width modulator pulses, a field effect power transistor and an inductor. However, this device requires the determination and the use of a ratio between the voltage delivered at the maximum power and the voltage delivered in open circuit, relationship which can be distorted in the event of malfunction of certain cells of a solar generator, due to dirt or damage, for example. In addition, this device can only be used when the solar generator operates as a current generator, whereas such a generator can also, because of the substantially rectangular shape of its characteristic I GS = f (V GS ) shown in the Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing, operate as a voltage generator.

On connaít aussi de DE-A-43 43 822 un dispositif de réglage du point de fonctionnement d'un générateur d'énergie électrique alimentant une charge située dans le circuit de l'enroulement secondaire d'un transformateur à enroulements primaire et secondaire de sens inverse. Le dispositif compare la tension ou le courant de sortie du transformateur à une valeur prédéterminée, la différence assurant la régulation du point de fonctionnement du générateur.We also know from DE-A-43 43 822 a device for generator operating point setting of electrical energy supplying a load located in the secondary winding circuit from a transformer to primary and secondary windings in opposite directions. The device compares the output voltage or current of the transformer at a predetermined value, the difference ensuring the regulation of the operating point of the generator.

US-A-5 530335 décrit un dispositif de régulation d'un générateur d'énergie solaire comprenant un calculateur dûment programmé pour assurer la régulation.US-A-5 530335 describes a regulating device a solar energy generator comprising a computer duly programmed to ensure regulation.

La présente invention a pour but de réaliser un dispositif de commande du point de fonctionnement d'un générateur solaire qui ne présente pas les inconvénients évoqués ci-dessus des dispositifs de la technique antérieure et qui soit donc simple et de réalisation peu coûteuse, permettant de fixer et réguler avec souplesse la position du point de fonctionnement du générateur, en tout point de la caractéristique courant/tension de celui-ci, et notamment au point correspondant à la fourniture d'une puissance électrique maximale par ledit générateur.The object of the present invention is to provide a operating point control device of a solar generator which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above devices of the technique and therefore simple and of little realization expensive, allowing flexible fixing and regulation the position of the generator operating point, any point of the current / voltage characteristic of this one, and in particular at the point corresponding to the supply of maximum electrical power by said generator.

On atteint ce but de l'invention, ainsi que d'autres qui apparaítront à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, avec un dispositif de commande du point de fonctionnement d'un générateur d'énergie électrique alimentant une charge, ce dispositif étant remarquable en ce qu'il comprend a) un transformateur à accumulation d'énergie, à enroulements primaire et secondaire de sens inverses, l'enroulement primaire étant alimenté par le générateur sous la commande d'un interrupteur, l'enroulement secondaire étant connecté en série avec une diode et avec la charge, b) un détecteur sensible à l'intensité du courant moyen circulant dans l'enroulement primaire du transformateur pour délivrer un signal représentatif de cette intensité, et c) des moyens de commande de la commutation de l'interrupteur, sensible audit signal pour établir dans l'enroulement primaire du transformateur un courant moyen correspondant à un point de fonctionnement prédéterminé du générateur.This object of the invention is achieved, as well as other which will appear on reading the description which will track, with a point of control device operation of an electric power generator supplying a load, this device being remarkable in what it includes a) a storage transformer of energy, with primary and secondary sense windings reverse, the primary winding being supplied by the generator under the control of a switch, winding secondary being connected in series with a diode and with the load, b) a detector sensitive to the intensity of the average current flowing in the primary winding of the transformer to deliver a signal representative of this intensity, and c) means for controlling the switch switching, sensitive to said signal for establish a primary winding in the transformer average current corresponding to an operating point predetermined generator.

Comme on le verra plus loin, ce dispositif de structure simple, à un seul détecteur, est donc économique, et cependant de fonctionnement très souple.As will be seen below, this device for simple structure, with a single detector, is therefore economical, and yet very flexible to operate.

