Drone-Based Inspection Systems for Solar Farm Monitoring

Solar disconnection detector that uses frequency analysis to locate system failures. The detector measures the frequency changes in solar power generation systems when they operate normally versus when they disconnect. It detects frequency anomalies caused by wire disconnections and determines their location based on the frequency characteristics. The detector employs a frequency generator that switches between normal and disconnected operating modes, and a receiver that monitors frequency changes. The system incorporates a temperature sensor to account for environmental variations.

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A drone system for photovoltaic component fault detection through video monitoring, combining high-resolution imaging with automated cleaning capabilities. The drone features a water tank with integrated support brackets for maintaining the water level, a fixed gimbal for stabilization, and a precision cleaning mechanism with a water pump. The system can detect and clear obstructions from photovoltaic modules through controlled water spray, enabling efficient fault detection and treatment.

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Detecting arcing faults in solar power systems without separate arc detection devices. The method monitors the DC voltage and current through the solar panel line, detecting voltage drops by comparing average and instantaneous values. When a voltage drop exceeds predetermined thresholds, the system reduces the DC output voltage while monitoring the line current. If the line current remains above a reference value, the voltage is reduced further. This continuous monitoring approach enables early detection of arcing faults in solar power systems, eliminating the need for separate arc detection devices.

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Solar equipment detection component for enhanced fault detection in solar panels. The component comprises a controller, first connector, and second connector. When a solar panel is connected to the first connector and illuminated by a fixed light source, the controller monitors the voltage generated by the solar panel. When the solar panel is connected to the second connector and provides power to the circuit board, the controller detects the voltage on the circuit board. By comparing these two voltages, the controller can detect faults in the solar panel, including component failures and board connections issues.

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Photovoltaic system with contact failure detection through integrated monitoring of solar cell connections. The system comprises a solar panel with multiple serially connected solar cell modules, a detection device integrated between two adjacent modules, and an inverter to convert DC power. The detection device monitors the connection between adjacent modules, enabling early detection of contact failures before they impact system performance. This approach eliminates the need for separate external inspection and repair operations, making maintenance more efficient and reducing the risk of fire hazards associated with contact defects.

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A sensor module for detecting DC line faults in solar PV systems, specifically for ground faults in wiring structures. The module comprises a pair of switches connected between the DC lines, with a common point relay connecting the switches to the DC lines. A relay is connected between the switches and the DC lines, and a relay is connected between the common point relay and the DC lines. This configuration enables the detection of ground faults in the solar PV system by monitoring the common point current path.

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Equipment for detecting ground failures or faults in photovoltaic installations with ground fault detection (GFD) components. The equipment features a modular design with integrated fault detection and restoration capabilities, including clamp ammeters, current probes, protection relays, and control unit. The equipment enables continuous monitoring of current flow through the photovoltaic system while maintaining electrical isolation. The system includes a contactor with high current capacity to clear faults, ensuring reliable operation even in faulted conditions. The equipment is powered by a battery and can be connected to a 220 V AC power source for permanent testing.

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Solar panel disconnection detection system using parasitic capacitance detection algorithm for identifying faults in photovoltaic systems. The system measures the capacitance between the PV module's electrical contacts and ground through a single measurement point, enabling accurate location detection of disconnections through the proportional change in capacitance. This approach eliminates the need for complex current monitoring and voltage measurement, making it particularly suitable for detecting faults in PV systems with high-frequency switching characteristics.

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Method for testing photovoltaic cells to determine their power and failure rates. The method involves dividing the cells into segments and measuring the characteristic curves of each segment sequentially while illuminating them one at a time. The segment curves are added to determine the overall cell curve. This allows accurate testing of long cells that cannot be uniformly illuminated by conventional equipment. The segments are moved relative to the lighting device to measure them sequentially. The segments can be divided based on the area illuminated by the testing device.

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Solar cell module earth leakage detection system for PV systems to prevent output degradation during fires. The system monitors input and output currents from individual solar cells, compares them to reference thresholds, and automatically separates modules with deviations from normal operation. This enables the system to detect and isolate short circuits that can cause electrical fires, while maintaining overall system efficiency.

