Description:METHOD AND SYSTEM TO MANAGE ELECTRICAL LOADS IN A SOLAR ENERGY ASSISTED DEVICE
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
[001] This disclosure relates generally to electrical load management, and more particularly to a method and a system to manage one or more electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device.
Background
[002] In conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles or electric vehicles, there are generally two types of loads i.e., a traction load and an electrical load. The traction load may be powered by a combustion engine (in case of the ICE vehicle) or by a High Voltage (HV) battery (in case of the electric vehicle). However, the electrical load may be powered by an alternator (in case of the ICE vehicles) or by a DC-DC convertor (in case of the electric vehicles).
[003] In ICE vehicles, the alternator may be continuously engaged with the combustion engine thus may ends up by drawing more and more power. Further, in the electric vehicle, the DC-DC convertor may continuously drain the main HV battery in order to supply the power to the electrical load of the vehicle. Thus, continuously drawing of power by the alternator of the ICE vehicle results in low fuel economy and increased carbon emissions. Additionally, continuously draining of the main HV battery of the electric vehicle by the DC-DC convertor results in reduced range and frequent need of charging the HV battery.
[004] However, using of additional power source (for example, solar power, fuel cell, etc) to charge the battery in addition to the alternator and DC-DC convertor may result in fulfilment of electrical load demand. The conventional technqiues fail to provide any mechanism to disengage the alternator and DC-DC convertor, while the electrical load demand is met by additional power source.
[005] There is, therefore, a need in the present state of art to proivde a menthod and a system to manage one or more electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device.
SUMMARY
[006] In one embodiment, a method to manage a plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device is disclosed. In one example, the method may include determining an output voltage of a solar power source, a status of a primary power source powering the device, and a state of charge (SOC) of a battery. The battery maybe selectively powering one or more of the plurality of electrical loads and the battery maybe charged through at least one of the primary power source and a solar power source. The method may further include managing at least one of the selective powering of the one or more electrical loads or the charging of the battery based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery, the output voltage of the solar power source, an output current of the battery, an output current of the solar power source and a threshold charge level of the battery. The threshold charge level may be set based on the status of the primary power source.
[007] In another embodiment, a system to manage a plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device is disclosed. In one example, the system may include a controller. The controller may be configured to determine an output voltage of a solar power source, a status of a primary power source powering the device, and a state of charge (SOC) of a battery. The battery maybe selectively powering one or more of the plurality of electrical loads and the battery maybe charged through at least one of the primary power sources and a solar power source. The controller may further be configured to manage at least one of the selective powering of the one or more electrical loads or the charging of the battery based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery, the output voltage of the solar power source, an output current of the battery, an output current of the solar power source, and a threshold charge level of the battery. The threshold charge level is set based on the status of the primary power source.
[008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
[010] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system to manage a plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device, in accordance with some embodiments.
[011] FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of a system to manage a plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments.
[012] FIG. 3 illustrates a switching circuit to manage a plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments.
[013] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method to manage a plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments.
[014] FIG. 5 is a functional flow diagram to manage one or more electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device, in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[015] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
[016] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a system 100 to manage a plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device 102 is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 100 may include a controller 104 that may be capable of managing the plurality of electrical loads in the solar energy assisted device 102. The system 100 may further include a solar power source 106. The solar power source 106 may include a plurality of solar photo voltaic (PV) panels connected in a series-parallel combination.
[017] The solar energy assisted device 102 may be an electric vehicle (EV), an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle. Examples of the solar energy assisted device 102 may include, but may not be limited to, a bus, a truck, a van, a jeep, or a car that may be integrated with the plurality of solar PV panels installed on roof top of each of the bus, the van, the jeep, or the car. In some embodiments, the plurality of solar panels may be a Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) type solar PV panels. The CIGS type solar PV panels may be installed on the solar energy assisted device as it has high durability against mechanical shocks, high flexibility, very low aerodynamic resistance, aesthetically pleasing, resistant to vibrations, damage proof, and may be easily applied on uneven surfaces (for example, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) cover).
[018] The system 100 may further include a solar charge controller 108 connected to the output of the solar power source 106 for controlling an output voltage of the solar power source 106. It should be noted that the solar charge controller 108 may be a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller. The system may further include a primary power source 110 that may be configured to power a traction load 112 of the solar energy assisted device 102. In some embodiments, the primary power source 110 may be one of a high voltage (HV) battery, a combustion engine, a fuel cell, or a combination thereof, depending on a type of the solar energy assisted device 102 used.
