Abstract: An electronic circuit for a PV module includes PV terminals for coupling to a PV module, and string terminals for coupling to a PV string. A current path runs between the PV terminals and the string terminals, configured to conduct an electric current from the PV module in a first current flow direction to the PV string. The electronic circuit includes a disconnector arranged between a first terminal of the PV terminals and a second terminal of the string terminals, configured to interrupt the current path, in a first state, along the first current path direction and to close the current path, in a second state, along the first current flow direction. The electronic circuit includes a controller, configured to obtain current flow information about a current flow in at least one sub-portion of the current path along a second current flow direction opposite to the first current flow direction.

Abstract: A circuit board adapted for use in an switching converter for connecting a plurality of switches including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch. The circuit board has a layout for connecting the switches. The layout is adapted for locating the switches substantially at or symmetrically with respect to the endpoints of a right-angle cross. The right-angle cross is formed from two line segments intersecting with a ninety degree angle. The circuit board may offsets the switches perpendicularly to the line segments at the endpoints of the line segments either in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A circuit board adapted for use in an switching converter for connecting a plurality of switches including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch. The circuit board has a layout for connecting the switches. The layout is adapted for locating the switches substantially at or symmetrically with respect to the endpoints of a right-angle cross. The right-angle cross is formed from two line segments intersecting with a ninety degree angle. The circuit board may offsets the switches perpendicularly to the line segments at the endpoints of the line segments either in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for producing an alternating voltage or an alternating current from a unipolar direct current source having an inverter relating to a neutral conductor. The direct current source is connected to an inverter which converts the unipolar voltage of the direct current source into a bipolar intermediate circuit voltage that is stored in a buffer circuit (C1, C2) which is connected to the inverter. The inverter comprises a clocked switch (So) and an energy converting unit which is configured as a dual coil (DR1,DR2) having two windings (W1,W2) which are closely coupled to each other.

Abstract: A bypass and protection circuit for a solar module includes an input for connecting the solar module, an output, a bypass element connected in parallel to the output, and a separating element connected between the input and the output and configured to control the connection between the input and the output. The separating element is configured to control a connection between the input and the output in dependence on whether the solar module associated with the circuit is completely or partially shaded, or whether the solar module associated with the circuit is to be switched on or off.

Abstract: Controllable change-over apparatus for a solar module comprises an output terminal, a DC/DC converter, a controllable switching device and a control. The controllable switching device is implemented with a first switch position and a second switch position, wherein, in the first switch position, a power output of the solar module is connected to the output terminal via the DC/DC converter, and, in the second switch position, the power output of the solar module is connected to the output terminal by bypassing the DC/DC converter. The control switches the controllable switching device by using a performance characteristic for switching the same to the first or second switch position. In particular, the control is implemented to connect the solar module directly to its output terminal in the case of high power dissipation of the same, i.e. at strong solar radiation, and to connect the solar module to the output terminal via the DC/DC converter in the case of weak power dissipation of the same, i.e.

Abstract: An isolating circuit for a DC/AC converter includes an input, an output, an energy storage element and a switch element. The DC/AC converter includes an energy storage isolated from mains during a freewheeling phase. The output of the isolating circuit is configured to be connected to the DC/AC converter, and the energy storage element is connected to the input and serves for storing energy received from the input. The switching element is connected between the energy storage element and the output of the isolating circuit and is operative to connect the energy storage element to the output during the freewheeling phase, and to isolate the energy storage element from the output outside the freewheeling phase of the DC/AC converter.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for a solar module, wherein a plurality of solar cells working in normal operation and when shaded are connected in series. At least one controlled electrical switch element serves as a bypass element and is connected in parallel with its contact gap to a plurality of solar cells. A supply circuit provides a control voltage for controlling the control electrode of the bypass element. An isolating circuit blocks the voltage applied to the contact gap of the bypass element in the normal operation and switches the voltage that is applied to the contact gap to the supply circuit when at least one solar cell is shaded.

Abstract: Controllable change-over apparatus for a solar module comprises an output terminal, a DC/DC converter, a controllable switching device and a control. The controllable switching device is implemented with a first switch position and a second switch position, wherein, in the first switch position, a power output of the solar module is connected to the output terminal via the DC/DC converter, and, in the second switch position, the power output of the solar module is connected to the output terminal by bypassing the DC/DC converter. The control switches the controllable switching device by using a performance characteristic for switching the same to the first or second switch position. In particular, the control is implemented to connect the solar module directly to its output terminal in the case of high power dissipation of the same, i.e. at strong solar radiation, and to connect the solar module to the output terminal via the DC/DC converter in the case of weak power dissipation of the same, i.e.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inverter for converting DC voltage into an alternating voltage or an AC voltage, comprising a first series connection that is connected to the DC voltage terminals and comprises at least one first electronic switch and a first inductance for accumulating the interconnected energy and a plurality of second electronic switches for transferring the accumulated energy. A second inductance is tightly coupled to the first inductance, both inductances supplying their energy to a filter capacitor that is arranged in parallel to the AC voltage terminal, respectively via a second electronic switch. Said inverter also comprises a shunt arm that comprises a series connection from a third clocked switch and a capacitor for receiving the energy from the leakage inductances and that is connected to the first inductance and the series connection of one of the second switches and the second inductance.

