The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 09, 2016
Filed:
Nov. 30, 2010
Michael Gostein, Austin, TX (US);
Russell Apfel, Austin, TX (US);
Lawrence R. Dunn, Austin, TX (US);
Stan Faullin, Round Rock, TX (US);
Naoum Gitnik, Austin, TX (US);
Jason Schneider, Austin, TX (US);
Michael Gostein, Austin, TX (US);
Russell Apfel, Austin, TX (US);
Lawrence R. Dunn, Austin, TX (US);
Stan Faullin, Round Rock, TX (US);
Naoum Gitnik, Austin, TX (US);
Jason Schneider, Austin, TX (US);
Atonometrics, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage ('I-V') relationships for both illuminated ('light I-V') and/or non-illuminated (“dark I-V”) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus. Finally, the apparatus may include a computer to provide a user interface, communicate with the controller to initiate measurements and record results, analyze resulting data to determine measured parameters, and/or store the measured data.