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An autonomous drone inspection system for solar panels that employs dual-light technology to detect hotspots. The system integrates a machine vision module, diagnosis module, positioning module, and control module to inspect solar panels while navigating to the identified hotspots. The system uses dual-light sources to capture images of solar panels during flight, enabling real-time analysis of panel performance. The diagnosis module identifies defects in the images, while the positioning module uses onboard navigation to pinpoint the hotspots. The control module coordinates the inspection flight to ensure efficient coverage of the solar panels.

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A photovoltaic inspection system for solar panels that enables autonomous monitoring of solar panels using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a solar panel array, thermal imaging, temperature sensors, and lighting. The system integrates a ground station that provides real-time data processing and control, enabling automated inspection of solar panels in various environmental conditions.

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Disconnection point detection in solar panels using a novel peak detection circuit. The method employs a peak detection circuit that maintains a reference voltage value from the solar panel's output terminals, while a second peak detection circuit holds a reference voltage value from the solar panel's non-output terminals. By comparing these reference voltages, the circuit detects disconnection points in the solar panel string. This approach avoids the limitations of traditional voltage measurement methods and provides enhanced detection capabilities compared to conventional methods.

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Fault detection system for photovoltaic arrays that continuously monitors all modules and identifies disconnections or malfunctions through a single, integrated approach. The system employs a single, high-precision current sensor and voltage source to inject electrical signals into the array, enabling real-time monitoring of all module connections. This eliminates the need for separate modules or systems, simplifying installation and maintenance while maintaining comprehensive coverage of the array.

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A device for detecting defects in photovoltaic cells through precise infrared radiation measurement. The device comprises a frame with two contact points, a motorized movement system, and an infrared sensor positioned along a straight line connecting the contact points. The infrared sensor measures radiation intensity across the cell surface, with a precision measurement zone defined by a 100 cm radius. The device's motorized movement system enables precise positioning of the sensor along the cell's surface, enabling accurate detection of defects that may not be visible with conventional thermal imaging methods.

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A method for improving the detection of solar cell defects through enhanced electroluminescence analysis. The method employs segmented probe rows with fixed resistive values between 0.1-100Ω, with the far end connected to the power supply. Each row of segmented probes is connected to the main grid, while the far end of the fixed resistor is connected to the solar cell. This configuration enables the detection of internal defects by analyzing the current distribution across the solar cell when the external current is zero.

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A system for detecting and analyzing anomalies in solar cell performance through a multi-spectral monitoring approach. The system captures images of the solar panel array using visible light and thermal infrared sensors, then analyzes the data to identify potential issues. The system uses advanced algorithms to combine visible and infrared data, and employs machine learning to detect anomalies based on both spectral characteristics and temporal patterns. The system provides detailed information on the detected anomalies, including their location, nature, and potential impact on overall system performance.

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A device for detecting disconnections in photovoltaic systems using resonance frequency analysis. The device employs a resonant frequency analysis method to automatically identify power frequency modulation sections through the detection of disconnections, eliminating the need for manual inspection. The system comprises a DC power distribution panel with an inverter, and a disconnection detector that converts the disconnection signal into a voice signal and transmits it to a display terminal for monitoring. This non-contact approach enables rapid detection of system disconnections, particularly in complex PV configurations where traditional visual inspection methods are impractical.

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Portable disconnection detection system for photovoltaic panels that enables rapid identification of panel disconnections through a non-contact method. The system consists of a portable terminal with integrated frequency and magnetic field sensors that detect current variations and magnetic field changes across the solar panel strings. When a disconnection occurs, the system generates an abnormal signal that is transmitted to a central monitoring station, enabling quick identification of the affected panel. The system eliminates the need for traditional wiring connections and sensor installations, reducing installation costs and improving system reliability.

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Unmanned disconnection detection system for solar panels using wireless sensor networks. The system employs a mobile device with built-in sensors to monitor the electrical connections between solar panels. When a panel disconnects, the device detects the change through its sensors and sends the location information to a central station. The central station then activates the device's automatic shutdown feature to prevent further damage. This approach eliminates the need for traditional manual inspection while maintaining operational efficiency. The system can be integrated with existing solar panel monitoring infrastructure to enable automated disconnection detection.

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