Patents by Inventor Thomas Muehlberger

Thomas Muehlberger 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: 9553215
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for recognizing faults in a photovoltaic system (1). A first output voltage (U0, UMPP) of the system (1) and/or a first parameter derived from the output voltage (U0, UMPP) is determined at a first point in time in a first operating state of the photovoltaic system (1). At a second point in time in a second operating state comparable to the first operating state, a second output voltage (U0, UMPP) and/or a second parameter of the system (1) derived from the output voltage (U0, UMPP) is determined. Finally, a deviation between the first and the second output voltage (U0, UMPP) and/or between the first and the second parameter is identified and a fault notification is output if the deviation exceeds a predeterminable threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Ammer, Thomas Muehlberger, Roland Proetsch, Yvonne Zwirchmayr
  • Patent number: 8466789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recognition of the theft of at least one solar module (5) on a photovoltaic unit with an inverter (1) an intermediate circuit (3), a DC-AC converter (4), at least one solar module (5) connected via connector lines (19) and a control device (8). A signal unit (19) which can be connected to the connector lines (9, 10), for generating and transmitting an electrical signal and a device for measuring and analyzing the signal received from the at least one solar module (5) are provided such that conclusions can be drawn about the theft of a solar module (5) from the received signal. According to the invention, reliable recognition of theft of a solar module (5) can be achieved by designing the signal unit (19) for generating varying electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Mühlberger, Roland Prötsch
  • Publication number: 20120247542
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for recognizing faults in a photovoltaic system (1). A first output voltage (U0, UMPP) of the system (1) and/or a first parameter derived from the output voltage (U0, UMPP) is determined at a first point in time in a first operating state of the photovoltaic system (1). At a second point in time in a second operating state comparable to the first operating state, a second output voltage (U0, UMPP) and/or a second parameter of the system (1) derived from the output voltage (U0, UMPP) is determined. Finally, a deviation between the first and the second output voltage (U0, UMPP) and/or between the first and the second parameter is identified and a fault notification is output if the deviation exceeds a predeterminable threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: FRONIUS INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Ammer, Thomas Muehlberger, Roland Proetsch, Yvonne Zwirchmayr
  • Publication number: 20100207764
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recognition of the theft of at least one solar module (5) on a photovoltaic unit with an inverter (1) an intermediate circuit (3), a DC-AC converter (4), at least one solar module (5) connected via connector lines (19) and a control device (8). A signal unit (19) which can be connected to the connector lines (9, 10), for generating and transmitting an electrical signal and a device for measuring and analyzing the signal received from the at least one solar module (5) are provided such that conclusions can be drawn about the theft of a solar module (5) from the received signal. According to the invention, reliable recognition of theft of a solar module (5) can be achieved by designing the signal unit (19) for generating varying electrical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Mühlberger, Roland Prötsch