Patents by Inventor Sandeep Narla

Sandeep Narla 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: 11190031
    Abstract: A battery pack for an energy generation system includes a cell array of conductively interconnected power cells configured to store and discharge energy, a direct current (DC)-to-DC converter coupled to the cell array and configured to receive power from the cell array during discharging of the cell array or to output power to the cell array during charging of the cell array, a pair of output terminals coupled to the DC-to-DC converter for coupling with an external device; and an are fault detection system coupled between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals. The are fault detection system includes a first sensor for measuring power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals and a controller coupled to the first sensor and configured to disable the battery pack based on a measurement of the power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Publication number: 20210367447
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic (PV) disconnect device used in an electrical system. The electrical system includes an energy control system electrically coupled to a utility grid. The electrical system includes a PV power generation system electrically coupled to the energy control system. The electrical system includes an energy storage system electrically coupled to the energy control system. The PV disconnect device is electrically coupled to the PV power generation system and the energy control system. The PV disconnect device electrically disconnects the PV power generation system from the energy control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Sandeep NARLA, Brian KUHN, Kevin C. FISCHER, Udo UEBEL
  • Publication number: 20210257968
    Abstract: Commissioning a solar power monitoring system includes imaging a plurality of labels, wherein each label of the plurality of labels is associated with an electronic component. Further, commissioning the solar power monitoring system includes discovering each electronic component at the same time based on the imaging of the plurality of labels, displaying a list of the discovered electronic components, and commissioning a solar power monitoring system including the discovered electronic components for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. MELLOR, Jr., Gaurang KAVAIYA, Jonathan Tucker THOMPSON, Sandeep NARLA, Joseph GRIFFIN, Rasoul GHADAMI, Udo UEBEL, Alvin CHEUNG, Fernando CERVANTES, Alberto Fonts ZARAGOZ, Troy YANG, Daidipya PATWA, Rex LIU
  • Patent number: 11050260
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose solar energy generation systems with automatic smart transfer switches. An energy generation system, including an energy generation device, an energy generation inverter coupled to the energy generation device and configured to convert direct current (DC) power from the energy generation device to alternating current (AC) power, a battery pack, a storage inverter coupled to the battery pack, where the storage inverter is configured to convert DC power from the battery pack to AC power and to convert AC power into DC power for storing energy into the battery pack, and a smart main electrical panel coupled to receive AC power from at least one of the energy generation inverter, the storage inverter, and a utility grid, where the smart main electrical panel includes one or more motorized circuit breakers configured to be remotely controlled to manage the power flow to one or more loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Andrew Russell Lutkus
  • Patent number: 10992257
    Abstract: A method of monitoring state of health for an energy generation system includes receiving a measurement of a parameter of an electrical component in the PV energy generation system at an instance in time, referencing a look-up table containing several values of the parameter representing an expected degradation trend across a progression of time for the electrical component, comparing the measurement to an expected value of the expected degradation trend for a period of time corresponding to the instance in time, and initiating a preventative measure based upon the comparison between the measurement and the expected value of the expected degradation trend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Patent number: 10857897
    Abstract: A system for energy conversion with electric vehicle (EV) charging capability includes a hybrid inverter comprising a DC/DC converter stage for receiving power from a photovoltaic array, a capacitor bank, and a DC-AC inverter coupled to the capacitor bank. The DC-AC inverter includes a battery pack connection for supplying energy to or receiving energy from a battery pack, an AC grid connection for supplying power to or receiving power from an AC grid, a connection for supplying power to a load, and an EV connection for supplying power to or receiving power from an EV battery. The system also includes a controller for generating control signals to control the flow of power within the hybrid inverter, which converts power received from at least one of the photovoltaic array and the battery pack and provides the converted power to charge the EV battery via the EV connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Publication number: 20200336002
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides energy control systems for whole home and partial home backup with integrated breaker spaces and metering. The energy control system includes a grid interconnection electrically coupled to a utility grid, a backup power interconnection electrically coupled to a backup power source, a backup load interconnection electrically coupled to at least one backup load, and a non-backup load interconnection electrically coupled to at least one non-backup load. The energy control system includes a microgrid interconnection device that switches between an on-grid mode to electrically connect the grid interconnection and the backup power interconnection with the backup and non-backup load interconnections and a backup mode to electrically disconnect the grid interconnection and the non-backup load interconnection from the backup power interconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Sandeep NARLA, Brian KUHN, Kevin C. FISCHER, Udo UEBEL, Marc A. ROBINSON
  • Publication number: 20200336003
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling an energy control system. The energy control system includes a grid interconnection, a backup load interconnection, a non-backup load interconnection, and a backup power interconnection. The method includes receiving electronic data from a plurality of backup loads. The method includes detecting a power outage at the grid interconnection electrically coupled to a utility grid. The method includes disconnecting the grid interconnection from the backup power interconnection, in which the backup power interconnection is electrically coupled to a backup power source. The method includes connecting a first set of the plurality of backup loads to the backup load interconnection, in which the backup load interconnection is electrically coupled to the backup power interconnection such that power is supplied from the backup power source to the first set of backup loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Sandeep NARLA, Brian KUHN, Kevin C. FISCHER, Udo UEBEL, Marc A. ROBINSON
  • Publication number: 20200235592
    Abstract: A battery pack for an energy generation system includes a cell array of conductively interconnected power cells configured to store and discharge energy, a direct current (DC)-to-DC converter coupled to the cell array and configured to receive power from the cell array during discharging of the cell array or to output power to the cell array during charging of the cell array, a pair of output terminals coupled to the DC-to-DC converter for coupling with an external device; and an are fault detection system coupled between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals. The are fault detection system includes a first sensor for measuring power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals and a controller coupled to the first sensor and configured to disable the battery pack based on a measurement of the power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventor: Sandeep NARLA
