SAFETY MECHANISMS, WAKE UP AND SHUTDOWN METHODS IN DISTRIBUTED POWER INSTALLATIONS

• US 20090140715A1
• Filed: 12/05/2008
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solaredge Limited, Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Solaredge Limited
• Inventors: Binder, Yaron, Galin, Yoav, Fishelov, Amir, Adest, Meir, Sella, Guy, Handelsman, Lior, Gazit, Meir
• Granted Patent: US 8,531,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/318
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/7861 Solar tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02021 for solar cells electrical connection means, e.g. junction boxes, specially adapted for structural association with photovoltaic modules H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/102 being switching converters H02J1/108, H02J1/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/10 The dispersed energy generation being of fossil origin, e.g. diesel generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/26 involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources maximum power point systems in particular G05F1/67
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/28 The renewable source being wind energy wind motors F03D
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/388 Islanding, i.e. disconnection of local power supply from the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/46 Controlling of the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0077 Plural converter units whose outputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1582 Buck-boost converters H02M3/1584 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/44 by static converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/493 the static converters being arranged for operation in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/548 the power on the line being DC arrangements for feeding power H04L12/10; extracting feeding power from signals H04L25/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 Power conversion electric or electronic aspects

Abstract

A distributed power system including multiple DC power sources and multiple power modules. The power modules include inputs coupled respectively to the DC power sources and outputs coupled in series to form a serial string. An inverter is coupled to the serial string. The inverter converts power input from the serial string to output power. A signaling mechanism between the inverter and the power module is adapted for controlling operation of the power modules.

Claims

1. In a distributed power system having a DC power source, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a power module, wherein said power module includes an input coupled to said DC power source, wherein said power module includes an output;

(b) an inverter coupled to said output of said power module;

said inverter converting power input from said power module; and

(c) a signaling mechanism between said inverter and said power module, wherein said signaling mechanism is adapted for controlling operation of said power module.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein during operation of the distributed power system, said signaling mechanism superimposes a signal on said output.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signaling mechanism includes a switch integrated with said inverter, said switch modulating a signal onto said output.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

(e) a receiver integrated with said power module, said receiver adapted for receiving a signal from said inverter.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

(e) a detection mechanism in said power module adapted for detecting a signal at the frequency of said electrical grid.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inverter is coupled to an electric grid and further comprising:

(e) a detection mechanism in said power module adapted for detecting a signal in said output from said electrical grid and detected at a higher frequency up converted from the frequency of said electrical grid.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inverter is coupled to an electric grid and further comprising:

(e) a detection mechanism in said power module adapted for detecting at a switching frequency of said inverter.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power module is adapted for operation in a safety mode, and during said safety mode, said power input from said output is limited.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said power module includes a detection mechanism wherein during operation of the distributed power system, said detection mechanism detects a signal from said inverter and based on said signal said operation of said power module is varied from said safety mode of operation to a normal mode of operation for converting power of said DC power sources from said input to said output of said power module.

10. In a distributed power system including:

a DC power source;

a power module, wherein said power module includes an input coupled to said DC power source, wherein said power module includes an output;

an inverter coupled to said output of said power module;

said inverter converting a power input from said output of said power module to an output power, a method comprising the step of;

(a) operating said power module in a safety mode thereby limiting power from said output of said power module.

11. The method, according to claim 10, wherein said safety mode is characterized by having less than ten milliamperes of current flow at less than 10 Volts through said output.

12. The method, according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

(b) monitoring a signal from said inverter; and

(c) upon detecting said signal from said inverter, increasing said power input to said inverter by operating said power module in a normal mode of operation for converting power of said DC power source from said input to said output.

13. The method, according to claim 12, further comprising a step of:

(d) upon detecting said signal and prior to said operating said power module in said normal mode of operation, slowly ramping up voltage of said output of said power module.

14. The method, according to claim 12, wherein said normal mode of operation of said power module includes controlling a maximum peak power at said input coupled to said DC power source.