SMA SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AG Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150333657 | INVERTER, METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INVERTER AND ENERGY SUPPLY INSTALLATION WITH AN INVERTER - The invention relates to an inverter with at least one DC input for connecting to an energy producing device and/or an energy store and with a multiphase AC output for connecting to a local energy distribution network, which is coupled to a likewise multiphase master energy supply network via a switching device. The inverter is characterised in that it has a control terminal for connecting to the switching device such that individual phases of the local energy distribution network can be selectively connected to or disconnected from corresponding phases of the energy supply network via the control terminal, and is intended, in the event of a network error of at least one but not all phases of the energy supply network, to separate, via the control terminal, the at least one defective phase of the energy supply network from the corresponding phase of the local energy distribution network and to supply the at least one separated phase of the local energy distribution network with network-compatible alternating voltage. The invention also relates to a method for operating such an inverter and to an energy supply installation with an inverter. | 11-19-2015 |
20150333503 | CENTRALIZED DC CURTAILMENT FOR OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION - A disconnect unit and an associated method in a photovoltaic system includes a plurality of input power lines configured to receive power from a photovoltaic (PV) generator, and deliver the received power to an inverter. The disconnect unit further includes a sensor configured to determine a voltage at the plurality of input power lines, and a controller configured to selectively disconnect and reconnect one or more of the plurality of input power lines based on the determined voltage. | 11-19-2015 |
20140210485 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AN ARC IN A DC CIRCUIT - The disclosure relates to a method for detecting an arc in a DC circuit. The method includes measuring and analyzing an AC component (I | 07-31-2014 |
20140191589 | SAFETY DEVICE FOR A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM - The disclosure relates to a safety device for a photovoltaic system for feeding into a power supply system, that includes at least one input for connection to a PV generator, at least one output for connection to an inverter, and a switching element for de-energizing the at least one output. The safety device includes an evaluating unit configured to switch the switching element based on a low-frequency signal at the at least one output. The disclosure also relates to a method for operating such a safety device. | 07-10-2014 |
20140166635 | INVERTER WITH MONITORING OF THE MOISTURE STATE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INVERTER - An inverter for converting electrical power from a DC voltage generator is disclosed. The inverter includes a moisture sensor inside a housing of the inverter, and a control unit for controlling the inverter connected to the moisture sensor for receiving a moisture value from the moisture sensor. The inverter also includes a heating element connected to the control unit. The control unit is configured to control the inverter based on the moisture value such that, in the case where a limit value for the moisture is exceeded, the voltage at an input of the converter unit lies below an arc-avoiding voltage value and electrical power is fed to the heating element. Furthermore, a method for operating an inverter of this type is disclosed. | 06-19-2014 |
20140160704 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE COMPRISING A CAPACITOR IN A HOLDER FOR A CIRCUIT BOARD AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF - An electronic device includes a housing, a circuit board, a plurality of holders having mechanical connectors to the housing and to the circuit board and mechanically fixing the circuit board within the housing, and at least one capacitor having a first electrode, a second electrode and a dielectric arranged between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode is electrically connected to a contact on the circuit board, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the housing. The at least one capacitor is part of one of the plurality of holders; and the dielectric of the capacitor is part of a thermal insulation between the connectors to the circuit board and to the housing. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159504 | POTENTIAL DEFINITION OF INPUT LINES OF AN INVERTER - For defining an electric potential of input lines of an inverter with respect to ground, in all current-carrying output lines of the inverter capacitors are arranged and charged to a DC voltage in order to shift the electric potential of the input lines with respect to a reference potential present at the current-carrying output lines of the inverter by this DC voltage. | 06-12-2014 |
20140153298 | INVERTER WITH COUPLED INDUCTANCES - An inverter for converting a direct current flowing between two input lines into an alternating current flowing between two output lines includes first and second series circuits each including two switches configured to switch at a high frequency and of an inductance connected between the switches, wherein the two inductances are magnetically coupled. The inverter further includes diodes which lead from opposite sides of the inductances to a first intermediate point and diodes leading from a second intermediate point to the opposite sides of the inductances, and an unfolding circuit which forwards a direct current flowing between the intermediate points and consisting of sine-shaped half-waves to the output lines with a polarity changing half-wave by half-wave. | 06-05-2014 |
20140144666 | Electronic Device with Electrically Conducting Cover Connection - An electronic device is provided with a base as a first housing part and a cover as a second housing part, the first housing part and the second housing part being formed at least partially from conductive material. In an assembled state, the electronic device is electrically connected by a fastening pair respectively belonging to one of the two housing parts, the fastening pair having a pin with at least three pressure edges and a recess with an opening cross section adapted to the pin. In the assembled state, the pin protrudes into the recess in such a way that a holding force between the two housing parts is exerted between the pressure edges and the walls of the recess. | 05-29-2014 |
20140119083 | DC/AC CONVERTER, POWER GENERATION PLANT AND OPERATING METHOD FOR A DC/AC CONVERTER - A DC/AC converter for converting DC power of a number of inductively connected generators into power grid conformal AC power for feeding into a connected power grid with a number of phases, includes an intermediate circuit with a positive and a negative intermediate circuit connection, and for each phase, a bridge. Each bridge includes a first switch between the positive intermediate circuit connection and a phase terminal, a second switch connected between a positive generator terminal of the generator and the phase terminal, a third switch connected between a negative generator terminal of the generator and the phase terminal, and a fourth switch between the negative intermediate circuit connection and the phase terminal. | 05-01-2014 |
20140097854 | Isolation Monitoring Using a Test Signal of Variable Frequency - In monitoring an isolation of an ungrounded power grid an AC voltage source is connected to the power grid via at least one test resistor. A test signal with a periodic continuous voltage course with regard to ground and with a frequency is applied to the power grid by means of the AC voltage source. A leakage current flowing due to the test signal is measured; and an ohmic isolation resistance is determined from the leakage current. The frequency of the test signal is varied such that an active current part of the leakage current keeps a predetermined recommended value at varying leakage capacitances of the power grid. This provides for a desired level of accuracy at maximum speed of isolation or ground fault detection. | 04-10-2014 |
20140062500 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AN ARC FAULT IN A POWER CIRCUIT - A method of detecting an arc fault in a power circuit includes injecting an AC-signal into the power circuit and measuring a response signal that is related to the injected AC-signal in the power circuit. The method further includes determining a frequency response of the power circuit from the response signal, analyzing the frequency response, and identifying a preferred frequency. A signal related to AC-current flowing in the power circuit within the preferred frequency range is measured and an occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is signaled depending on the measured signal. A system for detecting an arc fault is designed to perform a method as described before. | 03-06-2014 |
