Power inverter docking system for photovoltaic modules

{
  "publication_number": "US9627555B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Power inverter docking system for photovoltaic modules",
  "abstract": "An electronics module docking system includes docking member removably coupled to a photovoltaic module. The docking system includes a first connector port electrically coupled to one or more photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module is selectively coupleable to the docking member. The docking system includes a housing to enclose an electronics module. The housing may include second connector port that is selectively engageable to the power electronics module. The power electronics module and the photovoltaic cells are electrically coupled to one another upon selective engagement of the connector ports. The inverter housing is receivable by and removably coupleable to the docking member allowing the inverter housing to be removably coupleable to the photovoltaic module.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A power inverter docking system for a photovoltaic module, the power inverter docking system comprising: a docking member adapted to be removably coupled to the photovoltaic module, wherein the docking member comprises a base surface having a first access opening defined therein; and a junction box adapted to be secured to the docking member, wherein the junction box comprises: a bottom surface having a second access opening defined therein, wherein the first access opening and the second access opening cooperate to define a passageway when the junction box is secured to the docking member; a first connector port adapted to be electrically coupled to the photovoltaic module by a connector routed through the passageway; and a second connector port adapted to be electrically coupled to a power inverter.",
    "2. The power inverter docking system of claim 1, wherein the docking member comprises at least one docking slot adapted to secure the junction box to the docking member.",
    "3. The power inverter docking system of claim 1, wherein the junction box comprises a port structure that includes the first connector port and the second connector port.",
    "4. The power inverter docking system of claim 1, wherein the junction box comprises a port structure having a first wall and a second wall perpendicular to the first wall; wherein the first connector port is defined in the first wall; and wherein the second port is defined in the second wall.",
    "5. The power inverter docking system of claim 1, wherein the junction box comprises a port structure having a first wall and a second wall parallel to the first wall; wherein the first connector port is defined in the first wall; and wherein the second port is defined in the second wall.",
    "6. The power inverter docking system of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises an electrical wire.",
    "7. The power inverter docking system of claim 1, wherein the second connector port comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive sockets.",
    "8. The power inverter docking system of claim 1, wherein the junction box is adapted to be removably coupled to the docking member.",
    "9. The power inverter docking system of claim 1, further comprising a housing adapted to be removably coupled to the docking member, wherein the housing includes the power inverter.",
    "10. A junction box for electrically coupling a photovoltaic module to an electronic device, the junction box comprising: a bottom surface having a first access opening defined therein, wherein the first access opening cooperates with a second access opening defined in a base of a docking member to define a passageway when the junction box is secured to the docking member; a first connector port adapted to be electrically coupled to the photovoltaic module by a connector routed through the passageway; and a second connector port adapted to be electrically coupled to the electronic device.",
    "11. The junction box of claim 10, wherein the electronic device is a power inverter.",
    "12. The junction box of claim 10, further comprising a port structure that includes the first connector port and the second connector port.",
    "13. The junction box of claim 10, further comprising a port structure having a first wall and a second wall perpendicular to the first wall; wherein the first connector port is defined in the first wall; and wherein the second port is defined in the second wall.",
    "14. The junction box of claim 10, further comprising a port structure having a first wall and a second wall parallel to the first wall; wherein the first connector port is defined in the first wall; and wherein the second port is defined in the second wall.",
    "15. The junction box of claim 10, wherein the second connector port comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive sockets.",
    "16. The junction box of claim 10, further comprising at least one docking projection adapted to be removably coupled to at least one corresponding docking slot of the docking member.",
    "17. A method of assembling a docking system for a photovoltaic module, the method comprising: securing a docking member to the photovoltaic module, wherein the docking member includes a base surface having a first access opening defined therein; electrically coupling a first connector port of a junction box to at least one photovoltaic cell of the photovoltaic module through a passageway defined by the first access opening and a second access opening defined in a bottom surface of the junction box; and securing the junction box to the docking member.",
    "18. The method of claim 17, further comprising electrically coupling the first connector port to a power inverter module.",
    "19. The method of claim 18, wherein electrically coupling the first connector port to the power inverter module comprises electrically coupling the first connector port to a second connector port that is electrically coupled to the power inverter module, wherein the power inverter module is enclosed within a housing; and further comprising removably coupling the housing to the docking member.",
    "20. The method of claim 17, wherein securing the docking member to the photovoltaic module comprises securing the docking member to an outer surface of the photovoltaic module such that the base surface of the docking member is parallel to the outer surface."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to power electronic docking systems, and more specifically to power inverter docking systems for photovoltaic modules.\n\nTypical photovoltaic (PV) modules may generate direct current (DC) power based on received solar energy. PV modules may include a plurality of PV cells electrically coupled to one another allowing the PV cells to contribute to a combined output power for a PV module. In particular applications, the DC power generated by a photovoltaic module may be converted to AC power through the use of a power inverter. The power inverter may be electrically coupled to an output of the PV module. Typically, intervening wiring may be used between the PV module and the power inverter. The power inverter may be directly connected to wires included in the intervening wiring. The power inverter may be located physically apart from the PV module, with only the intervening wiring and associated hardware physically coupling the PV module to the power inverter.\n\nAccording to one aspect of the disclosure, a power inverter docking system may be used to removably couple a power inverter to a photovoltaic (PV) module. The docking system may include a docking member that may be removably coupled to the PV module. The PV module may include one or more connectors electrically coupled to one or more PV cells of the PV module. The docking system may include a junction box having a PV connector port. The junction box may enclose an electrical coupling of the PV connector port and the connectors of the PV module. The junction box may be removably coupled to the docking member.",
  "cpc": [
    "H10F 19/80",
    "H01L 31/0201",
    "H01L 31/042",
    "H01L 31/048",
    "H01R 13/631",
    "H01R 13/73",
    "H02M 7/44",
    "H02S 40/32",
    "H02S 40/34",
    "H05K 7/10",
    "H10F 77/937",
    "Y02E 10/50",
    "Y02E 10/56",
    "Y10T 29/49002"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "H01L 31/02",
    "H02S 40/32",
    "H02S 40/34",
    "H05K 7/10",
    "H01L 31/042",
    "H01L 31/048"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "SunPower Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Marco A. Marroquin",
    "Stephen P. Wurmlinger",
    "Thomas P. Parker",
    "Robert S. Balog"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-01-05",
  "publication_date": "2017-04-18",
  "grant_date": "2017-04-18",
  "priority_date": "2009-10-12",
  "application_number": "US-201514589655-A",
  "family_id": "43853859",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
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}