Abstract: A DC to DC Converter includes an electrical circuit that allows batteries and other electrical energy storage devices to be charged from or to discharge to a variable voltage DC bus. This electrical circuit also enables seamless integration with other energy storage devices and/or DC power sources, such as fuel cells, to provide DC power for a Power Management System. A Power Management System preferably provides both full power source management and power conditioning. The Power Management System is able to manage power flow to and from multiple, isolated power sources and energy storage devices to deliver high quality alternating current (“AC”) power to a load.

Abstract: A DC to DC Converter includes an electrical circuit that allows batteries and other electrical energy storage devices to be charged from or to discharge to a variable voltage DC bus. This electrical circuit also enables seamless integration with other energy storage devices and/or DC power sources, such as fuel cells, to provide DC power for a Power Management System. A Power Management System preferably provides both full power source management and power conditioning. The Power Management System is able to manage power flow to and from multiple, isolated power sources and energy storage devices to deliver high quality alternating current (“AC”) power to a load.

Abstract: A power conversion and energy management system preferably includes a controller, one or more standard modules, and a custom (or semi-custom) backplane. The backplane preferably accommodates one or more modules and uses the modules to control power quality and/or flow to one or more input and/or output connections. The standard modules are preferably power modules such as an inverter module, converter module, or grid connect module. In addition to accommodating the modules, the backplane can include system components other than power electronics. The backplane can, for example, include external connectors, disconnects, fusing, and so forth, for a given application. The backplane can further include internal DC and AC buses to interconnect the modules. The backplane can also include a communications module, a user interface, a socket for control firmware, and slots for accommodating the standard modules.

Abstract: An interface between software and hardware, as well as a fuzzy logic control algorithm, for controlling a DC-DC converter or an AC-DC or DC-AC inverter are provided. A control circuit receives commands from a control logic to operate a converter or inverter in various operation modes. Control software inputs can be translated into signals to operate the converter or inverter. Control variables in the control software can be configured to operate under various control modes. If the converter or inverter cannot simultaneously meet the demands placed on two or more variables, the control logic can use prioritization to choose a more important constraint.

Abstract: A laminated microchannel device is described in which there is a unit operation process layer that has longitudinal channel. The longitudinal channel is cut completely through the layer in which the unit process operation resides. Both the device structure and method of making the device provide significant advantages in terms of simplicity and efficiency. A static mixing unit that can be incorporated in the laminated microchannel device is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using a non-thermal plasma or corona discharge generated at multiple points and distributed to decontaminate surfaces and objects contaminated with chemical or biological agents. The corona discharge can be generated using very short high voltage pulses (pulsed discharge) produced by a Tesla coil. The pulsed corona discharge can be directed at a contaminated surface through the unbraided strands at an end of a dielectric covered conductor. Another pulsed discharge embodiment incorporates a primary coil surrounding a chamber having a void filled with a plurality of secondary coils. A silent corona discharge can be generated using a variety of different configurations of a dielectric coated electrode and a bare electrode. The silent discharge is produced at all intersections between the dielectric covered electrode and the bare electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus for using a non-thermal plasma or corona discharge generated at multiple points and distributed to decontaminate surfaces and objects contaminated with chemical or biological agents. The corona discharge can be generated using very short high voltage pulses (pulsed discharge) produced by a Tesla coil. The pulsed corona discharge can be directed at a contaminated surface through the unbraided strands at an end of a dielectric covered conductor. Another pulsed discharge embodiment incorporates a primary coil surrounding a chamber having a void filled with a plurality of secondary coils. A silent corona discharge can be generated using a variety of different configurations of a dielectric coated electrode and a bare electrode. The silent discharge is produced at all intersections between the dielectric covered electrode and the bare electrode. The bare electrode can be woven with the dielectric covered electrode or can be coiled helically around, or plated onto, the dielectric covered electrode.

Abstract: A DC to DC Converter includes an electrical circuit that allows batteries and other electrical energy storage devices to be charged from or to discharge to a variable voltage DC bus. This electrical circuit also enables seamless integration with other energy storage devices and/or DC power sources, such as fuel cells, to provide DC power for a Power Management System. A Power Management System preferably provides both full power source management and power conditioning. The Power Management System is able to manage power flow to and from multiple, isolated power sources and energy storage devices to deliver high quality alternating current (“AC”) power to a load.

Abstract: A particle collector includes a combined impact collector and fan, which is usable for both drawing air or other gaseous fluid in which particulates are entrained into a cavity, and then separating the particulates from the gaseous fluid by providing a rotating surface that impacts the particulates. The particulates also impact on other surfaces within the cavity, including its inner surface, and are washed from these surfaces, which are wetted with water or other liquid injected into the cavity. The cavity is defined by a housing having an inlet port through which the air or other gaseous fluid is drawn. The combined impact collector and fan includes a plate on which a plurality of spaced-apart impeller vanes are disposed. The shape of the impeller vanes produces a centrifugal fan effect when they are rotated within the cavity.

Abstract: Bacteria cells and/or spores are collected and concentrated to form a specimen that is lysed using an ionized fluid to facilitate identification of the bacterial cells or spores by tests performed on the DNA and RNA contained therein. An impact collector is preferably used for separating the spores and cells from an air sample that is drawn through an input port of a portable housing. The resulting specimen is then exposed to an ionizing discharge that ruptures the surface membrane of the bacterial cells or spores. The ionizing discharge can be produced by a Tesla coil or other potential transformer that is electrically energized to produce an ionization potential, which is applied to an electrode, or to produce a corona glow discharge spread over a relatively larger surface of a plate-type electrode. Alternatively, air or another gaseous fluid in proximity to the electrode may be ionized by the ionizing potential or discharge from the electrode, forming an ionized fluid that is applied to the specimen.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement of the PASC inverter, wherein the improvements include the reduction from two shorting gates per transformer to one shorting gate per transformer and replacement of active control of the shorting gate with passive control of the shorting gate. Further advantages are obtained through the use of anti-parallel gate sets.