20130336013 | DC-to-DC Converter and Method for Operating a DC-to-DC Converter - The disclosure relates to a method for operating a DC-to-DC converter with two bridge arrangements with bridge switches, of which at least one is in the form of a switchable bridge arrangement which may be operated either as a full bridge or as a half bridge. The converter further includes a series resonant circuit, wherein the first and second bridge arrangements are coupled to one another via the series resonant circuit. At least one switchable bridge arrangement is operated as a full bridge in at least one time segment and as a half bridge in at least one further time segment within a half-period of a periodic switching of the bridge switches. The disclosure furthermore relates to a DC-to-DC converter and an inverter and a power generation installation including such a DC-to-DC converter. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335861 | Method and System for Detecting an Arc Fault in a Power Circuit - The method of detecting an arc fault in a power circuit includes determining a first signal related to current flowing in the power circuit is determined and analyzing the first signal to determine whether the signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit. In case the first signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit, means for suppressing an electric arc are activated. A second signal related to current flowing in the power circuit is then determined and analyzed. An occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is signaled if the second signal does not indicate the presence of an electric arc. The system for detecting an arc fault is designed to perform a corresponding method. | 12-19-2013 |
20130320778 | Protective Device for a Photovoltaic System - A protective device for a photovoltaic system includes at least one input for connection to a photovoltaic generator and at least one output for delivery of an electric power supplied from the photovoltaic generator. The protective device includes a detection device for a signal applied via the at least one output, and is configured to provide a low level-limited voltage at the at least one output if an applied signal does not meet a predetermined criteria, and is further configured to connect the at least one output with low resistance to the at least one input via a switching device if the applied signal meets the predetermined criteria. | 12-05-2013 |
20130271888 | Photovoltaic System and Apparatus for Operating a Photovoltaic System - The disclosure relates to a PV system including at least one inverter coupled to a grid via an AC disconnecting element and at least one transformer. The PV system includes at least one PV sub-generator having at least one PV string connected to a DC connection region of the inverter via DC lines. The PV system includes protection devices including a DC short-circuiting switch for short-circuiting the at least one PV string and a reverse-current protection element connected downstream thereof. The protection device includes an AC short-circuiting switch arranged upstream of the AC disconnecting element. | 10-17-2013 |
20130250641 | Method for Connecting a Photovoltaic Installation to a Power Supply - The disclosure relates to a method for connecting a photovoltaic installation to a power supply grid, the photovoltaic installation comprising a photovoltaic generator, a direct voltage intermediate circuit with at least one capacitor, and an inverter. The method including connecting the direct voltage intermediate circuit to the photovoltaic generator and the capacitor is pre-charged to a first voltage. The direct voltage intermediate circuit is then separated from the photovoltaic generator and the capacitor is discharged to or below a second voltage that corresponds to a maximum operating voltage of the inverter. The inverter is then connected to the power supply grid, an inverter bridge of the inverter is clocked, and the direct voltage intermediate circuit is connected to the photovoltaic generator. | 09-26-2013 |
20130249515 | Voltage Converter Comprising a Storage Inductor with one Winding and a Storage Inductor with Two Windings - A circuitry includes first, second, and third switching elements, first and second storage inductors, two connector pairs, and first and second intermediate potential points. The second storage inductor includes first and second windings. The first intermediate potential point is connected to a first connector of the first connector pair via the first storage inductor, to the second connector of the first connector pair via the third switching element, and to the second intermediate potential point. The second intermediate potential point is connected to the first connector of the second connector pair via a series connection of the first switching element and the first winding of the second storage inductor, and to the second connector of the second connector pair via a series connection of the second switching element and the second winding of the second storage inductor. | 09-26-2013 |
20130247954 | Window or Door Having a Photovoltaic Module - A window or door for a building has a glass element surrounded by a frame or a fixed frame and comprises at least one PV module. At least one electrical or electronic component for operating the at least one PV module is arranged in the frame or in the fixed frame. | 09-26-2013 |
20130242616 | POWER INVERTER FOR FEEDING ELECTRIC ENERGY FROM A DC POWER GENERATOR INTO AN AC GRID WITH TWO POWER LINES - A power inverter includes two input terminals, two output terminals and a resonant converter that includes a high frequency transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, at least one high frequency switched semiconductor power switch that connects one end of the primary winding of the high frequency transformer to one of the input terminals to provide a current path through the primary winding to the other one of the input terminals. The power inverter further includes a resonant series circuit having an inductance and a capacitance, and a high frequency rectifier that rectifies a current through the secondary winding, two output lines, and an output converter connected between the output lines of the high frequency rectifier and the two output terminals. | 09-19-2013 |
20130241535 | Method for Verifying an Electrical Connection Between a Generator and an Inverter - A method of verification of an electrical connection between a generator and an inverter by a cable is disclosed. The method includes placing a handheld device with a current detection sensor in vicinity of a cable. A command to change a current is transmitted from the handheld device to the inverter to generate a current signature within an inverter-generator connection cable. A sensor signature is detected by the current detection sensor and compared to the current signature caused by the command to change a current. A verification signal based on the comparison is generated. The method may be used to compile a wiring plan between a plurality of generators and a plurality of inverters. | 09-19-2013 |
20130241297 | Inverter System and Method for Operation of a Photovoltaic Installation for Feeding Electrical Power into a Medium-Voltage Power Supply Grid - The disclosure relates to a method for operation of a photovoltaic installation for feeding electrical power into a medium-voltage power supply grid, with the photovoltaic installation having a plurality of photovoltaic modules, at least one inverter and at least one medium-voltage transformer, and with the primary side of the medium-voltage transformer being connected directly to an alternating-current (AC) low-voltage output of the inverter, and at least one direct-current (DC) switching member being arranged between the photovoltaic modules and a DC input of the inverter. When the electrical power produced by the photovoltaic modules in the photovoltaic installation is not sufficient for feeding electrical power into the supply grid, the photovoltaic modules are disconnected from an inverter on the DC voltage side while, in contrast, the inverter remains connected to the medium-voltage power supply grid on the AC voltage side by the medium-voltage transformer. | 09-19-2013 |
20130221755 | Circuit Arrangement for Setting a Potential of a Photovoltaic Generator - A circuit arrangement for setting a potential of a photovoltaic generator with respect to a ground potential (GND) includes at least one first resistance connected between a negative output of the photovoltaic generator and a ground connection, and a series circuit including at least one second resistance and a breakdown diode connected in series between a positive output of the photovoltaic generator and the ground connection to which the ground potential (GND) is applied. Alternatively, the circuit arrangement includes at least one first resistance connected between a positive output of the photovoltaic generator and a ground connection, and a series circuit including at least one second resistance and a breakdown diode connected in series between a negative output of the photovoltaic generator and the ground connection to which the ground potential (GND) is applied. | 08-29-2013 |
20130182477 | Method for Stabilizing an Electric Grid - A method for grid support by means of an inverter is disclosed, wherein the grid is supported by feeding in compensation currents. The method includes measuring a prevailing grid state, and breaking down voltages measured for measuring the prevailing grid state into symmetrical components of the grid state including positive sequence system components and negative sequence system components. The method further includes determining symmetrical components of a compensation current including positive sequence system components and negative sequence system components of the compensation current as functions of deviations of the positive sequence system components and negative sequence system components of the grid state from reference values, and feeding-in a compensation current as the vector sum of the determined symmetrical components of the compensation current | 07-18-2013 |