Suivant une caractéristique du dispositif selon l'invention, ce détecteur est constitué par un deuxième transformateur à accumulation d'énergie comprenant des enroulements primaire et secondaire de sens inverses, l'enroulement primaire étant traversé par le courant circulant dans l'enroulement primaire du premier transformateur, l'enroulement secondaire étant placé en série avec une diode et une charge, le signal délivré par le détecteur étant prélevé aux bornes de ladite charge.According to a characteristic of the device according to the invention, this detector is constituted by a second energy storage transformer comprising primary and secondary windings in opposite directions, the primary winding being traversed by the current flowing in the primary winding of the first transformer, the secondary winding being placed in series with a diode and a load, the signal delivered by the detector being sampled at the terminals of said load.

Suivant une autre caractéristique du dispositif suivant l'invention, les moyens de commande de celui-ci comprennent un microcontrôleur alimenté par le signal délivré par le détecteur et représentatif du courant moyen circulant dans l'enroulement primaire du premier transformateur à accumulation d'énergie électrique et un convertisseur amplitude-durée alimenté par un signal de consigne élaboré par le microcontrôleur, pour commander la commutation de l'interrupteur avec un signal à modulation de largeur d'impulsions.According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the control means thereof include a signal-powered microcontroller delivered by the detector and representative of the current means circulating in the primary winding of the first electric storage transformer and a amplitude-duration converter powered by a signal setpoint developed by the microcontroller, to control switching the switch with a signal to pulse width modulation.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaítront à la lecture de la description qui va suivre et à l'examen du dessin annexé dans lequel :

  • les figures 1 et 4 représentent des graphes utiles à la compréhension du fonctionnement du dispositif suivant l'invention,
  • la figure 2 est un schéma fonctionnel du dispositif suivant l'invention, et
  • les figures 3 et 5 sont des schémas fonctionnels du détecteur et du convertisseur amplitude-durée, respectivement, formant partie du dispositif suivant l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows and on examining the appended drawing in which:
  • FIGS. 1 and 4 represent graphs useful for understanding the operation of the device according to the invention,
  • FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of the device according to the invention, and
  • Figures 3 and 5 are block diagrams of the detector and the amplitude-duration converter, respectively, forming part of the device according to the invention.

On se réfère à la figure 1 du dessin annexé où l'on a représenté en trait plein la caractéristique courant/tension I GS = f(V GS ) d'un générateur solaire d'énergie électrique typique. Le graphe de cette caractéristique présente, comme représenté, une allure généralement rectangulaire comportant une partie sensiblement parallèle à l'axe des tensions et une autre partie sensiblement parallèle à l'axe des intensités, ces deux parties étant raccordées par une partie arrondie. Dans un satellite, par exemple, un générateur solaire débite ordinairement dans une batterie d'accumulateurs et dans divers consommateurs d'énergie électrique constitués par des équipements du satellite. Le point de fonctionnement du générateur est alors situé à l'intersection de sa caractéristique courant/tension avec une droite de charge passant l'origine des coordonnées. Ce point peut ainsi se situer sur diverses parties de la caractéristique, par exemple à son intersection avec la droite de charge D1, sur la partie de cette caractéristique où le courant reste sensiblement constant, soit quand le générateur fonctionne en "générateur de courant". Il pourrait de même se situer sur la partie de la caractéristique où la tension est sensiblement constante, si l'on recherche un fonctionnement en "générateur de tension".Reference is made to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawing in which the current / voltage characteristic I GS = f (V GS ) of a typical solar electric energy generator has been shown in solid lines. The graph of this characteristic has, as shown, a generally rectangular shape comprising a part substantially parallel to the axis of the voltages and another part substantially parallel to the axis of the intensities, these two parts being connected by a rounded part. In a satellite, for example, a solar generator ordinarily feeds into a storage battery and into various consumers of electrical energy constituted by satellite equipment. The generator operating point is then located at the intersection of its current / voltage characteristic with a load line passing the origin of the coordinates. This point can thus be located on various parts of the characteristic, for example at its intersection with the load line D 1 , on the part of this characteristic where the current remains substantially constant, that is to say when the generator operates as a "current generator" . It could likewise be located on the part of the characteristic where the voltage is substantially constant, if an operation is sought as a "voltage generator".

