Patents Assigned to SMA Solar Technology AG.
  • Patent number: 9831916
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for transmitting data via direct current lines for energy transmission from a first communication unit to a second communication unit. The method includes generating a high-frequency test signal having a predefined voltage amplitude by the first or the second communication unit and coupling the high-frequency test signal onto the direct current lines. The method further includes determining a current level caused by the high-frequency test signal on the direct current lines by the first communication unit, and determining a voltage amplitude for a high-frequency signal based on the current level caused by the test signal. The method also includes coupling a high-frequency signal having the predetermined voltage amplitude onto the direct current lines by the first communication unit. The disclosure also relates to a system for transmitting data via direct current lines for energy transmission and to a photovoltaic installation having such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Holger Behrends
  • Patent number: 9831678
    Abstract: In a method for black start of a power station including a plurality of inventers connectable to a local AC electrical grid, a first AC voltage is built up in the AC electrical grid by a first inverter, said first AC voltage being reduced in comparison with a rated voltage of the AC electrical grid by at least a quarter, and at least one second inverter is connected to the AC electrical grid after synchronization with the first AC voltage. After connection of the second converter, a second AC voltage, which is higher than the first AC voltage, is built up in the AC electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Daniel Premm, Christian Schuetz
  • Patent number: 9820397
    Abstract: A housing for receiving electronic components includes a housing body and a housing cover. The housing body and the housing cover are connected to one another at multiple fastening points. At least one of the fastening points is surrounded by recesses at least in part on the housing body or on the housing cover so that in the event of an internal pressure pin in the housing exceeding a predetermined threshold value pmax the housing body or the housing cover deforms in the region of the at least one fastening point and a gap is formed between the housing body and the housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Jan-Hinrich Ahrens, Daniel Strautmann
  • Patent number: 9819180
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for sequentially disconnecting at least two electrical current sources from a common load or for sequentially connecting the current sources to a load, wherein the current sources are each connected to the common load via a switching unit, each comprising a parallel circuit comprising an electromechanically actuated switch and an associated semiconductor switch. In the two methods, first semiconductor switches are closed if they are still not closed and the relevant electromechanical switches are opened. In the method for sequential disconnection, then at least two of the semiconductor switches that were actuated or that were already closed are opened sequentially. In the method for sequential connection, a plurality of the semiconductor switches are first opened, of which then at least two are closed sequentially. The disclosure also relates to a photovoltaic system comprising an apparatus that is suitable for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Holger Behrends, Marcel Kratochvil, Markus Hopf
  • Patent number: 9806516
    Abstract: In order to protect reverse currents, several strings of a photovoltaic generator, which are connected in small groups respectively via a DC/DC-converter, parallel to a common DC voltage intermediate circuit, the current which flows over each of the DC/DC-converter is detected and if a reverse current is detected flowing through one of the DC/DC converters, the converter is stopped by controlling the DC/DC-converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Sven Bremicker, Adrian Haering, Matthias Walter, Henrik Wolf, Joachim Laschinski
  • Patent number: 9797853
    Abstract: During measuring an insulation resistance for an inverter having at least one half-bridge including two active switching elements for driving an output current, and a DC link voltage, a center point of the half-bridge positioned between the switching elements is connected to a grounding point by closing a grounding switch, and the center point connected to the grounding point is connected, one after the other, to a first ungrounded terminal and a second ungrounded terminal of the DC link voltage of the inverter present at the half-bridge by means of the two active switching elements of the half-bridge to establish a connection between the first and second ungrounded terminals, respectively, and the grounding point. A current flowing via the connection to the grounding point is measured using a measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Burkard Mueller
  • Patent number: 9793812
    Abstract: A method for operating an inverter with reactive power capability that includes a voltage link circuit and an unfolding bridge, wherein poles of the voltage link circuit are configured to be selectively connected to terminals of an AC output in different configurations by means of the unfolding bridge, in order to change a polarity of the AC output relative to the voltage link circuit. The method includes in the case of a phase shift between an AC current (I) and an AC voltage (U) at the AC output reversing the direction of a current flowing via the voltage link circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Jens Friebe, Oliver Prior
  • Patent number: 9780550
    Abstract: A protective device for a photovoltaic system includes at least one input for connection to a photovoltaic generator and at least one output for delivery of an electric power supplied from the photovoltaic generator. The protective device includes a detection device for a signal applied via the at least one output, and is configured to provide a low level-limited voltage at the at least one output if an applied signal does not meet a predetermined criteria, and is further configured to connect the at least one output with low resistance to the at least one input via a switching device if the applied signal meets the predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Markus Hopf, Matthias Victor, Frank Greizer, Gerd Bettenwort, Jens Friebe
  • Patent number: 9768610
    Abstract: A method for leakage current compensation in a photovoltaic system includes determining a reference current flowing from at least one current-carrying line under voltage via a capacitor to earth, and generating a compensation current, having a phase and a frequency of the reference current, and having an amplitude adjusted by a negative scaling factor based on the reference current. The method further includes determining a current sum using a differential current sensor for at least a portion thereof, wherein the addends of the current sum are the currents through a complete set of current-carrying lines and the compensation current, minimizing the determined current sum by adjusting the scaling factor, and routing the compensation current through at least one other differential current sensor, such that the compensation current compensates a leakage current component of a differential current monitored by the other differential current sensor. A related device and system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Bieniek, Markus Hopf
  • Patent number: 9760956
    Abstract: For optimizing a chronological development of consumption of electric power by a group of different consumers with regard to a supply of electric power including electric power from at least one wind or solar power generator, characteristic time curves of the consumption of electric power are determined at a high temporal resolution. A prognosis is made of a chronological development of the supply of electric power from the at least one power generator for a future period of time, and a plan for apportioning electric power to the individual consumers within the future period of time is made based on the characteristic time curves of the consumption of electric power by the individual consumers, the prognosis, and user goal setting by a user of the consumers resulting in different weightings of consumption of electric power by different consumers and supply of electric power by different power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Bjoern Magnussen, Christian Hoehle, Raimund Thiel
