Abstract: A split DC (Direct Current) bus inverter architecture includes a positive DC bus, a negative DC bus, and a neutral node. It further includes a first capacitor between the positive DC bus and the neutral node. It further includes a second capacitor between the negative DC bus and the neutral node. It further includes a split phase output. A first output of a DC-DC converter is connected to the neutral node and a second output of the DC-DC converter is connected to one of the positive DC bus or the negative DC bus.

Abstract: A water heater auxiliary heating system includes a heat pump. It further includes a first tap to circulate water from a water tank to a heat exchanger within the heat pump. It further includes a second tap to circulate water back to the water tank. The heat pump is controlled by an energy management system to preferentially operate based at least in part on a status of a site energy system that the energy management system is configured to manage. The water tank stores excess energy that is generated locally at the site energy system.

Abstract: A switch includes an insulating barrier that blocks an electrical conductivity path between a plug prong and a contact of an electrical receptacle. It further includes a switched alternative conductivity path between the plug prong and the contact of the electrical receptacle. A portion of the switch is inserted into the electrical receptacle. The switch receives the plug prong, and the switch is substantially flush with a wall that includes the electrical receptacle.

Abstract: An energy storage assembly includes a vertical stack of substantially planar modules. Each module comprises a plurality of energy storage components and a thermally conductive shell comprising a shell top, a shell bottom, shell sides, a shell front, and a shell rear.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes an energy storage component. It further includes heat generating electronics. It further includes a fluid circulator that transfers fluid between the energy storage component and the heat generating electronics. The circulator is controlled to alternatively transfer fluid from the battery to the heat generating electronics or from the heat generating electronics to the energy storage component based at least in part on a thermal state of the energy storage system.

Abstract: The present invention provides control systems and methods for a power inverter. For example, a control system comprises a plurality of sensors and a controller. The plurality of sensors are configured to measure electrical signals that are indicative of output voltages and output currents of the power inverter. The controller, coupled to the power inverter, is configured to: determine a target power based on real power frequency droop information and a first frequency if the power inverter is in a voltage source mode; determine a target power based on a power limit and a predetermined power command if the power inverter is in a current source mode; and generate a second frequency based on the target power, a measured power, and a latency estimate of a simulated generator. The second frequency is used to control the output power of the power inverter.

Abstract: A drive unit includes: an electric motor; a flux estimator circuit configured to estimate at least a flux angle; a synchronous frame generator coupled to a rotor of the AC induction motor and configured to detect a rotor mechanical angle; and a switch configured to selectively provide either the flux angle or the rotor mechanical angle for controlling the motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides control systems and methods for a power inverter. For example, a control system comprises a plurality of sensors and a controller. The plurality of sensors are configured to measure electrical signals that are indicative of output voltages and output currents of the power inverter. The controller, coupled to the power inverter, is configured to: determine a target power based on real power frequency droop information and a first frequency if the power inverter is in a voltage source mode; determine a target power based on a power limit and a predetermined power command if the power inverter is in a current source mode; and generate a second frequency based on the target power, a measured power, and a latency estimate of a simulated generator. The second frequency is used to control the output power of the power inverter.

Abstract: A drive unit includes: an electric motor; a flux estimator circuit configured to estimate at least a flux angle; a synchronous frame generator coupled to a rotor of the AC induction motor and configured to detect a rotor mechanical angle; and a switch configured to selectively provide either the flux angle or the rotor mechanical angle for controlling the motor.

Abstract: An electronic device for transferring charge includes: a charge storage device; an inductive section; and a switching array having a first set of switches connected to a first node of a power terminal, a second set of switches connected to a second node, and a third set of switches connected to a third node. The device includes a controller configured to control the switching array so as to cause a first predetermined charge to interchange between the first node and the charge storage device, a second predetermined charge to interchange between the second node and the charge storage device, and a third predetermined charge to interchange between the third node and the charge storage device; and a bypass switch configured to close a circuit between the charge storage device and the inductive section so as to prevent charge from interchanging between the charge storage device and the nodes.

Abstract: An electronic device for transferring charge includes: a charge storage device; an inductive section; and a switching array having a first set of switches connected to a first node of a power terminal, a second set of switches connected to a second node, and a third set of switches connected to a third node. The device includes a controller configured to control the switching array so as to cause a first predetermined charge to interchange between the first node and the charge storage device, a second predetermined charge to interchange between the second node and the charge storage device, and a third predetermined charge to interchange between the third node and the charge storage device; and a bypass switch configured to close a circuit between the charge storage device and the inductive section so as to prevent charge from interchanging between the charge storage device and the nodes.

Abstract: A method for controlling a switching power converter which includes a central capacitor exchanges charge between the capacitor and plural nodes of a first terminal, and then transfers the charge between the capacitor and plural nodes of a second terminal. The charge interchanged between the capacitor and the nodes establishes the amount of power transferred during each cycle. The charge which is interchanged is controlled by selecting the electrical phase between the currents drawn from the nodes and the voltages at the nodes.

Abstract: A method for controlling a switching power converter which includes a central capacitor exchanges charge between the capacitor and plural nodes of a first terminal, and then transfers the charge between the capacitor and plural nodes of a second terminal. The charge interchanged between the capacitor and the nodes establishes the amount of power transferred during each cycle. The charge which is interchanged is controlled by selecting the electrical phase between the currents drawn from the nodes and the voltages at the nodes.