# US 11,444,549 B2 · Distributed inverter and intelligent gateway > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,444,549 B2 - Document ID: US11444549B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/890,774 - Filed: 2020-06-02 - Published: 2020-09-24 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2007-05-17 - Assignees: Enphase Energy, Inc. - Applicants: Enphase Energy, Inc. - Inventors: Robert R. Rotzoll; Rajan N. Kapur; Suhas S. Patil - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11444549B2 ## CPC - H02M 7/493: the static converters being arranged for operation in parallel - H02J 3/38: Arrangements for feeding a single network from two or more generators or sources in parallel; Arrangements for feeding already energised networks from additional generators or sources in parallel - H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators} - H02J 3/388: Arrangements for the handling of islanding, e.g. for disconnection or for avoiding the disconnection of power - H02J 3/40: Synchronisation of generators for connection to a network or to another generator - H02M 7/44: by static converters - H02J 2101/24: Photovoltaics - H02J 2101/25: {involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources} - H02J 2101/28: Wind energy - H02J 2101/30: Fuel cells - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - Y02E 10/76: Power conversion electric or electronic aspects - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The at least one power converter of claim 1 comprises at least one of a microinverter, an inverter, a distributed inverter or a string inverter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The at least one power converter of claim 1 wherein the indication comprises a communication signal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The at least one power converter of claim 3 wherein the communication signal comprises a pulse signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The at least one power converter of claim 1 wherein the indication is delivered to the at least one power converter via wire, wireless or power line communications. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The at least one power converter of claim 1 wherein the indication of proper operation is discontinued upon further detection of at least one of: a fault, or an AC power failure. ### Claim 7 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. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The power converter of claim 7 comprises at least one of a microinverter, an inverter, a distributed inverter or a string inverter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The power converter of claim 7 wherein the pulse signal is part of a communication signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The power converter of claim 7 wherein the pulse signal is delivered to the power converter via wire, wireless or power line communications. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The power converter of claim 7 wherein the pulse signal is discontinued upon further detection of at least one of: a fault, or an AC power failure. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The power generation system of claim 12 wherein the at least one power converter comprises at least one of a microinverter, an inverter, a distributed inverter or a string inverter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The power generation system of claim 12 wherein the indication comprises a communication signal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The power generation system of claim 14 wherein the communication signal comprises a pulse signal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The power generation system of claim 12 wherein the indication is delivered to the at least one power converter via wire, wireless or power line communications. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The power generation system of claim 12 wherein the indication of proper operation is discontinued upon detection of at least one of: a fault or unsafe, maintenance is to be performed, an AC power failure, power converter upgrade, or a safety hazard. ### Claim 18 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. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The gateway of claim 18 wherein the at least one power converter comprises at least one of a microinverter, an inverter, a distributed inverter or a string inverter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The gateway of claim 18 wherein the indication comprises a communication signal. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The gateway of claim 20 wherein the communication signal comprises a pulse signal. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The gateway of claim 18 wherein the indication is delivered to the at least one power converter via wire, wireless or power line communications. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The gateway of claim 18 wherein the indication of proper operation is discontinued upon further detection of at least one of: a fault or an AC power failure.