Distributed inverter and intelligent gateway
AssigneeEnphase Energy, Inc.
InventorsRobert R. Rotzoll, Rajan N. Kapur, Suhas S. Patil
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and apparatus for use in energy conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one power converter for producing power at a first level while receiving an indicium of proper operation and, upon not receiving the indicium of proper operation, producing power at a second level, where the second level is less than the first level.
Claims23
At least one power converter for producing power while receiving an indication of proper operation and, upon not receiving the indication of proper operation, not producing power,
- wherein the indication of proper operation is generated by a gateway while the gateway is connected to the at least one power converter that is connected to a grid and enabled for converting DC power to AC power and transmitting the AC power to the grid, and
- wherein the indication of proper operation is discontinued upon detection of at least one of:
- unsafe conditions, maintenance is to be performed, power converter upgrade, or safety hazard.
A power converter for producing power while receiving a pulse signal and, upon not receiving the pulse signal, not producing power,
- wherein the pulse signal is generated by a gateway while the gateway is connected to the at least one power converter that is connected to a grid and enabled for converting DC power to AC power and transmitting the AC power to the grid, and
- wherein the pulse signal is discontinued upon detection of at least one of:
- unsafe conditions, maintenance is to be performed, power converter upgrade, or safety hazard.
A power generation system comprising:
- a gateway for transmitting an indication of proper operation;
- and
- at least one power converter, coupled to the gateway by a communications channel, for receiving the indication of proper operation and when the indication of proper operation is received, produces power and, when the indication of proper operation is not received, does not produce power,
- wherein the indication of proper operation is generated by the gateway while the gateway is connected to the at least one power converter that is connected to a grid and enabled for converting DC power to AC power and transmitting the AC power to the grid and
- wherein the indication of proper operation is discontinued upon detection of at least one of:
- unsafe conditions, maintenance is to be performed, power converter upgrade, or safety hazard.
A gateway for producing an indication of proper operation that, when received by at least one power converter, causes the at least one power converter to produce power and, when the indication of proper operation is not received by the at least one power converter, causes the at least one power converter not to produce power,
- wherein the gateway produces the indication of proper operation while the gateway is connected to the at least one power converter that is connected to a grid and enabled for converting DC power to AC power and transmitting the AC power to the grid, and
- wherein the indication of proper operation is discontinued upon detection of at least one of:
- unsafe conditions, maintenance is to be performed, power converter upgrade, or safety hazard.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.