Patents by Inventor Claus Allert

Claus Allert 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: 20230396078
    Abstract: The application describes a transfer circuit or system with a first DC bus for connecting a plurality of battery racks to an inverter bridge for a first power exchange with an AC grid. The transfer circuit or system has a second DC bus which is connected to the first DC bus via a DC/DC converter. The transfer circuit or system is arranged to disconnect at least one battery rack of the plurality of battery racks from the first DC bus and to connect it to the second DC bus for performing an intra-battery equalization process. The application also describes a system with a transfer unit and a method for performing an intra-battery equalization process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Schäfer
  • Patent number: 11722003
    Abstract: A power converter with an inverter that is configured to transform electrical power between a DC-side of the power converter and an AC-side of the power converter, includes a first port operatively connected to an AC-grid, a second port operatively connected to an AC-load, a third port connected to an external power source, and a fourth port operatively connected to a rechargeable DC-power storage. The power converter includes a DC/DC-converter between the third port and the inverter, to transfer electrical power provided by the external power source from the third port to the inverter. The inverter is configured to be grid forming and provide electrical power to the second port upon a power supply outage at the first port, the power converter includes a control unit to monitor the third port and detect parameters of the electrical power provided via the third port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Schaefer, Harald Christian Benz, Patrick Blair Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20230155413
    Abstract: An inverter includes a battery terminal configured to connect to an electrical storage unit, a load terminal configured to connect to at least one electrical-energy consumer, and a grid terminal configured to connect to a superordinate distribution grid. The inverter also includes a bidirectional inverter bridge connected to the battery terminal, a first switching circuit, and a second switching circuit. The first switching circuit is arranged between the bidirectional inverter bridge and the second switching circuit, and the second switching circuit is arranged between the first switching circuit and the grid terminal. The first switching circuit is configured to enter a first state without a holding current and to switch into a second state with a holding current, and the second switching circuit is configured to be switched over between the first and second states by a signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: Claus Allert
  • Patent number: 11563383
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electrical power which flows into or out of an electrical subnetwork via a connection point is disclosed. The subnetwork has at least one electrical load, and the electrical load is connected to a control device via a communication connection, the electrical power flowing via the connection point is measured and a maximum power consumption of the electrical load is set by means of the control device on the basis of the electrical power flowing via the connection point. A device for connecting a multiphase subnetwork, which has an energy production installation and an energy store, to a superordinate multiphase alternating voltage network is configured to transmit electrical power between the alternating voltage network and the subnetwork and comprises an AC/AC converter having a network connection, two inverter bridge circuits with an interposed intermediate circuit and a subnetwork connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Mathias Buenemann, Matthias Groene, Alexander Unru
  • Patent number: 11527887
    Abstract: A system for distributing locally generated energy from at least one renewable DC source to a plurality of local load units of the system, including, for each load unit: an input terminal configured to connect to a grid, and an output terminal configured to connect to at least one load. Further for each load the system includes an inverter including an inverter input and an inverter output, wherein the inverter input is connected to the at least one renewable DC source and the inverter output is connected to the input terminal and to the output terminal of the respective load unit, and wherein the inverter is configured to convert a direct current at the inverter input into an alternating current at the inverter output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Volker Wachenfeld, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Shaefer
  • Patent number: 11515724
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical unit with a first port configured to be operatively connected to an AC-grid, a second port configured to be operatively connected to an AC-load, and a third port to be operatively connected to an AC-side of a first inverter. The electrical unit includes a first choke arranged between the third port and the second port. The electrical unit is configured to transfer electrical power provided by the first inverter from the third port via the first choke to the second port. The electrical unit is configured to provide grid-forming electrical power to the second port in case of disconnection from the AC-grid at the first port. Further disclosed is a backup power system and a method for operating a backup power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Schaefer, Harald Christian Benz, Patrick Blair Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20220368154
