EP2612337A1

EP2612337A1 - Short-circuiting device for a photovoltaic array

Info

Publication number: EP2612337A1
Application number: EP11764829.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franck Sarrus; Thierry Rambaud
Original assignee: Mersen France SB SAS
Current assignee: Mersen France SB SAS
Priority date: 2010-09-01
Filing date: 2011-09-01
Publication date: 2013-07-10
Also published as: CN103620715A; US20130241317A1; JP2013543208A; FR2964240B1; FR2964240A1; AU2011351024A1; BR112013004845A2; WO2012089947A1; MX2013002510A

Abstract

This short-circuiting device (1) is designed to establish and maintain a short-circuit across the terminals of a photovoltaic array comprising at least one photovoltaic panel. It comprises a member (24) designed, on a given signal, to establish and maintain a short-circuit between two electrically conductive tracks (20, 22) each connected to a terminal of the photovoltaic panels of the photovoltaic array. The short-circuiting device (1) furthermore comprises a means for visually indicating that the short circuit has been established and is being maintained, the means being mechanically activated by the member (24) designed to establish and maintain the short-circuit. The visual indicating means comprises a warning light that is independent of the member (24) designed to establish and maintain the short-circuit, and that can move, under the action of an elastic member, between a retracted position, in which it indicates that electrical power is being produced by the array, and a visible position, in which it indicates that a short-circuit has been established and is being maintained between the tracks (20, 22).

Description

SHORT CIRCUIT FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION

The present invention relates to a short-circuiter for photovoltaic installation adapted to establish and maintain a short circuit at the terminals of photovoltaic panels installed in a building.

In the field of energy production by solar radiation recovery, it is common to install photovoltaic panels on the roofs of buildings, whether they are private homes or business premises. The energy produced is either supplied to the public grid or used in the buildings themselves for various uses.

During emergency or maintenance interventions, the shutdown of energy production by photovoltaic installations is necessary in order to guarantee the physical integrity of the people carrying out these interventions. Firefighters must disable the production of energy before any intervention on fires.

In this context, it is known, for example from EP-A-1 720 241, to use means for interrupting the production of electrical current, in particular implementing circuit breakers or short-circuiting devices, in order to guarantee the implementation of building safety. These means are generally activated from a predefined part of the building at the time of the intervention.

Once this has been done, it is necessary for the response personnel to be notified of the safety of the building. For this, FR-A-2 940 548 provides for signals including implementation of visual signals. However, these signaling means do not make it possible to be sure that the installation is really secure, because these means operate in particular thanks to electronic detection and signaling members which may be subject to malfunctions, particularly in the event of failure. 'fire.

It is known from DE-A-20 2006 020 737 to equip a short-circuiter with a signaling means mechanically linked to the body that makes the short-circuit, in order to make a signal appear or disappear depending on the displacement. of this body. However, this solution does not provide enough precision and reliability, particularly visual.

It is these drawbacks that the invention intends to remedy by proposing a short-circuiter for a photovoltaic installation that makes it possible to testify to the effective realization of the short-circuit at the terminals of photovoltaic panels in a reliable manner and to avoid that the signaling means do not fire unexpectedly.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a short-circuiter adapted to establish and maintain a short circuit at the terminals of a photovoltaic installation comprising at least one photovoltaic panel, this short-circuiter comprising a member adapted for, on a given order, establish and maintain a short circuit between two electrically conductive tracks each connected to a photovoltaic panel terminal of the installation, the short-circuiter comprising a means visual signaling of the establishment and maintenance of the short circuit. This short-circuiter is characterized in that the signaling means is mechanically triggered by the member adapted to establish and maintain the short-circuit and in that the visual signaling means comprises a light independent of the organ adapted to establish and to maintain the short-circuit, mobile, under the action of an elastic member, between a retracted position, in which it testifies to the production of electrical energy of the installation, and a visible position, in which it testifies to the establishing and maintaining the short circuit between the tracks.

Thanks to the invention, the body that physically performs the short circuit at the terminals of the photovoltaic panels itself triggers the visual signaling to testify to the security of the building. This tripping is done mechanically, it is not dependent on the operation of electronic components and does not risk triggering unexpectedly, nor to trigger when the short circuit is not actually realized.

According to advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such a short-circuiter may incorporate one or more of the following features, taken in any technically permissible combination:

In the retracted position, the visual signaling means is housed completely inside an opaque box and, in the visible position, the visual signaling means extends at least partially out of the box.

