Protection device for DC power systems

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus are disclosed for a multi-functional protection device placed between a DC power source and power converter for the purposes of disconnection, overcurrent protection, and ductile failure mode mitigation. The proposed apparatus and methods may include fault clearance, soft-charging and discharging, a persistent affirmatively discharged idle state where a preponderance of components within the power management device may be forced to near zero voltage relative to their intended operating state, and in the case of series-connectable DC-to-AC inverters, an AC-side bypass functional alternative referred to here as a "rectified flow-through" for a non-functional device within such an AC string of series-connected devices.

Description

Protection Device for DC Power SystemsFIELD

[0001] This relates generally to apparatus and methods for converting solar energy to electrical energy, and more specifically to apparatus and methods for more efficient and / or effective conversion of solar energy to electrical energy.BACKGROUND

[0002] The conversion of light energy to electrical energy using photovoltaics (PV) has become common in residential, commercial, and utility application spaces. PV panels, or modules, may be comprised of one or more PV cells. The electrical characteristics of PV sources such as cells, modules, and arrays of modules, are somewhat different from other sources of electrical power such as rotating generators or electrochemical sources. One such difference is that while all power sources listed here tolerate open-circuit, or no-load, conditions, PV sources also tolerate being placed in a short-circuit condition. Unsurprisingly, between a PV source’s open-circuit and short-circuit conditions, both of which provide zero power output, is the operational range within which power may be extracted. Included in this operational range is the point of maximum power extraction. One purpose of the devices connected to PV sources is to identify and operate at this point of maximum power extraction. An important characteristic of PV sources is that the operating current at the point of maximum power extraction may be only slightly less than the maximum current seen during a short-circuit. While such current-limiting behavior may be a benign and even beneficial characteristic of PV sources as compared to the violent short-circuit behavior of other sources of electrical power, it counter-intuitively may create difficulties for the devices to which they are connected.

[0003] One such difficulty may be that the lack of a large short-circuit current, as compared to normal full-load current, compromises the proper operation of overcurrent protection components such as fuses or circuit breakers. Since an electrical fault within a PV system, which may include one or more current-limited power sources, connectors, power converters, and wiring may not provide overcurrent protection components with sufficient current to allow their proper operation and may result in an uninterruptible and continuously destructive current until the sun goes down. During such an event it is easy to contemplate the possibility of a resulting fire, especially if the fault current is flowing through a resistance or an arc somewhere in the system. A component,device, or system that allows such a cascade of worsening consequences may be said to lack “ductility”, or the ability to fail well.

[0004] In a conventional PV system, PV modules may be connected into series strings (i.e. serial collection), where said strings or branches may in turn be connected in parallel (i.e. parallel collection), which may further be connected to an inverter often classified or configured as either a string inverter or a central inverter. For such conventional PV systems, failure modes with the potential to cascade to severe consequences have been, through the course of decades of design and installation method improvements, rendered somewhat unlikely. Of greater interest, however, is something that were to impose a change to conventional PV system design that could introduce considerably greater probability of failure and / or worsened resultant ductility.

[0005] For a subset of PV systems, specifically those installed on buildings, additional devices have been introduced in recent years which constitute a significant augmentation to conventional PV system design. This class of devices, of which there are many operating by different methods, are intended to satisfy relatively recent regulatory requirements for “rapid shutdown” functionality. This functionality is intended to use certain techniques to manage power and reduce voltage and energy within the collection wiring of a PV system to safe levels to mitigate electrical shock hazards during firefighting operations. Such devices, intended for the purpose of deenergizing PV system wiring at the PV source(s), necessitate their placement physically and electrically proximate to the PV sources (i.e. panels). Most types of rapid shutdown devices are comprised of power converters and are called, due to their proximity to the PV modules, “modulelevel power electronics” (MLPE). Due to their complexity, operating environment, and significant quantities within the system, these power management devices introduce their own susceptibility to failure. Among these associated failure modes may be those that result in uninterrupted, continuously damaging, and unmitigated fault current inside the devices themselves. Accordingly, enhanced protection is needed.SUMMARY

[0006] Apparatus and methods are proposed here that may provide effective detection and clearance of fault current including, but not limited to, those faults caused by the failure of components within power management devices. The proposed apparatus and methods may provide additionalbenefit to power management devices comprised of DC-to-DC or DC-to-AC converters by unifying a variety of additional functions that would reasonably be considered to be disparate and largely unrelated.

