IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,446,042
Granted Patent B2
US 8,446,042 · App. 13/308,200 · Granted May 21, 2013

Photovoltaic array systems, methods, and devices with improved diagnostics and monitoring

Inventors: Paul A. Bundschuh (Austin, TX); William C. Alexander (Spicewood, TX)
Assignee: Ideal Power Converters, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,446,042
App. No.
13/308,200
Granted
May 21, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for operating, monitoring and diagnosing photovoltaic arrays used for solar energy collection. The system preferably includes capabilities for monitoring or diagnosing an array by automatically disconnecting portions of the array during normal service (when load is not maximum, and observing the resulting change in electrical characteristics. More intensive diagnostic procedures can be launched if needed. One embodiment provides for performing monitoring or diagnostic operations on the array in daylight or at night. Another embodiment allows monitoring or diagnostic operations to be performed on a portion of the array while other parts of the array continue to collect energy. Yet another embodiment provides a safety mode for an array for maintenance or during emergencies.

Claims (9)

1. A method of operating a photovoltaic power system, comprising:

during normal operation, providing power from a plurality of photovoltaic cells to a power converter;

automatically, at some but not all times during normal operation, electrically disconnecting some, but less than all, of said cells from a power converter, and performing at least one diagnostic test;

wherein said diagnostic test uses a bidirectional AC-DC converter to apply a DC potential to said at least one string of photovoltaic cells; and,

wherein said diagnostic test performs an IV curve trace on ones of said cells; and,

automatically electrically reconnecting the one or more strings.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said steps are repeated, from time to time during normal operation, for each said string.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said automatically disconnecting step is performed at regular intervals.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said automatically disconnecting step is performed only when electrical load is below a ceiling value.

