Patents by Inventor Erica A. Martin

Erica A. Martin 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).

  • Patent number: 11967925
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter a first shut-off device, and a second shut-off device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups connected in series. The first shut-off device is connected to a first electric path connecting between the plurality of solar cell module groups. The second shut-off device is connected to a second electric path connecting between the plurality of solar cell module groups. The first shut-off device cuts off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to the first electric path in response to a first control signal from the inverter. The second shut-off device is driven by an electrical power supplied from the first shut-off device and cuts off a connection between the solar cell module groups connected to the second electric path in response to a second control signal from the first shut-off device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Takeyama, Ryo Ogura, Jeongho Baik, Jun Nakaichi, Tsuyoshi Uchida, Tomoko Endo, Erica Martin
  • Patent number: 11967926
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter a first shut-off device, and a second shut-off device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups connected in series with each other. The first shut-off device cuts off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to a first electric path connecting between the plurality of solar cell module groups in response to a first control signal from the inverter. The second shut-off device is connected to the first shut-off device in a two-way communicable manner by a communication system different from power line communication and cuts off a connection between the solar cell module groups connected to a second electric path connecting between the plurality of solar cell module groups in response to a second control signal output from the first shut-off device by a communication system different from power line communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Takeyama, Ryo Ogura, Jeongho Baik, Jun Nakaichi, Tsuyoshi Uchida, Tomoko Endo, Erica Martin
  • Patent number: 11967927
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter a first shut-off device, and a second shut-off device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups connected in series with each other. Each of the solar cell module groups includes one or a plurality of solar cell modules connected in series. The first shut-off device cuts off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to a first electric path in response to a first control signal from the inverter. The second shut-off device is connected to the first shut-off device in a two-way communicable manner, is driven by an electrical power supplied from the first shut-off device, and cuts off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to a second electric path in response to a second control signal from the first shut-off device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Takeyama, Ryo Ogura, Jeongho Baik, Jun Nakaichi, Tsuyoshi Uchida, Tomoko Endo, Erica Martin
  • Publication number: 20240039467
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, and first and second shut-off devices. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups. The first shut-off device cuts off the connections between the plurality of solar cell module groups of a first electric path in response to a first control signal. The second shut-off device cuts off the connections between the plurality of solar cell module groups in a second electric path in response to a second control signal output by a different communication system. The first shut-off device includes a first open-close unit, a first semiconductor switching device connected in series to the first open-close unit and a power supply unit configured to generate power to drive the first open-close unit. The first semiconductor switching device enters an OFF state if the amount of generated power is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN, Oezguer AKSOY, Nahit EMANET, Mustafa MIHMANLI
  • Publication number: 20240039468
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, a first shut-off device, and a second shut-off device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups. The first shut-off device is connected to a first electric path. The second shut-off device is connected to a second electric path. The first shut-off device cuts off the connection between a plurality of solar cell module groups connected to the first electric path in response to a first control signal. The second shut-off device is driven by the power supplied from the first shut-off device, and cuts off the connection between a plurality of the solar cell module groups connected to the second electric path in response to a second control signal. The first shut-off device includes a first semiconductor switching device and a first open-close unit connected in series to the first semiconductor switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN, Oezguer AKSOY, Nahit EMANET, Mustafa MIHMANLI
  • Publication number: 20240039277
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, and a plurality of shut-off devices. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups. The plurality of shut-off devices are configured to cut off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups. The plurality of solar cell module groups include a first group, a second group connected to the first group, and a third group connected to the second group. The plurality of shut-off devices includes a first open-close unit connected to the second group, a semiconductor switching device connected in series to the first open-close unit, and a power supply unit connected to the second group and configured to generate power to drive the first open-close unit. The semiconductor switching device enters an OFF state when an amount of power generated by second group is smaller than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN, Oezguer AKSOY, Nahit EMANET, Mustafa MIHMANLI
  • Publication number: 20240039469
    Abstract: The solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, and primary and secondary shut-off devices. The primary shut-off device cuts off the string and the inverter in response to a first control signal. The secondary shut-off device cuts off a solar cell module group and another solar cell module or the inverter in response to a second control signal from the primary shut-off device. The secondary shut-off device includes a first secondary-device open-close unit in a first electric pathway, a semiconductor switching device disposed between the first secondary-device open-close unit and a solar cell module group, and a power supply unit having an anode-side terminal connected between a solar cell module group and the semiconductor switching device, which generates power to drive the third open-close unit. The semiconductor switching device enters an OFF state when power generated by the solar cell module groups falls below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN, Oezguer AKSOY, Nahit EMANET, Mustafa MIHMANLI
  • Patent number: 11886217
    Abstract: A control device is connected to at least one solar cell module and an inverter, and controls the at least one solar cell module by MPPT control. The control device includes an opening/closing unit and a control unit. The opening/closing unit includes a semiconductor relay and a mechanical relay connected in parallel with the semiconductor relay. The control unit controls opening and closing of the opening/closing unit in response to a control signal from the inverter. In a case of connecting the at least one solar cell module and the inverter, the control unit turns ON the semiconductor relay to turn ON the mechanical relay, and then disconnects the semiconductor relay. In a case of cutting off the connection between the at least one solar cell module and the inverter, the control unit connects the semiconductor relay to disconnect the mechanical relay, and then disconnects the semiconductor relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Ogura, Tomoko Endo, Erica Martin, Tsuyoshi Uchida
  • Publication number: 20230353088
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, and a plurality of shut-off devices. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups. The plurality of shut-off devices is configured to cut off the connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups in response to a control signal from the inverter. The plurality of solar cell module groups includes a first group, a second group connected to the first group, and a third group connected to the second group. The plurality of shut-off devices includes a first shut-off device. The first shut-off device includes a first open-close unit connected to an anode-side terminal of the second group and a second open-close unit connected to a cathode-side terminal of the second group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20230353089
