Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Ponec

Andrew J. Ponec 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).

  • Photovoltaic system protection
    Patent number: 10056862
    Abstract: A method includes measuring one or more performance metrics of a set of solar cells coupled to an inverter. Based at least on the performance metrics meeting a first criterion, a first subset of the set of solar cells are disabled, reducing a voltage, power, or current provided to the inverter. Based at least on the performance metrics meeting a second criterion, a second subset of the set of solar cells are disabled, further reducing a voltage, power, or current provided to the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J Ponec, Darren Hau, Benjamin A. Johnson, Daniel J. M. Maren, William J. Dally
  • Communicating with arrays of module units
    Patent number: 9788141
    Abstract: Methods and systems include moving a mobile communication unit along a plurality of module units, and exchanging data with one of the plurality of module units based at least upon the mobile communication unit being in proximity to the one of the plurality of module units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ponec, Darren Hau, Benjamin A. Johnson
  • Current diversion for power-providing systems
    Patent number: 9685789
    Abstract: Various example embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for diverting current from a Photovoltaic (PV) module. In particular embodiments, the PV module can be part of a series connection (or string) of PV modules. The series connection provides a primary current path through which generated current flows. Current diversion circuit(s) can be used in connection with one or more PV modules. The current diversion circuit detects when the current through the primary current path is less than the desired current level for a corresponding PV module (e.g., the maximum power point). In response to this detection, the current diversion circuit can provide an alternate pathway for current from the corresponding PV module. This results in an overall increase in the current from the PV module and a corresponding increase in efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: William J. Dally, Darren Hau, Vivek Choksi, Andrew J. Ponec, Christopher Ling
  • Communicating with Arrays of Module Units
    Publication number: 20170086013
    Abstract: Methods and systems include moving a mobile communication unit along a plurality of module units, and exchanging data with one of the plurality of module units based at least upon the mobile communication unit being in proximity to the one of the plurality of module units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ponec, Darren Hau, Benjamin A. Johnson
  • Photovoltaic System Protection
    Publication number: 20150349709
    Abstract: A method includes measuring one or more performance metrics of a set of solar cells coupled to an inverter. Based at least on the performance metrics meeting a first criterion, a first subset of the set of solar cells are disabled, reducing a voltage, power, or current provided to the inverter. Based at least on the performance metrics meeting a second criterion, a second subset of the set of solar cells are disabled, further reducing a voltage, power, or current provided to the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew J Ponec, Darren Hau, Benjamin A. Johnson, Daniel J. M. Maren, William J. Dally
  • CURRENT DIVERSION FOR POWER-PROVIDING SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20140265589
    Abstract: Various example embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for diverting current from a Photovoltaic (PV) module. In particular embodiments, the PV module can be part of a series connection (or string) of PV modules. The series connection provides a primary current path through which generated current flows. Current diversion circuit(s) can be used in connection with one or more PV modules. The current diversion circuit detects when the current through the primary current path is less than the desired current level for a corresponding PV module (e.g., the maximum power point). In response to this detection, the current diversion circuit can provide an alternate pathway for current from the corresponding PV module. This results in an overall increase in the current from the PV module and a corresponding increase in efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: William J. Dally, Darren Hau, Vivek Choksi, Andrew J. Ponec, Christopher Ling