Patents by Inventor Andreas Falk

Andreas Falk 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).

  • Publication number: 20240117513
    Abstract: A method for operating an electrolysis device, having a converter which is connected on an AC voltage side to an AC voltage grid via a decoupling inductance and draws an AC active power from the AC voltage grid, and an electrolyzer, which is connected to the converter on the DC voltage side, is provided. The method includes operating the electrolysis device, when a grid frequency corresponds to a nominal frequency of the ACT voltage grid and is substantially constant over a time period, with an electrical power which is between 50% and 100% of a nominal power of the electrolyzer, and operating the converter in a voltage-impressing manner, such that an AC active power drawn from the AC voltage grid is changed on the basis of a change and/or a rate of change of the grid frequency in the AC voltage grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas Falk, Christian Hardt
  • Publication number: 20240035298
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a platform stack for the space-saving configuration of an energy conversion installation, comprising at least two platforms stacked one over another to form the platform stack, wherein each of the platform is configured to position a skid with a respective converter unit of the energy conversion installation such that they are stacked one on top of the other on via the two platforms. The platforms each include a frame structure having a storage surface for the skid, and have alignment elements on a first side and support posts on a second side of the frame structure, opposite the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Andreas Falk
  • Patent number: 11851776
    Abstract: A method for operating an electrolysis device, having a converter which is connected on an AC voltage side to an AC voltage grid via a decoupling inductance and draws an AC active power from the AC voltage grid, and an electrolyzer, which is connected to the converter on the DC voltage side, is provided. The method includes operating the electrolysis device, when a grid frequency corresponds to a nominal frequency of the ACT voltage grid and is substantially constant over a time period, with an electrical power which is between 50% and 100% of a nominal power of the electrolyzer, and operating the converter in a voltage-impressing manner, such that an AC active power drawn from the AC voltage grid is changed on the basis of a change and/or a rate of change of the grid frequency in the AC voltage grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Andreas Falk, Christian Hardt
  • Publication number: 20230335999
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for operating an energy supply installation which is connected to an AC supply grid via a transformer, and exchanges electrical power with the AC supply grid via the transformer. The transformer is connected on a first side to the AC supply grid and on a second side to an AC installation grid of the energy supply installation, wherein the energy supply installation has at least one inverter which exchanges electrical power between a DC unit on the DC side of the inverter and the AC installation grid on the AC side of the inverter. The method includes receiving at least one parameter of the power conversion of the at least one inverter by an installation controller, determining a setpoint AC voltage for the AC installation grid by the installation controller according to the parameter, transmitting the setpoint AC voltage to the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Hardt, Andreas Falk
  • Publication number: 20230231491
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid rectifier includes an AC input, a DC output and a thyristor rectifier arranged in a first path, and a transistor rectifier arranged in a second, parallel path. The method includes when a DC voltage at the DC output of the hybrid rectifier is below a voltage threshold value, operating the hybrid rectifier in a first operating state in which the transistor rectifier is isolated from the DC output and connected to the AC input and the thyristor rectifier is connected both to the AC input and to the DC output. When the DC voltage at the DC output of the hybrid rectifier reaches or exceeds the voltage threshold value, operating the hybrid rectifier in a second operating state in which the thyristor rectifier and the transistor rectifier are each connected to the AC input and to the DC output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventor: Andreas Falk
  • Publication number: 20230198247
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for electrolysis from photovoltaically generated DC power, including an electrolyzer and a DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter is configured to feed DC power to the electrolyzer via a DC bus, wherein: the DC power is generated by a photovoltaic (PV) sub-generator connected to the DC/DC converter. The PV sub-generator is connected to the DC/DC converter via a first disconnector that is coupled to an isolation monitoring structure in such a way that closure of the first disconnector requires a successful check for sufficient isolation of the PV sub-generator. The PV sub-generator has a main string and a second disconnector arranged between the main string and the first disconnector. The second disconnector is coupled to a fault current monitoring circuit of the main string in such a way that the second disconnector is opened in the event that a predefinable limit value of the fault current is exceeded. The disclosure also relates to a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Martin Putz, Andreas Falk
  • Publication number: 20230050530