- The body adapted to establish and maintain the short circuit is a closing lever articulated with respect to one of the conductive tracks and subjected to a force exerted by a resilient member, the force tending to move the closing lever to a position, corresponding to the establishment of the short circuit, in which the closing lever is in electrical contact with the two conductive tracks.

The indicator is movable along an axis parallel to an axis of rotation of the closing lever to its position corresponding to the establishment of the short circuit.

- The closing lever is held in an open position, in which the installation delivers current normally by a holding hook articulated relative to a bottom of the short-circuiter.

The short-circuiter comprises an actuator adapted to drive the holding hook in a release position of the closing lever. - The actuator comprises a percussion rod of the holding hook, adapted to perform a translational movement in the direction of the holding hook under the effect of a second actuator.

The second actuator is a pneumatic member.

- The pneumatic device is a compressed gas cartridge.

- Alternatively, the second actuator is a mechanical member operable by a person.

The indicator is maintained in a position testifying to the production of electrical energy of the photovoltaic system by a retaining lever adapted to receive in abutment a stop of the signaling means.

- The retaining lever is adapted to be moved to a position in which the signaling means is released to its position testifying to the establishment and maintenance of the short circuit by a mechanical action exerted by the adapted member to establish and maintain the short circuit.

- The closing lever is able to hit the retaining lever when it is moved to its position corresponding to the establishment of the short circuit.

The retaining lever comprises a notch for receiving a portion of the signaling means and defines a bearing surface of the stop around the notch.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will emerge more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a photovoltaic installation short-circuit according to its principle, given only by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a short-circuiter according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a section along the plane II of the short-circuiter of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 2, in a short circuit configuration performed by the short-circuiter;

- Figure 4 is a section along the plane IV of the short-circuiter of Figure 1, in the retracted configuration of a short circuit signaling means belonging to the short-circuiter according to the invention identical to that of Figure 2 ;

- Figure 5 is a section similar to Figure 4, in the configuration of Figure 3 where the signaling means is visible.

FIG. 1 represents a short-circuiter 1 comprising a box 10 made of an opaque plastic material of high resistance to damage, in particular to fire, comprising a bottom 28 and a signaling dome 12 mounted on the box 10. The short-circuiter 1 is intended to to be interposed, in a building, between photovoltaic panels belonging to a photovoltaic system for producing electricity from energy solar not shown, and energy conversion and storage devices that connect the photovoltaic system to the AC power network. This photovoltaic installation may comprise one or more photovoltaic panels interconnected in a known manner.

The conversion device may be a not shown inverter for transforming the direct current generated by the installation into alternating current that can be used in particular by domestic electrical appliances. This inverter can integrate a capacity type energy storage device.

The short-circuiter is inserted into the electrical circuit of the photovoltaic installation via two terminals 14 connected to the positive polarities, and two terminals 16 connected to the negative polarities.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of the terminals 14 is connected to a track 20 and 22 by an electric line L ₂₀ or L ₂₂ .

A closing lever 24 is articulated on the track 20 about an axis A24. The tracks 20 and 22 are parallel to each other and extend on a plate 26 fixed to the box 10 and parallel to the flat bottom 28 of this box. The bottom 28 defines a plane P28. The axis A24 is perpendicular to the plane P28 and the closing lever 24 is adapted to pivot parallel to the plane P28.

The closing lever 24 is adapted to create and maintain the short-circuit at the terminals of the photovoltaic installation by establishing an electrical contact between the tracks 20 and 22, as is apparent from FIG. 3. For this purpose, the closing lever 24 is made of an electrically conductive material.

A spring 30 exerts on the closing lever 24 a force F1 which tends to drive the closing lever 24 into a closed position in which the lever 24 electrically contacts the tracks 20 and 22, establishes and maintains the short circuit.

When the short circuit is not required, the closing lever 24 is held in an open position, shown in FIG. 2, in which its end 241 opposite the axis A24 is retained by a holding hook 40. in this configuration, the photovoltaic installation delivers current normally in the network via terminals 14 and 16 which are electrically connected to each other by means of electric lines L ₁₆ .

The holding hook 40 is articulated on the plate 26 about an axis A40 perpendicular to the plane P28. The hook 40 has a tongue 42 for resisting the force F1, opposing a bearing surface 421 at the end 241 of the lever 24.

As represented in FIGS. 4 and 5, the short-circuiter 1 comprises means for signaling the establishment and maintenance of the short-circuit at the terminals of the installation. photovoltaic system, which comprises a light 60, of generally cylindrical shape, adapted to move in translation between a retracted position, shown in Figure 4, in which the indicator 60 is completely housed in the box 10, and a visible position shown in FIG. 5, in which the indicator 60 is located in the cupola 12. In this configuration, the indicator 60 is visible by intervention teams intending to enter the building, through the dome 12 which is transparent. The dome 12 may be made of glass or material with a high resistance to damage.