  • Patent number: 10644510
    Abstract: An energy generation system includes an inverter power control system and a plurality of energy storage devices coupled to the inverter power control system. The inverter power control system includes an input configured to receive DC power; a DC/AC inverter stage configured to receive the DC power input; an anti-islanding relay coupled to the output of the DC/AC inverter stage; and a transition relay coupled to the anti-islanding relay, where the transition relay configured to route an output of the inverter power control system between one or more onsite back-up loads and an AC grid. Each energy storage device is configured to communicate with the inverter power control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Andrew Russell Lutkus
  • Patent number: 10601234
    Abstract: A battery pack for an energy generation system includes a cell array of conductively interconnected power cells configured to store and discharge energy, a direct current (DC)-to-DC converter coupled to the cell array and configured to receive power from the cell array during discharging of the cell array or to output power to the cell array during charging of the cell array, a pair of output terminals coupled to the DC-to-DC converter for coupling with an external device; and an arc fault detection system coupled between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals. The arc fault detection system includes a first sensor for measuring power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals and a controller coupled to the first sensor and configured to disable the battery pack based on a measurement of the power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Patent number: 10424933
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose solar energy generation systems with automatic smart transfer switches. An energy generation system includes an array of PV modules, a PV inverter coupled to the array of PV modules, and a battery pack configured to store DC power from the PV modules and output the stored DC power. The energy generation system can further include a storage inverter/hybrid inverter PCS coupled to the battery pack, and an automatic smart transfer switch configured to select between an AC grid and the storage inverter/hybrid inverter PCS for outputting to a main electrical panel, where the automatic smart transfer switch is configured so that in a first position, the AC grid is coupled to the main electrical panel, and in a second position, both the storage inverter is coupled to the main electrical panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Andrew Russell Lutkus
  • Patent number: 10381838
    Abstract: A programmable microcontroller and a non-volatile memory are coupled to monitor and store operating parameters associated with operation of a power control system for a power generation system. The microcontroller is programmed to respond to a fault event (i.e., an anomalous condition that exceeds a threshold value) by storing the operating parameters before, during and after the fault event in the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Patent number: 10340702
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose an energy generation system including a photovoltaic (PV) array having a plurality of PV modules for generating direct current (DC) power, a plurality of Opti-battery packs coupled to the PV array, where each Opti-battery pack is coupled to a respective PV module and configured to receive DC power from the respective PV module, and an inverter configured to receive DC power from the plurality of Opti-battery packs and to convert the DC power to alternating current (AC) power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Patent number: 10305286
    Abstract: A power control system includes a first inverter power control system and a second inverter power control system coupled in a parallel configuration with the first inverter power control system. Both first and second inverter power control systems may each include an input configured to receive direct current (DC) power; a DC to alternating current (AC) inverter stage configured to receive the DC power input; an anti-islanding relay coupled to the output of the DC/AC inverter stage; and a transition relay coupled to the anti-islanding relay. The transition relay may be configured to route an output of the inverter power control system between one or more onsite back-up loads and an AC grid. The first inverter power control system may be designated as a master that is configured to control the operation of the second inverter power control system designated as a slave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Publication number: 20190135116
    Abstract: A system for energy conversion with electric vehicle (EV) charging capability includes a hybrid inverter comprising a DC/DC converter stage for receiving power from a photovoltaic array, a capacitor bank, and a DC-AC inverter coupled to the capacitor bank. The DC-AC inverter includes a battery pack connection for supplying energy to or receiving energy from a battery pack, an AC grid connection for supplying power to or receiving power from an AC grid, a connection for supplying power to a load, and an EV connection for supplying power to or receiving power from an EV battery. The system also includes a controller for generating control signals to control the flow of power within the hybrid inverter, which converts power received from at least one of the photovoltaic array and the battery pack and provides the converted power to charge the EV battery via the EV connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Patent number: 10270254
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling an interconnection device may be provided. Sockets of the interconnection device may be configured to electrically couple to respective energy-generation modules. In some examples, the interconnection device may include a connector, memory, and a processor configured to execute instructions for managing the electrical configuration of the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Alex Mayer, Brett Alten
  • Patent number: 10263430
    Abstract: An energy generation system includes a plurality of energy generation devices for generating DC power, a plurality of energy storage devices for storing the generated DC power and discharging stored DC power, a plurality of single-phase inverters coupled to respective energy generation devices and energy storage devices. Each single-phase inverter of the plurality of single-phase inverters is configured to convert generated DC power or stored DC power to AC power so that the converted AC power of each single-phase inverter is offset by a phase from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Publication number: 20190058338
    Abstract: A battery pack for an energy generation system includes a cell array of conductively interconnected power cells configured to store and discharge energy, a direct current (DC)-to-DC converter coupled to the cell array and configured to receive power from the cell array during discharging of the cell array or to output power to the cell array during charging of the cell array, a pair of output terminals coupled to the DC-to-DC converter for coupling with an external device; and an arc fault detection system coupled between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals. The arc fault detection system includes a first sensor for measuring power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals and a controller coupled to the first sensor and configured to disable the battery pack based on a measurement of the power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Patent number: D909974
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Kuhn, William J. Morris, Daidipya J. Patwa, Sandeep Narla