    Abstract: A method and related apparatus for extending a DC voltage range of a rectifier circuit for the supply, from an AC grid, of a DC load which is connected to a DC rectifier output of the rectifier circuit, wherein an AC rectifier input of the rectifier circuit is connected via a grid connection point to the AC grid, wherein the rectifier circuit includes an AC/DC converter having an AC input and a DC output, wherein the AC/DC converter includes a converter circuit having semiconductor switches and freewheeling diodes connected in an antiparallel arrangement thereto, wherein an inductance is connected between the AC input of the AC/DC converter and the grid connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander Unru, Andreas Falk, Dirk Hermeling, Ralf Juchem, Marcel Kratochvil
  • Publication number: 20220294263
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining a load flow map within an AC-voltage power supply grid, wherein a plurality of grid subscribers are each arranged at a respective grid connection point in the power supply grid, includes ascertaining, by each of the plurality of grid subscribers, a respective value reflecting an individual phase angle (?) of the AC voltage of the power supply grid at the respective grid connection point of each of the plurality of grid subscribers. The method also includes transmitting the respective values in the form of data from the respective plurality of grid subscribers to a superordinate data receiver; and evaluating the data and generating a load flow map based on the values reflecting the individual phase angles (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventor: Andreas Falk
  • Publication number: 20220285946
    Abstract: A converter device configured to exchange power between a first grid and a second grid, including a first inverter configured to connect on an AC side thereof to the first grid, and connected on a DC side thereof to a link circuit of the converter device, and a second inverter configured to connect on an AC side thereof to the second grid, and connected on a DC side thereof to the link circuit. The converter device also includes a solar generator connected to the link circuit, a first controller operably coupled to the first inverter and configured to set a specified converter power of the first inverter, and a second controller operably coupled to the second inverter and configured to set a voltage of the link circuit such that a power of the solar generator optimized according to a predetermined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventor: Andreas Falk
  • Publication number: 20220231513
    Abstract: The application relates to a method for operating an energy generating system including a plurality of DC sub-generators which are connected in parallel with one another and in each case to a shared DC load via a DC/DC converter. Each of the DC sub-generators includes a DC source which is connected, via at least one fuse that is connected in series to the DC source, to the particular DC/DC converter that is assigned to the corresponding DC sub-generator. The method includes monitoring each of the DC sub-generators for a fault, in particular a short-circuit fault; —wherein, if the monitoring of the DC sub-generators indicates a faulty DC sub-generator; —the DC/DC converters that are not assigned to the faulty DC sub-generator are operated at a common total current IRest which corresponds to a default value. The application also relates to an energy generating system which is designed and configured to carry out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Andreas Falk, Dirk Hermeling
  • Patent number: 11303132
    Abstract: A converter includes an input configured to be connected to a DC source, at least one transducer module coupled to the input, and comprising a first, a second and a third bridge arm, wherein each of the bridge arms respectively has a phase output, and a common DC link circuit coupled to the input and the bridge arms. The first and second bridge arms are configured to provide a first power in the form of alternating current at their respective phase outputs. An energy store is configured to be connected to the phase output of the third bridge arm, and the third bridge arm is configured to exchange a second power between the DC source and the energy store and between the energy store and the DC link circuit/ A control unit is configured to control the bridge arms in such a manner that the sum of the first power and the second power corresponds to a constant set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Andreas Falk
  • Patent number: 11195960
    Abstract: A solar module includes a series circuit of solar cells, a switch arranged in parallel with a section of the series circuit, and an actuation circuit. The actuation circuit is operably coupled to the switch, and is configured to actuate the switch in a clocked manner with a duty cycle, wherein the duty cycle is based on a voltage dropped across the series circuit or across a portion of the series circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SMA SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Andreas Falk
  • Publication number: 20210359367
    Abstract: A container for an energy supply system includes a first section configured to accommodate an air-conditioning unit and/or a control circuit during transport of the container and operation of the energy supply system, and a second section configured to accommodate an energy conversion unit during transport of the container. The energy conversion unit is configured to be selectively removed from the container, and the second section includes a fixing structure for shelf units, such that, after the energy conversion unit has been removed from the container, the shelf units are configured to be installed on the fixing structure and can be fitted with storage modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventor: Andreas Falk
  • Publication number: 20210317588
