PV Inverter Lightning Protection Using Shared Gas Discharge Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing photovoltaic inverter systems require multiple expensive and large-sized lightning protection devices to ensure safety from lightning strikes, leading to increased system size and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic inverter system incorporating a lightning protection apparatus that includes a gas lightning protection unit with a gas discharge tube and a first lightning protection unit, which effectively discharge lightning strike currents to the grounding terminal, reducing the need for multiple large-sized lightning protection devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple lightning protection devices are used to ensure safety from lightning strikes, then the reliability of lightning protection is improved, but the system size and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lightning protection functions into a single integrated apparatus. The gas discharge tube and first lightning protection unit are merged into one compact structure that can handle lightning strikes from multiple photovoltaic modules simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate large-sized protection devices for each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The lightning protection apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to protect against lightning strikes from multiple photovoltaic modules through a single device. The gas discharge tube can redirect lightning currents from different modules, and the first lightning protection unit provides comprehensive protection, making the apparatus universally applicable across multiple input terminals.
2Reliability
If multiple lightning protection devices are used to ensure safety from lightning strikes, then the reliability of lightning protection is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple protection functions into a single apparatus, the patent reduces the total number of components needed, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing material costs while maintaining comprehensive lightning protection capability across all photovoltaic module inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal design of the lightning protection apparatus allows a single device to protect multiple photovoltaic modules, reducing the overall quantity of protection devices required and thereby lowering total manufacturing costs while ensuring reliable protection.
3Reliability
If traditional lightning protection devices are used, then the lightning protection function is achieved, but the occupied space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the gas discharge tube and first lightning protection unit are integrated in a compact arrangement. The gas discharge tube is positioned to work in conjunction with the first lightning protection unit, creating a space-efficient nested configuration that minimizes occupied area while maintaining full protection function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed solution reduces the size and cost of the lightning protection apparatus, minimizing the occupied space and manufacturing costs while ensuring effective lightning protection for the photovoltaic inverter system.
Implementation Method 1
the gas lightning protection unit includes at least one gas discharge tube... configured to transmit a first current to the first lightning protection unit, where the first current is a lightning strike current
Implementation Method 2
The first lightning protection unit is connected between the first terminal of the photovoltaic module and a grounding terminal... configured to transmit the first current and/or a second current to the grounding terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic inverter system includes a lightning protection apparatus, a plurality of DC/DC conversion circuits, and an inverter circuit. Each DC/DC conversion circuit is connected to a component. The plurality of DC/DC conversion circuits are connected in parallel and then connected to the inverter circuit. The lightning protection apparatus includes a gas lightning protection unit and a first lightning protection unit. The gas lightning protection unit is separately connected to a first terminal of the component and a first terminal of another component. The first lightning protection unit is connected between the first terminal of the component and a grounding terminal. The gas lightning protection unit is configured to transmit, to the first lightning protection unit, a first current, namely a current introduced by any terminal of the another component. The first lightning protection unit is configured to transmit the first current and/or a second current to the grounding terminal.