20130148100 | Method of Localizing Objects Temporarily Shadowing a PV System - A method of localizing stationary objects causing temporary shadowing of light sensitive components of a PV system is disclosed. The method includes analyzing an electrical signal of the light sensitive components with regard to an occurrence of a shadowing event caused by the stationary object, and determining from a solar altitude associated with the shadowing event a direction of the stationary object causing the shadowing event. The analysis of the electrical signal takes into account a shadow movement of the object as a function of the solar altitude. A distance of the object is determined from this analysis. The results of the method may be used to determine an energy loss associated with the stationary object and may support a decision on removal of the object to improve efficiency of the PV system. | 06-13-2013 |
20130147275 | INVERTER WITH AN AC INTERFACE FOR THE CONNECTION OF AC MODULES - An inverter for feeding a grid-compatible AC voltage into a grid is described, wherein the inverter includes an inverter bridge for converting a DC voltage to a first AC voltage and a grid interface between the inverter bridge and the grid for converting the first AC voltage to the grid-compatible AC voltage for feeding into the grid. An AC interface via which an AC module for feeding into the grid can be connected, is arranged between the inverter bridge and the grid interface. | 06-13-2013 |
20130141133 | Apparatus and Method for Monitoring a Photovoltaic System - The apparatus for monitoring a photovoltaic system includes an incoupling circuit configured to couple an AC voltage test signal into the photovoltaic system, and an outcoupling circuit configured to outcouple a response signal, which is associated with the test signal, from the photovoltaic system, and an evaluation device, which is connected to the outcoupling circuit. The evaluation device is configured to identify events which adversely affect correct operation of the photovoltaic system. The apparatus is distinguished in that the outcoupling circuit includes a first transformer and a second transformer, each having a respective primary winding and each having a respective secondary winding which is connected to the evaluation device, with the primary windings of the first and second transformers being arranged in different electrical lines between a generator and an inverter in the photovoltaic system. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for monitoring a photovoltaic system. | 06-06-2013 |
20130134955 | Method for Operation of a Photovoltaic Generator at an Operating Point of Maximum Power - A method includes searching for a point of maximum power based on a systematic load variation, setting the point of maximum power as the operating point of the photovoltaic generator, and tracking the operating point based on a load variation with a narrow variation range. The method also includes analyzing operating variables of the photovoltaic generator to determine the level of probability that the operating point deviates from the point of maximum power, selectively interrupting the tracking and carrying out another search to determine the point of maximum power as a function of the analysis of the operating variables, and setting the point of maximum power as the operating point, and resuming the tracking. The method further takes into account previous searches carried out in the presence of comparable operating variables to determine the probability. | 05-30-2013 |
20130121029 | Connecting an Inverter in a Solar Power Plant with Shifted Potential Center Point - The invention relates to a process of connecting an AC output of a transformerless inverter of a solar power plant to an internal AC power grid at an input side of a galvanic isolation, while an offset voltage for shifting a potential center point of a photovoltaic generator connected to the inverter is applied. The process includes: (i) synchronizing the inverter with the power grid; (ii) essentially matching a potential center point of the current-carrying lines of the AC output and a potential center point of the power grid, while only one of the potential center points of the current-carrying lines and the power grid is yet shifted by the offset voltage; and (iii) galvanically connecting all current-carrying lines of the AC output with the power grid only after the steps of synchronizing and essentially matching. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120017 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM - A device and corresponding method for monitoring a photovoltaic system to detect an occurrence of events impairing normal operation of the photovoltaic system is provide. The photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic generator including a first group of photovoltaic modules and a second group of photovoltaic modules being different from the first group. The device includes a first and a second pair of coupling means, both pairs including signal coupling-in means for coupling a test signal into the photovoltaic generator, and a signal coupling-out means for coupling out a response signal from the photovoltaic generator, the first pair of coupling means configured to selectively detect the occurrence of the events in the first group of photovoltaic modules, and the second pair of coupling means configured to selectively detect the occurrence of the events in the second group of photovoltaic modules. | 05-16-2013 |
20130099571 | Method for the Operational Control of an Inverter - A method for the operational control of an inverter designed for DC/AC voltage conversion that has at least one direct-voltage input and that can be connected to a power supply grid via at least one alternating-voltage output, the inverter being involved in a power flow interaction with the grid in such a manner that, during operation of the inverter, a leakage current I | 04-25-2013 |
20130088252 | METHOD FOR DIAGNOSIS OF CONTACTS OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM AND APPARATUS - A method for monitoring of contacts of a photovoltaic system includes injection of a test signal having a plurality of frequencies, into the photovoltaic system, and determining a generator impedance of the photovoltaic system by evaluating a response signal associated with the test signal. The method further includes monitoring of contacts of the photovoltaic system independently of operating states of the photovoltaic system by modelling of an alternating-current response of the photovoltaic system based on the determined generator impedance, wherein the modelling is specific to at least two different operating states of the photovoltaic system. | 04-11-2013 |
20130088086 | CIRCUITRY ARRANGEMENT FOR A SOLAR POWER PLANT COMPRISING A DC VOLTAGE SOURCE FOR AN OFFSET VOLTAGE - A circuitry arrangement for a solar power plant includes a transformerless inverter for feeding electric power from at least one photovoltaic generator into an alternating power grid, a galvanic separation of all lines carrying current between the inverter and the power grid, and a DC voltage source in an offset path between one electric line at the input side of the galvanic separation and a reference potential. The DC voltage source provides an offset voltage. The offset path includes a DC branch and an AC branch connected in parallel. The direct voltage source is connected in series with a current sensor in the DC branch, and at least one capacitor is arranged in the AC branch. Further, a DC contactor triggered by the current sensor is arranged in the offset path. | 04-11-2013 |
20130086219 | COMMUNICATION WITH DISTRIBUTED DEVICES HANDLING ELECTRIC ENERGY VIA THE INTERNET - A method of communication of distributed devices handling electric energy with communication partners via the Internet includes programming rules in a server. The rules determine between which device and which communication partner a communication connection is to be mediated based on generic properties of the devices, generic properties of the communication partners and an initializing time-variable datum. The communication connection is a point to point, point to multi point or multi point to multi point connection via the internet. Data are transmitted from each device and each communication partner to the server via the Internet. These data include both a communication address and attributes indicative of the generic properties of the device or the communication partner, respectively. The communication connection is mediated between the device and the communication partner determined by the rules in response to a value of the initializing time-variable datum also defined by the rules. | 04-04-2013 |
20130058140 | METHOD FOR LIMITING THE GENERATOR VOLTAGE OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION IN CASE OF DANGER AND PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION - An inverter operable to interface with a generator that has a number of partial strings includes an inverter bridge circuit configured to connect to the partial strings, and a control device operably associated with the inverter bridge circuit. The inverter further includes a series-connection switching device configured to selectively connect the partial strings in series in response to a control signal from the control device such that the series-connection switching device interrupts the series connection of the partial strings in case of a hazard condition detected by the control device. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057989 | METHOD FOR LIMITING THE GENERATOR VOLTAGE OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION IN CASE OF DANGER AND PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION - A protection system configured to couple between a generator that has a number of partial strings and an inverter includes a control device, and a series-connection switching device configured to selectively connect the partial strings together in series. The system also includes a parallel-connection switching device configured to selectively connect the partial strings together in parallel, wherein the series-connection switching device is actuated by the control device such that it interrupts the series connection of the partial strings in case of a hazard, and the parallel-connection switching device is actuated by the control device such that it connects the partial strings together in parallel in case of a hazard. | 03-07-2013 |
