US 12,255,581 B2
Rapid shutdown device for photovoltaic modules
Babak Farhangi, Kew Gardens Hills, NY (US); Hasib Amin, San Jose, CA (US); Lewis Abra, San Francisco, CA (US); and Richard Perkins, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to GAF Energy LLC, Parsippany, NJ (US)
Filed by GAF Energy LLC, Parsippany, NJ (US)
Filed on Sep. 17, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/887,743.
Application 18/887,743 is a continuation of application No. 18/485,883, filed on Oct. 12, 2023.
Application 18/485,883 is a continuation of application No. 18/066,241, filed on Dec. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,811,361, issued on Nov. 7, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0015758 A1, Jan. 9, 2025
Int. Cl. H02S 40/34 (2014.01); H02S 20/25 (2014.01); H02S 50/00 (2014.01); H02H 7/20 (2006.01); H02J 7/35 (2006.01)
CPC H02S 50/00 (2013.01) [H02S 20/25 (2014.12); H02S 40/34 (2014.12); H02H 7/20 (2013.01); H02J 7/35 (2013.01); H02J 2300/24 (2020.01); Y02E 10/56 (2013.01); Y02E 40/70 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device, comprising:
a high voltage switch configured to connect to at least one power line connected to a photovoltaic string comprising a plurality of photovoltaic modules,
wherein the high voltage switch is configured to;
electrically disconnect the at least one power line while the high voltage switch is open, wherein the high voltage switch is configured to have a blocking voltage exceeding a string voltage, wherein the string voltage is associated with power generated by the photovoltaic string;
a gate drive circuit configured to:
receive an electronic photovoltaic string status signal associated with an operating status of the photovoltaic string;
determine that the operating status of the photovoltaic string indicates a hazard based on the electronic photovoltaic string status signal; and
generate, based on the operating status of the photovoltaic string indicating the hazard, a high voltage switch command signal configured to cause the high voltage switch to open so as to electrically disconnect the photovoltaic string from an electrical connection to a grid power supply; and
a discharge circuit having a discharge switch between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the device, wherein the discharge circuit is configured to:
drive the discharge switch complementary to the high voltage switch to establish a discharge path between the positive terminal and the negative terminal.