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical unit with a first port configured to be operatively connected to an AC-grid, a second port configured to be operatively connected to an AC-load, and a third port to be operatively connected to an AC-side of a first inverter. The electrical unit includes a first choke arranged between the third port and the second port. The electrical unit is configured to transfer electrical power provided by the first inverter from the third port via the first choke to the second port. The electrical unit is configured to provide grid-forming electrical power to the second port in case of disconnection from the AC-grid at the first port. Further disclosed is a backup power system and a method for operating a backup power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Schaefer, Harald Christian Benz, Patrick Blair Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20220352747
    Abstract: A changeover device for selectively supplying power to at least one load from a grid or a bidirectional inverter includes an input having a grid neutral conductor connection and a grid phase conductor connection for connection to the grid. The changeover device further includes a first output having an inverter neutral conductor connection and an inverter phase conductor connection for connecting the bidirectional inverter, a second output having a load neutral conductor connection and a load phase conductor connection for connecting the load and a switching circuit, the actuator of which is connected to an actuator input of the changeover device. The switching circuit includes a first and a second normally closed contact and a normally open contact that are connected in an interconnection to the grid phase conductor connection, the inverter phase conductor connection, and the load phase conductor connection. An associated method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventor: Claus Allert
  • Publication number: 20220209572
    Abstract: A power converter with an inverter that is configured to transform electrical power between a DC-side of the power converter and an AC-side of the power converter, includes a first port and a second port arranged on the AC-side and a third port and a fourth port arranged on the DC-side of the power converter. The first port is configured to be operatively connected to an AC-grid, the second port is configured to be operatively connected to an AC-load, the third port is configured to be operatively connected to an external power source, and the fourth port is configured to be operatively connected to a rechargeable DC-power storage. The power converter includes a DC/DC-converter arranged between the third port and the inverter, which is configured to transfer electrical power provided by the external power source from the third port to the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Schaefer, Harald Christian Benz, Patrick Blair Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20220149620
    Abstract: A local power supply system having a grid transfer point for the connection of an energy supply grid has a first transmission line for transmitting electrical energy from the grid transfer point to a first terminal for connecting an arrangement of consumers, and a second transmission line for transmitting electrical energy between the grid transfer point and a second terminal for connecting an arrangement of energy stores. A first disconnector is arranged in the first transition line between the grid transfer point and the first terminal, and a second disconnector is arranged in the second transmission line between the grid transfer point and the second terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventor: Claus Allert
  • Publication number: 20210296891
    Abstract: A system for distributing locally generated energy from at least one renewable DC source to a plurality of local load units of the system, including, for each load unit: an input terminal configured to connect to a grid, and an output terminal configured to connect to at least one load. Further for each load the system includes an inverter including an inverter input and an inverter output, wherein the inverter input is connected to the at least one renewable DC source and the inverter output is connected to the input terminal and to the output terminal of the respective load unit, and wherein the inverter is configured to convert a direct current at the inverter input into an alternating current at the inverter output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Volker Wachenfeld, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Shaefer
  • Patent number: 11043813
    Abstract: A method for black starting a power supply device is disclosed, wherein the power supply device includes at least one bidirectional inverter having an AC-side connection for a grid and a battery connected to the DC side of the bidirectional inverter. The method includes operating an activation device of the power supply device so that the activation device applies a voltage to a control line of the battery to place the battery into an operating state, wherein the voltage provided by the activation device is provided by an auxiliary battery. The method also includes putting the bidirectional inverter into an operating state after the voltage provided by the auxiliary battery is applied to the control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Claus Allert
  • Patent number: 11043807
    Abstract: A system for distributing locally generated energy from at least one renewable DC source to a plurality of local load units of the system, including, for each load unit: an input terminal configured to connect to a grid, and an output terminal configured to connect to at least one load. Further for each load the system includes an inverter including an inverter input and an inverter output, wherein the inverter input is connected to the at least one renewable DC source and the inverter output is connected to the input terminal and to the output terminal of the respective load unit, and wherein the inverter is configured to convert a direct current at the inverter input into an alternating current at the inverter output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Volker Wachenfeld, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Shaefer