20130043880 | Determination of the Fault Current Component of a Differential Current - For the purpose of determining a fault current component of a differential current which is measured as a current sum over a plurality of lines carrying a current of an AC current generator, an electric signal which depends on generator voltages present at the AC current generator with respect to earth potential and which is in phase with a leakage current component of the differential current is generated. The electric signal is scaled by multiplying it by a scaling factor; and the scaled electric signal is subtracted from the differential current to obtain a remainder. The scaling factor is repeatedly updated such that the effective value of the remainder reaches a minimum at the present value of the scaling factor. | 02-21-2013 |
20130028000 | APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING ELECTRIC ENERGY AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH AN APPARATUS - A device for converting direct voltage from an electrochemical store or a fuel cell to alternating voltage, includes a two-stage design having a single DC/DC converter stage for generating an intermediate circuit voltage from the output voltage of the electrochemical store or the fuel cell, which converter stage converts, in particular raises, the direct voltage in a wide input voltage range directly to an intermediate circuit voltage with which a DC/AC converter stage can be operated to generate the alternating voltage. The single DC/AC converter stage generates the alternating voltage from the intermediate circuit voltage. The invention further relates to a method for actuating a device for converting direct voltage from a store or energy generator into alternating voltage for feeding into a supply network. | 01-31-2013 |
20130027020 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A MAXIMUM POWER POINT OF PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATORS - A method for determining a maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic generator (PV) by variation of at least one parameter of search voltage and search current, within a maximally searchable search area on a power/voltage curve is disclosed. The method includes initializing by defining a start point with a start voltage and a start current, searching for the maximum power point (MPP) in at least one search direction by repeated variation of the search voltage or search current in the search area taking account of at least two limiting conditions for limiting the search area, wherein at least one of the limiting conditions for limiting the search area are is determined with evaluation of parameters provided in an operating state already attained during the search, and ending the search if one of the at least two limiting conditions for limiting the search area is met. | 01-31-2013 |
20120319495 | Power Inverter with Multi-Fed On-Board Power Supply - An inverter includes a DC/AC converter connectable to a DC power grid, at least one DC/DC converter arranged upstream of the DC/AC converter and providing a galvanic isolation, and a DC voltage link at the input of the at least one DC/DC converter and connectable to at least one DC power source. The inverter also includes at least one further DC voltage link which is galvanically isolated from the first DC voltage link by the DC/DC converter, on-board voltage rails supplying a controller and other auxiliary devices of the inverter with electric energy; and an on-board supply unit. The on-board supply unit is configured and adapted to feed the electric energy into the on-board voltage rails both out of the first DC voltage link and out of the at least one further DC voltage link. | 12-20-2012 |
20120281443 | INVERTER DEVICE COMPRISING A TOPOLOGY SURVEYING A SERIES OF CAPACITORS - An inverter device for feeding electrical energy from a DC-power source into a power grid includes a pair of bus lines to be connected to the DC-power source; a plurality of capacitors connected in series between the bus lines; a surveying topology surveying an integrity of the plurality of capacitors, and to provide a signal indicating a loss of integrity of one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; a voltmeter measuring a voltage drop over the plurality of capacitors; a DC/AC-inverter; and a controller. In case of the signal indicating a loss of integrity of one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors, the controller compares the voltage drop over the plurality of capacitors to a lost integrity threshold voltage value, and reduces a current load to the plurality of capacitors by reducing the power uptake of the DC/AC-inverter, when the voltage drop exceeds the lost integrity threshold voltage value. | 11-08-2012 |
20120280566 | Levelling Partial Powers Flowing via the Individual Phases of a Multi-Phase AC Grid - For levelling the partial powers which flow at a grid connection point between a multi-phase AC power grid having a plurality of phase conductors and a unit for feeding electric energy into the AC power grid having a multi-phase inverter as well as electric consumer loads connected to the AC power grid, via the individual phase conductors, differences between the partial powers flowing via the individual phase conductors are determined and are reduced by feeding different partial powers with the inverter into the individual phase conductors. | 11-08-2012 |
20120262952 | Groundable DC/DC Coverter - A DC/DC converter includes two input terminals for a DC input voltage, two output terminals for a DC output voltage, an inverter converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage, and a rectifier converting an AC voltage from the inverter into a DC voltage between a first one of the input terminals and a first one of the output terminals. At least one galvanically isolating element is arranged between the output of the inverter and the input of the rectifier, and a capacitance is coupled between the output terminals. The inverter converts a partial DC voltage, being smaller than the full DC input voltage, across a capacitance between the second one of the input terminals and the second one of the output terminals. | 10-18-2012 |
20120244809 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK BETWEEN PARTICIPANTS OF AN ASSIMILATION STEP - A method of building a wireless communication network between a plurality of pre-defined devices which include spatially distributed inverters for feeding electric energy into an AC power grid and which each have a spatially limited range in wireless communication is provided. The method includes the steps of assimilating the pre-defined devices for a limited period of time, and in the step of assimilating, generating at least one network ID and persistently storing the at least one network ID in each pre-defined device participating in the step of assimilating. The method further includes, after the step of assimilating, connecting each pre-defined device exclusively to such other pre-defined devices in which network IDs originating from the same step of assimilating are stored. | 09-27-2012 |
20120243279 | Buck Converter and Inverter Comprising the same - A buck converter for converting a DC voltage at input terminals into an output voltage at output terminals is disclosed. The buck converter includes a DC voltage link including a series-connection of at least two capacitors between the output terminals, and one subcircuit per each capacitor of the series-connection. Each subcircuit includes an inductor and a freewheeling diode. A first one of the input terminals is connected to a first output terminal by a series-connection of a semiconductor switch and the inductor of a first one of the subcircuits, and the subcircuits are coupled for balancing the voltages across their inductors. The buck converter may be used upstream of an inverter bridge of an inverter, such that a maximum voltage at the input terminals may exceed a maximum voltage rating of the bridge switches within the inverter. | 09-27-2012 |
20120236616 | INVERTER CAPABLE OF PROVIDING REACTIVE POWER - In an inverter includes two input lines for connection to a DC voltage source, two half-bridges connecting the two input lines, and two output lines for connection to an alternating current load or an AC power grid. Each half-bridge includes two pulse-operated switches with reverse connected diodes, each output line is connected to a center point of one of the half-bridges via an inductance, and the two output lines are connected to the same one of the input lines via a further pulse-operated switch behind the inductance with respect to the associated half-bridge. | 09-20-2012 |
20120228951 | Connecting a Photovoltaic Array at a High Open Circuit Voltage - For connecting a PV array via an inverter to an AC power grid, at first a DC link at the input side of the inverter is pre-charged from the AC power grid. A link voltage of the DC link is adjusted to a pre-set value with the inverter connected to the AC power grid, the pre-set value being lower than an open circuit voltage of the PV array, and then the PV array at its open circuit voltage is directly connected to the DC link, while the link voltage is continuously adjusted to the pre-set value. | 09-13-2012 |
