Arc quenching device for a solar array
US7463460B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device for protecting against arcing events solar array panels and control equipment supplying a main power bus is provided. The control equipment comprises a regulator for controlling a solar array voltage (Vs) and includes a power dump stage for shunting the solar array voltage as a function of a control signal. The device comprises a voltage drop detection circuit for generating a voltage drop detection signal (VD) when a voltage drop is detected in the solar array voltage (Vs), and an arc-quenching circuit comprising a system for generating an output signal (Vo) which is applied as the control signal to the power dump stage so as to shunt the solar array voltage (Vs) when a voltage drop is detected by the voltage drop detection circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.