Microinverter systems and subsystems
AssigneeSunPower Corporation
InventorsMiles F. Bintz, II, Patrick L. Chapman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An alternating current (AC) module system includes branch circuits and a main service panel to receive power from the branch circuits. A photovoltaic (PV) supervisor is located between the branch circuits and the panel. The PV supervisor aggregates the power from the branch circuits. The PV supervisor also performs a nonredundant operational function for one or more of the branch circuits. The PV supervisor includes a gateway device to permit control of the operational functions.
Claims20
An alternating current (AC) module system comprising:
- a plurality of AC photovoltaic (PV) branch circuits;
- a PV controller coupled to the plurality of ACPV branch circuits to aggregate power from the branch circuits, the PV controller configured to perform a nonredundant operational function for each of the ACPV branch circuits, the performance of the nonredundant operational function requiring an exchange of ACPV operational data between the ACPV branch circuits and the PV controller;
- and
- a gateway device located within the PV controller to permit control of the operational functions of each of the plurality of ACPV branch circuits, the control capable of being performed apart from the PV controller.
A photovoltaic (PV) controller for an alternating current (AC) module system, the PV controller comprising:
- cable connections to alternating current (AC) photovoltaic (PV) branch circuits;
- a main power line to receive power from the cable connections;
- a gateway device to monitor the power and to communicate using communication wires connected to the cable connections;
- a surge suppressor coupled to the main power line;
- a filter on the main power line;
- and
- a power supply to supply power to the photovoltaic branch circuits through the communication wires.
A method for generating power within an alternating current (AC) module system, the method comprising:
- receiving power signals from a plurality of AC photovoltaic (PV) branch circuits at a PV controller, wherein the PV controller is coupled to a main service panel via a main line;
- aggregating the power signals within the PV controller;
- filtering the power signals in the PV controller;
- detecting information about the power signals using a gateway device within the PV controller;
- and
- communicating nonreduntant operational instructions for the PV branch circuits to the PV branch circuits using the PV controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.