[0007] According to an aspect, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. One or more examples of implementations are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Various objects and advantages and a more complete understanding of the present embodiments are apparent and more readily appreciated by reference to the following Detailed Descriptions when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings where like or similar elements are designated with identical reference numerals throughout the several views and wherein:FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting an exemplary system comprising a DC power source, a multi-functional protection device, and a power converter;FIG. 2 is the diagram of FIG. 1 depicting flow of electrical current resulting from connection of the power source to the multi-functional protection device;FIG. 3 is the diagram of FIG. 1 depicting flow of electrical current resulting from charging of the power converter capacitor from the multi-functional protection device;FIG. 4 is the diagram of FIG. 1 depicting flow of electrical current resulting from discharge of the power converter capacitor through the multi-functional protection device;FIG. 5 is the diagram of FIG. 1 depicting the flow of electrical current through the power converter and multi-functional protection device;FIG. 6 is the diagram of FIG. 1 depicting the flow of electrical current resulting from a shorting failure of the power converter switching network resulting in subsequent overcurrent protection component actuation;FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting an exemplary system comprising the system of FIG. 1 with an included DC -DC power input regulator.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] It should be understood that embodiments include a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the invention. Elements are listed with initial embodiments; however, it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the embodiments of the invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. The specific embodiment or embodiments shown are examples only. The specification should be understood and is intended as supporting broad claims as well as each embodiment, and even claims where other embodiments may be excluded. Importantly, disclosure of merely exemplary embodiments is not meant to limit the breadth of other more encompassing claims that may be made where such may be only one of several methods or embodiments which could be employed in a broader claim or the like. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

[0010] Capabilities of the proposed apparatus and methods may include fault clearance, soft-charging and discharging, a persistent affirmatively discharged idle state where a preponderance of components within the power management device may be forced to near zero voltage relative to their intended operating state, and in the case of series-connectable DC-to-AC inverters, an AC-side bypass functional alternative referred to here as a “rectified flow-through” for a non-functional device within such an AC string of series-connected devices. Such breadth of functionality and associated components would intuitively be placed in a variety of locations. For example, DC power source fault clearance and AC-side bypass functionality would necessarily be on opposite sides of an inverter. Prior art teaches away from what is proposed here, which may include a multiple function, ductility-enhancing, soft-transition enabling, normally disconnected input source-severing, rectified flow-through protection device or perhaps just a multi-functional protection device. Furthermore, many of the functions described here may be applicable to electrical systems other than PV systems including, but not limited to, battery storage or otherelectrochemical systems, and power management devices whose inputs are connected to loads and / or generative sources (e.g. batteries).

[0011] With respect to the previously described difficulty of clearing, or severing, a short-circuit internal to a power converter when connected to a current-limited input power source, the multifunctional protection device may contain an overcurrent protection component among other components. Overcurrent protection components (e.g. fuses) are commonly found when combining multiple DC input power sources into a single power management device. However, they are not used for interrupting fault current due to a short circuit downstream from the power source (i.e. the typical application for non-PV applications). Instead, overcurrent protection components are traditionally used in PV systems with three or more parallel collected branches to provide protection against back-fed fault current where a damaged branch, potentially exhibiting its own uninterruptible, continuously damaging, and unmitigated fault current may be fed additional fault current from parallel, and otherwise healthy branches. In such a case, the damaged branch’s overcurrent protection component receives sufficient current, running backwards as compared to normal operation, from the other branches to activate and separate its respective circuit from the others. However, it is important to reiterate that for short circuit faults downstream (e.g. within an inverter) of the overcurrent protection components they do not clear, or sever, their respective input power source circuits. Conversely, the multi-functional protection device proposed here may actuate its respective overcunent protection component in response to a downstream fault despite being connected to a current-limited power source.