Sur la figure 1, on a aussi représenté en trait interrompu le graphe de la puissance P GS délivrée par le générateur en fonction de la tension V GS qu'il délivre. Du fait que P GS = I GS x V GS , on comprend que P GS présente un maximum là où la surface du rectangle de diagonale OF à côtés parallèles aux coordonnées, est maximale, soit quand la droite de charge D coupe la caractéristique en F m , dans la partie arrondie de la caractéristique courant/tension du générateur.In FIG. 1, the graph of the power P GS delivered by the generator as a function of the voltage V GS which it delivers is also shown in broken lines. Because P GS = I GS x V GS , we understand that P GS presents a maximum where the area of the rectangle of diagonal OF with sides parallel to the coordinates, is maximum, that is when the line of load D intersects the characteristic in F m , in the rounded part of the generator current / voltage characteristic.

Pour utiliser au mieux l'énergie délivrée par le générateur solaire, notamment dans le cadre de missions "économiques" évoquées dans le préambule de la présente description, il convient de disposer de moyens permettant d'ajuster constamment le point de fonctionnement du générateur de manière que celui-ci corresponde aux conditions de fourniture de la puissance maximale de celui-ci. La caractéristique du générateur solaire étant fortement variable, tout en conservant la même allure générale, en fonction de l'éclairement et de l'état des panneaux solaires du générateur, il convient de disposer de moyens permettant de réguler en permanence la position de ce point de fonctionnement de manière à tirer du générateur solaire la puissance maximale disponible. Les principes exposés ci-dessus aident à comprendre le fonctionnement du dispositif de commande suivant l'invention, dont on va maintenant décrire la structure en liaison avec la figure 2.To make the best use of the energy delivered by the solar generator, particularly in the context of missions "economic" mentioned in the preamble to this description, means should be available to to constantly adjust the operating point of the generator so that it matches the conditions for supplying the maximum power of this one. The characteristic of the solar generator being highly variable, while maintaining the same appearance general, depending on the lighting and the state of generator solar panels, you should have means for continuously regulating the position from this operating point so as to draw from solar generator the maximum power available. The principles outlined above help to understand the operation of the following control device the invention, the structure of which will now be described in conjunction with Figure 2.

Sur cette figure, on a représenté le générateur solaire GS débitant sur une charge représentée par une batterie d'accumulateurs 1 et une résistance 2 symbolisant divers consommateurs d'énergie électrique embarqués dans un satellite par exemple.This figure shows the generator solar GS discharging on a load represented by a storage battery 1 and a resistor 2 symbolizing various consumers of electrical energy on board a satellite for example.

Suivant une caractéristique de la présente invention, le générateur GS débite sur cette charge à travers un transformateur 3 à accumulation d'énergie, dont les enroulements primaire 5 et secondaire 6 sont de sens inverses comme indiqué par les points placés sur ces enroulements. L'enroulement primaire 5 est alimenté par le générateur, sous la commande d'un interrupteur 7, avantageusement électronique, placé en série avec cet enroulement entre une borne de celui-ci et la masse.According to a characteristic of the present invention, the GS generator delivers on this load through a transformer 3 with energy accumulation, of which the primary 5 and secondary 6 windings are meaningless inverses as indicated by the points placed on these windings. The primary winding 5 is supplied by the generator, under the control of a switch 7, advantageously electronic, placed in series with this winding between a terminal thereof and ground.

Au secondaire, le transformateur 3 est associé à une diode 8 disposée en série avec l'enroulement 6 et un condensateur 9 monté entre les bornes de l'enroulement, en parallèle avec la charge 1,2.In secondary school, transformer 3 is associated with a diode 8 arranged in series with the winding 6 and a capacitor 9 mounted between the terminals of the winding, in parallel with the load 1.2.

Un autre condensateur 10 est monté entre la sortie du générateur GS et la masse. Vu du transformateur 3, ce condensateur fait apparaítre, en régime dynamique, le générateur GS comme un générateur de tension.Another capacitor 10 is mounted between the output of the GS generator and the mass. Seen from transformer 3, this capacitor shows up, in dynamic regime, the GS generator as a voltage generator.