    Abstract: A method for operating an electrolysis device, having a converter which is connected on an AC voltage side to an AC voltage grid via a decoupling inductance and draws an AC active power from the AC voltage grid, and an electrolyzer, which is connected to the converter on the DC voltage side, is provided. The method includes operating the electrolysis device, when a grid frequency corresponds to a nominal frequency of the ACT voltage grid and is substantially constant over a time period, with an electrical power which is between 50% and 100% of a nominal power of the electrolyzer, and operating the converter in a voltage-impressing manner, such that an AC active power drawn from the AC voltage grid is changed on the basis of a change and/or a rate of change of the grid frequency in the AC voltage grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Andreas Falk, Christian Hardt
  • Patent number: 11075601
    Abstract: A solar module includes one or more photovoltaic (PV) modules, a short-circuit switch connected in parallel with at least one of the one or PV modules, and a control unit connected in parallel with the short-circuit switch. The at least one of the one or more PV modules supplies electrical power to the control unit and is connectable via a first and a second module terminal to further solar modules to form a string. The control unit is configured to actuate the short-circuit switch depending on an insulation voltage dropped between a ground potential reference terminal of the solar module and one of the first and second module terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Andreas Falk
  • Patent number: 11005270
    Abstract: A method for operating an island system is disclosed. The island system includes a group of voltage-controlling converters, wherein each of the voltage-controlling converters of the group are configured to convert power of respectively connected regenerative power sources into AC power in accordance with a respective frequency-power characteristic curve. The island system also includes a load having a power consumption that depends on a voltage amplitude of an AC voltage of the island system, and a control unit that is configured to transmit a default value of the voltage amplitude to the group of voltage-controlling converters. The method adapts the power to be consumed by the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Andreas Falk, Christian Hardt, Neidhardt Bechtel, Dirk Hermeling
  • Publication number: 20200321782
    Abstract: A converter includes an input configured to be connected to a DC source, at least one transducer module coupled to the input, and comprising a first, a second and a third bridge arm, wherein each of the bridge arms respectively has a phase output, and a common DC link circuit coupled to the input and the bridge arms. The first and second bridge arms are configured to provide a first power in the form of alternating current at their respective phase outputs. An energy store is configured to be connected to the phase output of the third bridge arm, and the third bridge arm is configured to exchange a second power between the DC source and the energy store and between the energy store and the DC link circuit/ A control unit is configured to control the bridge arms in such a manner that the sum of the first power and the second power corresponds to a constant set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventor: Andreas Falk
  • Publication number: 20200251909
    Abstract: A method for operating an island system is disclosed. The island system includes a group of voltage-controlling converters, wherein each of the voltage-controlling converters of the group are configured to convert power of respectively connected regenerative power sources into AC power in accordance with a respective frequency-power characteristic curve. The island system also includes a load having a power consumption that depends on a voltage amplitude of an AC voltage of the island system, and a control unit that is configured to transmit a default value of the voltage amplitude to the group of voltage-controlling converters. The method adapts the power to be consumed by the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas Falk, Christian Hardt, Neidhardt Bechtel, Dirk Hermeling
  • Patent number: 10655981
    Abstract: A method is provided for updating parking area information in a navigation system for a vehicle. The method includes the following steps: detecting a parking area by way of data received at least one device on at least one vehicle; determining information relating to the parking area which at least partially relates to characterizing characteristics of the parking area; analyzing the determined information in relation to an adequate characterization of the parking area; comparing the determined information with data of at least one database; and updating the database in the event of a deviation between the determined information and the data of the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Falk, Christina Breining, Christian Connette, Sebastian Gruenwedel, Bernhard Kisslinger, Benjamin Sobotta
  • Patent number: 10622833
    Abstract: A network subscriber unit for an electrical energy supply network includes a control unit configured to control the power exchange of the network subscriber unit with the energy supply network, a device configured to determine a voltage zero crossing at a connection point of the network subscriber unit with the energy supply network and a receiving unit of the network subscriber unit configured to receive a signal of a reference time. The control unit is in this case configured to determine a time offset between a time of the voltage zero crossing determined by the device and the received reference time and to control the power exchange based on the time offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Andreas Falk