[0012] With respect to the normally-disconnected aspect of the proposed apparatus, connections made between components in DC-sourced power systems (e.g. PV or battery systems) are usually considered “normally-connected”. This means a service switch, switched fuse-holder, fuse, circuit breaker, or other switching element is ordinarily and persistently in the connected, or conducting, state absent manual, or contingent action. Conversely, the multi-functional protection device has a normal, or ordinary, state that may be non-conducting (i.e. disconnected). This allows for a fundamental change in the design and operation of such systems. Conventionally, the elements of DC-sourced power systems, including but not limited to input power sources, power converters, and wiring to other devices and components, are typically connected. With the approach proposed here, components of the system would be normally disconnected unless the system is healthy and producing power.

[0013] Once the multi-functional protection device disconnects the power from its respective input power source(s), in some embodiments it may be further capable of applying a “crowbar” or short across the power bus. In the case where an inverter, whose output may be connected in series with others of like-type, the short allows AC-side current to be rectified and “flowed through” the inverter bridge. This allows a string of series-connected inverters with one or more disabled devices to continue to operate without need for an AC-side bypass. This may even present a passive state series connectable inverter active output flow-through path.

[0014] Additionally, such a bypass when implemented collectively by an entire string of idle series-connectable inverters, combined with an external mains disconnection switch, guarantees that AC collection wiring is de-energized. This may even present as an affirmatively persistent idle state de-energizer.

[0015] The multi-functional protection device may also provide for the “soft” connection and disconnection of critical components as part of power management during operational changes of state. It may also be configured to provide for soft connection behavior during system installation and maintenance during connection of the input power source. The multi-functional protection device may also place minimal stress on its own components while managing such state transitions. Additionally, the multi-functional protection device may provide for a ductile and benign response to the failure of critical components as part of power management as to avoid a cascade of progressively severe consequences.

[0016] In summary, what is proposed is a multi-functional protection device for DC-sourced power systems that contains some or all of the following characteristics:a pair of power inputs from one or more DC power sources,an input capacitor,an input capacitor series impedance,a shunt mode selection switch in parallel with the input capacitor series impedance; a series capacitive discharge responsive overcurrent protection component connected to one of the power inputs;a series mode selection switch between the series capacitive discharge responsive overcurrent protection component , the normally closed connection of the shunt mode selection switch, and a common connection to a subsequent power processing section such as a DC-to-DC converter, an inverter, or a series connectable inverter;a shunt mode selection switch and series mode selection switch responsive operational mode which further comprises an input to output power flow mismatch compensation mode and a contingent overcurrent fault capacitive discharge mode;a shunt mode selection switch and series mode selection switch responsive current limited input capacitor charging mode;a shunt mode selection switch and series mode selection switch responsive current limited bus capacitor charging mode;a shunt mode selection switch and series mode selection switch responsive bus crowbar mode;a bus discharger connected between one of the power inputs and both the shunt mode selection switch normally-closed connection and the series mode selection switch normally-closed connection.

[0017] Furthermore, the multi-functional protection device for DC-sourced power systems may perform one or more of the following functions:soft-charging of a multi-functional input capacitor upon external connection of a DC input power source to a power management device,soft-charging of a DC bus capacitor upon internal connection to a multi-functional input capacitor within a power management device,soft-discharging of a DC bus capacitor upon internal disconnection to an input capacitor within a power management device,normal and effective de-energization of a subsequent power processing section and output connections,effective operation of overcurrent protection components responsive to fault current sourced by a multi-functional input capacitor in the normal direction of current,creation of a “flow-through” current path for output-side current, and to do so passively, severance of critical components from an input power source, andprovision of a ductile response to failure of critical components perhaps even within the power management device.

[0018] Based on the proposed apparatus, an embodiment of a DC-to-AC power collection system may comprise some or all of the following:a plurality of DC input power sources;plurality of input power source regulators;a plurality of protection devices;a plurality of series connectable inverters whose outputs are connected in series; a series string of the respective outputs of the plurality of inverters;and a series string mains switch.

