Abstract: A 3D printer and method for increasing the speed of 3D printing, wherein said 3D printer comprises a heating block, a nozzle (1) attached to the heating block, and a hole through the heating block and the centre of the nozzle (1). In said hole there is a heat conductive material (7) attached in at least one place on the inner side wall of the hole for transferring heat (5) from the side wall towards the centre of the hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting slippage when gripping an object with a gripper, in which use is made of at least one acceleration sensor (5) on a gripping surface (3) of the gripper (1), a sensor signal from the acceleration sensor (5) is captured during the gripping process and filtered in order to obtain a filtered sensor signal in a first frequency range, and the filtered sensor signal or a value derived therefrom is compared with a threshold value (SW1, SW2) which, when exceeded, constitutes an indication of slippage of the object. In the method, the acceleration sensor (5) is integrated into a rigid main body (2) and the main body (2) is integrated into the gripper (1) using an elastic material (4) so as to be capable of oscillation on the gripping surface (3) such that, in the event of slippage of the object, said main body can be set in oscillation on the gripper (1) only in a plane parallel to the gripping surface (3).

Abstract: A method for operating a first energy generator in an electric power supply system to which a plurality of electric consumers and at least the first energy generator, which is embodied as a regenerative energy generator, are connected via respectively one grid connection point each assigned thereto, wherein at least the first energy generator has an inverter of predetermined power rating, the AC voltage output is electrically connected to a first grid connection point assigned thereto, and wherein the operating control of the inverter regarding its reactive power feed and/or its reactive power draw into or out of the electric power supply system takes place depending on a continuously measured mains voltage value. The reactive power control in the energy grid is improved in that the mains voltage value is measured at a second grid connection point, which is different from the first grid connection point of the energy generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding system (1) for mounting a photovoltaic module (6) to a base (8) by means of ground supports (2, 2a, 44, 44a) which comprise a bearing head (4, 4a, 50, 50a), a ground support body (22) and a bearing surface (28, 48) on the bottom side which counteracts a penetration of the ground supports into the base (8), wherein the ground supports (2, 2a, 46, 46a) comprise on their head side a bearing plate (14, 14?, 14a, 14a?, 54, 54?, 54a, 54a?) that is disposed at a slanted angle (?) in relation to the base (8), and wherein the ground supports (2, 2a, 46, 46a) are provided and prepared such that, in the mounted state, the bearing plates (14, 14?, 14a, 14a?, 54, 54?, 54a, 54a?) of a ground support pair (2, 2a, 46, 46a) are spaced apart from each other vertically in relation to the base (8) and from each other horizontally in adjustment to the photovoltaic module (6) and that they are aligned with each other at least in essence.

Abstract: A method for operating a first energy generator in an electric power supply system to which a plurality of electric consumers and at least the first energy generator, which is embodied as a regenerative energy generator, are connected via respectively one grid connection point each assigned thereto, wherein at least the first energy generator has an inverter of predetermined power rating, the AC voltage output is electrically connected to a first grid connection point assigned thereto, and wherein the operating control of the inverter regarding its reactive power feed and/or its reactive power draw into or out of the electric power supply system takes place depending on a continuously measured mains voltage value. The reactive power control in the energy grid is improved in that the mains voltage value is measured at a second grid connection point, which is different from the first grid connection point of the energy generator.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a photovoltaic system for feeding a medium-voltage grid, wherein the photovoltaic system has a photovoltaic generator including a plurality of photovoltaic modules, at least one inverter and at least one medium-voltage transformer. The medium-voltage transformer is connected on the primary side directly to a low-voltage AC output of the inverter, the inverter is connected to the photovoltaic generator via a DC input, and the inverter permits reverse currents from the low-voltage AC output to the DC input. The method is characterized by the fact that in the event that there is insufficient generation of electric power for the feed by the photovoltaic modules, the inverter remains connected on the AC side to the medium-voltage grid via the medium-voltage transformer, and remains connected on the DC side to the photovoltaic generator.

Abstract: A method for operating a first energy generator in an electric power supply system to which a plurality of electric consumers and at least the first energy generator, which is embodied as a regenerative energy generator, are connected via respectively one grid connection point each assigned thereto, wherein at least the first energy generator has an inverter of predetermined power rating, the AC voltage output of which is electrically connected to a first grid connection point assigned thereto, and wherein the operating control of the inverter regarding its reactive power feed and/or its reactive power draw into or out of the electric power supply system takes place depending on a continuously measured mains voltage value. The reactive power control in the energy grid is improved in that the mains voltage value is measured at a second grid connection point, which is different from the first grid connection point of the energy generator.

Abstract: A method for checking the operation of a photovoltaic module of a photovoltaic power station. The module has a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a number of solar cells, in particular thin-layer solar cells. An electric field emitted by the photovoltaic module as a result of solar radiation is measured at an exposed measurement location during the operation of the power station and the electrical voltage present between the positive terminal and the negative terminal is determined from the measured electric field. A corresponding measuring instrument has a sensor to be placed near the photovoltaic module so as to measure the electric field strength. A rod or wand may be used to position the sensor, or a robot may be configured for automatic travel on the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A meter for recording or determining the electrical energy withdrawn from an electrical supply network or supplied to it is provided. The meter including a component for measuring the current supply voltage, and a component for determining the operating mode based on the currently withdrawn or supplied electrical energy, wherein the operating mode can be changed, depending on the measured supply voltage, in such a way that a relatively high supply voltage causes a slower metering process than a comparatively low supply voltage.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system has a plurality of subsystems, each with a photovoltaic generator and an associated inverter. The inverter has a control element for setting the maximum power point of its subsystem. A battery is connectible in parallel with the photovoltaic generator. The inverters are connectible to a power grid, which is operated by a utility operator. When a control device receives an emergency signal from the utility operator indicating impending instability of the grid, the following is initiated: If the battery voltage is above the current voltage as set by the MPP control element, the battery is immediately connected to the input of the inverter while the generator remains connected to the inverter. If the battery voltage is below the current voltage the battery connection is delayed until the MPP control element has adjusted the voltage. Then the voltage is further lowered to generate a discharge current from the battery.