[019] By way of an example, when the solar energy assisted device 102 is the electric vehicle, in that case the HV battery may be used as the primary power source 110 for powering the traction load 112. When the solar energy assisted device 102 is the ICE vehicle, in this case the combustion engine may be used as the primary power source 110 for powering the traction load 112. Further, when the solar energy assisted device 102 is the fuel cell driven vehicle, in this case the fuel cell may be used as the primary power source 110 for powering the traction load 112. Furthermore, when the solar energy assisted device 102 is the hybrid vehicle, in this case the combination of two or more of the HV battery, the fuel cell, and the combustion engine may be used as the primary power source 110 for powering the traction load 112.
[020] The system may further include a battery 114 (for example, a low voltage battery). The battery 114 may be configured to selectively powering one or more of the plurality of electrical loads (for example, an auxiliary load 116A, an auxiliary load 116B…auxiliary load 116N). The plurality of electrical loads may include, but may not be limited to, headlamps, cabin lights, air conditioner, blowers, ignition, or horns of the solar energy assisted device 102. It should be noted that the battery 114 maybe charged through at least one of the primary power source 110 or the solar power source 106. This is further explained in greater detail in conjunction with FIG. 3.
[021] As will be described in greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 2 – 5, in order to manage the plurality of electrical loads in the solar energy assisted device 102, the controller 104 may initially determine an output voltage of the solar power source 106, a status of the primary power source 110 powering the solar energy assisted device 102, and a state of charge (SOC) of the battery 114. The battery maybe selectively powering one or more of the plurality of electrical loads and the battery 114 maybe charged through at least one of the primary power source 110 and the solar power source 106. The controller 114 may further manage at least one of the selective powering of the one or more electrical loads or the charging of the battery 114 based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 114, the output voltage of the solar power source 106, an output current of the battery 114, an output current of the solar power source 106, and a threshold charge level of the battery 114. The threshold charge level may be set based on the status of the primary power source.
[022] In some embodiments, the controller 14 may include a memory (not shown in FIG. 1). The memory may be a non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM), Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable PROM (EPROM), Electrically EPROM (EEPROM) memory, etc.) or a volatile memory (e.g., Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random-Access memory (SRAM), etc.). The memory may store various data (for example, (SOC) of the battery 114, the output voltage of the solar power source 106, an output current of the battery 114, an output current of the solar power source 106, and a threshold charge level of the battery 114, control logics, the plurality of electrical signals, and the like) that may be captured, processed, and/or required by the system 100.
[023] Further, the memory may store instructions that, when executed by the controller 104, cause the controller 104 to manage the plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted vehicle 102. In some embodiments, the controller 104 may interact with the one or more additional external devices over a communication network for sending or receiving various data. The external devices may include, but may not be limited to, a remote server, a digital device, or another computing system.
[024] Referring now to FIG. 2, a functional block diagram of a system 200 for managing the plurality of electrical loads in the solar energy assisted device 102 is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. It may be noted that the system 200 is analogues to the system 100. Therefore, to manage one or more electrical loads in the solar energy assisted device 202, the controller 104 may first determine a plurality of electrical parameters corresponding to each of the solar power source 106, the battery 114, and the primary power source 110. The plurality of parameters may be an output voltage of the solar power source 106, a status of the primary power source 110, and a SOC of the battery 114.
[025] In some embodiments, the battery 114 may be selectively powering one or more of the plurality of electrical loads. The battery 114 may be charged through at least one of the primary power source 110 or the solar power source 106 based on determination of the plurality of electrical parameters.
[026] Further, the controller 104 may manage at least one of: the selective powering of the one or more electrical loads or the charging of the battery 114 based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 114, the output voltage of the solar power source 106, an output current of the battery 114, an output current of the solar power source 106, and a threshold charge level of the battery. It should be noted that the threshold charge level may be set based on the status of the primary power source 110. This is further explained in conjunction with FIG. 3.
[027] In some embodiments, the controller 104 may receive the value of the output current of the solar power source 106 and the value of the output voltage of the solar power source 106 through the solar charge controller 108 to indicate day or night condition.
[028] The system 200 may provide a unique control algorithm that may be capable of putting a smart alternator 204A (in case when the solar energy assisted device 102 is the ICE vehicle) or a DC-DC convertor 204B (in case when the solar energy assisted device 102 is the electric vehicle) in a sleep mode/OFF state when one or more auxiliary low voltage electric loads 116 demand may be met by the plurality of solar PV panels 202.