20120200960 | METHOD FOR MEASURING A CURRENT, IN PARTICULAR BY MEANS OF A GROUNDING APPARATUS - The invention is a method and electric circuitry for measuring a grounding current of a photovoltaic power system incorporating a photovoltaic inverter, a measurement current being led through two shunts disposed at different points. The measurement current is a current that may flow alternatively at two different points at different electric potentials, the current flowing at a potential that differs by at least 50 V from the potential of the point of evaluation. The shunts are inserted in such a manner in a current mirror circuit that the voltage drop caused by the measurement in the shunts generates an asymmetry in the current mirror the magnitude of which is proportional to the measurement current. The measurement current is the grounding current of the photovoltaic power system with optional positive or negative pole grounding. | 08-09-2012 |
20120197557 | String Failure Monitoring - A method of monitoring a plurality of strings of a photovoltaic system connected to a power inverter includes measuring current values from individual strings to the power inverter; determining a reference current value from the measured current values; and standardizing the measured current values to the reference current value. The method further includes and analyzing the standardized current values of individual strings within representative time periods by comparison with comparison values established for the individual strings. Based on the analysis a failure of an individual string is ascertained. | 08-02-2012 |
20120182689 | INVERTER WITH ENCLOSURE - The invention relates to an inverter with an enclosure that includes a removable hand plug which, when inserted inside the enclosure, shares an electrical connection with the inverter. The hand plug includes a fan configured to cool at least a portion of the inverter enclosure. | 07-19-2012 |
20120177133 | CLOSED-CIRCUIT POWER LINE COMMUNICATION - A system for closed-circuit power line communication includes at least a first and second power line connected to at least one electrical device configured to receive a data signal. An auxiliary line is connected to the electrical devices to provide a ground connection, and at least one transmitter generates a first data signal for transmission over the first and second power lines, respectively, to the electrical device. A low-pass common-mode filter is connected to the first and second power lines to provide closed-circuit data communication between the transmitter and the electrical device, the filter comprising at least one coupling capacitor between said first and second power lines such that at least the polarities with respect to ground of said first data signals transmitted over the first and second power lines, respectively, are substantially similar. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176816 | STARTING UP A DC/DC CONVERTER HAVING A HIGH-FREQUENCY TRANSFORMER - During startup of a DC/DC converter having a high-frequency transformer whose primary winding is supplied with current from an input-side DC link via an inverter bridge having pulsed switches and whose secondary winding is used to charge an output-side DC link via a rectifier bridge. The switches of the inverter bridge are operated to load the output-side DC link, in a manner that deviates from a normal operation of the switches in order to limit the currents that flow in the DC/DC converter during startup of the DC/DC converter. Particularly, the switches of the inverter bridge are operated during startup of the DC/DC converter at a pulse width that is fixed during each of a limited number of stages of the startup, and have a duty cycle that is not more than 5 percent during each of the stages of the startup. | 07-12-2012 |
20120167950 | THERMALLY MOUNTING ELECTRONICS TO A PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL - An electronics assembly for a photovoltaic panel includes a substrate of a thermally conductive material, wherein the substrate defines a thermal contact area for thermally contacting the electronics assembly to a photovoltaic panel; and at least one electronic component provided on the substrate and in thermal contact with the substrate, so that when the electronics assembly is in thermal contact with the photovoltaic panel. The thermal contact provides a heat conductive channel between the at least one electronic component and the photovoltaic panel, wherein the heat conductive channel enables the electronics assembly to use the photovoltaic panel as a heat sink for heat produced by the at least one electronic component. | 07-05-2012 |
20120163048 | INVERTER, POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING A POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - The invention relates an inverter that may be set up as part of a power generation system for the connection of a number of substrings, which, using DC switches, can be connected to each other in series into a string and with the inverter. The inverter includes a bridge circuit to transform the power generated by the string comprising series-connected substrings into a grid-compatible AC voltage and to feed the power into a grid. The inverter also includes a ground fault detector arranged on the AC side of the bridge circuit for ground fault monitoring of the string. A controller connected to the ground fault detector controls the DC switches so that in case of a ground fault, a complete decoupling of the connection of the string from the bridge circuit and a separation of the string into potential-free substrings is performed. A method of operating such a power generation system is also described. | 06-28-2012 |
20120162839 | SAFETY DISCHARGE APPARATUS FOR AN ELECTRICAL STORAGE ELEMENT - A safety discharge apparatus for an electrical storage element includes a load device for discharging the electrical storage element connected to the safety discharge apparatus via input connections. The apparatus includes a clocked switching device connected to a control device that serves to produce and interrupt a discharge current via the load device and the storage element, and a voltage detection device that detects a storage voltage of the electrical storage element to be discharged. The voltage detection device is connected to a discharge condition monitor that checks a dischargeability of the electrical storage element. An operating method for a safety discharge apparatus is also disclosed. | 06-28-2012 |
20120140363 | Overvoltage Protection for Inverters that Comprise an EMC Filter at Their Input End - In an overvoltage protection apparatus before an inverter configured to feed electric energy from a DC voltage source into an AC power grid, the overvoltage protection apparatus includes a DC voltage input stage. The DC voltage input stage includes, at least two current-carrying lines and an EMC filter including interference suppressing capacitors and interference suppressing inductors, and surge arrestors configured to divert overvoltages with respect to ground are connected to the current-carrying lines after the EMC filter, from a point of view of the DC voltage source. | 06-07-2012 |
20120139347 | REVERSE CURRENT SENSOR - In a photovoltaic system including a plurality of strings, each includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules exclusively connected in series, bus lines to which the strings are connected in parallel, and a converter for feeding electric energy from the bus lines into a power grid. A system voltage drop between the bus lines can be adjusted by a controller of the converter, and a current sensor is provided for each string that at least determines whether a reverse current flows to the string and reports to the controller of the converter whether a reverse current flows to the string, and the controller of the converter reduces the system voltage present between the bus lines to stop the reverse current. | 06-07-2012 |
20120126626 | DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM A PLURALITY OF STRINGS OF PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES TO A POWER GRID - In a device for supplying electrical energy from a plurality of strings of photovoltaic modules to a power grid that includes a connection terminal for each string of the plurality of strings, wherein each connection terminal includes an over-current protection component including a power switch for selectively disconnecting the respective string. The device further includes a central insulation monitoring unit providing an insulation status of the entire plurality of strings, and the power switch of each over-current protection component includes an all-pole disconnecting power switch that can be opened and closed by a controller via a motor in response to the insulation status provided by the central insulation monitoring unit to select and selectively disconnect a string having an insulation failure. The device is further configured to supply electrical energy from the remaining strings of the plurality of strings having no insulation failure. | 05-24-2012 |
20120113702 | DC/DC CONVERTER WITH AUXILIARY CONVERTER FOR EARTH CURRENT COMPENSATION - A DC/DC converter for converting an input DC voltage between input lines into an output DC voltage between output lines includes: an AC current forward path connected via switching electric components to at least one of the output lines and at least one of the output lines; an AC current backflow path connected via same electric connections to at least one of the input lines and at least one of the output lines; and an auxiliary converter for compensating a sum of currents flowing via all forward and backflow paths, the auxiliary converter connecting one end of an compensation current path via two pulsed switches alternately to two lines at one side, the other end of the compensation path being connected to at least one line at the other side of the converter. The input lines are galvanically separated from the output lines by capacitances in all current paths. | 05-10-2012 |