The indicator light 60 is held in the retracted position in the housing 10 by a retaining lever 62 articulated on the plate 26 about an axis A62 perpendicular to the plane P28. The indicator light 60 comprises a rod 64 connected to a shell 65 of the indicator light 60 by an end 641. At its other end 643, the rod 64 comprises a stop 645, formed by a nut and adapted to bear against a surface 621 of the retaining lever 62 turned towards the bottom 28, while the end 643 is engaged in a notch 622 of this lever. The support between the abutment 645 and the surface 621 around the notch 622 makes it possible to withstand a force F2 exerted by a spring 66 and which tends to lead the light 60 towards the interior of the dome 12 perpendicularly to the plane P28. in its visible position. The spring 66 is, in the retracted position of the indicator 60, compressed between a bottom surface 651 of the shell 65 and a plate 27 secured to the box 10, parallel to the plate 26 and disposed above the plate 26. retain 62 allows to retain the indicator 60 in its retracted configuration until the short-circuiting of the installation is not necessary.

In the event of fire or other disaster affecting the building that supports the photovoltaic installation, the short-circuiter is controlled remotely by means of a lever or an emergency button striking a compressed gas cartridge 80. gas cartridge 80 is connected to the short-circuiter 1 by a metal tube 82 inserted into an orifice 101 of the box 10, which communicates with a chamber 103. A piston 105, movable in translation in the chamber 103 along an axis A105, is integral. a rod 107 which protrudes from the body 108 in which is defined chamber 103, in the direction of the holding hook 40.

An automatic tripping of the short-circuiter 1 can be realized in case of fire by the destruction in temperature of the holding hook 40 or by a command transmitted to the cartridge 80 from a fire detector.

For the sake of clarity, the cartridge 80 is not shown in FIG.

When the short-circuit command is given, the compressed gas contained in the cartridge 80 is released into the chamber 103 and causes a translational movement T3 of the piston 105. This movement causes the percussion of a surface 44 of the hook 40 by the end 109 of the rod 107 opposite the piston 105. This shock has the effect of causing the hook 40 in a rotational movement R4 about the axis A40. This movement R4 allows the release of the closing lever 24 and its pivoting under the effect of the force F1, making it possible to establish the short circuit between the tracks 20 and 22, therefore between the terminals 14.

When pivoting the closing lever 24, its end 241 impacts an extension 623 of the retaining lever 62, causing a rotational movement R5 of the lever 62 about the axis A62. This movement R5 has the effect of extracting the end 643 of the rod 64 of the notch 622 and release the stop 645. Nothing then opposes the translation of the shell 65 under the effect of the force F2 and the indicator light 60 is thus driven towards the inside of the cupola 12 in its visible position, making it possible to testify to the establishment and maintenance of the short circuit at the terminals of the photovoltaic installation and the security of the building, prior to the intervention of the emergency services.

The release of the indicator 60 is triggered mechanically by the closing lever 24 which establishes the short circuit between the tracks 20 and 22. Indeed, the lever 24 acts on the lever 62 which releases the indicator 60 during its rotation R5. It can therefore be sure that the short circuit is established when the indicator 60 reaches its visible position in the dome 12, since the retaining lever 62 can be set in motion only by the closing lever 24 .

The indicator light 60 is movable along an axis A60 parallel to the axis of rotation A24 of the closing lever 24.

The system is reliable because it is the last moving part, namely the lever 24, which controls the triggering of the indicator 60. The system is therefore not dependent on the state of an intermediate part such as the organs 105 and 40, whose malfunction could trigger the appearance of the indicator 60 when the short circuit is not actually established, and conversely, not to report the short circuit when it has been established. On the other hand, the fact that the closing lever 24, which performs the short circuit, and the indicator 60 are independent parts improves the reliability of the short-circuiter.

The gas cartridge 80 contains a gas such as carbon dioxide. This cartridge 80 is for single use and must be replaced each time the short circuit is tripped and the short-circuiter 1 is reset. It can be envisaged that the short-circuiter 1 comprises mechanical resetting means. The use of a gas cartridge provides a reliable source of energy for triggering the short circuit and avoids the use of electrical energy, which improves the reliability of the short-circuiter 1 .

