Anti-theft system and method using a multiple radio frequency signal for solar panel systems

• US 9,000,919 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2013
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Original Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Inventors: Hadar, Ron, Eizips, Daniel, Katzir, Gil, Fuks, Luiz Felipe
• Primary Examiner(s): HOFSASS, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US13/779,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20130222144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/571, 340/635, 136/243, 136/244
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• 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: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A solar panel system includes a plurality of the panels connected together in one or more panel strings. An embodiment includes a signal generator module connected to the photovoltaic panel strings injecting a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the strings and a detector module analyzing a frequency response echo from the panel strings. The signal generator may include a string coupling module communicating with a controller. The detector module analyzes the echo to obtain an analog fingerprint for each panel string and determine whether the fingerprint for each panel string is within an acceptable range. The detector module initiates an alarm when one of the fingerprints is outside the acceptable range. During night time, when no current is being produced by the photovoltaic cells, a DC or AC source may be connected to the panel strings to inject a signal onto the strings for the same purpose.

Claims

1. A solar panel system, comprising:

a plurality of photovoltaic panels containing photovoltaic cells, the photovoltaic panels connected in one or more panel strings for direct current;

a plurality of string decoupling capacitors coupled to the one or more panel strings to form a plurality of loops for radio frequency signals;

at least one signal generator module connected to the one or more photovoltaic panel strings, the at least one signal generator module operable to produce and inject a multiple radio frequency signal onto the solar panel system; and

at least one detector module operable to receive and analyze a frequency response echo from each of the loops to confirm integrity of the solar panel system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator comprises a string coupling module communicating with a microprocessor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator module injects an RF signal in a range of 1 khz to 100 khz.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the detector module analyzes an echo of the injected RF signal to obtain an analog fingerprint.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the detector module determines whether the fingerprint is within a predetermined range.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the detector module initiates an alarm when the fingerprint is outside the predetermined range.

7. A method, comprising:

providing a plurality of photovoltaic panels containing photovoltaic cells, the photovoltaic panels connected in one or more panel strings for direct current;

providing a plurality of string decoupling capacitors coupled to the one or more panel strings to form a plurality of loops for radio frequency signals;

providing at least one signal generator module connected to the one or more panel strings;

injecting, by the at least one signal generator module, a multiple radio frequency signal onto the one or more panel strings;

receiving a frequency response echo from each of the loops; and

analyzing the frequency response echo to confirm integrity of the solar panel system.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the injecting of the multiple frequency signal comprises generating and transmitting the radio frequency (RF) signal to a string coupling module which transfers the signal to the one or more panel strings.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the injecting of the multiple frequency signal further comprises injecting an RF signal in a range of 1 khz to 100 khz.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the analyzing of the frequency response echo comprises obtaining an analog fingerprint.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the analyzing of the frequency response echo comprises determining whether the fingerprint is within a predetermined range.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprises initiating an alarm when the fingerprint is outside the predetermined range.

13. An apparatus for confirming integrity of a solar panel system comprising a plurality of photovoltaic panels containing photovoltaic cells, wherein the photovoltaic panels are connected in one or more panel strings for direct current, the apparatus comprising:

at least one signal generator module connected to a plurality of loops for radio frequency signals, the loops formed via a plurality of string decoupling capacitors coupled with the one or more photovoltaic panel strings, the at least one signal generator module operable to produce and inject a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the loops; and

at least one detector module operable to receive and analyze a frequency response echo from each of the loops to confirm integrity of the solar panel system.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the signal generator module comprises a string coupling module communicating with a system on a chip (SOC) controller.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the signal generator module injects an RF signal in a range of 1 khz to 100 khz onto each of the loops.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the detector module analyzes an echo of the injected RF signal to obtain an analog fingerprint.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the detector module determines whether the fingerprint is within a predetermined range.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the detector module initiates an alarm when the fingerprint is outside the predetermined range.