[0019] Based on the proposed system, a method of DC to AC power collection may comprise some or all of the following:inputting a plurality of DC input power sources;independently managing power from each of the DC input power sources between at least a first power management mode (e.g. exporting power) and a second power management mode (e.g. not exporting power);connecting power from each of the plurality of DC input power sources to a plurality of series connected inverters whose outputs are connected in series;providing a series string output from the respective outputs of the plurality of inverters; at times protecting the output (e.g. protection device disconnection) from at least one of the DC input power sources in response to the step of managing power from each of the DC input power sources through the second power management mode while allowing at least one other of the DC input power sources to be operated through the first power management mode if appropriate;at times managing power from the plurality of DC input power sources by providing a flow-through path to accomplish the step of de-energizing at least some portion of componentry in response to the step of managing power from each of said DC input power sources;soft transitioning a change in power from at least one of said plurality of DC input power sources;testing operation of the step of protecting output from at least one of the DC input power sources in response to the step of managing power from each of the DC input power sources through the second power management mode while said at least one of said DC input power sources is otherwise properly operating;allowing current from the at least one other of the DC input power sources operated through the first power management mode to flow-through an inverter bridge while the at least one of the DC input power sources is operated through the second power management mode.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, shown is an exemplary power management device 100. As shown, power source 101, which may be a PV source comprising one or more PV modules in parallel or series or other sources such as a battery, may be connected to multi-functional protection device 102. The connection may be by means of polarized electrical couplers 104 at a pair of power inputs from one or more DC power sources to the multi-functional protection device. Connected to the power inputs is input capacitor 106 with input capacitor series impedance 105. The normally-open and common connections of a shunt mode selection switch 107 may be placed in parallel with the series impedance. The series capacitive discharge responsive overcurrent protection component 108 may be connected between one of the inputs and the normally-open connection of the series mode selection switch 110. The normally-closed connection of the series mode selection switch may be connected to the normally closed connection of the shunt mode selection switch and bus discharger 109. The bus discharger may be a resistor or other component(s) that achieves a similar result. The common connection of the series mode selection switch may be connected to a subsequent section of the power management device 103. The downstream section may be an inverter, DC-to-DC converter or other power processing device. In the case where the downstream section is an inverter, the inverter may be comprised of bus capacitor 111, switching bridge 112, which have switches 113. The inverter may further be comprised of line inductors 114 further connected to AC line connections 116 and filter capacitor 115. The inverter bus capacitor and the input capacitor may be sized and arranged such that the input bus capacitor may provide a high frequency current path for inverter switching current while the input capacitor primary operational mode may provide a current path for low frequency current to compensate for differences in substantially continuous power flow from the DC input power source and a sine-squared power flow in the case where the inverter has a single phase AC output. For example, the bus capacitor may provide the necessary high frequency inverter current path with a capacitance as low as a few tens of microFarads while the input capacitor, in order to provide sufficient power flow compensation, would likely have a capacitance in excess of ten milliFarads. As such the input capacitor acts as an operational primary mode non-uniform power flow compensator.

[0021] As depicted in FIG. 1, both series and shunt switches may be activated to their respective normally-open positions when the device is processing power from the power source to the AC connections.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, shown is the device of FIG. 1 where both the series and shunt switches may be deactivated and in their respective normally-closed states. One or both power couplers may be connected by manual push action 201. The connection of the coupler may result in current flow 202. In the case of a DC input power source that is not substantially current limited (e.g. a battery), the input capacitor series impedance acts as a power source connection inrush limiter. The input capacitor series impedance may be specified to indefinitely sustain power source voltage in the event of a shorting failure of the input capacitor. The series impedance may be implemented with a dissipative component (e.g. resistor or a non-linear dissipative component), or a nondis sipative component that achieves a similar effect.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 3, shown is the device of FIG. 1 where the bus capacitor is soft-charged by series mode selection switch activation 301 while the shunt switch remains deactivated. The input capacitor series impedance characteristics may be chosen to limit the charging current 302 to a small value relative to the overcurrent protection component rating. For voltage and power corresponding to a typical PV module of 45V and 600W respectively, reasonable resistance and power values of the input capacitor current-limiting impedance could be approximately IkOhm and several Watts. It therefore acts as a bus capacitor charge rate limiter. After the bus capacitor is charged, the shunt switch may be activated and the power management device may continue the startup sequence for the inverter.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, shown is the device of FIG. 1 where the inverter has been turned off, the shunt switch remains activated and the series mode selection switch has been deactivated 401 resulting in bus capacitor discharge current 402. The bus discharger may be sized to allow the series mode selection switch to see a relatively small current during capacitor discharge. For the previously stated PV application example, bus discharger resistance may be as low as several Ohms with a modest power rating of around 1 Watt. After the bus capacitor has been discharged, the shunt switch may be deactivated. With both switches deactivated, the inverter bus is shorted. In the case where the device is among a plurality of devices whose outputs are connected in series and may have shut down in unison in concert with a mains switch, the plurality of flow-through paths de-energizes a significant portion of the overall system which may provide added assurance against inadvertent energization of the output line connections and external wiring. Such an arrangement may be described as an affirmatively persistent idle state string de-energizer.