On reconnaít dans le montage décrit ci-dessus une alimentation à découpage du type "fly-back". On sait que lorsque l'interrupteur 7 est fermé, l'enroulement 5 se charge alors que la diode 8 bloque toute décharge de l'enroulement 6. C'est alors la capacité 9 qui alimente la charge, avec la batterie d'accumulateurs 1. Quand l'interrupteur 7 s'ouvre, l'énergie accumulée dans l'enroulement 6 est débitée dans la charge et le condensateur 9.We recognize in the assembly described above a switching power supply of the "fly-back" type. We know that when switch 7 is closed, winding 5 charge while the diode 8 blocks any discharge of winding 6. It is then capacity 9 which feeds charging, with storage battery 1. When switch 7 opens, the energy accumulated in winding 6 is charged to the load and the capacitor 9.

Grâce à la présence d'une telle alimentation "à découpage" et à transformateur à accumulation d'énergie dans le dispositif suivant l'invention, celui-ci bénéficie de l'isolation galvanique apportée par la présence de ce transformateur entre le générateur et la charge. En outre, comme on le verra plus loin, cette alimentation donne au dispositif suivant l'invention une grande souplesse, permettant de fixer le point de fonctionnement du générateur solaire en tout point de sa caractéristique courant/tension et notamment au point correspondant à la fourniture d'une puissance maximale par ce générateur.Thanks to the presence of such a supply "to switching "and with energy storage transformer in the device according to the invention, this one benefits from the galvanic isolation provided by the presence of this transformer between the generator and the charge. Furthermore, as will be seen later, this power supply gives the device according to the invention a great flexibility, allowing to fix the point of operation of the solar generator at any point in its current / voltage characteristic and in particular at the point corresponding to the provision of maximum power by this generator.

Pour assurer cette commande du point de fonctionnement du générateur solaire, le dispositif suivant l'invention comprend en outre un détecteur 11 sensible au courant moyen I p circulant dans l'enroulement primaire du transformateur 3 pour délivrer un signal de tension V det représentatif de l'intensité de ce courant. Ce signal est délivré à des moyens de commande constitués par un microcontrôleur 12, par exemple, ce microcontrôleur étant dûment programmé pour former, à partir du signal V det , un signal de consigne V cons délivré à un convertisseur amplitude-durée 13 commandant l'interrupteur 7. Les moyens 11,12,13 constituent ainsi une boucle de régulation du courant moyen passant dans l'enroulement primaire 5 du transformateur 3, la régulation de ce courant moyen à une valeur prédéterminée permettant de fixer le point de fonctionnement du générateur solaire, comme on l'expliquera plus loin.To ensure this control of the operating point of the solar generator, the device according to the invention further comprises a detector 11 sensitive to the average current I p flowing in the primary winding of the transformer 3 to deliver a voltage signal V det representative of the intensity of this current. This signal is delivered to control means constituted by a microcontroller 12, for example, this microcontroller being duly programmed to form, from the signal V det , a reference signal V cons delivered to an amplitude-duration converter 13 controlling the switch 7. The means 11, 12, 13 thus constitute a loop for regulating the average current passing through the primary winding 5 of the transformer 3, the regulation of this average current at a predetermined value making it possible to fix the operating point of the solar generator. , as will be explained later.

Le détecteur 11 est représenté en plus de détails à la figure 3. Sur cette figure, il apparaít que ce détecteur est constitué par un deuxième transformateur 14 à accumulation d'énergie, fonctionnant en mode "lourd" dont l'enroulement primaire 15 est alimenté par le courant I p délivré par le générateur à l'enroulement primaire du premier transformateur 3, et dont l'enroulement secondaire 16 est monté en série avec une diode 17. La tension V det est prélevée entre les bornes d'une charge constituée par une résistance 18 et un condensateur 19 montés en parallèle entre la diode 7 et une borne de l'enroulement secondaire 16.The detector 11 is shown in more detail in Figure 3. In this figure, it appears that this detector is constituted by a second transformer 14 with energy accumulation, operating in "heavy" mode whose primary winding 15 is supplied by the current I p delivered by the generator to the primary winding of the first transformer 3, and whose secondary winding 16 is mounted in series with a diode 17. The voltage V det is taken between the terminals of a load constituted by a resistor 18 and a capacitor 19 mounted in parallel between the diode 7 and a terminal of the secondary winding 16.

