POWER GENERATOR MODULE CONNECTIVITY CONTROL
First Claim
1. A power system comprising:
- a string of power generator modules, the power generator modules in the string controllably connected in series to convey power produced by the power generator modules over a power line through the power generator modules to a load, each of the respective power generator modules including;
a sensing element to monitor presence of a control signal received by the respective power generator module on the power line from a remote signal generator;
a switch to selectively connect the respective power generator module in the series connection; and
a controller that controls a state of the switch based on the control signal received over the power line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A remote resource can be configured to control connectivity of the power generator modules in a string. For example, a respective power generator module can include a current sense circuit that monitors for presence of communication signal. The power generator module can monitor for a presence of a remotely generated control signal over power line that is used by the respective power generator module to convey power to the external load. If the control signal is present on the power line, as generated by the remote resource, the control circuit in the respective power generator module activates the switch to an ON state such that respective activated power generator module is connected in series with the other activated power generator modules. If no keep-alive control signal is detected within a timeout period, the controller deactivates the respective power generator module.
55 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A power system comprising:
a string of power generator modules, the power generator modules in the string controllably connected in series to convey power produced by the power generator modules over a power line through the power generator modules to a load, each of the respective power generator modules including; a sensing element to monitor presence of a control signal received by the respective power generator module on the power line from a remote signal generator; a switch to selectively connect the respective power generator module in the series connection; and a controller that controls a state of the switch based on the control signal received over the power line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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generating a control signal; transmitting the control signal over a power line to activate each of multiple power generator modules in a series connection of multiple power generator modules; and receiving power over the power line from the activated power generator modules connected in series. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A power generator module disposed in a series connection of multiple power generator modules, a respective power generator module in the series connection comprising:
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an anode power terminal; a cathode power terminal; a diode device, an anode of the diode device coupled via an electrical path to the cathode power terminal of the respective power generator module, a cathode of the diode device coupled via an electrical path to the anode power terminal of the power generator module. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification