# US 12,224,140 B2 · Relay array for grid connection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,224,140 B2 - Document ID: US12224140B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/729,112 - Filed: 2022-04-26 - Published: 2022-10-06 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-02-28 - Assignees: Solaredge Technologies Ltd. - Applicants: Solaredge Technologies Ltd. - Inventors: Amir Grossberg; Yoav Berger; Reuven Savitzky; Dor Shoshani; Elad Toraty; Liron Har-Shai; Matan Atias - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12224140B2 ## CPC - H01H 47/22: for supplying energising current for relay coil - H02H 9/04: responsive to excess voltage (lightning arrestors H01C7/12, H01C8/04, H01G9/18, H01T) - H01H 47/002: {Monitoring or fail-safe circuits} - H02H 7/261: {involving signal transmission between at least two stations (transmission of signals in general H02H1/0061)} - H02J 3/00: Circuit arrangements for AC mains or AC distribution networks - H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators} - H02J 2101/24: Photovoltaics - H02M 7/003: {Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections} - H02M 7/44: by static converters - H02M 7/493: the static converters being arranged for operation in parallel - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - 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) ## Abstract A relay array may connect an electrical device (e.g., an inverter, power converter, etc.) to a utility grid. Based on a detection of a power interruption or fault, the relay array may disconnect the electrical device from the grid to ensure safety or reduce damage to the electrical device or grid. The relay array may include one or more electromechanical relays (e.g., latching relays). A safety catch may prevent the latching relay(s) from changing states. The electrical device may be configured to facilitate removal of the safety catch once the ability to change states is desired. The latching relay(s) may also be supplied with a power pulse for changing a state of the latching relay(s). The power pulse may be provided by a power bank that may be maintained with power in case of a power interruption or fault. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: a relay leg configured to connect a power source to a grid via at least a latching relay; and a safety mechanism configured to block a path that a switching contact of the latching relay is configured to travel from an open state to a closed state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an inverter and wherein the safety mechanism is configured to extend through a hole in a casing of the inverter and to keep the switching contact of the latching relay in the open state at least until the safety mechanism is removed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the safety mechanism comprises at least one of: a pin, a toggle, or an electronic safety pin. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to hold the safety mechanism in a position to mechanically prevent the latching relay from changing states. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the relay leg comprises at least two switching contacts controlled by different control coils. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the latching relay comprises a multi-coil latching relay. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the latching relay is configured to change from a first switching contact state to a second switching contact state in response to receiving a power pulse above a threshold, and wherein the latching relay is configured to maintain the second switching contact state after the power pulse ends. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising an inverter configured to receive electrical power from the power source and convert a direct current (DC) power into an alternating current (AC) power. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the safety mechanism is configured to be removed through an opening in a casing of the inverter. ### Claim 10 A circuit, comprising: a relay leg configured to connect a power source to a grid via at least a first switching contact controlled by a first control coil; and a control circuit configured to control, based on input data, a latching relay comprising the first switching contact, wherein the latching relay is configured to interface with a safety mechanism that is configured to block a path that the first switching contact is configured to travel from an open state to a closed state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The circuit of claim 10, wherein the circuit is within a casing of an inverter and wherein the safety mechanism is configured to extend through a hole in the casing and to keep the first switching contact in the open state at least until the safety mechanism is removed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The circuit of claim 11, wherein the safety mechanism comprises at least one of: a pin, a toggle, or an electronic safety pin. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The circuit of claim 10, wherein a locking mechanism holds the safety mechanism in a position to mechanically prevent the first switching contact from conducting. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The circuit of claim 10, wherein the control circuit comprises a power bank configured to output power to change a state of the latching relay. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The circuit of claim 10, further comprising a second switching contact controlled by a second control coil different from the first control coil. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The circuit of claim 15, wherein the first switching contact is coupled in series with the second switching contact; and the control circuit is configured to: control, using a first control signal, the first switching contact; and control, using a second control signal, the second switching contact. ### Claim 17 A system comprising: a first control circuit; a first relay leg configured to connect a power source to a first terminal via a first switching contact controlled by the first control circuit; and a connection box comprising: a second control circuit; and a first connection terminal connected to a grid via a second switching contact controlled by the second control circuit, wherein the first connection terminal is connected to the first terminal, wherein at least one of the first switching contact or the second switching contact comprises a switching contact of a latching relay configured to interface with a safety mechanism that is configured to block a path that the switching contact of the latching relay is configured to travel from an open state to a closed state. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, further comprising an inverter, wherein the safety mechanism is configured to extend through a hole in a casing of the inverter and to keep the switching contact of the latching relay in the open state at least until the safety mechanism is removed. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the safety mechanism comprises at least one of: a pin, a toggle, or an electronic safety pin. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein a locking mechanism holds the safety mechanism in a position to mechanically prevent the latching relay from changing states.