[029] Therefore, in order to determine when to put the primary power source 110 in sleep mode/OFF state or in the wake mode/ON state, the controller may receive a value of the state of charge (SOC) of the battery and the value of the output current of the battery 114 via an intelligent battery sensor (IBS) 208 through an intra vehicle network. Based on these values, the controller 104 may instruct the smart alternator 204A to engage or disengage with the combustion engine (in case of ICE vehicle), or instruct the DC-DC convertor 204B to connect or disconnect with a HV battery 210 (in case of electric vehicle) via the intra vehicle network. As will be appreciated, the intra vehicle network may include, but may not be limited to, a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), a Controlled Area Network (CAN), or an Ethernet. It should be noted that there may be a time delay (approximately of about 300 secs) between the last wake commands before switching to the sleep mode. This may be done in order to prevent the smart alternator 204A or the DC-DC convertor 204B from toggling between the two modes.
[030] Referring now to FIG. 3, a load switching circuit 300 to manage a plurality of electrical loads in the solar energy assisted vehicle 102 is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, as mentioned earlier, in order to manage the selective powering of the one or more auxiliary low voltage electric loads 116, the controller 104 may include the load switching circuit 300. The load switching circuit 300 that maybe configured to distribute the plurality of the auxiliary low voltage electrical loads (for example, the auxiliary load 116A, an auxiliary load 116B…auxiliary load 116N) between the primary power source (smart alternator 204A or DC-DC convertor 204B), the battery 104, and the solar power source 106.
[031] In some embodiments, the plurality of low voltage auxiliary electrical loads maybe divided into one or more categories based on wattage consumption. Each of the one or more categories of the electrical load may be selectively powered by the primary power source 110, the battery 114, or the solar power source 106 depending upon wattage usage and the availability of one of the primary power source 110 or the solar power source 106 at that instant. The load switching circuit 300 may ensure optimum utilization of available solar power in partial shading or the cloudy conditions.
[032] As will be appreciated, the load switching circuit 300 may be switched between the smart alternator 204A or DC-DC convertor 204B, the battery 104, and the solar power source 106 by several permutation and combination ways to selectively powering one or more of the plurality of low voltage auxiliary electrical loads. In some embodiments, the controller 104 may be capable of transferring only excess low voltage electric load to the smart alternator or the DC-DC convertor (204A and 204B) via the load switching circuit 300 during partial shading or cloudy condition, when the plurality of solar PV panels 202 may not be able to fulfil an entire auxiliary electric load demand.
[033] In some embodiments, the controller 104 may consider the condition where the primary power source 110, such as the smart alternator 204A or DC-DC convertor 204B may not be active or in OFF state. Under such conditions, if sufficient solar power may not be available to supply to the one or more auxiliary low voltage electric loads, these auxiliary electrical loads may be turned off with enough charge left in the battery to crank the device. For this, the controller 104 may take input from the CAN network to check if combustion engine may be running or the HV battery may be in ON state. Based on the checking, the controller may send out an error message on the CAN network if primary power source 110 may not available during night condition or battery SOC falls below a certain threshold.
[034] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of processes may be employed to manage one or more electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device. For example, the exemplary electrical system 100 and the associated controller 102 may manage one or more electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device by the processes discussed herein. In particular, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, control logic and/or automated routines for performing the techniques and steps described herein may be implemented by the system 100 and the controller 104 either by hardware, software, or combinations of hardware and software. For example, suitable code may be accessed and executed by the controller 104 on the system 100 to perform some or all of the techniques described herein. Similarly, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) configured to perform some, or all of the processes described herein may be included in the controller 104 on the system 100.
[035] Referring now to FIG. 4, a method 400 to manage one or more electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device is depicted via a flowchart, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. All the steps 402-406 of the method 400 may be performed by the controller 104 of the system 100. At step 404, a plurality of parameters comprising an output voltage of a solar power source, a status of a primary power source powering the device, and a state of charge (SOC) of a battery may be determined. It should be noted that each of the plurality of parameters maybe determined by the controller 104 upon receiving each of the plurality of parameters through the plurality of sensors and the solar charge controller 108 of the system 100.
[036] Once the plurality of parameters is determined, at step 404, the selective powering of the one or more electrical loads may be managed based on the SOC of the battery, the output voltage of the solar power source 106, an output current of the battery, an output current of the solar power source, and a threshold charge level of the battery.
