Patents by Inventor Martin Fornage

Martin Fornage 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).

  • Four quadrant bidirectional switch
    Patent number: 9130570
    Abstract: A four quadrant bidirectional switch. In one embodiment, the four quadrant bidirectional switch comprises a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch, wherein (i) the first and second switches are normally-off switches, (ii) the third switch is a dual-gate, bidirectional, normally-on switch, and (iii) the first, the second, and the third switches are coupled to one another in a bi-cascode configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Donald Richard Zimmanck, Jeffrey Bernard Fedison
  • Resilient mounting assembly for photovoltaic modules
    Patent number: 9118273
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a power module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of mounting points that (i) are flexibly connected to one another and (ii) flexibly mount the power module proximate a photovoltaic (PV) module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Charles Martin, Martin Fornage, Ho Gene Choi
  • Method and apparatus for providing power conversion using an interleaved flyback converter with automatic balancing
    Patent number: 9112417
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting DC input power to DC output power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first flyback circuit and a second flyback circuit, coupled in parallel, for providing DC-to-DC conversion; and a controller for (i) determining a first peak current, based on a predetermined peak current, for operating the first flyback circuit, (ii) determining a second peak current, based on the predetermined peak current, for operating the second flyback circuit, and (iii) operating the first and the second flyback circuits at switching frequencies dependent on the first and the second peak currents, respectively, to achieve timing synchronization for interleaved operation of the first and the second flyback circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Mudhafar Hassan-Ali, Tarik H. Omar
  • Smart junction box for a photovoltaic system
    Patent number: 9105765
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a smart junction box including: a first set of switches connected across input terminals adapted for connection to output terminals of a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules, a plurality of diodes connected across input terminals of each respective switch in the first set of switches, at least one reverse current detection device on at least one output terminal of the smart junction box, a second set of switches to selectively disconnect and short circuit output terminals of the smart junction box when a reverse current is detected, and wherein at least one switch of the second set of switches is located across the output terminals, a controller for controlling the first and second set of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • PORTABLE SOLAR PANEL KIT
    Publication number: 20150207451
    Abstract: A portable solar panel kit is provided herein. In one embodiment, the portable solar panel kit comprises at least one encasement having a solar panel rotatably coupled to and disposed within the at least one encasement; and a power converter coupled to a backside of the solar panel, wherein the solar panel is moveable between a first position in which the solar panel is parallel to the at least one encasement, and a second position, in which the solar panel is disposed at a predetermined angle to the at least one encasement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: John C. Patton, Eric Hafter, Todd Lindstrom, Martin Fornage
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GROUND FAULT DETECTION
    Publication number: 20150168473
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining a ground fault impedance. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a voltage divider and a ground fault detection module for (i) determining a first voltage based on at least one voltage measurement of the voltage divider while the voltage divider is coupled between the first AC line and the DC line; (ii) determining a second voltage based on at least one voltage measurement of the voltage divider while the voltage divider is coupled between the second AC line and the DC line; (iii) determining a differential voltage based on at least one voltage measurement between the first AC line and the second AC line; and (iv) computing the ground fault impedance based on the first voltage, the second voltage, and the differential voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Michael Harrison
  • Method and apparatus for detecting impairment of a solar array
    Patent number: 9048693
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an impairment of a solar array. The apparatus comprises an impairment detection module for performing a comparison of a power production profile and at least one reference profile, wherein the power production profile and the at least one reference profile are for at least one of the solar array, at least one solar subarray of the solar array, or at least one solar panel of the solar array. The apparatus determines, based on the comparison, whether the impairment exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Method and apparatus for resonant converter control
    Patent number: 9048744
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling resonant converter power production. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining accumulated charge processed by a resonant converter; dynamically determining a level of the accumulated charge that generates a predetermined output power; and controlling a switching cycle of the resonant converter based on the level of the accumulated charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Donald Richard Zimmanck
  • Method and apparatus for three-phase power line communications
    Patent number: 9030302
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a balanced three-phase power line communication signal. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating a plurality of modulation signals based on at least one data stream; modulating a plurality of carrier signals by the plurality of modulation signals to generate a balanced three-phase PLC signal comprising a first phase signal, a second phase signal, and a third phase signal; and coupling the balanced three-phase PLC signal to a three-phase power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • LOSSLESS COMMUTATION DURING OPERATION OF A POWER CONVERTER
    Publication number: 20150124493
    Abstract: A method for operating a DC-DC converter. The method comprises: matching, based on a turns ratio of a transformer of the DC-DC converter, a primary side capacitance of the DC-DC converter and a secondary side capacitance of the DC-DC converter to result in a matched capacitance; and operating the DC-DC converter with at least one operating parameter set to cause a primary current to oscillate between a peak value and zero such that a valley of the primary current coincides with a zero crossing of a secondary switching element voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Donald Richard Zimmanck
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING POWER BASED ON PREDICTED WEATHER EVENTS
    Publication number: 20150094870
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling power production. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a predicted weather event; determining a predicted power production impact for a distributed generator (DG) array based on the predicted weather event; and controlling power production from one or more components of the DG array to compensate for the predicted power production impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Benjamin Smith
