Controls Motor Speed as a Function of Available DC Source Power for Optimum Performance — June 22, 2005

WorldWater filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a Maximum Power Point Speed Control, a method and apparatus that performs maximum power tracking of motor speed. The present invention relates generally to the operation of AC motors or similar loads with AC motor drives that convert power from a DC source (such as sun power) to AC, and more particularly to operation of the motor at maximum power as the power from the DC source varies.

A particular application is to solar powered systems and water pumps. A solar powered water pumping system typically has three primary components: the solar array, made of photovoltaic (PV) modules; a converter (inverter or motor drive) which converts the DC from the PV array to AC; and an AC motor (pump). The motor typically runs at a particular frequency (speed), e.g. 60 Hz. The converter will usually be set to provide AC power at that particular frequency. The motor will run at a speed equal to the AC frequency. The WorldWater & Power development replaces hardware with software enabling the motor to change speed in order to operate optimally with the available power from the sun.

WorldWater has two patents issued involving its new technology and three more pending

The first patent (issued Aug 14, 2001) enabled WorldWater & Power Corp. to break through the generally accepted 5 hp limit on solar pumping systems to operate systems up to 600 hp and to interact seamlessly with the electric grid. (Other solar pumping systems are limited to 5 hp because they have not successfully developed such a power control system capable of adapting to the wide fluctuations of power generated by the solar array above that level.) Bias Controlled DC to AC Converter and Systems - 2001

The second patent (issued June 24, 2003) enables the sensing of grid power interruptions with an ensuing immediate switch to solar drive to continue motor/pump operations. Together, these two patents bring tight protection to the individual inventions, forcing any competitor attempting to obtain high-powered solar pumping and/or grid backup power to use the WorldWater & Power Corp. patents or to try illegally to avoid them. Switchable Multiple Source Power Supply - 2003

These patents open vast new markets to WorldWater & Power Corp. as the only solar company able to operate in the industrial areas of large-scale agriculture, refrigeration, wineries, water utilities and wastewater operations

WorldWater Featured in New York Times Patents Column - Solar technology automatically provides grid backup during blackout - 9-1-03

The column, written by Patents columnist Teresa Riordan, emphasized the ability of the automatic switching technology to switch a system to backup solar power within seconds of a power failure, such as the recent Northeast and Midwest power blackout. It also noted that the switching takes place without any operator intervention.

The column noted that the technology was originally developed to assist California farmers avoid grid power outages when irrigating their crops on hot, dry days. Other likely adopters of the new technology include water and sewage plants, like those that dumped millions of gallons of raw sewage into waterways during the recent blackout. Users may also include shopping centers and utilities, the column said. It also is ideal for use in developing countries, where electrical grid power frequently is unavailable.

The patent, number 6,583,522, was issued in June to Dr. Anand Rangarajan, WorldWater’s Executive Vice President, and Thomas McNulty, Director of Engineering.

WorldWater & Solar Technologies, Corp. is a full service solar energy and water management company with unique high-powered solar technology providing solutions to water supply and energy problems.