[037] Further, based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery, the output voltage of the solar power source, the output current of the battery, the output current of the solar power source, and the threshold charge level of the battery, the charging of the battery may be managed, at step 406. It should be noted that the threshold charge level may be set based on the status of the primary power source. The status of the primary power source may be one of ON or OFF.
[038] In some embodiments, upon determination of the status of the primary power source as OFF, the controller 104 may set the threshold charge level of the battery at a first threshold level. The first threshold level may be set to 85% of SOC. Further, the controller 104 may determine one of: if the SOC of the battery is less than the first threshold level, and if the output voltage of the solar power source is about zero. Based on determination, the controller 104 may switching-OFF the one or more electrical loads.
[039] In some embodiments, upon determination of the status of the primary power source as ON, the controller 104 may set the threshold charge level of the battery at a second threshold level. The second threshold level may be set to 80% of SOC. Further, the controller 104 may determine one of: if the output voltage of the solar power source is about zero, and if the output current of the battery is less than the output current of the solar power source and if the SOC of the battery is less than the second threshold level. Based on determination, the controller 104 may initiate the charging of the battery using the primary power source.
[040] In some embodiments, upon determination of the status of the primary power source as ON, the controller 104 may set the threshold charge level of the battery at a second threshold level. Further, the controller 104 may determine if the output voltage of the solar power source is more than zero and if the output current of the battery is greater than the output current of the solar power. Based on determination, the controller 104 may initiate at least one of: the charging of the battery using the primary power source or performing selective powering of the one or more electrical loads. This is further explained in conjunction with FIG. 5.
[041] In some embodiments, the controller 104 may determine a relay voltage of the solar power source that may selectively charge the battery of the solar energy assisted device 102. The battery maybe selectively powering one or more of the plurality of electrical loads. The battery maybe further be charged through at least one of the primary power source 110 and the solar power source 106 of the solar energy assisted device 102.
[042] In some embodiments, the controller 104 may include the load switching circuit 300 that may perform at least one of an active switching of the plurality of electrical loads between the primary power source and the solar power source and the active control of duty cycle of the smart alternator 204A or the DC-DC convertor 204B. The controlling of duty cycle of the smart alternator 204A and the DC-DC convertor 204B may enhance fuel economy or range in the solar energy assisted device 102.
[043] An experimental study on variation in duty cycle of the smart alternator 204A or the DC-DC convertor 204B with or without using the solar power source in various operating conditions (i.e., different weather conditions, different traffic conditions, and different auxiliary load conditions) showed a remarkable improvement in the duty cycle and fuel efficiency. For example, the duty cycle of the smart alternator 204A or the DC-DC convertor 204B dropped in solar energy assisted device in comparison to that of non-solar energy assisted device. Further, for example, the fuel efficiency of the solar energy assisted device was better in comparison to that of non-solar energy assisted device. In an embodiment, the system 100 have been strategized to optimize the duty cycle and improve overall energy efficiency of the conventional diesel vehicle or the electrical vehicle.
[044] Referring now to FIG. 5, a functional flow diagram to manage a plurality of electrical loads in the solar energy assisted device 102 is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the controller 104 of the system 100 may include a control logic 500 to manage a plurality of electrical loads in the solar energy assisted device. At step 502, the controller 102 may receive an output voltage of the solar power source 106 (Vr), a state of the primary power source (Pow_p), and a state of charge of the battery (B_soc). It may be noted that, the output voltage of the solar power source 106 (Vr) may be transmitted by the solar charge controller 108 to the controller 104 and the state of charge of the battery 114 (B_soc) may be transmitted by the Intelligent battery sensor 116 to the controller 102.
[045] At step 504, a check may be performed to determine whether the state of the primary power source 110 (Pow_p) may be ON or OFF. if the state of the primary power source 110 (Pow_p) is OFF. At step 506, the controller 104 may set the threshold charge level of the battery 114 at a first threshold level of the battery 114 (B_thresh). The first threshold level of the battery 114 (B_thresh) may be set at usually higher level (85% of SOC) to save some power to crank the device as the primary power source 110 may not available.
[046] Further, at step 508, again a check may be performed to determine whether the output voltage of the solar power source 106 (Vr) may be zero or not. if the output voltage of the solar power source 106 (Vr) is not zero. At step 510, a comparison may be performed between the state of charge of the battery 114 (B_soc) and the first threshold level of the battery 114 (B_thresh). The comparison between the state of charge of the battery 114 (B_soc) and the first threshold level of the battery 114 (B_thresh) may be performed in order to check if battery may sustain the auxiliary electrical loads 116 running in case of no primary power source 110 is available. if the state of charge of the battery 114 (B_soc) is found to be less than the first threshold level of the battery 114 (B_thresh) and if the output voltage of the solar power source 106 (Vr) is zero, then at step 512, each of the plurality of the auxiliary electrical loads 116 may be switched OFF and the controller 104 may transmit an error message via a CAN to the solar energy assisted device 102.
