Patents by Inventor James R. Perkinson

James R. Perkinson 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: 10381837
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and related techniques are provided. A method for commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system may include obtaining data describing an arrangement of two or more components of the PV system; performing a test of the PV system, wherein performing the test includes determining whether the PV system complies with at least one PV system criterion based, at least in part, on at least a portion of the data describing the arrangement of the two or more components of the PV system; and in response to determining that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion, activating the PV system and/or notifying a user of the PV system that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion. The method may further include sending information associated with the PV system to a regulatory entity and/or an operator of an electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Hoepfner, Dirk E. Mahling, Matthew Alan Kromer, James R. Perkinson
  • Publication number: 20160036372
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and related techniques are provided. A method for commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system may include obtaining data describing an arrangement of two or more components of the PV system; performing a test of the PV system, wherein performing the test includes determining whether the PV system complies with at least one PV system criterion based, at least in part, on at least a portion of the data describing the arrangement of the two or more components of the PV system; and in response to determining that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion, activating the PV system and/or notifying a user of the PV system that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion. The method may further include sending information associated with the PV system to a regulatory entity and/or an operator of an electrical grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Hoepfner, Dirk E. Mahling, Matthew Alan Kromer, James R. Perkinson
  • Publication number: 20160036373
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and related techniques are provided. A method for commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system may include obtaining data describing an arrangement of two or more components of the PV system; performing a test of the PV system, wherein performing the test includes determining whether the PV system complies with at least one PV system criterion based, at least in part, on at least a portion of the data describing the arrangement of the two or more components of the PV system; and in response to determining that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion, activating the PV system and/or notifying a user of the PV system that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion. The method may further include sending information associated with the PV system to a regulatory entity and/or an operator of an electrical grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Hoepfner, Matthew Alan Kromer, Jacquie Ashmore Chakrabarty, Dirk E. Mahling, James R. Perkinson
  • Publication number: 20160036381
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and related techniques are provided. A method for commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system may include obtaining data describing an arrangement of two or more components of the PV system; performing a test of the PV system, wherein performing the test includes determining whether the PV system complies with at least one PV system criterion based, at least in part, on at least a portion of the data describing the arrangement of the two or more components of the PV system; and in response to determining that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion, activating the PV system and/or notifying a user of the PV system that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion. The method may further include sending information associated with the PV system to a regulatory entity and/or an operator of an electrical grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Kromer, Christian Hoepfner, Dirk E. Mahling, James R. Perkinson
  • Publication number: 20150054523
    Abstract: Devices and techniques for detecting faults (e.g., ground faults) in photovoltaic (PV) systems are provided. A fault-detection impedance component may be included in a PV system on the path to equipment ground. The PV system may determine whether a ground fault exists based, at least in part, on a measured impedance between a conductor of the PV system and a ground node of the PV system, and on a reference impedance. When it is determined that a ground fault exists in the PV system, action may be taken to mitigate the ground fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Perkinson