Abstract: A circuit board adapted for use in an switching converter for connecting a plurality of switches including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch. The circuit board has a layout for connecting the switches. The layout is adapted for locating the switches substantially at or symmetrically with respect to the endpoints of a right-angle cross. The right-angle cross is formed from two line segments intersecting with a ninety degree angle. The circuit board may offsets the switches perpendicularly to the line segments at the endpoints of the line segments either in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: The invention proposes a circuit arrangement for converting a DC voltage present at DC voltage terminals into an alternating current, which is supplied via AC voltage terminals, or an AC voltage, which circuit arrangement has a first series circuit, which is connected to the DC voltage terminals, comprises a first electronic switch (S0) and an inductor, and has a plurality of second electronic switches (S1, S2), wherein one of the DC voltage terminals and one of the AC voltage terminals are connected to a neutral conductor (N/PE). The inductor is in the form of a twin inductor (DR1) having two windings (W1, W2), which are arranged tightly coupled to one another, wherein the first winding (W1) is connected in series with the first electronic switch (S0) and buffer-stores the energy produced via said electronic switch. The two windings are each connected to the AC voltage terminal which is not connected to the neutral conductor via a second electronic switch (S1, S2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for producing an alternating voltage or an alternating current from a unipolar direct current source having an inverter relating to a neutral conductor. The direct current source is connected to an inverter which converts the unipolar voltage of the direct current source into a bipolar intermediate circuit voltage that is stored in a buffer circuit (C1, C2) which is connected to the inverter. The inverter comprises a clocked switch (So) and an energy converting unit which is configured as a dual coil (DR1,DR2) having two windings (W1,W2) which are closely coupled to each other.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for a solar module, wherein a plurality of solar cells working in normal operation and when shaded are connected in series. At least one controlled electrical switch element serves as a bypass element and is connected in parallel with its contact gap to a plurality of solar cells. A supply circuit provides a control voltage for controlling the control electrode of the bypass element. An isolating circuit blocks the voltage applied to the contact gap of the bypass element in the normal operation and switches the voltage that is applied to the contact gap to the supply circuit when at least one solar cell is shaded.

Abstract: A DC/AC converter is disclosed having two DC voltage connections (1,2), between which are provided in a parallel circuit configuration, an intermediate energy storage (C1) and a bridge circuit providing at least two parallel branches, each branch providing two in-series-connected switch units (A,B and C,D), to each of which a rectifier diode (DA,DB,DC DD) is connected in parallel, and having at least two AC connections, of which each single AC connection is connected via a connecting line, in each of which an inductor (L1 respectively L2) is provided, to one of the parallel branches of the bridge circuit between two the switch units (A,B respectively C,D) via one connecting node. In at least two connecting lines, two separate electrical connecting paths are provided, in each of which a switch (E respectively F) and an in-series-switched rectifier diode (DE respectively DF) are provided. The rectifier diodes (DE,DF) in the single connecting paths are switched in an opposite conducting direction.

Abstract: A DC/AC converter is disclosed having two DC voltage connections (1,2), between which are provided in a parallel circuit configuration, an intermediate energy storage (C1) and a bridge circuit providing at least two parallel branches, each branch providing two in-series-connected switch units (A,B and C,D), to each of which a rectifier diode (DA,DB,DC DD) is connected in parallel, and having at least two AC connections, of which each single AC connection is connected via a connecting line, in each of which an inductor (L1 respectively L2) is provided, to one of the parallel branches of the bridge circuit between two the switch units (A,B respectively C,D) via one connecting node. In at least two connecting lines, two separate electrical connecting paths are provided, in each of which a switch (E respectively F) and an in-series-switched rectifier diode (DE respectively DF) are provided. The rectifier diodes (DE,DF) in the single connecting paths are switched in an opposite conducting direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) for determining the density of an electrolyte (4). Said device (2) comprises at least two immersion tubes (9, 10) provided with an open orifice (52) and immerging at different depths in the electrolyte (4), whereby said immersion tubes can be respectively filled with gas to a depth (21, 22) which is allocated thereto and each tube has a different gas depth (d) with respect to the other. A least one differential pressure sensor (16) is used to define the difference in pressure inside the immersion tubes (9, 10). An electrode (11, 19) is respectively provided inside the immersion tubes (9, 10), whereby said electrode is connected to a voltage source (5, 35) in order to produce the required depth (21, 22) of gas so that said immersion tubes (9, 10) can be filled therewith upon contact with the electrolyte(4).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charge exchange between a plurality of series-connected identical energy storage devices. At least one electric storage device is alternately at a given rate connected in parallel to the energy storage devices. The electric storage device is formed from a transformer winding which is charged by the energy storage devices. Transformer windings are connected in parallel with alternating polarity at the given rate to one of the identical energy storage devices so that all the identical energy storage devices are individually connected in parallel at each step to a transformer winding, thus facilitating direct flow of energy from one of the high-grade energy storage devices to a low-charged energy storage device. The method and apparatus may be used to balance the charges of energy storage devices such as accumulators and of energy converters such as fuel cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing charge exchange among a plurality of energy accumulators of the same type which are interconnected in series. At least one electric accumulator is cyclically and alternatively connected in parallel to the energy accumulators. Each electric accumulator consists of a capacitive element charged by the energy accumulators. The electric accumulators are also each cyclically connected in parallel to one of the energy accumulators, so that during each phase of the cycle al energy accumulators of the same type are individually connected in parallel to an electric accumulator thereby establishing a direct power flow from higher voltage accumulators to lower voltage accumulators. The method and apparatus may be used for equalizing the charge of energy accumulators, and energy converters.

Abstract: A method of charging and/or transferring charge between a multiplicity of accumulators connected in series, the method includes connecting at least one electrical storage device in parallel to the accumulators on a cyclic basis. The electrical storage devices are made up of transformer elements which are charged by the accumulators. During charging operations, the at least one electrical storage device is switched, on a cyclic basis, as the secondary coil of a transformer, a powered coil wound on the same core acts as the primary coil. During charge-transfer operations, the at least one electrical storage device is switched, on a cyclic basis, as a transmission coil in which a voltage is induced from the whole battery of accumulators, or one or more individual accumulators.