Energy conversion system with fault detection and interruption
US8134812B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 5, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 5, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Fault detection and interruption in connection with photovoltaic technologies are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus for interrupting a photovoltaic energy conversion system that employs a bipolar photovoltaic array includes a fault detector and interrupter configured to be coupled to the first and the second rails of the photovoltaic array, the fault detector and interrupter configured to detect a condition that requires interruption of the photovoltaic energy conversion system and open a PV tie to uncouple two PV arrays of the bipolar photovoltaic array, thereby decoupling the two PV arrays; and a controller configured to, after the PV tie is opened, open a plurality of main DC contactors thereby decoupling the bipolar photovoltaic array from a remainder portion of the energy conversion system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.