{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9812868","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9812868","title":"Smart junction box for photovoltaic solar power modules with safe mode and related method of operation","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-12-02T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-11-07T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H02J","H02J","H02J","H02M","H02J"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"The invention comprises: a smart junction box with a safe mode for photovoltaic solar power modules; and the related method of operation. Power MOSFETs are used as active bypass diodes during the normal operation of the smart junction box, but in safe mode the power MOSFETs are turned on continuously, thereby reducing the output voltage to a safe level of approximately 200 mV. A Non Volatile Memory (NVM) keeps the module in the safe mode after power from the PV cells is interrupted by momentary shading or night. The smart junction box includes transmitter and receiver circuits for wirelessly communicating with other smart junction boxes. The smart junction box enters safe mode in response to receiving a shut-down signal, and exits safe mode in response to receiving a restart signal. The smart junction box acts as a signal repeater, thereby ensuring that the shut-down and restart signals propagate to all junction boxes in the solar array. Some embodiments of the smart junction box include at least one detection circuit for detecting the interruption of current flowing through the junction box, and the receiver circuit typically interprets the detected interruption of current as a shut-down signal."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Smart junction box for photovoltaic solar power modules with safe mode and related method of operation","description":"The invention comprises: a smart junction box with a safe mode for photovoltaic solar power modules; and the related method of operation. Power MOSFETs are used as active bypass diodes during the norm","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9812868","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9812868","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Smart junction box for photovoltaic solar power modules with safe mode and related method of operation\" (US-9812868). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9812868","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9812868","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9812868","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T04:07:49.897Z"}