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, and a plurality of shut-off devices. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups. The plurality of shut-off devices is configured to cut off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups in response to a control signal from the inverter. The plurality of solar cell module groups includes a first group, a second group connected to the first group, and a third group connected to the second group. The plurality of shut-off devices includes a first shut-off device. The first shut-off device includes a first switching unit connected to an anode-side terminal of the second group. The first switching unit includes a first open-close unit and a first semiconductor switching device connected in parallel with the first open-close unit. The first semiconductor switching device is turned ON before the first open-close unit is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20230268877
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter a first shut-off device, and a second shut-off device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups connected in series. The first shut-off device is connected to a first electric path connecting between the plurality of solar cell module groups. The second shut-off device is connected to a second electric path connecting between the plurality of solar cell module groups. The first shut-off device cuts off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to the first electric path in response to a first control signal from the inverter. The second shut-off device is driven by an electrical power supplied from the first shut-off device and cuts off a connection between the solar cell module groups connected to the second electric path in response to a second control signal from the first shut-off device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20230268875
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, a first shutoff device, and a second shutoff device?. The string includes a plurality of solar cell modules connected in series. The first shutoff device cuts off the string and the inverter in response to a first control signal from the inverter. The second shutoff device cuts off a solar cell module group including one or more among the plurality of solar cell modules and either another solar cell module or the inverter in response to a second control signal from the first shutoff device. The second shutoff device includes a first switching unit that includes a first open and close unit and a first semiconductor switching device connected in parallel with the first open and close unit. The first semiconductor switching device is turned ON before the first open and close unit is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20230268879
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter a first shut-off device, and a second shut-off device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups connected in series with each other. The first shut-off device cuts off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to a first electric path connecting between the plurality of solar cell module groups in response to a first control signal from the inverter. The second shut-off device is connected to the first shut-off device in a two-way communicable manner by a communication system different from power line communication and cuts off a connection between the solar cell module groups connected to a second electric path connecting between the plurality of solar cell module groups in response to a second control signal output from the first shut-off device by a communication system different from power line communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20230268873
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, a first shutoff device, and a second shutoff device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups. The first shutoff device cuts off connections between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to a first electric path, in response to a first control signal. The second shutoff device cuts off connections between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to a second electric path, in response to a second control signal output from the first shutoff device by a communication system different from power line communication. A first switching unit of the first shutoff device includes a first open and close unit and a first semiconductor switching device connected in parallel with the first open and close unit. The first semiconductor switching device is turned ON before the first open and close unit is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20230268880
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter a first shut-off device, and a second shut-off device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups connected in series with each other. Each of the solar cell module groups includes one or a plurality of solar cell modules connected in series. The first shut-off device cuts off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to a first electric path in response to a first control signal from the inverter. The second shut-off device is connected to the first shut-off device in a two-way communicable manner, is driven by an electrical power supplied from the first shut-off device, and cuts off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to a second electric path in response to a second control signal from the first shut-off device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20230268872
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, a first shutoff device, and a second shutoff device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell modules connected in series. The first shutoff device includes a first switching unit and a second switching unit, and turns OFF the switching units, in response to a first control signal from the inverter. The first switching unit is connected to an anode side terminal of the string and an anode side terminal of the inverter. The second switching unit is connected to a cathode side terminal of the string and a cathode side terminal of the inverter. The second shutoff device cuts off a solar cell module group including one or more among the plurality of solar cell modules and either another solar cell module or the inverter in response to a second control signal from the first shutoff device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20230268876
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, a first shutoff device, and a second shutoff device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell modules connected in series. The first shutoff device turns OFF, in response to a first control signal from the inverter, a first switching unit and a second switching unit. The first switching unit is connected to an anode side terminal of the string and an anode side terminal of the inverter. The second switching unit is connected to a cathode side terminal of the string and a cathode side terminal of the inverter. The second shutoff device is configured to output a second state signal to the first shutoff device and cut off a solar cell module group and either another solar cell module or the inverter, in response to a second control signal from the first shutoff device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20230268874
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, a first shutoff device, and a second shutoff device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups. The first shutoff device cuts off connections between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to a first electric path in response to a first control signal. The second shutoff device is driven by power supplied from the first shutoff device and cuts off connections between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to a second electric path in response to a second control signal. The first shutoff device includes a first switching unit which includes a first open and close unit and a first semiconductor switching device connected in parallel with the first open and close unit. The first semiconductor switching device is turned ON before the first open and close unit is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20230268878
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter a first shut-off device, and a second shut-off device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups connected in series with each other. The first shut-off device connected to a first electric path connecting between the plurality of solar cell module groups. The second shut-off device connected to a second electric path connecting between the plurality of solar cell module groups. The first shut-off device cuts off a connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups connected to the first electric path in response to a first control signal from the inverter. The second shut-off device cuts off a connection between the solar cell module groups connected to the second electric path in response to a second control signal output from the first shut-off device by a communication system different from power line communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiro TAKEYAMA, Ryo OGURA, Jeongho BAIK, Jun NAKAICHI, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Tomoko ENDO, Erica MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20220255500
    Abstract: The solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, and a shut-off device. The string includes a plurality of solar cell modules connected in series. The inverter is connected to the string and is configured to convert the DC power output from the solar cell modules to AC power. The shut-off device is disposed at a plurality of intermediate points of the string and is configured to shut off a voltage output from the solar cell modules in response to a control signal from the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Ryo OGURA, Erica MARTIN, Tomoko ENDO, Tsuyoshi UCHIDA, Eiji MURAOKA, Hideaki KOJIMA