STELLARIS CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120091808 | PHOTOVOLTAIC LADDER INVERTER - Techniques for DC-to-AC conversion are disclosed, and may be embodied in a solar inverter device that can operatively couple to a power grid. The device includes a photovoltaic (PV) stack including series-connected PV modules. Each PV module is associated with a capacitor for storing output of that PV module. A positive terminator circuit switches a negative end of the PV stack to ground during positive half of grid cycle, and a negative terminator switches a positive end of the PV stack to ground during negative half of grid cycle. A connecting branch couples each PV module output to a common bus, each branch including control circuitry configured to selectively couple the corresponding PV module output to bus. During a first half of grid cycle, some of the capacitors discharge to the grid while a balance of the capacitors charge in preparation for discharge during a second half of grid cycle. | 04-19-2012 |
20110067693 | INTEGRATED MOUNT FOR SOLAR PANELS - Apparatus and methods are disclosed for reducing or eliminating the need for an intermediate supporting rack in a solar panel installation, which in turn may lower the cost of the installation. In one exemplary embodiment, a mount design is provided that includes a mounting flange attached to or integrally formed with a first side of a solar panel frame. This first side and flange operate together with a second side of the solar panel frame that is designed to engage with the mounting flange and first side of an adjacent solar panel. The geometry of the first and second sides may be such that they engage upon installation. The engagement may further include pins or similar components protruding from one side of one solar panel to fit into corresponding holes in a side of an adjacent panel. | 03-24-2011 |
20100147360 | Assembly of a Photovoltaic Concentrator - Techniques are disclosed that facilitate the manufacturability, mechanical integrity, and performance of photovoltaic devices and assemblies. One embodiment includes assembling concentrating lenses into a structural frame such that the lenses are aligned and mechanically secure both during and upon completion of the assembly. Another embodiment includes a method of assembly where an optical coupling material is injected into a cavity within a concentrating lens that encloses a photovoltaic material. Another embodiment includes a method of assembly that creates an enclosed busway within a rail supporting the concentrating lenses, wherein a clamping cover serves to mechanically lock or otherwise secure the lenses to the supporting rail while at the same time serves as a section of the rail assembly that encloses the busway for the electrical wiring and interconnections. | 06-17-2010 |
20100012187 | ENCAPSULATION OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC CONCENTRATOR - Techniques are disclosed for protecting a photovoltaic device from the environment. An electrical interconnection is also provided for increased mechanical and electrical protection of the photovoltaic and electrical interconnections between lens cell assemblies configured in an array using an enclosed busway structure. Also provided is a method of leading the electrical contacts from the photovoltaic material within the lens cell assembly such that there is a positive seal provided by the lens encapsulating material. One such embodiment comprises a passage within the lens itself, which serves as a conduit for electrical leads from the photovoltaic material. The internal passage for electrical leads enables the ability to completely wrap and seal the lens assembly with encapsulating film, which in combination with an enclosed busway operatively coupling an array of lens assemblies, allows for a highly manufacturable and secure seal over the photovoltaic system. | 01-21-2010 |
20090212629 | PHOTOVOLTAIC LADDER INVERTER - Techniques for DC-to-AC conversion are disclosed, and may be embodied in a solar inverter device that can operatively couple to a power grid. The device includes a photovoltaic (PV) stack including series-connected PV modules. Each PV module is associated with a capacitor for storing output of that PV module. A positive terminator circuit switches a negative end of the PV stack to ground during positive half of grid cycle, and a negative terminator switches a positive end of the PV stack to ground during negative half of grid cycle. A connecting branch couples each PV module output to a common bus, each branch including control circuitry configured to selectively couple the corresponding PV module output to bus. During a first half of grid cycle, some of the capacitors discharge to the grid while a balance of the capacitors charge in preparation for discharge during a second half of grid cycle. | 08-27-2009 |