20120112800 | Method of and Driver Circuit for Operating a Semiconductor Power Switch - To operate a semiconductor power switch having a control electrode and a reference electrode in response to first and second switching commands, a control voltage between a first electric pole and a second electric pole is provided. Upon each first switching command, the control electrode is coupled to the first electric pole, and the reference electrode is coupled to the second electric pole; and upon each second switching command, the control electrode is coupled to the second electric pole, and the reference electrode is coupled to the first electric pole. Upon each switching command, continuously transitioning an electric potential of the one of the control and reference electrodes during a first transition period, and continuously transitioning an electric potential of the respective other of the control and reference electrodes during a second transition period occurs, wherein the first transition period beginning before and ending after the second transition period. | 05-10-2012 |
20120101751 | Evaluation Method - A method for determining a power reduction due to ageing of a photovoltaic module includes measuring a variable associated with a performance of the module in one or more time periods within a given year, each time period defining a class, and constructing curves of discrete values, each power curve constructed from the measured electric variable at a plurality of times of a day within each class, and the curves constructed for a plurality of years. The method includes determining energy values based on the constructed curves for at least one class for each of the plurality of years, and determining a power reduction of the photovoltaic module with respect to one or several previous years by calculating a difference between the energy output values of a given class in a particular year and the energy output values of the given class in a year previous to the particular year. | 04-26-2012 |
20120081938 | DISCHARGING A CAPACITANCE PROVIDED AT THE OUTPUT OF AN INVERTER - A method and device to discharge a filter capacitance at the output of an inverter for feeding electrical power from a generation unit into a grid via a grid connect switch is disclosed. The grid connect switch has a generation unit side and a grid side, and via AC grid terminals on the grid side of the grid connect switch, the filter capacitance is connected to at least one of the AC grid terminals. A voltage applied across the filter capacitance is rectified independent of a polarity thereof, and a rectified voltage of a fixed polarity is provided, and a DC voltage link of a power supply unit for supplying power to circuitry of the inverter is charged with this rectified voltage. | 04-05-2012 |
20120074953 | WIRING TESTING DEVICE - A wiring testing device configured to test the wiring correctness of an inverter is disclosed. The inverter is configured to be connected to a low-voltage three-phase system with a neutral conductor serving as a reference point for grid-side conductor voltages. The wiring testing device includes a test circuit configured to measure the grid-side conductor voltages and determine an average value from the sum of the instantaneous values of the grid-side conductor voltages, and a display unit configured to display an error message if the average value exceeds a threshold voltage for a defined time period. The wiring testing device further includes a capacitor connected between a phase of the three-phase system and the neutral conductor configured to generate a voltage imbalance if the neutral conductor connection is missing, wherein the test circuit is configured to measure the conductor voltages and determine the voltage imbalance. | 03-29-2012 |
20120068687 | Method for Determining a Spatial Arrangement of Photovoltaic Module Groups in a Photovoltaic Installation - A method for determining a spatial arrangement of photovoltaic module groups in a photovoltaic installation includes measuring a sequence of values of an illumination-dependent electrical characteristic variable of different photovoltaic module groups while the photovoltaic installation is subject to light incidence with an incidence intensity which varies over time and spatially. The relative spatial arrangement of the photovoltaic module groups with respect to one another is then determined by comparing sequences of measured values associated with different photovoltaic module groups. | 03-22-2012 |
20120039101 | Method of and Apparatus for Connecting a Photovoltaic Device to an AC Power Grid - A method of connecting a photovoltaic device to an AC power grid through an inverter includes monitoring a DC voltage at an input of an inverter, and activating the inverter when the monitored DC voltage exceeds a first predetermined threshold. The method further includes synchronizing an output voltage of the inverter with a grid voltage, connecting an output of the inverter to the AC power grid upon synchronization if the monitored DC voltage exceeds a second predetermined threshold, and deactivating the inverter if a detected power being fed through the inverter falls below a predetermined power threshold while maintaining the connection between the output of the inverter and the AC power grid. Lastly, the method includes disconnecting the output of the deactivated inverter from the grid if the monitored DC voltage falls below a third predetermined threshold. Further, an apparatus that performs such functionality is also provided. | 02-16-2012 |
20120026660 | Anti-Theft Device for Inverters - Antitheft device for an inverter assembly including an inverter having a housing with a rear panel, a mounting plate to which the inverter is attached and a locking pin connected at one end to the mounting plate and extending through a hole in the rear panel of the inverter housing when the inverter is in a mounted position, wherein the locking pin includes an opening at the other end through which a U-lock can be inserted. | 02-02-2012 |
20120026648 | DEVICE FOR HOLDING AT LEAST ONE SWITCH IN AN ENCLOSURE, E.G. A SWITCH CABINET - A device for holding at least one switch within an enclosure includes a frame configured to surround at least a portion of the switch. The frame includes a bridge portion extending along a back portion of the switch, and lateral arms extending along respective side portions of the switch. The lateral arms include fastening equipment configured to provide an adjustable retention of the switch in the enclosure. The device may be included in a switch cabinet. | 02-02-2012 |
20120014020 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE ISOLATION OF AN IT-GRID - For monitoring the isolation of an IT-grid with respect to ground, an inverter connecting a direct current side with an alternating current side of the IT-grid and a photovoltaic device on the direct current side of the IT-grid, at least one isolation resistance of the direct current side with respect to ground is monitored for falling below a resistance threshold value while the inverter is running, and additionally a leakage current via the inverter towards ground is monitored for exceeding a current threshold value. | 01-19-2012 |
20120002450 | BIDIRECTIONAL INVERTER FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN A DIRECT CURRENT SOURCE AND AN ALTERNATING CURRENT GRID - A bidirectional inverter is disclosed, the inverter including DC terminals and being connectable to a grid via grid AC terminals. The inverter includes a first subinverter and a second subinverter, both subinverters being connected in parallel to the DC terminals, and being connected in parallel to the grid AC terminals by subinverter AC terminals. Each subinverter includes a full bridge and a switchable freewheel path, both being configured to drive current between the grid AC terminals in a driving direction, and configured to block a current between the grid AC terminals in a blocking direction opposite the driving direction. The driving direction of the first subinverter is the blocking direction of the second subinverter. | 01-05-2012 |
20120001491 | Device and Method for Generating Alternating Current - A solar power plant includes at least one photovoltaic module for generating power to be fed in a multi-phase grid. At least one inverter is provided for converting a direct voltage generated by the at least one photovoltaic module into an alternating mains voltage. A mains transformer is coupled to receive the alternating mains voltage from the inverter. The inverter is coupled to a primary side of the mains transformer. A direct voltage source coupled between an output of the at least one inverter and an input of the mains transformer such that a potential of the at least one photovoltaic module is displaced and that a bias voltage is set which is different from zero volts. | 01-05-2012 |
20110308318 | INSOLATION SENSOR FOR SOLAR LIGHT INTENSITY - An insolation sensor is disclosed and is used to determine a solar light intensity as a basis for evaluating electric power generated by solar modules exposed to the solar light intensity. The insolation sensor includes an outer surface including a light entrance window, and at least one photo sensor configured to measure the solar light intensity. The at least one photo sensor is arranged behind the light entrance window. The insolation sensor further includes a detector device configured to detect precipitation and/or a resulting deposit on the surface which both affects the insolation sensor and the solar modules. | 12-22-2011 |