[0025] Another important aspect of the de-energized, or idle, state is that it may occur routinely, perhaps daily. Since such a de-energized state created by the multi-functional protection device may be functionally identical to a contingent and / or emergency state, there is a frequent (e.g. daily) test of the efficacy of the power management device with respect to expected or required contingent and / or emergency behavior. For PV systems, this is not universally true among the variety of available rapid shutdown devices. Many available devices do not exhibit contingent response behavior until there is a need to do so, leaving some question beforehand regarding their ability to operate effectively. This is an example of where a traditional normally-connected design approach teaches away from the normally-disconnected approach proposed here where system components may be electrically separated unless the system is completely healthy and processing power. Such an aspect may be referred to as a substantially demonstrable indefinite use shutdown responder.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 5, shown is the device of FIG. 1 where line current 501 may be rectified and allowed to flow-through the inverter bridge with current 502. Flow-through may be useful when a power management device, in series with others, is disabled while others are still operating. Due to the double-throw nature of the series and shunt switches, the multi-functional protection device may exhibit this characteristic passively even if the power management device has suffered a loss of internal power. This may be referred to as a passive state series connectable inverter active output flow-through path.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, shown is the device of FIG. 1 where inverter bridge device failure 601 results in fault current 602 that results in overcurrent protection component activation 603. The input capacitance of the input capacitor may be selected sufficiently large to create an alternative contingent mode current during such a fault condition which is much greater than that ordinarily seen during normal load conditions and capable of operating the overcurrent protection component thereby acting as a contingent mode overcurrent protection component actuator. In the case where the power source is cunent-limited and otherwise unable to operate the overcurrent protection component, such multi-functional protection device behavior may allow proper overcurrent protection component operation in the forward direction and resulting in severance of the power source from the failed power management device or other downstream short. The multi-functional protection device operation resulting in the activated overcurrent protection component constitutesa ductile response to a failure mode that otherwise might lead to an uninterrupted, continuously damaging current that could eventually cause a fire.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 7, shown is the device of FIG. 1 with the addition of a power input regulator connected between the input power source and the multi-functional protection device. The DC-to-DC power input regulator may allow previously described multi-functional protection device functions and components to be unaffected by its presence.

[0029] An important aspect of some embodiments of the multi-functional protection device is that for both normal and contingent operations, the series and shunt switches are not required to switch significant current. Since the operating stress, endurance, and cost of a switch is largely based on the degree to which it is required to tolerate considerable and precipitous current discontinuities while closing or opening, the behavior of the multi-functional protection device confers considerable benefit to the switches of which it is comprised in terms of cost and durability. Power management devices, particularly large inverters, have previously contained a switch between the input power source and the bus capacitor. However, such systems, when connected to currentlimited input power sources lack the ability to actuate an overcurrent protection component during a fault resulting from a failure within the inverter thereby requiring the switch to break maximum current from the input power source. This behavior is in stark contrast to the proposed approach where the overcurrent protection component is intended to interrupt the current and the switch only opens after the current has been stopped. This behavior may be described as overcurrent protection component-coordinated switch management.

