# US 7,610,174 B2 · System for assured reliability in DC to AC power converters

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- Number: US 7,610,174 B2
- Document ID: US7610174B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/555,135
- Filed: 2006-10-31
- Published: 2008-09-04
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2006-10-31
- Assignees: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: S Jeffrey Rosner; Charles D Hoke; Ken A Nishimura
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610174B2

## CPC

- G01R 31/42: AC power supplies
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

A distributed power generation system enabled for assured reliability comprises a direct current power source, a direct current to alternating current converter (DTAC), electrically coupled to the direct current power source, the DTAC comprising a reliability limiting component (RLC) and a sensor for sensing a measurable parameter of the RLC. A decision engine is communicatively coupled to the sensor, and is operable to determine a lifetime estimate for the RLC based on the measurable parameter. A service provider is communicatively coupled to the decision engine by a communication system to receive a signal communicating the lifetime estimate. The service provider schedules preventative maintenance based on the signal communicating the lifetime estimate.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A distributed power generation system enabled for assured reliability comprising:
a direct current power source;
a direct current to alternating current converter (DTAC) electrically coupled to said direct current power source, said DTAC comprising a reliability limiting component (RLC) and a sensor for sensing a measurable parameter of said RLC;
a decision engine communicatively coupled to said sensor, said decision engine operable to determine a lifetime estimate for said RLC based on said measurable parameter; and
a service provider communicatively coupled to said decision engine by a communication system to receive a signal communicating said lifetime estimate, said service provider scheduling preventative maintenance based on said signal communicating said lifetime estimate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said RLC comprises a capacitor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 wherein said sensor measures a voltage drop across said capacitor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 wherein said sensor measures a frequency of a ripple current of said capacitor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 wherein said sensor measures a current flowing out of said capacitor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 wherein said sensor measures a temperature of said capacitor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said RLC comprises a power switch.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7 wherein said sensor measures a voltage across said power switch.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7 wherein said sensor measures a temperature of said power switch.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said power switch is selected from the group consisting of an integrated-gate insulated transistor, a field effect transistor, a gate turnoff device and an emitter turn-off device.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said direct current power source comprises a photovoltaic (PV) system.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said RLC comprises an inverter for photovoltaics.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11 wherein said service provider schedules said preventive maintenance in off-daylight hours.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said direct current power source comprises a microturbine.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14 wherein said service provider is not an integrator/installer of said direct current power source.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said direct current power source is installed for a non-commercial customer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said decision engine is co-located with said DTAC.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said communication system comprises a large area network (LAN).

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said service provider make use of a just-in-time RLC replacement scheme.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said decision engine provides said signal to said service provider when said lifetime estimate of said RLC is less than twenty percent.