On démontre par le calcul qu'en régime statique la tension V det mesurée aux bornes de l'enroulement secondaire 16 est proportionnelle au courant moyen passant dans l'enroulement primaire 5, ce courant moyen étant alors constitué par le courant I GS délivré par le générateur solaire. On démontre aussi qu'en tout point de fonctionnement du générateur solaire, le graphe de V det en fonction de V GS présente la même allure que celui de la puissance P GS en fonction de V GS . On a représenté ces deux graphes sur la figure 4 où il apparaít qu'ils présentent tous les deux un maximum pour la même valeur de V GS . Ceci peut se comprendre si l'on considère que le courant moyen I p porte toute l'énergie délivrée par le générateur solaire et doit donc être maximal quand le générateur solaire délivre sa puissance maximale.It is shown by calculation that in static mode the voltage V det measured at the terminals of the secondary winding 16 is proportional to the average current flowing in the primary winding 5, this average current then being constituted by the current I GS delivered by the solar generator. We also demonstrate that at any point of operation of the solar generator, the graph of V det as a function of V GS has the same shape as that of the power P GS as a function of V GS . These two graphs are shown in Figure 4 where it appears that they both have a maximum for the same value of V GS . This can be understood if we consider that the average current I p carries all the energy delivered by the solar generator and must therefore be maximum when the solar generator delivers its maximum power.

Suivant l'invention, on tire parti de cette caractéristique du graphe de V det en fonction de V GS pour extraire du générateur solaire sa puissance maximale, et ceci à l'aide d'un seul détecteur, le détecteur 11 du courant moyen passant dans l'enroulement primaire du transformateur 14, solution particulièrement avantageuse aussi bien du point de vue économique que du point de vue fiabilité. Pour ce faire, on utilise une programmation adéquate du microcontrôleur 12 propre à permettre le calcul de la valeur d'un signal de consigne V cons délivré au convertisseur amplitude-durée 13, représenté en plus de détails à la figure 5.According to the invention, one takes advantage of this characteristic of the graph of V det as a function of V GS to extract from the solar generator its maximum power, and this using a single detector, the detector 11 of the mean current passing through the primary winding of the transformer 14, a particularly advantageous solution both from the economic point of view and from the reliability point of view. To do this, adequate programming of the microcontroller 12 is used which is suitable for calculating the value of a reference signal V cons delivered to the amplitude-duration converter 13, shown in more detail in FIG. 5.

Celui-ci comprend essentiellement un comparateur 20 dont une entrée 21 reçoit le signal V cons (ou un signal proportionnel à celui-ci) et dont une autre entrée 22 est alimentée classiquement par un signal en dents de scie S 1 , de période fixe T. La sortie du comparateur 20 fait commuter l'un ou l'autre de deux transistors 23, 24 de type opposé, dont les circuits émetteur/collecteur sont montés en série entre une ligne à la tension V dd et la masse de manière à produire un signal S 2 de même période que S 1 , et dont le rapport cyclique t/T est fonction de V cons .This essentially comprises a comparator 20, an input 21 of which receives the signal V cons (or a signal proportional to it) and of which another input 22 is conventionally supplied by a sawtooth signal S 1 , of fixed period T The output of comparator 20 switches one or the other of two transistors 23, 24 of opposite type, whose emitter / collector circuits are connected in series between a line at voltage V dd and ground so as to produce a signal S 2 of the same period as S 1 , and whose duty cycle t / T is a function of V cons .