[0030] The discussion included in this provisional application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the various embodiments of the invention(s) and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. As one example, terms of degree, terms of approximation, and / or relative terms may be used. These may include terms such as the words: substantially, about, only, and the like. These words and types of words are to be understood in a dictionary sense as terms that encompass an ample or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc. as well as terms that encompass largely but not wholly that which is specified. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs afunction. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions of the embodiments and that each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

[0031] The potential unified nature of the multi-functional protection device warrants emphasis. As already established, conventional design teaches away from the combining of disparate and unrelated functions spanning different areas of a power management device. However, the unification of these functions for the multi-functional protection device, along with the addition of some functions not previously encountered within such systems, can be more than mere preference. Once establishing a capacitive discharge method for forward direction overcurrent protection component activation for current-limited input power sourced systems, it may then be necessary to also implement a soft charging method as to avoid actuating an overcurrent protection component during non-faulted operation (i.e. charging the bus capacitor from the input capacitor). This further necessitates the use of a shunt switch, which then allows for the implementation of a bus short that may be used for line current flow-through. As such, the multi-functional protection device may be considered to be the collection of multiple consequentially beneficial characteristics within a singular, integral apparatus.

[0032] As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the various embodiments of the present invention(s) may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both inverter combination techniques as well as protection devices to accomplish the appropriate inverter or AC combination to provide power. In this application, the combination techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

[0033] It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the various embodiments of the invention(s). Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of the various embodiments of the invention(s). A broad disclosure encompassing the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the greatvariety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting the claims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or in the event the inventor subsequently seeks a patent based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the inventor's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of embodiments of the invention(s) both independently and as an overall system.

[0034] Further, each of the various elements of the embodiments of the invention(s) and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the various embodiments of the invention(s), the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms - even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which embodiments of the invention(s) is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “control” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “controlling” - whether explicitly discussed or not - and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “controlling”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “control” and even a “means for controlling.” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description. Further, each such means (whether explicitly so described or not) should be understood as encompassing all elements that can perform the given function, and all descriptions of elements that perform a described function should be understood as a non-limiting example of means for performing that function. As other non-limiting examples, it should be understood that claim elements can also be expressed as any of: components, programming, subroutines, logic, or elements that are configured to, or configured and arranged to, provide or even achieve a particular result, use, purpose, situation, function, or operation, or as components that are capable of achieving a particular activity, result, use, purpose, situation, function, or operation. All should be understood as within the scope of this disclosure and written description.

[0035] Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. Any priority case(s) claimed by this application is hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, both common dictionary definitions and technical definition as those skilled in the art well understand, should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the list of References To Be Incorporated By Reference In Accordance With The Provisional Patent Application or other information statement filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of the various embodiments of invention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant.

[0036] REFERENCES TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCEUS PATENTSPatent No. PatenteeUS8203069B2 Gilmore et al.US9148086B2 Fife et al.US10348217B2 Ilic et al.US PATENT PUBLICATIONS _ _US20120175964A1 Yoscovich et al.

[0037] Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make claims to embodiments including at least: i) each of the power devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of thefunctions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such processes, methods, systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) an apparatus for performing the methods described herein comprising means for performing the steps, xii) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xiii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, and xiv) all inventions described herein.

[0038] In addition and as to computer aspects and each aspect amenable to programming or other electronic automation, it should be understood that in characterizing these and all other aspects of the various embodiments of the invention(s) - whether characterized as a device, a capability, an element, or otherwise, because all of these can be implemented via software, hardware, or even firmware structures as set up for a general purpose computer, a programmed chip or chipset, an ASIC, application specific controller, subroutine, logic, or other known programmable or circuit specific structure - it should be understood that all such aspects are at least defined by structures including, as person of ordinary skill in the art would well recognize: hardware circuitry, firmware, programmed application specific components, and even a general purpose computer programmed to accomplish the identified aspect. For such items implemented by programmable features, the inventor should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: xv) processes performed with the aid of or on a computer, machine, or computing machine as described throughout the above discussion, xvi) a programmable apparatus as described throughout the above discussion, xvii) a computer readable memory encoded with data to direct a computer comprising means or elements which function as described throughout the above discussion, xviii) a computer, machine, or computing machine configured as herein disclosed and described, xix) individual or combined subroutines, processor logic, and / or programs as herein disclosed and described, xx) a carrier medium carrying computer readable code for control of a computer to cany out separately each and every individual and combined method described hereinor in any claim, xxi) a computer program to perform separately each and every individual and combined method disclosed, xxii) a computer program containing all and each combination of means for performing each and every individual and combined step disclosed, xxiii) a storage medium storing each computer program disclosed, xxiv) a signal carrying a computer program disclosed, xxv) a processor executing instructions that act to achieve the steps and activities detailed, xxvi) circuitry configurations (including configurations of transistors, gates, and the like) that act to sequence and / or cause actions as detailed, xxvii) computer readable medium(s) storing instructions to execute the steps and cause activities detailed, xxviii) the related methods disclosed and described, xxix) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these systems and methods, xxx) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, xxxi) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, xxxii) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, and xxxiii) the various combinations of each of the above and of any aspect, all without limiting other aspects in addition.