[047] In some embodiments, at the step 504, if the state of the primary power source 110 (Pow_p) is found to be ON, then at step 514, the controller 104 may set the threshold charge level of the battery 114 at a second threshold level of the battery 114 (B_thresh). It may be noted that the second threshold level of the battery 114 (B_thresh) may be less (for example, 80% of SOC) than the first threshold level of the battery 114 (B_thresh), as the primary power source 110 of the device 102 may be available to charge the battery 114 up to the minimum level when required to crank the device 102.
[048] At step 516, a check may be performed to determine whether the output voltage of the solar power source 106 (Vr) may be zero or not. If the output voltage of the solar power source 106 (Vr) is not zero, then at step 518, the controller 104 may receive an output current of the battery 104 (Batt_c) and an output current of the solar power source 106 (Sol_c). At step 520, the controller 102 may determine the difference between the output current of the battery 114 (Batt_c) and the output current of the solar power source 106 (Sol_c) to check if output current of the solar power source 106 (Sol_c) may be enough to power the plurality of the auxiliary electrical loads 116.
[049] Further, if the difference between the output current of the battery 114 (Batt_c) and the output current of the solar power source 106 (Sol_c) is found to be less than zero, then at step 524, a comparison may performed between the state of charge of the battery 114 (B_soc) and the second threshold level of the battery 114 (B_thresh). If the state of charge of the battery 114 (B_soc) may be less than the second threshold level of the battery 114 (B_thresh), then at step 526, the alternator/DC-DC convertor 204A, 204B may be engaged with the combustion engine/HV battery 210. Additionally, if at step 520, the difference between the output current of the battery 114 (Batt_c) and the output current of the solar power source 106 (Sol_c) may be found to be greater than zero, then the alternator/DC-DC convertor 204A, 204B may engage with the combustion engine/HV battery 210 and the controller 102 may initiate the load switching circuit 300 and balancing to manage the auxiliary electrical loads 116 in the solar energy assisted device 102, at step 522.
[050] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the techniques described in the various embodiments discussed above are not routine, or conventional, or well understood in the art. The techniques discussed above provide for managing a plurality of electrical loads in the solar energy assisted vehicle. The techniques may first determine an output voltage of a solar power source, a status of a primary power source powering the device, and a state of charge (SOC) of a battery. The battery is selectively powering one or more of the plurality of electrical loads, and the battery is charged through at least one of the primary power source and a solar power source. The techniques may then manage at least one of the selective powering of the one or more electrical loads or the charging of the battery based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery, the output voltage of the solar power source, an output current of the battery, an output current of the solar power source, and a threshold charge level of the battery. The threshold charge level may be set based on the status of the primary power source.
[051] Thus, the disclosed method and system try to overcome the technical problem of poor duty cycle and poor fuel economy from the conventional ICE vehicle or the electrical vehicle due to improper electric load management. Therefore, the disclosed method and system may be capable of improving duty cycle and fuel economy for both ICE vehicle and electric vehicle. In case of ICE vehicle, the alternator load on the engine may be reduced, thus improving fuel economy. Whereas, in case of electric vehicle, the DC-DC convertor may not draw power from the HV battery, thus improving the range in the electric vehicle. Further, the disclosed method and system may have day/night detection capability, capable of providing real time smart load distribution between alternator/DC-DC convertor and solar PV panels (for optimum utilization of solar energy during partial shading or cloudy condition). Further, the disclosed method and system may use LIN based intelligent battery sensor which provides precise control. Further, the disclosed method and system may have provision to charge high voltage traction battery with surplus solar energy, and further may have capability to communicate error messages via device CAN.
[052] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed method and system, the claimed steps as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the device itself as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[053] The specification has described method and system to manage a plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device. The illustrated steps are set out to explain the exemplary embodiments shown, and it should be anticipated that ongoing technological development will change the manner in which particular functions are performed. These examples are presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Further, the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments.
[054] Furthermore, one or more computer-readable storage media may be utilized in implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. A computer-readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memory on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors, including instructions for causing the processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term “computer-readable medium” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals, i.e., be non-transitory. Examples include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs, flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.
