Patents by Inventor Marcel Kratochvil

Marcel Kratochvil 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: 11808821
    Abstract: A method of detecting a serial arc fault in a DC-power circuit includes injecting an RF-signal with a narrow band-width into the DC-power circuit and measuring a response signal related to the injected RF-signal in the DC-power circuit. The method further includes determining a time derivative of the response signal, analyzing the time derivative, and signaling an occurrence of a serial arc fault in the power circuit based on the results of the analysis. A system for detecting an arc fault is configured to perform a method as described before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Marcel Kratochvil, Raimund Thiel, Rainer Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20230291303
    Abstract: A power converter between an AC side and DC of the power converter is disclosed. The AC side is connected to an AC supply grid and the DC side is connected to a DC grid. The power converter includes a bridge circuit connected to the AC side of the power converter via AC switches and connected to the DC side of the power converter via circuit breakers, wherein a DC link circuit of the power converter is chargeable from the AC supply grid via an AC precharging circuit. The power converter has an insulation monitor to measure the insulation resistance of the DC side when the AC precharging circuit is connected to the DC link circuit. The disclosure also includes a related method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander Unru, Marcel Kratochvil, Burkard Müller
  • Publication number: 20230283072
    Abstract: The application describes a method for balancing voltages on a first and a second DC conductor in a DC grid using a balancing circuit with a first and second semiconductor switch connected in series between the first and second DC conductors, and a connection to a ground potential that is arranged between the first and second semiconductor switches. In the presence of an asymmetry in the voltages of the first and second DC conductors to ground potential, a compensation current is generated between at least one of the DC conductors ground potential via at least one of the semiconductor switches, with the asymmetry in the voltages being reduced by the compensation current (IA), with the voltages of the DC conductors to ground potential being balanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander Unru, Marcel Kratochvil, Burkard Müller
  • Publication number: 20230078605
    Abstract: A method of detecting a serial arc fault in a DC-power circuit includes injecting an RF-signal with a narrow band-width into the DC-power circuit and measuring a response signal related to the injected RF-signal in the DC-power circuit. The method further includes determining a time derivative of the response signal, analyzing the time derivative, and signaling an occurrence of a serial arc fault in the power circuit based on the results of the analysis. A system for detecting an arc fault is configured to perform a method as described before.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Marcel Kratochvil, Raimund Thiel, Rainer Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20230050530
    Abstract: A method and related apparatus for extending a DC voltage range of a rectifier circuit for the supply, from an AC grid, of a DC load which is connected to a DC rectifier output of the rectifier circuit, wherein an AC rectifier input of the rectifier circuit is connected via a grid connection point to the AC grid, wherein the rectifier circuit includes an AC/DC converter having an AC input and a DC output, wherein the AC/DC converter includes a converter circuit having semiconductor switches and freewheeling diodes connected in an antiparallel arrangement thereto, wherein an inductance is connected between the AC input of the AC/DC converter and the grid connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander Unru, Andreas Falk, Dirk Hermeling, Ralf Juchem, Marcel Kratochvil
  • Patent number: 11567142
    Abstract: A method of detecting a serial arc fault in a DC-power circuit includes injecting an RF-signal with a narrow band-width into the DC-power circuit and measuring a response signal related to the injected RF-signal in the DC-power circuit. The method further includes determining a time derivative of the response signal, analyzing the time derivative, and signaling an occurrence of a serial arc fault in the power circuit based on the results of the analysis. A system for detecting an arc fault is configured to perform a method as described before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Marcel Kratochvil, Raimund Thiel, Rainer Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20220368243
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for supplying power to a DC load using an energy conversion system that includes first and second rectifiers and a transformer system. Each of the rectifiers contains an AC-DC converter connected to an AC grid via a separate secondary side of the transformer system. The transformer system provides a first AC voltage having a first voltage amplitude Û1 on the first secondary side and a second AC voltage having a second voltage amplitude Û2 on the second secondary side, wherein a value of the second voltage amplitude Û2 exceeds a corresponding value of the first voltage amplitude Û1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander Unru, Marcel Kratochvil, Ralf Juchem
  • Publication number: 20220365145
