Bypass mechanism
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a first terminal configured to be electrically coupled to a string of photovoltaic cells;
a second terminal;
a third terminal;
a fourth terminal;
electronics electrically coupled in series between the third terminal and the fourth terminal; and
a pluggable bypass connector comprising a first plurality of terminals and a second plurality of terminals and configured to;
in a first state with the first plurality of terminals physically coupled to the first and second terminals, electrically short together the first terminal and the second terminal; and
in a second state with the second plurality of terminals physically coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth terminals, electrically short together the first terminal and the third terminal and electrically short together the second terminal and the fourth terminal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bypass mechanism for a photovoltaic module which switches out the electronics and switches in a bypass mechanism.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first terminal configured to be electrically coupled to a string of photovoltaic cells; a second terminal; a third terminal; a fourth terminal; electronics electrically coupled in series between the third terminal and the fourth terminal; and a pluggable bypass connector comprising a first plurality of terminals and a second plurality of terminals and configured to; in a first state with the first plurality of terminals physically coupled to the first and second terminals, electrically short together the first terminal and the second terminal; and in a second state with the second plurality of terminals physically coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth terminals, electrically short together the first terminal and the third terminal and electrically short together the second terminal and the fourth terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 14)
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6. A method, comprising:
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bypassing electronics of a photovoltaic module by plugging in a bypass connector, in a first configuration, to at least some of a plurality of terminals of the photovoltaic module; flash testing photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic module while the electronics are bypassed by the bypass connector; and reconnecting the electronics by plugging in the bypass connector, in a second configuration, to at least some of the plurality of terminals of the photovoltaic module. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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15. A method comprising:
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switching out electronics of a photovoltaic module by electrically disconnecting a first plurality of terminals on a first side of a bypass connector from a second plurality of terminals of the photovoltaic module, such that a string of photovoltaic cells, the electronics, and an output of the photovoltaic module are electrically disconnected from one another; and switching in a bypass circuit by electrically coupling a third plurality of terminals on a second side of the bypass connector to at least some of the second plurality of terminals, such that the string of photovoltaic cells is electrically coupled to the output and electrically disconnected from the electronics. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification