Stored energy discharge apparatus and method
A method, system, and apparatus for providing energy discharge capability for a junction box that includes at least one ultra- or super-capacitor. A discharge resistor is connected to a first terminal block of the junction box. A normally-open relay is connected to a second terminal block of the junction block, the relay being connected in series between the discharge resistor and the second terminal block. The normally-open relay is closed to create a discharge path for discharging energy stored in the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor. The junction box is capable of being safely serviced after the energy stored in the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor has been discharged by way of the discharge path.
1. A method of providing energy discharge capability for a junction box that includes at least one ultra- or super-capacitor, comprising:
connecting a discharge resistor to a first terminal block of the junction box; and
connecting a normally-open relay to a second terminal block of the junction box, the relay being connected in series between the discharge resistor and the second terminal block; and
closing the normally-open relay and thereby creating a discharge path for discharging energy stored in the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor,
wherein the junction box is capable of being safely serviced after the energy stored in the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor has been discharged by way of the discharge path.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the normally-open relay is a manual switch.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the normally-open relay is a voltage-enabled relay.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
connecting a lamp across the first and second terminal blocks to provide a visual indication as to whether or not the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor has been sufficiently discharged.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the junction box is connected to at least one other junction box that includes at least one other ultra- or super-capacitor in either a series or parallel connection.
6. A junction box comprising:
at least one ultra- or super-capacitor;
a first terminal block connected to a first end of the least one ultra- or super-capacitor;
a second terminal block connected to a second end of the least one ultra- or super-capacitor;
a discharge resistor connected to the first terminal block; and
a normally-open relay connected to the second terminal block, the relay being connected in series between the discharge resistor and the second terminal block;
wherein the normally-open relay is closed to create a discharge path for discharging energy stored in the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor, and
wherein the junction box is capable of being safely serviced after the energy stored in the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor has been discharged by way of the discharge path.
7. The junction box according to claim 6 , wherein the normally-open relay is a manual switch.
8. The junction box according to claim 6 , wherein the normally-open relay is a voltage-enabled relay.
9. The junction box according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a lamp connected across the first and second terminal blocks to provide a visual indication as to whether or not the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor has been sufficiently discharged.
10. The junction box according to claim 6 , wherein the junction box is connected to at least one other junction box that includes at least one other ultra- or super-capacitor in either a series or parallel connection.
11. A non-transitory computer readable medium having a computer program encoded therein, which, when executed by at least one computer, causes the computer to provide an energy discharge capability for a junction box that includes at least one ultra- or super-capacitor, in which the computer performs the steps of:
connect a discharge resistor to a first terminal block of the junction box; and
connect a normally-open relay to a second terminal block of the junction box, the relay being connected in series between the discharge resistor and the second terminal block; and
close the normally-open relay and thereby creating a discharge path for discharging energy stored in the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor,
wherein the junction box is capable of being safely serviced after the energy stored in the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor has been discharged by way of the discharge path.
12. The computer readable medium according to claim 11 , wherein the normally-open relay is a manual switch.
13. The computer readable medium according to claim 11 , wherein the normally-open relay is a voltage-enabled relay.
14. The computer readable medium according to claim 11 , the computer program further causing the computer to perform the step of:
connect a lamp across the first and second terminal blocks to provide a visual indication as to whether or not the at least one ultra- or super-capacitor has been sufficiently discharged.
15. The computer readable medium according to claim 11 , wherein the junction box is connected to at least one other junction box that includes at least one other ultra- or super-capacitor in either a series or parallel connection.
16. The computer readable medium according to claim 15 , the computer program further causing the computer to perform the step of:
setting a resistance value for the discharge resistor based on the series or parallel connection of the ultra- or super-capacitors and based on predetermined energy discharge requirements.