Ce signal S 2 , à modulation de largeur d'impulsions ou signal "PWM", commande la commutation de l'interrupteur électronique 7, comme cela est représenté à la figure 2. Cet interrupteur peut être constitué par un transistor dont le circuit émetteur/collecteur est placé en série avec l'enroulement primaire 5 du transformateur 3 et dont la base est commandée par le signal S 2 .This signal S 2 , with pulse width modulation or “PWM” signal, controls the switching of the electronic switch 7, as shown in FIG. 2. This switch can be constituted by a transistor whose emitter circuit / collector is placed in series with the primary winding 5 of the transformer 3 and whose base is controlled by the signal S 2 .

On comprend qu'en commandant convenablement le microcontrôleur 12 pour qu'il délivre une valeur de V cons correspondant à un point de fonctionnement prédéterminé du générateur solaire, on peut réguler la position de ce point de fonctionnement en tout point choisi de la caractéristique courant/tension du générateur solaire, de manière à commander la puissance électrique P GS délivrée par le générateur GS.It is understood that by properly controlling the microcontroller 12 so that it delivers a value of V cons corresponding to a predetermined operating point of the solar generator, it is possible to regulate the position of this operating point at any chosen point of the current characteristic / voltage of the solar generator, so as to control the electrical power P GS delivered by the generator GS.

En particulier, c'est ainsi que le microcontrôleur 12 peut être programmé pour rechercher, à partir de la connaissance du graphe de V det (voir figure 4), la valeur de V cons à délivrer au convertisseur amplitude-durée 13 pour que le générateur solaire fonctionne à sa puissance maximale, compte tenu du niveau de l'éclairement actuel des cellules solaires du générateur. Diverses stratégies connues de recherche du maximum d'une grandeur sont utilisables à cet effet. Le microcontrôleur peut, par exemple, commander des variations de la valeur de consigne V cons , d'excursion V ac , les évolutions des mesures x 1 ,x 2 ,x 3 , ... de V det fournies par le détecteur 11 lors de cette excursion, et notamment le sens des variations de ces mesures, permettant de localiser la position x2 du sommet du graphe et donc la valeur V cons correspondant à ce sommet.In particular, this is how the microcontroller 12 can be programmed to search, from knowledge of the graph of V det (see FIG. 4), the value of V cons to be delivered to the amplitude-duration converter 13 so that the generator solar works at its maximum power, taking into account the level of current illumination of the generator solar cells. Various known strategies for finding the maximum of a quantity can be used for this purpose. The microcontroller can, for example, control variations of the set value V cons , of excursion V ac , the changes in the measurements x 1 , x 2 , x 3 , ... of V det supplied by the detector 11 during this excursion, and in particular the direction of the variations of these measurements, making it possible to locate the position x 2 of the vertex of the graph and therefore the value V cons corresponding to this vertex.

Les variations de V cons commandées par le microcontrôleur s'opèrent classiquement par pas. On peut facilement faire varier le pas en fonction, par exemple, de la position du point de fonctionnement du générateur solaire. Si l'on considère que le fonctionnement dynamique du dispositif suivant l'invention est très différent suivant qu'il fonctionne en générateur de courant ou en générateur de tension, cette possibilité de variation du pas de la commande est avantageuse car elle permet d'adapter celle-ci au fonctionnement dynamique qui résulte du point de fonctionnement choisi, par exemple à droite ou à gauche du point correspondant à la fourniture de la puissance maximale.The variations in V cons controlled by the microcontroller conventionally operate in steps. The pitch can easily be varied as a function, for example, of the position of the operating point of the solar generator. If we consider that the dynamic operation of the device according to the invention is very different depending on whether it operates as a current generator or as a voltage generator, this possibility of varying the pitch of the control is advantageous because it makes it possible to adapt this dynamic operation resulting from the selected operating point, for example to the right or left of the point corresponding to the supply of maximum power.