Abstract: For network stabilization of an electric power supply network, the voltage at a first network connection point at a first voltage level to a power generator, and at a second network connection point to a second voltage level, as well as at at least one third network connection point to a load, are each sensed as a voltage measurement, wherein a reactive power draw or a reactive power delivery by the power generator is ascertained using a linkage of the voltage measurements with the geographic location of the relevant network connection point.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operation of a photovoltaic installation for feeding electrical power into a medium-voltage power supply grid, with the photovoltaic installation having a plurality of photovoltaic modules, at least one inverter and at least one medium-voltage transformer, and with the primary side of the medium-voltage transformer being connected directly to an alternating-current (AC) low-voltage output of the inverter, and at least one direct-current (DC) switching member being arranged between the photovoltaic modules and a DC input of the inverter. When the electrical power produced by the photovoltaic modules in the photovoltaic installation is not sufficient for feeding electrical power into the supply grid, the photovoltaic modules are disconnected from an inverter on the DC voltage side while, in contrast, the inverter remains connected to the medium-voltage power supply grid on the AC voltage side by the medium-voltage transformer.

Abstract: A method for operating a photovoltaic system provides, with the turning off of the otherwise adjusted regulation to the maximum power point MPP, to make a selective mismatching at the inverter, in order to cause a battery current, which is added to the system current. As a result, an additional energy source to maintain a minimum feed power is achieved during a rapidly changing cloud pattern.

Abstract: A housing having three side walls and a cover is provided, wherein an opening for introducing a pipe is formed in one of the side walls. The side walls are arranged in a U-shape, with the opening being provided in the side wall forming the first side thereof, and with a pipe section that aligns with the opening being connectable to the second side forming the opposite side wall thereof. The cross-section of the pipe section, in particular its diameter, is larger or smaller than the cross-section of the pipe. As a result, the pipe and the pipe section can be slid one inside the other.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a photovoltaic system for feeding a medium-voltage grid, wherein the photovoltaic system has a photovoltaic generator including a plurality of photovoltaic modules, at least one inverter and at least one medium-voltage transformer. The medium-voltage transformer is connected on the primary side directly to a low-voltage AC output of the inverter, the inverter is connected to the photovoltaic generator via a DC input, and the inverter permits reverse currents from the low-voltage AC output to the DC input. The method is characterized by the fact that in the event that there is insufficient generation of electric power for the feed by the photovoltaic modules, the inverter remains connected on the AC side to the medium-voltage grid via the medium-voltage transformer, and remains connected on the DC side to the photovoltaic generator.

Abstract: During operation of at least one power generator (EE) in a power supply network, a reactive power transfer between the two upper voltage levels (1, 2) is sensed at a first transformer (T1) connecting these levels, and the voltage at a first network connection point (5) at the lowest voltage level (3) is ascertained. The amount of a reactive power demand served by the power generator (EE) is calculated as a function of the ascertained voltage value in order to maintain the voltage ascertained at the lowest voltage level (3) within a predefinable voltage range, wherein a means (WR) of the power generator (EE) is activated for a reactive power draw or a reactive power delivery, based on the calculated reactive power demand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding system (1) for mounting a photovoltaic module (6) to a base (8) by means of ground supports (2, 2a, 44, 44a) which comprise a bearing head (4, 4a, 50, 50a), a ground support body (22) and a bearing surface (28, 48) on the bottom side which counteracts a penetration of the ground supports into the base (8), wherein the ground supports (2, 2a, 46, 46a) comprise on their head side a bearing plate (14, 14?, 14a, 14a?, 54, 54?, 54a, 54?) that is disposed at a slanted angle (?) in relation to the base (8), and wherein the ground supports (2, 2a, 46, 46a) are provided and prepared such that, in the mounted state, the bearing plates (14, 14?, 14a, 14a?, 54, 54?, 54a, 54?) of a ground support pair (2, 2a, 46, 46a) are spaced apart from each other vertically in relation to the base (8) and from each other horizontally in adjustment to the photovoltaic module (6) and that they are aligned with each other at least in essence.

Abstract: A photovoltaic generator is provided that has at least one string of multiple series-connected photovoltaic modules, each of which has a plurality of series-connected photovoltaic cells. One quarter to one half of all photovoltaic modules of the at least one string can be short-circuited by means of a switch. Activation of the switch takes place when a predefined voltage value across the string is exceeded. The shorting switch is only present in some of the arrays making up the photovoltaic generator, which reduces cabling costs. Because of the parallel connection of the arrays, the voltage of the arrays without shorting switches is drawn down to a lower voltage that is safe for the inverter.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system has a plurality of subsystems, each with a photovoltaic generator and an associated inverter. The inverter has a control element for setting the maximum power point of its subsystem. A battery is connectible in parallel with the photovoltaic generator. The inverters are connectible to a power grid, which is operated by a utility operator. When a control device receives an emergency signal from the utility operator indicating impending instability of the grid, the following is initiated: If the battery voltage is above the current voltage as set by the MPP control element, the battery is immediately connected to the input of the inverter while the generator remains connected to the inverter. If the battery voltage is below the current voltage the battery connection is delayed until the MPP control element has adjusted the voltage. Then the voltage is further lowered to generate a discharge current from the battery.