Patents by Inventor Gary D. Hasenfus

Gary D. Hasenfus has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Smart sensors for solar panels
    Patent number: 8294451
    Abstract: A solar panel smart sensor system is disclosed. The sensor system permits solar power system owners and operators to monitor the voltage of individual panels in a solar array. The system uses a low wire-count bus in which the order of sensors on the bus is automatically determined. A novel technique is used to measure DC voltages of panels that may be floating hundreds of volts above ground. Bypass diodes are monitored to detect lost power generation capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary D. Hasenfus
  • Smart sensors for solar panels
    Publication number: 20090140719
    Abstract: A solar panel smart sensor system is disclosed. The sensor system permits solar power system owners and operators to monitor the voltage of individual panels in a solar array. The system uses a low wire-count bus in which the order of sensors on the bus is automatically determined. A novel technique is used to measure DC voltages of panels that may be floating hundreds of volts above ground. Bypass diodes are monitored to detect lost power generation capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: ACTSOLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Gary D. Hasenfus