Assignments (10)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 2, 2020
From: CE+T ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
To: CE+T GROUP SA
Reel/Frame 052810/0773 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 25, 2019
From: IDEAL POWER INC.
To: CE+T ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 051112/0840 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 11, 2019
From: PATHION HOLDINGS, INC.; PATHION, INC.
To: IDEAL POWER INC.
Reel/Frame 050341/0761 →
COURT ORDER Recorded Sep 4, 2019
From: PATHION, INC.; PATHION HOLDINGS, INC.
To: IDEAL POWER INC.
Reel/Frame 050270/0702 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2019
From: IDEAL POWER INC.
To: PATHION HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 049934/0768 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 13, 2014
From: DIGIANDOMENICO, ANTHONY; GRUNFELD, AARON A; ESTRIN, ALLEN; WANG, AMY EN-MEI; DESAI, ANKUR V; BELL FAMILY TRUST DATED 2/2/95, AS AMENDED; PADNOS, BENJAMIN L; BENNETT LIVING TRUST, MICHAEL BENNETT, TRUSTEE U/A 3-12-1992; BIBICOFF FAMILY TRUST; CAUSEWAY BAY CAPITAL, LLC; JENNINGS, CHRISTOPHER; LANDRY, DANIEL PATRICK; PADNOS, DANIEL; SANKER, DANIEL; MOSSBERG, DAVID M; PARK, EDGAR; EQUITY TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN FBO ROBERT C. CLIFFORD IRA, 6.67% UNDIVIDED INTEREST; RICHARDSON, ERICK; SCHUMAN, GARY; SUESS, GREG; HANDLER REVOCABLE TRUST, BRAD HANDLER, TRUSTEE; KESNER, HARVEY; TIERNEY, JAMES P; DEGIAN, JANE; PADNOS, JEFFREY S.; ELWAY, JOHN A; PADNOS, JONATHAN J; MDB CAPITAL GROUP, LLC; CAVALIER, MICHAEL JOSEPH, JR.; KELLY, MICHAEL; TOBIN, MORRIE; LEWIN, NICHOLAS; PATEL, NIMISH; TESKE, PAUL; APPEL, PATER A; PIERCE FAMILY TRUST DTD 9-13-2000, MITCHELL D. PIERCE, TRUSTEE; R&A CHADE FAMILY TRUST, RICHARD CHADE, TRUSTEE; FERRARA, RALPH P; GREENBERG, SANDORD DEAN; SERIES E-1 OF THE LARREN SMITTY, LLC; CASPI, SILVAN PADNOS; THE JOHN STANLEY REVOCABLE TRUST UAD 8-4-2006, JOHN STANLEY, TRUSTEE; WALLACE, THOMAS L, SR.; PICKETT, WILEY; LIU, XIN; YKA PARTNERS, LTD.; JEFFREY AND MARGARET GENERATION TRUST F/B/O REBECCA PADNOS; JEFFREY AND MARGARET GENERATION TRUST F/B/O JOSHUA PADNOS; JEFFREY AND MARGARET GENERATION TRUST F/B/O SAMUEL PADNOS; JEFFREY AND MARGARET GENERATION TRUST F/B/O BENJAMIN PADNOS; CAISSON BREAKWATER FUND, LP; CAISSON BREAKWATER FUND, LTD.; HAYDEN, MATTHEW; MERGE CAPITAL, LLC; HORWITZ, GREGORY ADAM; JENNINGS, KAREN; PADNOS, MARGARET M.; TESKE, RIVERS
To: IDEAL POWER, INC.
Reel/Frame 031997/0361 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2013
From: ALEXANDER, WILLIAM C; BUNDSCHUH, PAUL A
To: IDEAL POWER INC.
Reel/Frame 031625/0418 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 29, 2013
From: IDEAL POWER INC.
To: GRUNFELD, AARON A; ESTRIN, ALLEN; AMY EN-MEI WANG AND GREGORY ADAM HORWITZ; DESAI, ANKUR V; DIGIANDOMENICO, ANTHONY; BELL FAMILY TRUST DATED 2/2/95, AS AMENDED; PADNOS, BENJAMIN L; BENNETT LIVING TRUST, MICHAEL BENNETT, TRUSTEE U/A 3-12-1992; BIBICOFF FAMILY TRUST; CAUSEWAY BAY CAPITAL, LLC; CHRISTOPHER JENNINGS AND KAREN JENNINGS; LANDRY, DANIEL PATRICK; PADNOS, DANIEL; SANKER, DANIEL; MOSSBERG, DAVID M; PARK, EDGAR; EQUITY TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN FBO ROBERT C. CLIFFORD IRA, 6.67% UNDIVIDED INTEREST; RICHARDSON, ERICK; SCHUMAN, GARY; SUESS, GREG; HANDLER REVOCABLE TRUST, BRAD HANDLER, TRUSTEE; KESNER, HARVEY; TIERNEY, JAMES P; DEGIAN, JANE; JEFFREY S. PADNOS AND MARGARET M. PADNOS; ELWAY, JOHN A; PADNOS, JONATHAN J; MDB CAPITAL GROUP, LLC; CAVALIER, MICHAEL JOSEPH, JR; KELLY, MICHAEL; TOBIN, MORRIE; LEWIN, NICHOLAS; PATEL, NIMISH; PAUL TESKE AND RIVERS TESKE; APPEL, PATER A; PIERCE FAMILY TRUST DTD 9-13-2000, MITCHELL D. PIERCE, TRUSTEE; R&A CHADE FAMILY TRUST, RICHARD CHADE, TRUSTEE; FERRARA, RALPH P; GREENBERG, SANDORD DEAN; SERIES E-1 OF THE LARREN SMITTY, LLC; CASPI, SILVAN PADNOS; THE JOHN STANLEY REVOCABLE TRUST UAD 8-4-2006, JOHN STANLEY, TRUSTEE; WALLACE, THOMAS L, SR; PICKETT, WILEY; LIU, XIN; YKA PARTNERS, LTD.; JEFFREY AND MARGARET GENERATION TRUST F/B/O REBECCA PADNOS; JEFFREY AND MARGARET GENERATION TRUST F/B/O JOSHUA PADNOS; JEFFREY AND MARGARET GENERATION TRUST F/B/O SAMUEL PADNOS; JEFFREY AND MARGARET GENERATION TRUST F/B/O BENJAMIN PADNOS; CAISSON BREAKWATER FUND, LP; CAISSON BREAKWATER FUND, LTD.; HAYDEN, MATTHEW; MERGE CAPITAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 030892/0645 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2012
From: BUNDSCHUH, PAUL A.; ALEXANDER, WILLIAM C.
To: IDEAL POWER CONVERTERS, INC.
Reel/Frame 029411/0260 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 31, 2012
From: IDEAL POWER CONVERTERS, INC.
To: ANTHONY DIGIANDOMENCIO
Reel/Frame 028889/0819 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61418144 · Nov 30, 2010
Provisional Application 61480048 · Apr 28, 2011
Related Publication 20130038129A1 · Feb 14, 2013