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for detecting an arc in a direct-current circuit including a DC load, a DC source supplying the DC load, and a circuit arrangement arranged between the DC source and the DC load. A power flow between the DC source and an output of the circuit arrangement is cyclically interrupted by a switching circuit, such that the power flow is enabled in an active time window with the first period ?t1 and the power flow is suppressed in an inactive time window with the second period ?t2. Detection of a current I characterizing the power flow P and/or a voltage U characterizing the power flow P in two consecutive active time windows and comparison of the detected values of current I and/or voltage U of the active time window with the corresponding detected values from the preceding active time window can signal an arc if these values of the active time window differ from the corresponding values of the preceding active time window by more than a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Rainer Schmitt, Marcel Kratochvil, Sybille Pape
  • Publication number: 20220360214
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for detecting an arc in a direct-current (DC) circuit comprising a DC load, a DC source supplying the DC load, and a circuit arrangement arranged between the DC source and the DC load. A power flow P between an input and an output of the circuit arrangement is suppressed by means of a switching circuit through cyclical interruption such that the power flow P is enabled in an active time window with the first period ?t1 and the power flow P is suppressed in an inactive time window with the second period ?t2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Marcel Kratochvil, Rainer Schmitt, Torsten Otto, Sybille Pape
  • Publication number: 20210341543
    Abstract: A method of detecting a serial arc fault in a DC-power circuit includes injecting an RF-signal with a narrow band-width into the DC-power circuit and measuring a response signal related to the injected RF-signal in the DC-power circuit. The method further includes determining a time derivative of the response signal, analyzing the time derivative, and signaling an occurrence of a serial arc fault in the power circuit based on the results of the analysis. A system for detecting an arc fault is configured to perform a method as described before.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Marcel Kratochvil, Raimund Thiel, Rainer Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11067638
    Abstract: A method of detecting a serial arc fault in a DC-power circuit includes injecting an RF-signal with a narrow band-width into the DC-power circuit and measuring a response signal related to the injected RF-signal in the DC-power circuit. The method further includes determining a time derivative of the response signal, analyzing the time derivative, and signaling an occurrence of a serial arc fault in the power circuit based on the results of the analysis. A system for detecting an arc fault is configured to perform a method as described before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Marcel Kratochvil, Raimund Thiel, Rainer Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20210181264
    Abstract: A method of detecting a serial arc fault in a DC-power circuit includes injecting an RF-signal with a narrow band-width into the DC-power circuit and measuring a response signal related to the injected RF-signal in the DC-power circuit. The method further includes determining a time derivative of the response signal, analyzing the time derivative, and signaling an occurrence of a serial arc fault in the power circuit based on the results of the analysis. A system for detecting an arc fault is configured to perform a method as described before.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Marcel Kratochvil, Raimund Thiel, Rainer Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10436821
    Abstract: A device for detecting alternating-current components iAC of an electric current iACDC flowing in a direct-current circuit includes an inductor arranged in the direct-current circuit, and an AC path arranged electrically in parallel with the inductor, wherein the AC path comprises a series circuit made up of a capacitor and a primary winding of a transformer. The device further includes a voltage measuring device, wherein a secondary winding of the transformer is connected to the voltage measuring device via a low-pass filter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Holger Behrends, Marcel Kratochvil, Gary Orbita
  • Patent number: 9819180
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for sequentially disconnecting at least two electrical current sources from a common load or for sequentially connecting the current sources to a load, wherein the current sources are each connected to the common load via a switching unit, each comprising a parallel circuit comprising an electromechanically actuated switch and an associated semiconductor switch. In the two methods, first semiconductor switches are closed if they are still not closed and the relevant electromechanical switches are opened. In the method for sequential disconnection, then at least two of the semiconductor switches that were actuated or that were already closed are opened sequentially. In the method for sequential connection, a plurality of the semiconductor switches are first opened, of which then at least two are closed sequentially. The disclosure also relates to a photovoltaic system comprising an apparatus that is suitable for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Holger Behrends, Marcel Kratochvil, Markus Hopf
