Geoffrey N B Sutton

US Patent:

20160126367, May 5, 2016

Filed:

Oct 24, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/922123

Inventors:

- Scottsdale AZ, US
Geoffrey Sutton - Scottsdale AZ, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/02
H03K 17/687
H03K 17/795

Abstract:

A photovoltaic (PV) module safety shutdown system includes a module-on switch coupled with a PV module coupled with an alternating current (AC) mains panel through an inverter. A system monitor couples with the module-on switch and with the AC mains panel and generates a system-on signal. A module discharge switch couples with an inherent capacitance of the inverter and with the system monitor. The module discharge switch discharges the inherent capacitance, by coupling the inherent capacitance with a discharge element, in response to the system monitor not generating the system-on signal. In implementations a module short switch shorts the PV module in response to a passage of a predetermined amount of time after the module discharge switch is switched on. The module-on switch, module discharge switch, and module short switch may be included in a junction box of the PV module and coupled with the system monitor through multiple opto-isolators.

US Patent:

20150061409, Mar 5, 2015

Filed:

Nov 4, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/532883

Inventors:

- Scottsdale AZ, US
Geoffrey Sutton - Scottsdale AZ, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/02
H03K 17/687
H03K 17/795

US Classification:

307115

Abstract:

A solar photovoltaic module safety shutdown system includes a module-on switch coupled with a first circuit having a photovoltaic module and a System-Monitor device. The System-Monitor device couples to the module-on switch through a second circuit and to the photovoltaic module and an AC main panelboard through the first circuit. A module-off switch operatively couples with the photovoltaic module and the module-on switch. The System-Monitor device supplies a System-on signal to the module-on switch through the second circuit. The module-on switch disables the photovoltaic module by shorting it or disconnecting it from the first circuit in response to the System-On signal not being received by the module-on switch from the System-Monitor device. The module-off switch disables the photovoltaic module by shorting it in response to the System-On signal not being received by the module-on switch when the photovoltaic module is irradiated with light.