Abstract: A contactless connector includes an insulative housing having a mating interface configured to be coupled to a connector interface of an electronic device. The housing can be reversibly coupled to the connector interface in a first orientation or in a second orientation oriented 180 degrees relative to the first orientation. A communication circuit board is held within the housing that includes a first connector communication chip and a second connector communication chip configured to define wireless communication channels with corresponding device communication chips of the electronic device in either orientation. A sensor senses the orientation of the housing relative to the connector interface of the electronic device to determine if the housing is in the first orientation or in the second orientation. The mode of operation of the first and second connector communication chips is controlled based on the sensed orientation of the housing.

Abstract: Printed circuit includes a substrate body having a plurality of substrate layers stacked along a Z-axis. Each substrate layer is substantially planar and extends along an XY plane. The X-, Y-, and Z-axes are mutually perpendicular. The printed circuit also includes a Z-field coil that is coupled to the substrate body and has a conductive trace that is parallel to the XY plane. The printed circuit also includes an X-field coil having conductive trace segments that are coupled to the substrate body and parallel to the XY plane. The X-field coil includes conductive paths that extend substantially parallel to the Z-axis. The conductive paths interconnect the trace segments. The Z-field coil and the X-field coil are configured to generate respective vector components of a magnetic field or have a voltage induced therein by a magnetic field.

Abstract: Flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector includes a flex circuit having first and second side surfaces and a thickness extending between the first and second side surfaces. The flex circuit includes a plurality of stacked substrate layers. The FPC connector also includes a conductive pathway extending through the flex circuit and a substrate protrusion coupled to the second side surface and projecting a distance away from the second side surface. The substrate protrusion is formed from at least one dielectric layer. The FPC connector also includes a contact pad that is directly coupled to at least one of the substrate protrusion or the second side surface of the flex circuit. The contact pad is electrically coupled to the conductive pathway.

Abstract: A smart plug for coupling an electric vehicle to a power supply includes a relay including contacts, the relay configured to operate in a closed state to enable power to be supplied to the electric vehicle and an open state to prohibit power from being supplied to the electric vehicle. The smart plug also includes a microcontroller (MCU) coupled to the relay, the microcontroller outputting a control signal to operate the relay in the closed state. The smart plug further includes a zero crossing detector (ZCD) coupled to the relay, the ZCD outputting a close signal to the relay when a voltage of the power is substantially zero and outputting an open signal to the relay when a current of the power is substantially zero.

Abstract: A power circuit for wirelessly communicating power to a receiving device includes one or more switches for coupling respective ends of different coils of a group of coils together to facilitate selectively connecting the coils in a series configuration, parallel configuration, or combination thereof. The circuit includes a controller configured to control a conduction state of each of the one or more switches, and power terminals in electrical communication with the coils through which a power signal flows.

Abstract: Techniques are described to harvest power from a single current carrying conductor to furnish power to a powered device. The techniques employ a power harvesting device that is coupled to the conductor. In implementations, the conductor has a first path and a second path. The power harvesting device includes a first switch coupled to the second path. An energy storing element is coupled to the first path and configured to store energy based upon the direct current flowing through the first path. The power harvesting device also includes a power condition and management device coupled to the energy storing element configured to switch the first switch to a closed configuration when the energy storing element is measured to have a predefined high voltage threshold, and to switch the first switch to an open configuration when the energy storing element is measured to have a predefined low voltage threshold.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting DC input power to DC output power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of flyback circuits, coupled in parallel, for providing DC-to-DC conversion; and a controller for automatically adjusting activation timing of each flyback circuit in said plurality of flyback circuits to achieve a balanced operation.

Abstract: A contactless connector includes an insulative housing having a mating interface configured to be coupled to a connector interface of an electronic device. The housing can be reversibly coupled to the connector interface in a first orientation or in a second orientation oriented 180 degrees relative to the first orientation. A communication circuit board is held within the housing that includes a first connector communication chip and a second connector communication chip configured to define wireless communication channels with corresponding device communication chips of the electronic device in either orientation. A sensor senses the orientation of the housing relative to the connector interface of the electronic device to determine if the housing is in the first orientation or in the second orientation. The mode of operation of the first and second connector communication chips is controlled based on the sensed orientation of the housing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting DC input power to DC output power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first flyback circuit and a second flyback circuit, coupled in parallel, for providing DC-to-DC conversion; and a controller for (i) determining a first peak current, based on a predetermined peak current, for operating the first flyback circuit, (ii) determining a second peak current, based on the predetermined peak current, for operating the second flyback circuit, and (iii) operating the first and the second flyback circuits at switching frequencies dependent on the first and the second peak currents, respectively, to achieve timing synchronization for interleaved operation of the first and the second flyback circuits.