Alternatively, it may be envisaged that the translational movement of the rod 107 is initiated by other means such as pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical or pyrotechnic actuators. In particular, the movement of the rod 107 can be obtained by a mechanical member, controlled by a maneuvering member such as a pole, directly operable by a person. It can also be envisaged that the transmission of forces and the triggering of certain movements of the constituent parts of the system are made by a cam system.

The indicator light 60 is advantageously painted with a color, for example red, yellow or orange, allowing it to be clearly visualized from an area remote from the building such as a street below. The indicator light 60 can advantageously be covered with reflective or fluorescent material in order to be able to be distinguished at night.

The box 10 of the short-circuiter 1 comprises fasteners 100 for fixing in an outer area in height of the building, such as a facade or a roof, by any appropriate means.

The short-circuiter 1 is placed as close as possible to the photovoltaic panels, so that the electrical connections between the short-circuiter 1 and the photovoltaic panels are as short as possible, which reduces the risk of opening of the electrical circuit following the destruction of the cables by the action of the disaster, for example in case of collapse of the structures.

Depending on the electrical powers and the number of photovoltaic panels used in the installation, the short-circuiter 1 may comprise a greater number of terminals 14 and 16 and closing levers 24, and several short-circuit-breakers 1 according to the invention. invention can be provided.

Claims

1. - Short-circuiter (1) adapted to establish and maintain a short-circuit at the terminals of a photovoltaic installation comprising at least one photovoltaic panel, this short-circuiter comprising a member (24) adapted for, on a given order, to establish and maintaining a short circuit between two electrically conductive tracks (20, 22) each connected to a terminal of the photovoltaic panels of the photovoltaic installation, the short-circuiter comprising a means (60) of visual signaling of the establishment and maintenance of the short circuit, characterized in that the signaling means (60) is mechanically triggered by the member (24) adapted to establish and maintain the short circuit and in that the visual signaling means comprises an independent indicator (60) of the member (24) adapted to establish and maintain the short-circuit, movable, under the action (F2) of an elastic member (66), between a retracted position (Figures 2, 4), in which it is oigne the production of electrical energy of the installation, and a visible position (Figure 3, 5), in which it demonstrates the establishment and maintenance of the short circuit between the tracks (20, 22).

2. - Short-circuiter according to claim 1 characterized in that, in the retracted position, the visual signaling means (60) is housed completely inside an opaque box (10) and, in the visible position, the visual signaling means extends at least partially out of the cabinet.

3. - Short-circuiter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the member (24) adapted to establish and maintain the short circuit is a closing lever (24) articulated (at A24) relative to the one of the conductive tracks (20, 22) and subjected to a force (F1) exerted by an elastic member (30), this force tending to move the closing lever towards a position corresponding to the establishment of the short circuit, wherein the closing lever (24) is in electrical contact with the two conductive tracks (20, 22).

4. - Short-circuiter according to claim 3, characterized in that the indicator (60) is movable along an axis (A60) parallel to an axis (A24) of rotation of the closing lever (24) to its position corresponding to the establishment of the short circuit.

5. Short-circuiter according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the closing lever (24) is held in an open position, in which the installation delivers current normally through a hook (40) articulated (at A40) relative to a bottom (28) of the short-circuiter (1).

6. - Short-circuiter according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises an actuator (80, 105) adapted to drive the holding hook (40) in a release position of the closing lever (24).

7. - Short-circuiter according to claim 6, characterized in that the actuator (80, 105) comprises a rod (107) for percussion of the holding hook (40), adapted to perform a translational movement (T3) in direction of the holding hook (40) under the effect of a second actuator (80).

8. Short-circuiter according to claim 7, characterized in that the second actuator is a pneumatic member (80).

9. - Short-circuiter according to claim 8, characterized in that the pneumatic member is a cartridge (80) of compressed gas.

10. Short-circuiter according to claim 7, characterized in that the second actuator is a mechanical member operable by a person.

1 1. - Short-circuiter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (60) for signaling is maintained in a position testifying the production of electrical energy of the photovoltaic system by a retaining lever (62) adapted to receive in abutment a stop (645) of the signaling means (60).

12. - Short-circuiter according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the retaining lever (62) is adapted to be moved to a position in which the signaling means (60) is released to its position testifying the establishment and maintaining the short circuit by a mechanical action exerted by the member (24) adapted to establish and maintain the short circuit.

13. - Short-circuiter according to claims 3 and 12, characterized in that the closing lever (24) is adapted to hit the retaining lever (62) when it is moved to its position corresponding to the establishment of the court -circuit.

14. Short-circuiting device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the retaining lever (62) comprises a notch (622) for receiving a portion (643) of the signaling means (60) and defines a bearing surface (621) of the abutment (645) around the notch.