Stefan Giefers

Bio: Stefan Giefers is an academic researcher from Phoenix Contact. The author has contributed to research in topics: Clamping & Junction box. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 19 publications receiving 184 citations.

Junction and connecting box for photovoltaic solar module, has inserting opening for inserting conductor strip, and junction device with deviation lever and electric contact clip that actuated when box is installed on solar module

Abstract: The box (1) has a flexible flat conductor strips that protrude from a surface of a photovoltaic solar module. An inserting opening is provided on a side facing the solar module for inserting a flexible flat conductor strip of the solar module. The solar module is installed in housing (2) and a junction device is arranged in the housing for the conductor strip. The junction device includes a deviation lever and an electric contact clip that are actuated when the box is installed on the solar module in order to bend the conductor strip and to establish contact with the conductor strip. An independent claim is also included for a method for connecting a junction and connecting box to a photovoltaic solar module.

Spring tension clamp e.g. print clamp, has current bar arranged adjacent to inner side of supporting leg of clamping spring under force of clamping leg, where spring holds bar in preset position

Abstract: The clamp has a housing (1), in which a clamping point for a conductor to be connected is provided at a current bar. A clamping leg (8.1) and a spring leg (8.3) form a v-shaped section of a clamping spring (8), and the bar has contact pins guided from the housing. The spring has a supporting leg (8.5), which is arranged at a distance opposite to the spring leg. The current bar is arranged adjacent to the inner side of the supporting leg of the clamping spring under the force of the clamping leg. The spring holds the bar in a predetermined position, where the bar is formed of copper strips.

Connection box for electrically connecting solar module, has clamp spring passing from one position into another position during attachment of housing upper part on housing lower part, so that connection line is automatically contactable

Abstract: The box has a housing with a housing lower part and a housing upper part (4). An actuating element (12) is arranged on the housing upper part, where the actuating element is inwardly projected. A clamp spring (6) passes from one position into another position during attachment of the housing upper part on the housing lower part, so that a connection line (7) is automatically contactable, where the connection line is inserted between a clamping arm (5) of the clamp spring and a contact section (11) of a metal part. An independent claim is also included for a method for assembling a connection box.

Junction box and connecting box for a solar module

Abstract: The invention relates to a junction box and a connecting box (1) for a photovoltaic solar module (24), which when assembled, is installed on the solar module (24) with the contact clip(s) (22) open. The contact clip(s) are actively closed in order to establish contact with the flat conductor strip (s) (28). The contact clip(s) (22) are actuated, preferably automatically by means of a movement between two housing parts (2,50) during installation.

Connection and junction box for a solar module

Abstract: A connection and junction box for a photovoltaic solar module having flexible flat conductor band protruding from the surface of the solar module, wherein the connection and junction box has an insertion mouth at its side facing the solar module in mounted state, for at least one flexible flat conductor band of the solar module, and comprises a housing for attaching on the solar module, and a connection device for the flexible flat conductor band, positioned in the housing, the connection device has an electrical contact clamp, which is closed when putting the box on the solar module, and thereby catches and contacts the flat conductor band.

Method for distributed power harvesting using DC power sources

Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Digital Average Input Current Control in Power Converter

Abstract: A digital average-input current-mode control loop for a DC/DC power converter. The power converter may be, for example, a buck converter, boost converter, or cascaded buck-boost converter. The purpose of the proposed control loop is to set the average converter input current to the requested current. Controlling the average input current can be relevant for various applications such as power factor correction (PFC), photovoltaic converters, and more. The method is based on predicting the inductor current based on measuring the input voltage, the output voltage, and the inductor current. A fast cycle-by-cycle control loop may be implemented. The conversion method is described for three different modes. For each mode a different control loop is used to control the average input current, and the control loop for each of the different modes is described. Finally, the algorithm for switching between the modes is disclosed.

Parallel connected inverters

Abstract: A distributed power system wherein a plurality of power converters are connected in parallel and share the power conversion load according to a prescribed function, but each power converter autonomously determines its share of power conversion Each power converter operates according to its own power conversion formula/function, such that overall the parallel-connected converters share the power conversion load in a predetermined manner

Terminal box for solar cell module

Abstract: Disclosed is a terminal box comprising: multiple terminal plates (10) to which a solar cell module is electrically connected; a bypass diode (20) which is electrically connected to corresponding two among the terminal plates (10); and a case (31) in which the terminal plates (10) and the bypass diode (20) are placed. The case (31) is formed integrally by mold-covering the circumferences of the terminal plates (10) and the bypass diode (20) with a resin section (30). In the resin section (30) in the case (31), a thin part (15) having an outside shape along the outside shape of the bypass diode (20) is adhered and formed.

Distributed power system using direct current power sources

Abstract: A distributed power system including multiple (DC) batteries each DC battery with positive and negative poles Multiple power converters are coupled respectively to the DC batteries Each power converter includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal The first terminal is adapted for coupling to the positive pole The second terminal is adapted for coupling to the negative pole The power converter includes: (i) a control loop adapted for setting the voltage between or current through the first and second terminals, and (ii) a power conversion portion adapted to selectively either: convert power from said first and second terminals to said third and fourth terminals to discharge the battery connected thereto, or to convert power from the third and fourth terminals to the first and second terminals to charge the battery connected thereto Each of the power converters is adapted for serial connection to at least one other power converter by connecting respectively the third and fourth terminals, thereby forming a serial string A power controller is adapted for coupling to the serial string The power controller includes a control part adapted to maintain current through or voltage across the serial string at a predetermined value