Il apparaít maintenant que l'invention permet bien d'atteindre les buts fixés, à savoir fournir un dispositif de commande du point de fonctionnement d'un générateur solaire d'énergie électrique, permettant de faire fonctionner ce générateur à sa puissance maximale aussi bien qu'à toute autre puissance plus faible, ce qui est avantageux notamment pour adapter cette puissance aux variations de consommation des consommateurs alimentés, notamment lorsque ceux-ci comptent une batterie d'accumulateurs qui atteint sa charge maximale. Le dispositif est en outre simple, et donc de réalisation économique, et souple, grâce à l'utilisation d'un microcontrôleur, qui permet une gestion automatique du dispositif, sans entretien ou recalibrage.It now appears that the invention allows achieve the set goals of providing a operating point control device of a solar generator of electrical energy, allowing operate this generator at maximum power as well as any other weaker power, which is particularly advantageous for adapting this power to variations in consumption by consumers fed, especially when these have a battery accumulators which reaches its maximum charge. The device is also simple, and therefore of realization economical and flexible, thanks to the use of a microcontroller, which allows automatic management of the device, without maintenance or recalibration.

Le dispositif suivant l'invention peut s'adapter à des générateurs d'énergie électrique autres que du type à cellules solaires, en particulier quand la caractéristique courant/tension de ce générateur présente une allure qui se rapproche de celle d'un générateur solaire.The device according to the invention can be adapted to electric power generators other than of the type solar cells, especially when the current / voltage characteristic of this generator present a pace that approximates that of a generator solar.

Claims (9)

  1. A device for controlling the operating point of an electrical energy generator (GS) for supplying power to a load including a storage battery (1), the device comprising a) an energy accumulator transformer (3) with a primary winding (5) and a secondary winding (6) in opposite directions, the primary winding (5) being supplied with power by the generator (GS) under the control of a switch (7), the secondary winding (6) being connected in series with a diode (8) and with the load (1, 2), which device is characterized in that it comprises b) a detector (11) directly sensitive to the average current (Ip) flowing in the primary winding (5) of the transformer (3) to deliver a signal (Vdet) representative of that current and c) means (12, 13) for controlling switching of the switch (7) and sensitive to the signal (Vdet) to establish in the primary winding (5) of the transformer (3) an average current (Ip) corresponding to a predetermined operating point of the generator (GS).
  2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means (12, 13) are adapted to establish said average current (Ip) at a value corresponding to the maximum power (Pmax) delivered by said generator (GS).
  3. A device according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said detector (11) comprises an energy accumulator transformer (14) comprising a primary winding (15) and a secondary winding (16) in opposite directions, the primary winding (15) carrying the current (Ip) circulating in the primary winding (5) of the transformer (3), the secondary winding being placed in series with a diode (8) and a load (18, 19), and the signal (Vdet) being taken at the terminals of the load (18, 19).
  4. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said control means comprise a microcontroller (12) fed with said signal (Vdet) representative of the average current (Ip) circulating in the primary winding (5) of the electrical energy accumulator transformer (3) and an amplitude-duration converter (13) fed with a set point signal (Vcons) produced by the microcontroller to control the switching of the switch (7) with a pulse width modulated signal (S2).
  5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that said microcontroller is programmed to deliver a set point signal (Vcons) for regulating the position of the operating point of the generator (GS) so that the latter supplies a predetermined electrical power.
  6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that the step of the variations of the set point signal (Vcons) is a function of the position of the chosen operating point.
  7. A device according to either claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the microcontroller (12) is programmed to search for the operating point corresponding to the maximum power of the generator (GS) by observing the directions of the variations of the signal (Vdet) delivered by the detector (11) at the time of an excursion (Vac) of the set point signal (Vcons).
  8. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is associated with a solar electrical energy generator.
  9. A spacecraft equipped with a device according to any of claims 1 to 8.
EP98401903A 1997-07-28 1998-07-27 Operating point control device of an electrical energy generator, especially of a solar generator Expired - Lifetime EP0895146B1 (en)

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FR9709583 1997-07-28
FR9709583A FR2766589B1 (en) 1997-07-28 1997-07-28 DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION POINT OF AN ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR, PARTICULARLY A SOLAR GENERATOR

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FR2766589B1 (en) 1999-09-24
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EP0895146A1 (en) 1999-02-03
ATE231252T1 (en) 2003-02-15

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