Method and apparatus to enable communication and control in a power system
AssigneeSolaredge Technologies Ltd.
InventorsDavid Braginsky, Yoav Galin, Ilan Yoscovich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A network unit may be operatively attached to power lines of an interconnected power system and/or a device such as a power module that may further include a communication interface. The network unit may be operable to superimpose a first signal representative of a sensed parameter of the power system onto the power lines, thereby to transmit the first signal to other power modules in the interconnected power system or to a power device in interconnected power system. The network unit may receive a second signal of the parameter superimposed onto the power lines from another network unit.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of safety circuits, wherein each safety circuit of the plurality of safety circuits is connected to a serial string of a plurality of power modules, wherein the serial string of the plurality of power modules is connected between a first node and a second node and comprises a plurality of direct current (DC) power lines, and wherein the plurality of DC power lines comprise:
- a positive power line connecting the serial string to the first node, and
- a negative power line connecting the serial string to the second node;
- and
- a plurality of network devices comprising at least:
- a first network device comprising a first sensor, and wherein the first network device is inductively coupled to the positive power line of the plurality of DC power lines of the serial string, and
- a second network device comprising a second sensor, and wherein the second network device is inductively coupled to the negative power line of the plurality of DC power lines of the serial string,
- wherein the plurality of network devices are configured to:
- sense a first parameter and a second parameter by using the first sensor and the second sensor, respectively;
- and
- send, via at least one DC power line of the plurality of DC power lines, a signal comprising an indication of the first parameter and the second parameter, wherein the at least one DC power line of the plurality of DC power lines is configured to conduct the signal to a central controller, and wherein a differential between the first parameter and the second parameter indicates a presence of a current leakage in the serial string.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.