  • Patent number: 9709623
    Abstract: The apparatus for monitoring a photovoltaic system includes an incoupling circuit configured to couple an AC voltage test signal into the photovoltaic system, and an outcoupling circuit configured to outcouple a response signal, which is associated with the test signal, from the photovoltaic system, and an evaluation device, which is connected to the outcoupling circuit. The evaluation device is configured to identify events which adversely affect correct operation of the photovoltaic system. The apparatus is distinguished in that the outcoupling circuit includes a first transformer and a second transformer, each having a respective primary winding and each having a respective secondary winding which is connected to the evaluation device, with the primary windings of the first and second transformers being arranged in different electrical lines between a generator and an inverter in the photovoltaic system. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for monitoring a photovoltaic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Marcel Kratochvil, Sebastian Bieniek, Holger Behrends, Markus Hopf
  • Patent number: 9625516
    Abstract: A device and corresponding method for monitoring a photovoltaic system to detect an occurrence of events impairing normal operation of the photovoltaic system is provide. The photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic generator including a first group of photovoltaic modules and a second group of photovoltaic modules being different from the first group. The device includes a first and a second pair of coupling means, both pairs including signal coupling-in means for coupling a test signal into the photovoltaic generator, and a signal coupling-out means for coupling out a response signal from the photovoltaic generator, the first pair of coupling means configured to selectively detect the occurrence of the events in the first group of photovoltaic modules, and the second pair of coupling means configured to selectively detect the occurrence of the events in the second group of photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Markus Hopf, Holger Behrends, Gerd Bettenwort, Sebastian Bieniek, Marcel Kratochvil
  • Patent number: 9535104
    Abstract: A method of detecting an arc fault in a power circuit includes injecting an AC-signal into the power circuit and measuring a response signal that is related to the injected AC-signal in the power circuit. The method further includes determining a frequency response of the power circuit from the response signal, analyzing the frequency response, and identifying a preferred frequency. A signal related to AC-current flowing in the power circuit within the preferred frequency range is measured and an occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is signaled depending on the measured signal. A system for detecting an arc fault is designed to perform a method as described before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Holger Behrends, Marcel Kratochvil, Markus Hopf, Sebastian Bieniek
  • Patent number: 9478675
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for localizing and quenching an arc in a PV generator of a PV system, wherein the PV generator includes at least two PV subgenerators. An arc quenching circuit is associated with each PV subgenerator. The method includes detecting an arc in the PV generator. Then, a probability value is determined for each of the PV subgenerators, wherein the probability value is correlated with a probability that the arc is located in the corresponding PV subgenerator. A sequence for activating the arc quenching circuits is then determined that is dependent on the determined probability values. Then, the arc quenching circuits are activated successively in the order of the determined sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SMA SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Holger Behrends, Marcel Kratochvil, Markus Hopf
  • Patent number: 9435845
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for detecting an arc in a DC circuit. The method includes measuring and analyzing an AC component (IAC) of a current (I) flowing in the circuit and determining at least one parameter of the AC component (IAC). The level of a DC component (IDC) of the current (I) is varied and a degree of correlation between the level of the DC component (IDC) of the current (I) flowing in the DC circuit and the at least one parameter of the AC component (IAC) is determined. An arc is detected and selectively signaled based on the degree of the determined correlation. The disclosure also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method and to an inverter comprising such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SMA SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Johannes Lang, Thomas Wegener, Marcel Kratochvil, Holger Behrends, Michael Viotto
  • Publication number: 20160146857
    Abstract: A device for detecting alternating-current components iAC of an electric current iACDC flowing in a direct-current circuit includes an inductor arranged in the direct-current circuit, and an AC path arranged electrically in parallel with the inductor, wherein the AC path comprises a series circuit made up of a capacitor and a primary winding of a transformer. The device further includes a voltage measuring device, wherein a secondary winding of the transformer is connected to the voltage measuring device via a low-pass filter circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Holger Behrends, Marcel Kratochvil, Gary Orbita