US 8796884

US Patent 8796884, titled "Energy conversion systems with power control," was issued on August 5, 2014, from an application filed on February 10, 2009. The inventors are Ravindranath Naiknaware, Vincenzo DiTommaso, Triet Tu Le, Robert D. Batten, and Terri Shreeve Fiez. The current assignee of record is GRIDSCALE SOLUTIONS, LLC, with Enphase Energy Inc also listed as a current assignee.

The abstract describes a power conversion system that includes a controller for power control to a converter and a distortion mitigation circuit. Another embodiment features a converter for transferring power between a source and a load with fluctuating demand, and a controller that can selectively disable power control. A further embodiment presents a power conversion system with a controller that generates a drive signal for power control in a power path, where the sense signal for control is taken from a point other than the power path's input, or the drive signal is applied to a power stage other than the first.

A plain-language overview of the independent claims is as follows:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a power conversion system that takes power from a source and delivers it to a load. The system includes a power path with multiple power stages and an energy storage device. A controller manages the power stages. The controller includes a constant power control loop that maintains a substantially constant power output from the source by controlling at least one power stage in response to a sensed parameter from the power path. This control causes fluctuations on the energy storage device to remain isolated from the power source. The controller also has a distortion mitigation circuit that processes signals from the power path to reduce distortion in the power delivered to the load.

• Claim 19: This claim describes a power conversion system for connecting a power source to an AC load. It comprises a converter to convert DC power from the source to AC power for the load. An energy storage device within the converter balances power flow. A controller is included, having a power control loop to maintain the power output from the power source at a substantially constant value despite fluctuations from the AC load. The power control loop allows the voltage across the energy storage device to fluctuate with an AC component. The controller also has a distortion mitigation circuit that processes information from the converter and the AC load to reduce distortion in the AC power delivered to the load.

• Claim 20: This claim is directed to a power conversion system that connects a power source to an AC load via a converter and an energy storage device. The system includes a controller with a distortion mitigation circuit. This circuit processes information about the converter and the AC load to reduce distortion in the AC power delivered to the load. Crucially, the voltage across the energy storage device is allowed to fluctuate with an AC component.

• Claim 26: This claim details a method for converting power from a DC source to an AC load using a converter with an energy storage device. The method involves sensing a parameter in the power path and, in response, controlling at least one power stage to maintain a substantially constant power output from the DC source. This allows the voltage on the energy storage device to fluctuate with an AC component. Additionally, the method includes sensing information related to the converter and the AC load, and using this information to reduce distortion in the AC power delivered to the load.

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 8796884, a search of CAFC case information for 2026 did not yield any specific dockets or cases directly referencing patent number 8796884. This indicates that as of the current date (April 26, 2026), there are no publicly available records of active appeals or challenges related to this specific patent in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for the year 2026.