Systems and apparatus for fault detection in DC power sources using AC residual current detection
US9297862B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2011 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fault in a DC power source, such as a battery string or a string of photovoltaic cells, is identified by detecting a change in an AC component of a residual current of the DC power source. In some embodiments, the DC power source is coupled to at least one DC bus and the methods further include generating an AC voltage on the at least one DC bus. For example, the DC power source may be coupled to a modulated DC bus of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system comprising an inverter having an input coupled to the DC bus. The inverter may be configured to generate an AC output voltage and the AC component has a frequency that is a harmonic of a fundamental frequency of the AC output voltage, such as a third harmonic of the fundamental frequency of the AC output voltage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.