US 11,928,975 B2
Methods and apparatus for servicing distributed energy generation systems using an unmanned aerial vehicle
Vikas Kumar Singh, Karnataka (IN); and Saminathan Sangameswaran, Karnataka (IN)
Assigned to Enphase Energy, Inc., Petaluma, CA (US)
Filed by Enphase Energy, Inc., Petaluma, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/522,480.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/115,907, filed on Nov. 19, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0157180 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. G08G 5/00 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); G08B 21/18 (2006.01); H02J 3/38 (2006.01); H02S 50/00 (2014.01); B64U 101/00 (2023.01); H04B 3/54 (2006.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.01)
CPC G08G 5/0069 (2013.01) [B64C 39/024 (2013.01); G08B 21/18 (2013.01); H02J 3/381 (2013.01); H02S 50/00 (2013.01); B64U 2101/00 (2023.01); H02J 2300/24 (2020.01); H04B 3/54 (2013.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.02)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for servicing distributed generators, comprising: a distributed generator comprising a plurality of components;
a controller communicatively connected to the plurality of components; and
an unmanned aerial vehicle communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of components or the controller for at least one of transmitting and receiving data relating to the plurality of components,
wherein, when transmitting or receiving data to or from the at least one of the plurality of components or the controller, the data is used for installing software patches on the plurality of components or installing new software on the plurality of components, and
wherein, when the plurality of components is a plurality of photovoltaic modules, receiving data comprises receiving information comprising photovoltaic module alignment information of the plurality of photovoltaic modules from at least one of the controller or directly from the plurality of photovoltaic modules via one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular network technology.