Abstract: A system to manage energy may include a plurality of energy storage modules. Each energy storage module may include a power converter couplable to a link and a power converter controller to control operation of the power converter. Each energy storage module may also include at least one energy storage unit connected only to the power converter. The system may also include a power management controller to control power delivery from each of the plurality of energy storage modules to the link and to control power delivery to each of the plurality of energy storage modules.

Abstract: An electrical connection between a power source and a threaded aperture in a power device is made by means of a terminal lug and a bolt. In order to measure the current, a second electrical path is made in parallel with the bolted connection, and current in the second path is sensed. The bolt may carry the main current, or an insulating spacer may be used which prevents significant current flow in the bolt. In one embodiment, the parallel current path extends through a conductor arrangement including additional lugs through which the bolt passes, and in another arrangement the parallel path extends through traces of a printed circuit board.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an AC ground fault detector system senses an AC signal indicative of an unintended electrical path between a load driven by a power source and a reference potential using a capacitively coupled circuit.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting an unwanted electrical path between a reference potential and at least one of: a) a floating power source, b) a first power conductor coupled to a first terminal of the power source, and c) a second power conductor coupled to a second terminal of the power source. The system comprises an impedance network electrically coupled to the first and second power conductors and having an output terminal for providing a first voltage signal with respect to the reference potential, and an amplifier circuit responsive to the first voltage signal and to a reference voltage for generating an amplified signal indicative of the existence of the unwanted electrical path when the difference between the first voltage signal and the reference voltage exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An AC ground fault detector system for sensing an AC signal indicative of an unintended electrical path between a load driven by a power source and a reference potential comprises a first power conductor coupled to a first terminal of the power source and a second power conductor coupled to a second terminal of the power source. A switching mechanism coupled to the first and second power conductors is operative for alternately connecting a phase of the load with the first and second power conductors according to a predetermined switching rate, whereby, during normal operation, voltages developed at the first power conductor and second power conductor are substantially constant with respect to a reference potential. In the event of an occurrence of the unintended electrical path of at least one phase of the load with the reference potential, time varying voltages are developed at the first power conductor and second power conductor associated with the switching rate.

Abstract: The increasing use of vehicles powered completely or in part by electric motors has created a need for measuring high currents in an inexpensive, reliable and convenient manner for digital motor control. Because the operating voltages of traction motors may be high, it is desirable that the motor current sensors be noncontacting. High-current sensors are commercially available, but tend to be large and costly. According to an aspect of the invention, a noncontacting current sensor having a rated capacity significantly less than the motor (or other) current to be measured is coupled to an electrical conductor for sensing the current in that conductor. The electrical conductor is paralleled by one or more additional similar conductors, so that only a fraction or portion of the current to be measured flows through the conductor associated with the sensor.

Abstract: An energy control unit for a hybrid vehicle is operable to control stored energy of an energy storage unit such that the energy level of the hybrid vehicle is maintained substantially at a desired magnitude. The energy level of the hybrid vehicle is a function of at least: (i) mechanical kinetic energy of the hybrid vehicle; (ii) mechanical potential energy of the hybrid vehicle; and (iii) potential energy of the energy storage unit.

Abstract: A battery equalization circuit for equalizing charge between at least first and second series-connected batteries, where each battery has a positive end and a negative end, with the positive end of the second battery coupled to the negative end of the first battery at a common node, and using: a switching circuit connectable to the positive end of the first battery at a positive node and the negative end of the second battery at a negative node; a transformer having first and second magnetically coupled windings, each with a first end defining a polarity of the winding and a second opposing end; and a transformer reset circuit coupled from the windings of the transformer to the positive and negative nodes. The switching circuit acts to simultaneously couple the first and second windings in parallel with the first and second batteries, respectively, in the same polarity such that a charge is transferred between the first and second batteries as a function of a charge imbalance therebetween.

Abstract: A transformer comprises a ferrite core and a printed circuit board for primary and/or secondary windings. The ferrite core comprises first and second trunk portions parallel with each other and first and second leg portions parallel with each other. The trunks and first and second leg portions are positioned into a rectangular configuration. The core also comprises a third leg portion parallel to the first and second leg portions and interposed midway between the trunk portions. A cross-sectional area of the first and second leg portions is approximately the same as each other, approximately one half the cross-sectional area of the third leg portion, less than the cross-sectional area of the first trunk portion and less than the cross-sectional area of the second trunk portion.

Abstract: A planar transformer wherein a conformal dielectric epoxy composition is provided on the planes containing the primary and secondary windings to encapsulate the windings and to insulate the windings from the perimeter of each plane to prevent the primary windings from electrically contacting the secondary windings around the edges of the planes. Also, a conformal dielectric epoxy composition separates the plane with the primary windings from the plane with the secondary windings from primary and secondary circuits directly and below windings.