Abnormality Detection Architecture and Methods For Photovoltaic Systems
First Claim
1. A method of detecting operational abnormality within a solar power array that comprises at least one power generating string, said at least one power generating string comprising a plurality of serially connected solar module assemblies, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining at least one measured, instantaneous intra-string current difference for each of said at least one power generating string,wherein each of said at least one measured, instantaneous intra-string current difference is an instantaneous difference in string current between a respective two points on said at least one power generating string;
assessing the presence of said operational abnormality between said respective two points based on said measured, instantaneous intra-string current difference; and
repeating said steps of determining and assessing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One aspect of the inventive technology disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, may involve the determination of at least one measured, instantaneous intra-string current difference for each of the power generating string, and the use of such determinations to assess the existence of leakage current, a frequent ground fault predecessor, thereby enabling preclusion of a ground fault that would otherwise result. Certain methods and detection architecture may enable precise abnormality location, e.g., enabling the identification of which solar module assembly in particular is faulty. Another aspect relates generally, in certain embodiments, to detection circuit architecture operable to sequentially impress a leakage current inducing voltage upon each rail of a photovoltaic system. Another relates generally, in certain embodiments, to the use of at least one current interrupter at each end of a string to preclude flow therethrough in the event of e.g., unintended field reversal.
144 Citations
75 Claims
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1. A method of detecting operational abnormality within a solar power array that comprises at least one power generating string, said at least one power generating string comprising a plurality of serially connected solar module assemblies, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining at least one measured, instantaneous intra-string current difference for each of said at least one power generating string, wherein each of said at least one measured, instantaneous intra-string current difference is an instantaneous difference in string current between a respective two points on said at least one power generating string; assessing the presence of said operational abnormality between said respective two points based on said measured, instantaneous intra-string current difference; and repeating said steps of determining and assessing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 6, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 34, 40, 41, 46, 49, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62)
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4-5. -5. (canceled)
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7-18. -18. (canceled)
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29. (canceled)
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32-33. -33. (canceled)
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35-39. -39. (canceled)
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47-48. -48. (canceled)
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50-54. -54. (canceled)
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59. (canceled)
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63. A solar power circuit operable to detect operational abnormality, said circuit comprising:
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a solar power array that itself comprises at least one power generating string, said at least one power generating string comprising a plurality of serially connected solar module assemblies; at least one measured, instantaneous intra-string current difference determinator for each of said power generating string, each said determinator determining an instantaneous difference in string current between a respective two points on said at least one power generating string; operational abnormality assessment componentry that acts on data generated by said at least one measured, instantaneous intra-string current difference determinator; and computerized detected leakage response componentry that is responsive to said operational abnormality assessment componentry. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
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75-123. -123. (canceled)
Specification