20110307199 | METHOD OF RECOGNIZING AND ASSESSING SHADOWING EVENTS - For recognizing shadowing events affecting a photovoltaic module, electric power produced by the module is recorded. For each position of the sun on a present day an expected value of the electric power is defined. Further, an ideal power course of the electric power over the present day is determined by fitting a curve that corresponds to cloudless sun without shadow casting obstacles to peak values of the electric power recorded for same positions of the sun during a plurality of previous days. For all positions of the sun at which the electric power produced on the present day falls short of the ideal power course a shadowing probability of not less than zero is defined whose magnitude depends on the level of accord of the electric power produced on the present day with the expected value at the position of the sun. | 12-15-2011 |
20110298292 | PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM FOR FEEDING THREE-PHASE CURRENT INTO A POWER GRID - The invention relates to a photovoltaic system for feeding three-phase current to a power grid that includes several monophase or three-phase photovoltaic inverters that can be connected to the power grid at the output end and are each fitted with a disconnecting device at the output end. The system includes several photovoltaic generators that are connected to the input end of the photovoltaic inverters. A central control and monitoring unit is connected between the photovoltaic inverters and the power grid. The control and monitoring unit has a grid monitoring device at the feeding point to the grid to measure one or more grid parameters. At least one communication link is provided between the individual photovoltaic inverters or the individual disconnecting devices and the connected central control and monitoring unit such that the connecting devices can disconnect the individual photovoltaic inverters from the power grid by means of a control instruction signal of the communication link. The central control and monitoring unit includes a load unbalance recognition component and a load unbalance regulation component, wherein the regulation includes limiting the power variation between the individual phases to a predetermined value. | 12-08-2011 |
20110267863 | TRANSFORMERLESS INVERTER COMPRISING A DC/DC CONVERTER - A transformerless inverter that serves to feed electricity from a DC current source into an AC power grid, has an inverter bridge and a DC/DC converter connected upstream of the inverter bridge. The DC/DC converter converts an input DC voltage that is present between two input lines of the inverter into a DC link voltage present between two input lines of the inverter bridge. The inverter bridge converts the DC link voltage present at the input lines thereof into an output AC voltage. The DC/DC converter includes at least one resonant circuit that has a resonance inductance and a resonance capacitance and is connected on its input side via at least two clocked switches to one of the two input lines of the inverter or an intermediate potential line carrying a potential in between. The input lines of the inverter and the input lines of the inverter bridge are galvanically isolated from one another by a capacitive method. The resonant circuit may be undivided and is connected alternately to the two input lines of the inverter bridge. | 11-03-2011 |
20110231159 | FORWARDING OPERATION DATA RELATED TO THE PRESENT OPERATION OF A PLURALITY OF INVERTER UNITS TO A MONITORING UNIT - For forwarding operation data related to the present operation of a plurality of inverter units which feed electric power from power generators into a power grid to a monitoring unit, the inverter units and a plurality of intermediate data handling units are connected to the central monitoring unit in a communication network of logical tree architecture. The tree architecture branches towards the inverter units, and several inverter units are connected to each intermediate unit. The operation data from each inverter unit are forwarded to that intermediate unit to which the inverter unit is connected; and, in each intermediate unit connected between the inverter units from which the operation data are forwarded and the monitoring unit, operation data of the same type forwarded from the inverter units connected to the intermediate unit are merged to reduce their data volume, and only the merged operation data are forwarded towards the monitoring unit. | 09-22-2011 |
20110221269 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INVERTERS - A power generation system for feeding power from generators into an AC grid, the system comprising a plurality of inverters connected to corresponding ones of the generators, and connected to the AC grid is disclosed. The plurality of inverters forms part of a data network, wherein one of the inverters forms a communication unit for receiving feed-in parameters from a grid control system and for controlling the plurality of inverters via the data network such that the power generation system feeds power to the AC grid in accordance with the feed-in parameters. | 09-15-2011 |
20110199792 | Converter Comprising at least one Normally on Semiconductor Switch - A converter for converting a DC input voltage includes two input lines receiving the DC input voltage; at least one normally off semiconductor switch which is not conductive without application of a control voltage to its gate and which is provided in one of the input lines. The converter also includes electric circuitry connected between the input lines and including at least one normally on semiconductor switch which is conductive without application of a control voltage to its gate; and a controller. In operation of the converter, the controller operates the at least one normally on semiconductor switch of the electric circuitry by temporarily applying a first control voltage to its gate; and permanently applies a second control voltage to the gate of the at least one normally off semiconductor switch in the one input line. Any normally on semiconductor switch of the electric circuitry is spatially separated and thus thermally isolated from any normally off semiconductor switch. | 08-18-2011 |
20110197946 | Lightning Protection for Power Inverters - An inverter includes two input lines for connecting the inverter to an AC power source, a buffer capacitance effective between the input lines, a grounded potential equalization busbar, an isolation monitoring device monitoring the electrical isolation of one of the two input lines with regard to the potential equalization busbar, and an overvoltage eliminating device having at least one overvoltage eliminator for draining overvoltages from the input lines to the potential equalization busbar. The at least one overvoltage eliminator is connected between that input line, whose electric isolation with regard to the potential equalization busbar is monitored, and the potential equalization busbar, without any fuse being connected in series with the at least one overvoltage eliminator. Any overvoltage eliminator of the overvoltage eliminating device, which is connected between the other of the two input lines and the potential equalization busbar, if present, is connected in series with a fuse. | 08-18-2011 |
20110069451 | Inverter with Electrical and Electronic Components Arranged in a Sealed Housing - An inverter ( | 03-24-2011 |
20110062962 | Topology Surveying a Series of Capacitors - A topology for surveying the integrity of a plurality of capacitors connected in series between a pair of bus lines arranged to be connected to a DC-power source comprises a plurality of resistors connected in series between the pair of bus lines, the plurality of resistors being connected in parallel to the plurality of capacitors; and a comparator comparing the electric potential of an intermediate point between two capacitors of the plurality of capacitors with the electric potential of an intermediate point between two resistors of the plurality of resistors. The comparator provides a signal signaling a difference between these two electric potentials, which indicates a loss of integrity of one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors. | 03-17-2011 |
20110031813 | Method and Circuit Arrangement for Connecting at Least One String of a Photovoltaic System to an Inverter - A circuit arrangement in combination with a first string of series-connected solar modules separated into a first substring and a second substring is provided, wherein each substring includes a first terminal and a second terminal, and further in combination with a solar inverter configured to supply electrical energy from the solar modules to an AC power grid. The arrangement includes a first switch configured to selectively couple the first terminal of the first substring to a first power cable of the inverter, and a second switching circuit configured to selectively couple the second terminal of the first substring to a first terminal of the second substring at a center point, thereby coupling the first and second substrings to form the at least one string. The arrangement further includes a third switch configured to selectively couple the second terminal of the second substring to a second power cable of the inverter, and a shared actuator configured to open the first switch, the second switching circuit, and the third switch if a current between the center point and a circuit ground exceeds a threshold value. | 02-10-2011 |
20100226160 | Power Generation System and Inverter for Feeding Power Into a Three-Phase Grid - A power generation system for feeding electrical power from a generation unit into a three-phase grid via three AC terminals is disclosed. The system includes a relay arrangement for disconnecting the system from the grid having at least three relays. Each of the three relays includes a control coil and two switching contacts operated by the corresponding control coil. Each of the AC terminals is connectable to the grid via a first and a second switching contact, each of which is assigned to a different one of the relays. Further disclosed are a relay arrangement and an inverter with a relay arrangement. | 09-09-2010 |