[055] It is intended that the disclosure and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.
, Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A method (400) to manage a plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device (102), the method (400) comprising:
determining, by a controller (104), an output voltage of a solar power source (106), a status of a primary power source (110) powering the device, and a state of charge (SOC) of a battery (114), wherein the battery (114) is selectively powering one or more of the plurality of electrical loads, and wherein the battery (114) is charged through at least one of the primary power source (110) and the solar power source (106); and
managing, by the controller (104), at least one of: the selective powering of the one or more electrical loads or the charging of the battery (114) based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery (114), the output voltage of the solar power source (106), an output current of the battery (114), an output current of the solar power source (106), and a threshold charge level of the battery (114), wherein the threshold charge level is set based on the status of the primary power source (110).

2. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein upon determination of the state of the primary power source (110) as OFF,
setting, by the controller (104), the threshold charge level of the battery (114) at a first threshold level;
determining, by the controller (104), one of:
if the SOC of the battery (114) is less than the first threshold level; and
if the output voltage of the solar power source (106) is about zero; and
switching-OFF, by the controller (104), the one or more electrical loads based on the determination.

3. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein upon determination of the state of the primary power source (110) as ON,
setting, by the controller (104), the threshold charge level of the battery (114) at a second threshold level;
determining, by the controller (104), one of:
if the output voltage of the solar power source (106) is about zero; and
if the output current of the battery (114) is less than the output current of the solar power source (106) and if the SOC of the battery (114) is less than the second threshold level; and
initiating, by the controller (104), the charging of the battery (114) using the primary power source (110).

4. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein upon determination of the state of the primary power source (110) as ON,
setting, by the controller (104), the threshold charge level of the battery (114) at a second threshold level;
determining, by the controller (104), if the output voltage of the solar power source (106) is more than zero and if the output current of the battery (114) is greater than the output current of the solar power source (106); and
initiating, by the controller (104), at least one of: the charging of the battery (114) using the primary power source (110) or performing selective powering of the one or more electrical loads.

5. The method (400) as claimed in one of the claims 2, 3 and 4, wherein the first threshold level is greater than the second threshold level.

6. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solar energy assisted device (102) is a vehicle, and wherein the primary power source (110) is one of: an internal combustion engine, a high voltage battery, or a fuel cell.

7. A system (100) to manage a plurality of electrical loads in a solar energy assisted device (102), the system (100) comprises:
a controller (104) configured to:
determine an output voltage of a solar power source (106), a status of a primary power source (110) powering the device, and a state of charge (SOC) of a battery (114), wherein the battery (114) is selectively powering one or more of the plurality of electrical loads, and wherein the battery (114) is charged through at least one of the primary power sources (110) and a solar power source (106); and
manage at least one of: the selective powering of the one or more electrical loads or the charging of the battery (114) based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery (114), the output voltage of the solar power source (106), an output current of the battery (114), an output current of the solar power source (106), and a threshold charge level of the battery (114), wherein the threshold charge level is set based on the status of the primary power source (110).

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein upon determination of the state of the primary power source (110) as OFF,
the controller (104) is configured to:
set the threshold charge level of the battery (114) at a first threshold level;
determine one of:
if the SOC of the battery (114) is less than the first threshold level; and
if the output voltage of the solar power source (106) is about zero; and
switch-OFF the one or more electrical loads based on the determination.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein upon determination of the state of the primary power source (110) as ON,
the controller (104) is configured to:
set the threshold charge level of the battery (114) at a second threshold level;
determine one of:
if the output voltage of the solar power source (106) is about zero; and
if the output current of the battery (114) is less than the output current of the solar power (106) and if the SOC of the battery (114) is less than the second threshold level; and
initiate the charging of the battery (114) using the primary power source (110).

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein upon determination of the state of the primary power source (110) as ON,
the controller (104) is configured to:
set the threshold charge level of the battery (114) at a second threshold level;
determine if the output voltage of the solar power source (106) is more than zero and if the output current of the battery (114) is greater than the output current of the solar power (106); and
initiate at least one of: the charging of the battery using the primary power source (110) or performing selective powering of the one or more electrical loads.

11. The system (100) as claimed in one of the claims 8, 9 and 10, wherein the first threshold level is greater than the second threshold level.

12. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the solar energy assisted device (102) is a vehicle, and wherein the primary power source (110) is one of: an internal combustion engine, a high voltage battery, or a fuel cell.