[0039] With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the inventor may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested in potential scope of this or subsequent applications should understand that broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in a case claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spite of any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, or arguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there is no intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. It should be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, such may require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered at any prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that to the extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented in this or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid such prior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims or the like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested in existing or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at any time been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender of potential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimer is ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequentapplication. Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this or any subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws - including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws- to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the inventor has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the inventor did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the inventor should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the inventor simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments.

[0040] Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrases “comprising”, “including”, “containing”, “characterized by” and “having” are used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation including that discussed in MPEP § 2111.03. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the terms “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, “include” or variations such as “includes” or “including”, “contain” or variations such as “contains” and “containing”, “characterized by” or variations such as “characterizing by”, “have” or variations such as “has” or “having”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. It should be understood that the term “a” used in the description and claims could mean “one” or could mean “at least one.” Use of “at least one” in the description and claims is not intended nor used in this disclosure to mean that other claims or descriptions not incorporating the “at least one” language cannot further include one or more like elements and the language “at least one” is not intended nor used to change “open-ended” claims, inherently including devices or methods having additional elements or steps apart from those claimed, into “closed-ended” claims wherein devicesor methods having additional elements would not be covered by such claims. The use of the phrase, “or any other claim” is used to provide support for any claim to be dependent on any other claim, such as another dependent claim, another independent claim, a previously listed claim, a subsequently listed claim, and the like. As one clarifying example, if a claim were dependent “on claim 9 or any other claim” or the like, it could be re-drafted as dependent on claim 1, claim 8, or even claim 11 (if such were to exist) if desired and still fall with the disclosure. It should be understood that this phrase also provides support for any combination of elements in the claims and even incorporates any desired proper antecedent basis for certain claim combinations such as with combinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

[0041] Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the various embodiments of the application, and the inventor expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the inventor further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMSreceived by the International Bureau on 30 June 2026 (30.06.2026)1. A multi-functional protection apparatus for DC-sourced power systems comprising:a pair of power inputs from one or more DC power sources;an input capacitor;an input capacitor series impedance;a shunt mode selection switch in parallel with the input capacitor series impedance;a series capacitive discharge responsive overcurrent protective component connected to one of the power inputs;a series mode selection switch between the series capacitive discharge responsive overcurrent protective component, a normally closed connection of the shunt mode selection switch, and a common connection to a series connectable inverter;a shunt mode selection switch and series mode selection switch responsive current limited input capacitor charging mode;a shunt mode selection switch and series mode selection switch responsive current limited bus capacitor charging mode;a shunt mode selection switch and series mode selection switch responsive bus crowbar connection.

2. The multi-functional protection apparatus for DC-sourced power systems as described in claim 1 and further comprising a bus discharger connected between one of the power inputs and both the shunt mode selection switch normally-closed connection and a series mode selection switch normally-closed connection.

3. The multi-functional protection apparatus for DC-sourced power systems as described in claim 1 wherein said input capacitor comprises an operational primary mode non-uniform power flow compensator.

4. The multi-functional protection apparatus for DC-sourced power systems as described in claim 1 wherein said input capacitor comprises a contingent mode overcurrent protective component actuator.

5. The multi-functional protection apparatus for DC-sourced power systems as described in claim 1 wherein said input capacitor series impedance comprises a power source connection inrush limiter.