20100135054 | INVERTER FOR FEEDING ELECTRIC ENERGY INTO A POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - An inverter ( | 06-03-2010 |
20100135051 | THREE-PHASE INVERTER FOR CONVERTING DC POWER FROM A GENERATOR INTO THREE-PHASE AC POWER - A three-phase inverter for converting DC power from a generator into three-phase AC power comprises a transformer for transforming two single phase alternating voltages with a fixed phase offset present at corresponding two primary windings into a three-phase alternating voltage present at secondary windings of the transformer. An inverter circuitry for receiving a direct voltage of the generator between two input lines and for supplying the two single phase alternating voltages to the two primary windings of the transformer is included in the three-phase inverter and comprises a split DC link having a center point connected to both input lines via corresponding capacitors and connected to a first terminal of each primary winding of the transformer, and two inverter half-bridges connected to both input lines, wherein a center point of each half bridge is connected to a second terminal of a corresponding one of the primary windings of the transformer. | 06-03-2010 |
20100127576 | Determination of the load capability of a DC voltage source which is connectable to an electric power grid via an inverter and a grid disconnect switch - A method for determining a load capability of a direct current (“DC”) voltage source connectable to an alternating current (“AC”) power grid having a predetermined frequency via an inverter and a grid disconnect switch includes controlling, while the grid disconnect switch is in an open position, the inverter so as to convert a DC input voltage to a test frequency different than the predetermined frequency of the AC power grid so as to increase a test load acting on the DC voltage source above an internal consumption of the inverter at the predetermined frequency. The DC input voltage is measured while the grid disconnect switch is in the open position. | 05-27-2010 |
20100124087 | POWER CONVERTER START-UP CIRCUIT - A power converter arrangement configured to convert a direct voltage into an alternating voltage to be supplied to a grid includes a photovoltaic generator configured to generate the direct voltage, a voltage intermediate circuit, a main power converter connected in series with a bypass switch, a maximum power point controller configured to set a maximum power point voltage, and at least one voltage-limited additional circuit configured to be active during a start-up phase of the photovoltaic generator. The at least one voltage-limited additional circuit and the main power converter are configured as a voltage divider in parallel with the photovoltaic generator. The at least one voltage-limited additional circuit is configured as a capacitive voltage divider having a first capacitor and an intermediate circuit capacitor connected in series. | 05-20-2010 |
20100085788 | Device for Feeding Electric Energy Into A Power Grid And DC Converter For Such A Device - The device is for feeding electricity into a power grid ( | 04-08-2010 |
20100020576 | Power Converter Circuitry - A power converter circuitry for converting a DC voltage generated by a generator with varying output power in the mean voltage range into an alternating voltage for feeding into a grid, with several series-connected power converters, which are connected in parallel with said generator, as well as with a controllable bridging switch for each power converter, said bridging switch lying in a direct voltage intermediate circuit and bridging the respective power converter in the closed condition, is intended to be used for a photovoltaic generator. This is achieved in that a resistance chopper is connected between each power converter and the generator, no input diode being provided in the current path from the generator to the power converter, and that each bridging switch is connected in parallel with the resistance chopper in the direct voltage intermediate circuit. | 01-28-2010 |
20100008107 | DC/DC CONVERTER - A direct current-direct current (DC/DC) converter operated in the resonant mode of operation for converting a direct input voltage into a direct output voltage with a bridge circuit located on the input side and incorporating switching elements, with a resonance circuit incorporating a resonance inductance and a resonance capacitance as well as with a high-frequency transformer for galvanic separation is disclosed, the transformer incorporates at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding with at least two winding terminals each. The alternating current (AC) output of the bridge circuit is connected to the primary winding and a rectifier bridge with diodes to the secondary winding. A voltage boosting circuit array is connected downstream of the resonant circuit in such a manner that at least one additionally controllable switching element is contained, which is connected in parallel or in series to at least one additional diode or to at least one diode of the rectifier bridge on the secondary side, this array being connected in parallel to the high-frequency transformer so that the additional switching element short-circuits the resonance circuit in a triggered condition so that energy is stored in the resonance inductance and is delivered in the non-triggered condition. | 01-14-2010 |
20100008105 | DC/DC CONVERTER - The object of the invention is a high-efficiency DC/DC converter, in particular for photovoltaic plants, incorporating a transformerless DC/DC converter operated in the resonant mode of operation for converting a unipolar direct input voltage with an associated positive pole (+) and with a negative pole (−). There is imposed a resonance circuit incorporating at least one resonance inductance and at least one resonance capacitance, each resonance capacitance being connected to a respective one of the rectifier circuit arrangements in such a manner that the bipolar direct output voltage is provided, a voltage boosting circuit arrangement being connected to each resonance capacitance and to the rectifier circuit arrangement. | 01-14-2010 |
20090316457 | INVERTER - On an inverter for feeding power of a direct voltage source, in particular of a photovoltaic generator (PVG), into an alternating voltage mains (N), with an asymmetrically clocked bridge circuit with at least two first switches (S | 12-24-2009 |
20090316323 | CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT WITH A RELAY INCORPORATING ONE FIELD COIL AS WELL AS SWITCH CONTACTS - The invention is directed to a circuit array with a relay (K | 12-24-2009 |
20090315404 | SOLAR POWER PLANT - A solar power plant with a plurality of photovoltaic modules for generating a power to be fed in a multi-phase grid, several photovoltaic strings, which are allocated to different phases, being connected to a primary side of a mains transformer and at least one inverter for converting the direct voltage generated by the photovoltaic modules into an alternating mains voltage conforming to the grid being provided and said mains transformer being provided with a neutral conductor and with a grounded terminal, is intended to be improved in such a manner that the life of the photovoltaic modules, in particular in case of thin-film modules, is increased, allowing for high conversion efficiency of the inverters at low wiring costs. This is achieved in that an additional direct voltage source is inserted between the neutral conductor and ground in such a manner that the potential of the photovoltaic strings is displaced and that a bias voltage is set, which is different from zero volt. | 12-24-2009 |
20090291594 | PHOTOVOLTAIC INVERTER - A photovoltaic inverter with an inverter housing includes at least a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a wall. The first chamber has a higher Ingress Protection (IP) rating than the second chamber. The first chamber accommodates at least one electronic component part of the photovoltaic inverter. A surface of the wall facing the second chamber provides a plurality of fuse housings. Each of the fuse housings accommodates a fuse and being coupled to a plug connector electrically connected to the fuse. The plug connectors provide electrical connections to the first chamber. | 11-26-2009 |
20090244938 | Switching apparatus for grounding an inverter - A switching apparatus for grounding an inverter ( | 10-01-2009 |
20090244936 | Three-phase inverter - The present invention relates to a three-phase inverter ( | 10-01-2009 |
20090236917 | Method for activating a multi-string inverter for photovoltaic plants - A method of activating a Multi-String inverter for photovoltaic generators ( | 09-24-2009 |
20090201706 | Apparatus for feeding electrical energy into a power grid and DC voltage converter for such an apparatus - The apparatus for feeding electrical energy into a power grid ( | 08-13-2009 |
20090171597 | Evaluation method - The invention is directed to an evaluation method for determining a power reduction due to ageing of at least one photovoltaic module at constant radiation intensity with a measurement of an electric variable that may change after a period of time such as cell current, cell voltage and/or cell power, without additional sensors for measuring the radiation intensity, with the following steps
| 07-02-2009 |
20090103340 | Inverter, more specifically for photovoltaic plants - On an inverter ( | 04-23-2009 |
20090097172 | Load breaker arrangement - The subject matter of the present invention is a load breaker arrangement ( | 04-16-2009 |
20090046492 | Inverter - An inverter ( | 02-19-2009 |
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