  • Patent number: 9755513
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a DC/DC converter including at least one clocked switching member and at least one inductor which is arranged between an input connection and an output connection of the DC/DC converter and is for intermediate storage of energy transferred by the DC/DC converter, wherein the inductor has a core with permanent magnetization. The DC/DC converter is configured for bidirectional operation, wherein, in a first energy transfer direction, the at least one switching member is switched in a first operating mode and, in a second energy transfer direction which is opposite to the first, the at least one switching member is switched in a second operating mode which deviates from the first. The disclosure also relates to an operating method for a DC/DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Jens Friebe, Klaus Rigbers, Sebastian Lederer
  • Patent number: 9720025
    Abstract: In monitoring an isolation of an ungrounded power grid an AC voltage source is connected to the power grid via at least one test resistor. A test signal with a periodic continuous voltage course with regard to ground and with a frequency is applied to the power grid by means of the AC voltage source. A leakage current flowing due to the test signal is measured; and an ohmic isolation resistance is determined from the leakage current. The frequency of the test signal is varied such that an active current part of the leakage current keeps a predetermined recommended value at varying leakage capacitances of the power grid. This provides for a desired level of accuracy at maximum speed of isolation or ground fault detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hermeling, Reinhard Lehmann
  • Patent number: 9722425
    Abstract: In operating an inverter including input connectors, (i) to which strings of photovoltaic cells are connected, (ii) each of which is connected via a DC/DC converter to a common DC voltage link, and (iii) which are bridgeable, the partial powers flowing through the individual DC/DC converters are determined, and for some time at least two DC/DC converters are either operated with the aim of balancing the partial currents flowing through them or connected through. During this operation or connecting through, the partial powers flowing through the at least two DC/DC converters are compared with each other, and if a difference between the partial powers exceeds a threshold value, the DC/DC converters are subsequently operated in a way adjusted to the fact that they connect different strings to the DC voltage link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Sybille Pape, Tobias Mueller
  • Patent number: 9716407
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a standby power supply system for connection to a superordinate power supply network and a local power distribution network, having a network isolation device for connecting the local power distribution network to the superordinate power supply network by means of at least two series-connected switching elements with respectively associated switching contacts and having a local power supply device with a separate-network detector for identifying a separation situation for the local power distribution network. A first of the two switching elements is connected to the superordinate power supply network and the second of the two switching elements is connected to the local power supply device. The disclosure furthermore relates to methods for isolating a local power distribution network from a superordinate power supply network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Claus Allert
  • Patent number: 9709623
    Abstract: The apparatus for monitoring a photovoltaic system includes an incoupling circuit configured to couple an AC voltage test signal into the photovoltaic system, and an outcoupling circuit configured to outcouple a response signal, which is associated with the test signal, from the photovoltaic system, and an evaluation device, which is connected to the outcoupling circuit. The evaluation device is configured to identify events which adversely affect correct operation of the photovoltaic system. The apparatus is distinguished in that the outcoupling circuit includes a first transformer and a second transformer, each having a respective primary winding and each having a respective secondary winding which is connected to the evaluation device, with the primary windings of the first and second transformers being arranged in different electrical lines between a generator and an inverter in the photovoltaic system. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for monitoring a photovoltaic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Marcel Kratochvil, Sebastian Bieniek, Holger Behrends, Markus Hopf
  • Patent number: 9667170
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating an inverter that includes at least one bridge assembly that is actuated in a modulated manner for supplying electrical power to an energy supply network. Initially, the inverter is operated by the unipolar actuation of the at least one bridge assembly and the energy supply network is monitored for the presence of a network fault. If a network fault is detected, the inverter is operated at least at intervals by the bipolar actuation of the at least one bridge assembly. The disclosure further relates to a network fault-tolerant inverter which is equipped for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Pablo Correa Vasquez, Tobias Mueller, Henrik Wolf
  • Patent number: 9654016
    Abstract: A converter includes a converter inductor, a converter diode, and a converter switch, wherein the converter inductor, the converter diode and the converter switch operate together to receive an input voltage and generate a converted output voltage. The converter further includes a bypass circuit that is connected in parallel with the converter switch; the bypass circuit includes a bypass capacitor connected in series with a diode, wherein a forward direction of the diode is the same as a regular direction of current flow through the converter switch. The converter also includes a discharge circuit configured to discharge the bypass capacitor, wherein the discharge circuit includes an inductor. The inductor of the discharge circuit is magnetically coupled to the converter inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Stephan Sander, Artjom Gruber
  • Patent number: 9632116
    Abstract: For inspecting polarities of poles of DC voltage sources, each pole being individually connected to one of separate input terminals of a combiner circuit, an inspection apparatus includes electric contacts each provided for one of the input terminals such that one of the poles of each DC voltage sources is each connected to one of the electric contacts, respectively. A signaling element when subjected to an electric signal emits a matching signal. One switching element per each of the at least two electric contacts forwards the electric signal if a polarity of a voltage present at the respective electric contact matches a polarity pre-set for the respective electric contact with regard to a reference potential, and blocks the electric signal if the polarity of the voltage does not match the pre-set polarity. The switching elements are electrically connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Andre Schieleit
  • Patent number: D798809
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SMA SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Alexander Benn, Christof Wetzel
  • Patent number: D798810
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SMA SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Alexander Benn, Christof Wetzel