  • Publication number: 20200395865
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electrical power which flows into or out of an electrical subnetwork via a connection point is disclosed. The subnetwork has at least one electrical load, and the electrical load is connected to a control device via a communication connection, the electrical power flowing via the connection point is measured and a maximum power consumption of the electrical load is set by means of the control device on the basis of the electrical power flowing via the connection point. A device for connecting a multiphase subnetwork, which has an energy production installation and an energy store, to a superordinate multiphase alternating voltage network is configured to transmit electrical power between the alternating voltage network and the subnetwork and comprises an AC/AC converter having a network connection, two inverter bridge circuits with an interposed intermediate circuit and a subnetwork connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Mathias Buenemann, Matthias Groene, Alexander Unru
  • Publication number: 20200274350
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes at least one inverter, and at least one battery connected to the inverter. The inverter includes a control device, an AC-side connection for a grid, and at least one DC battery connection for connecting the at least one battery and an inverter bridge. Two poles of the battery are connected to the DC battery connection of the inverter via supply lines for the purpose of charging and discharging the battery, and a control line is connected to the battery. The apparatus also includes a shutdown apparatus. The power supply apparatus is configured, in an operating state and due to a shutdown control action of the shutdown apparatus, to shut down or prevent at least a clocking of an inverter bridge of the inverter, and to remove an enabling signal, applied to the control line, for the battery such that the battery opens at least one connection for charging and discharging the battery between at least one of its two poles and the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Thomas Wegener, Dietrich Linke
  • Publication number: 20200274362
    Abstract: A method for black starting a power supply device is disclosed, wherein the power supply device includes at least one bidirectional inverter having an AC-side connection for a grid and a battery connected to the DC side of the bidirectional inverter. The method includes operating an activation device of the power supply device so that the activation device applies a voltage to a control line of the battery to place the battery into an operating state, wherein the voltage provided by the activation device is provided by an auxiliary battery. The method also includes putting the bidirectional inverter into an operating state after the voltage provided by the auxiliary battery is applied to the control line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventor: Claus Allert
  • Publication number: 20200044444
    Abstract: A system for distributing locally generated energy from at least one renewable DC source to a plurality of local load units of the system, including, for each load unit: an input terminal configured to connect to a grid, and an output terminal configured to connect to at least one load. Further for each load the system includes an inverter including an inverter input and an inverter output, wherein the inverter input is connected to the at least one renewable DC source and the inverter output is connected to the input terminal and to the output terminal of the respective load unit, and wherein the inverter is configured to convert a direct current at the inverter input into an alternating current at the inverter output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Volker Wachenfeld, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Shaefer
  • Patent number: 10247537
    Abstract: For determining the topology of a grid section of an AC power grid, the grid section comprising a grid connection point, at least one branch branching off from the grid connection point and including a plurality of energy consumption and/or energy generation units, and at least one measurement point in the at least one branch, dependencies of variations of a grid voltage measured at the at least one measurement point based on variations of connection power values of at least some individual ones of the energy consumption and/or energy generation units are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Daniel Premm, Yehia Tarek Fawzy, Gerd Bettenwort, Claus Allert, Thorsten Buelo, Stijn Stevens
  • Patent number: 10044191
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a bidirectional battery converter connected to an AC grid, taking into account the availability of locally generated electrical power. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a battery converter comprising measuring devices for detecting the state of charge of a connected battery and comprising a controller, which performs the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Schaefer, Johannes Weide
  • Patent number: 10027247
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inverter with at least one DC input for connecting to an energy producing device and/or an energy store and with a multiphase AC output for connecting to a local energy distribution network, which is coupled to a likewise multiphase master energy supply network via a switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Thorsten Buleo, Markus Hopf