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS DISTORTION COMPENSATION
    Publication number: 20150078463
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for harmonic distortion compensation in power line communications. In one embodiment, the method comprises analyzing a waveform generated by a transmitter of a power line communications transceiver (PLCT), wherein the waveform is analyzed to determine harmonic information for one or more harmonics of a carrier waveform of the PLCT; computing, based on the harmonic information, one or more harmonic compensation coefficients; and pre-distorting, based on the one or more harmonic compensation coefficients, the carrier waveform such that the one or more harmonics are reduced below a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Kennan Laudel
  • Method and apparatus for interconnecting distributed power sources
    Patent number: 8963378
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for power wiring. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a splice box comprising (i) a plug having a plurality of plug pins, each plug pin of the plurality of plug pins for coupling to a conductor within a cable adapted for coupling to a power line; (ii) a first pin receptacle for coupling to a first guide pin of a connector; and (iii) a first pair of retention bars disposed within the first pin receptacle, the first pair of retention bars for retaining the first guide pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Raghuveer R. Belur
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTI PHASE SHIFT POWER CONVERTER CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150049518
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi phase shift control of a power converter. In one embodiment, the method comprises controlling a phase shift between a left leg and a right leg of a first bridge of the power converter during operation of the power converter; and controlling a phase shift between the first bridge and a second bridge of the power converter during the operation of the power converter, wherein the phase shift between the left and the right legs and the phase shift between the first and the second bridges are controlled based on an input voltage of the power converter and a required output voltage of the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Harrison, Donald Richard Zimmanck, Martin Fornage
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING
    Publication number: 20150048854
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring maximum power point tracking (MPPT) by measuring, external to a device that performs the MPPT, a DC current and a DC voltage to obtain a DC current value and a DC voltage value, wherein the DC current and the DC voltage are from a distributed generator (DG) coupled to the device. The method determining, external to the device, a constellation of data points, wherein each data point of the constellation comprises a DC voltage change and a corresponding DC current change resulting from an AC waveform, and determining, a dynamic resistance of the DG based on the constellation. The method computes a ratio of the DC voltage value to the DC current value, compares the dynamic resistance to the ratio, and determines, based on the comparison of the dynamic resistance to the ratio, if the DG is biased at a maximum power point (MPP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Lossless commutation during operation of a power converter
    Patent number: 8937817
    Abstract: A method for operating a DC-DC converter. The method comprises: matching, based on a turns ratio of a transformer of the DC-DC converter, a primary side capacitance of the DC-DC converter and a secondary side capacitance of the DC-DC converter to result in a matched capacitance; and operating the DC-DC converter with at least one operating parameter set to cause a primary current to oscillate between a peak value and zero such that a valley of the primary current coincides with a zero crossing of a secondary switching element voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Donald Richard Zimmanck
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTENDING ZERO-VOLTAGE SWITCHING RANGE IN A DC TO DC CONVERTER
    Publication number: 20150009718
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for extending a zero voltage switching (ZVS) range during power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a DC/DC converter, operated in a quasi-resonant mode, comprising a transformer; a primary switch, coupled to a primary winding of the transformer, for controlling current flow through the primary winding; and a component coupled to the transformer, wherein the component has a capacitance that varies with voltage across the component, and wherein during a downswing in voltage across the primary switch the component is passively tuned by a change in the voltage across the component that changes the capacitance of the component, and wherein the passive tuning of the component causes a resonant frequency of the DC/DC converter to change, and wherein the change in the resonant frequency causes the downswing to accelerate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING POWER CONVERSION USING AN INTERLEAVED FLYBACK CONVERTER WITH REACTIVE POWER CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140376278
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to DC output power with reactive power control. The apparatus includes a plurality of flyback circuits, coupled in parallel, and a DC-AC inversion circuit coupled across an output of each flyback circuit of the plurality of flyback circuits. The apparatus also including a reactive power control circuit coupled to an output of one flyback circuit of the plurality of flyback circuits, and across an output of the DC-AC inversion circuit; and a controller operative to coordinate timing of switches in each flyback circuit of the plurality of flyback circuits and the reactive power control circuit to generate AC output power of a desired power factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Michael Harrison
  • LED LIGHTING CONVERTER
    Publication number: 20140361703
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for light emitting diode (LED) lighting power conversion including a full bridge rectifier circuit coupled to a first half-bridge rectifier circuit and a resonant tank circuit supplying AC power to a LED circuit and forming a first port to the LED circuit. The apparatus further includes a second half-bridge rectifier circuit and energy storage device receiving and supplying DC power to the LED circuit as determined by a controller to form a second port of the LED circuit, wherein the LED circuit further comprises a rectifier circuit for the LED circuit, and at least one LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Michael Harrison
  • RESONANT POWER CONVERSION CIRCUIT
    Publication number: 20140340942
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings; and a cyclo-converter comprising a plurality of switch pairs for converting an alternating current to an AC current, wherein each switch pair in the plurality of switch pairs (i) is coupled between two lines of an AC output and (ii) has a different secondary winding of the plurality of secondary windings coupled between its switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Donald Richard Zimmanck, Fabio Augusto Mendes Pereira