6. The multi-functional protection apparatus for DC-sourced power systems as described in claim 1 wherein said input capacitor series impedance comprises a bus capacitor charge rate limiter.

7. The multi-functional protection apparatus for DC-sourced power systems as described in claim 1 wherein said input capacitor impedance is configured to indefinitely sustain power source voltage in the event of a shorting failure of said input capacitor.

8. The multi-functional protection apparatus for DC-sourced power systems as described in claim 1 wherein said shunt mode selection switch and series mode selection switch further comprises an input to output power flow mismatch compensator and a contingent overcurrent fault capacitive discharge element.

9. The multi-functional protection apparatus for DC-sourced power systems as described in claim 8 wherein said shunt mode selection switch and said series mode selection switch each in a normally-closed state respectively comprise a passive state series connectable inverter active output flow-through path.

10. A DC-to-AC power collection system comprising:a plurality of DC input power sources;a plurality of multi-functional protection devices, each containing two or more different, disparate protection functions;a plurality of series connectable inverters whose outputs are connected in series;a series string of the respective outputs of the plurality of inverters; anda series string mains switch.

11. The DC to AC power collection system as described in claim 10 and further comprising a plurality of input power source regulators.

12. The DC to AC power collection system as described in claim 10 wherein said plurality of multi-functional protection devices each comprises a protective device respective flow-through path and said series string mains switch configures an affirmatively persistent idle state string deenergizer.

13. The DC to AC power collection system as described in claim 12 wherein said affirmatively persistent idle state string de-energizer is operated as a substantially demonstrable indefinite use shutdown responder.

14. A method of DC to AC power collection comprising the steps of:inputting a plurality of DC input power sources;independently multi-functionally managing power from each of said DC input power sources between at least a first power management mode and a second power managementmode;connecting power from each of said plurality of DC input power sources to a plurality of series connected inverters whose outputs are connected in series;providing a series string output from the respective outputs of said plurality of inverters; at times protecting output from at least one of said DC input power sources in response to said step of multi-functionally managing power from each of said DC input power sources through said second power management mode while allowing at least one other of said DC input power sources to be operated through said first power management mode if appropriate.

15. A method of DC to AC power collection as described in claim 14, and further comprising the step of at times multi-functionally managing power from said plurality of DC input power sources by providing a flow-through path to accomplish the step of de-energizing at least some portion of componentry in response to said step of multi-functionally managing power from each of said DC input power sources.

16. A method of DC to AC power collection as described in claim 15, and further comprising the step of soft transitioning a change in power from at least one of said plurality of DC input power sources.

17. A method of DC to AC power collection as described in claim 14, and further comprising the step of testing operation of said step of protecting output from at least one of said DC input power sources while allowing at least one other of said DC input power sources to be operated.

18. A method of DC to AC power collection as described in claim 14, and further comprising the step of allowing current from said at least one other of said DC input power sources operated through said first power management mode to flow-through an inverter bridge while said at least one of said DC input power sources is operated through said second power management mode.

19. The DC-to-AC power collection system as described in claim 10 wherein said plurality of multi-functional protection devices, each contain at least one protection function selected from: soft-charging of an input capacitor upon external connection of at least one DC input power source, soft-charging of a bus capacitor upon internal connection to an input capacitor,soft-discharging of a bus capacitor upon internal disconnection from an input capacitor, and creation of a flow-through current path for output-side current.

20. The DC-to-AC power collection system as described in claim 10 and further comprising aninput capacitor, and wherein said plurality of series connectable inverters whose outputs are connected in series, have a bus capacitor, and wherein said plurality of multi-functional protection devices, each contain at least one protection function selected from:soft-charging of an input capacitor upon external connection of at least one DC input power source to said DC-to-AC power system with series connectable inverters,soft-charging of a bus capacitor upon internal connection to an input capacitor to said DC-to-AC power system with series connectable inverters,soft-discharging of a bus capacitor upon internal disconnection from an input capacitor from said DC-to-AC power system with series connectable inverters, andcreation of a flow-through current path for output-side current for said DC-to-AC power system with series connectable inverters.

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