Abstract: A smart plug for coupling an electric vehicle to a power supply includes a relay including contacts, the relay configured to operate in a closed state to enable power to be supplied to the electric vehicle and an open state to prohibit power from being supplied to the electric vehicle. The smart plug also includes a microcontroller (MCU) coupled to the relay, the microcontroller outputting a control signal to operate the relay in the closed state. The smart plug further includes a zero crossing detector (ZCD) coupled to the relay, the ZCD outputting a close signal to the relay when a voltage of the power is substantially zero and outputting an open signal to the relay when a current of the power is substantially zero.

Abstract: An electric vehicle support equipment (EVSE) system that includes a nozzle (122) configured to couple to an electric vehicle, the nozzle including a first microcontroller (MCU). The EVSE also includes a charging circuit interrupt device (CCID) configured to couple to a power source, the CCID including a second MCU and a cable that is coupled between the CCID and the nozzle. The CCID is configured to receive a pilot signal from the electric vehicle, the pilot signal conveying pilot information, and overlay additional information onto the pilot signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting DC input power to DC output power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first flyback circuit and a second flyback circuit, coupled in parallel, for providing DC-to-DC conversion; and a controller for (i) determining a first peak current, based on a predetermined peak current, for operating the first flyback circuit, (ii) determining a second peak current, based on the predetermined peak current, for operating the second flyback circuit, and (iii) operating the first and the second flyback circuits at switching frequencies dependent on the first and the second peak currents, respectively, to achieve timing synchronization for interleaved operation of the first and the second flyback circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to DC output power. The apparatus comprises a plurality of parallel connected flyback circuits. A controller is coupled to the switches within the flyback circuits to provide accurate timing and automatic current balancing amongst the plurality of flyback circuits.

Abstract: Techniques are described to harvest power from a single current carrying conductor to furnish power to a powered device. The techniques employ a power harvesting device that is coupled to the conductor. In implementations, the conductor has a first path and a second path. The power harvesting device includes a first switch coupled to the second path. An energy storing element is coupled to the first path and configured to store energy based upon the direct current flowing through the first path. The power harvesting device also includes a power condition and management device coupled to the energy storing element configured to switch the first switch to a closed configuration when the energy storing element is measured to have a predefined high voltage threshold, and to switch the first switch to an open configuration when the energy storing element is measured to have a predefined low voltage threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an islanding condition. In one embodiment, the method comprises altering a phase error response within a phase locked loop (PLL), and determining whether the islanding condition exists based on the altered phase error response.

Abstract: A junction box for electrically connecting a photovoltaic (PV) module to a power distribution system, the PV module having a plurality of conductors for electrically connecting the PV module to the junction box. The junction box includes a housing having a mounting side configured to be mounted on the PV module and a power transfer structure mounted within the housing. The power transfer structure includes a plurality of conductive connectors and a transfer interface. Each conductive connector forms an electrical interface to the PV module. The transfer interface couples the junction box to the power distribution system. The junction box also includes a user-removable control board mounted within the housing. The power transfer structure interfaces with said control board to convey power from the PV module to the control board.

Abstract: A Virtual Group Connection (VGC) scheme for grouping ATM connections. A plurality of VPCs, VCCs, or both are managed together as a single virtual data pipe having a pool of common connection resources (e.g., bandwidth, buffering, etc.) associated therewith. Shaping, grooming, policing, switching, and other traffic engineering operations may be performed on a VGC as a single connection hierarchy operable to be associated with a single customer.

Abstract: A power consuming device that includes a control circuitry controlling a plurality of components installed in the power consuming device comprises a communication module receiving communication signals from a remote source, and a control module including an electrical relay coupled between an external power source and the control circuitry, the control module coupled between the external power source and the communication module to provide power from the external power source to the communication module, and wherein the electrical relay is configured to transmit power from the power source to the control circuitry when the communication signals energize the electrical relay. A communication assembly utilized in a power consuming device is also described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting a DC input power to a DC output power. The apparatus comprises an energy storage module and a burst mode controller. The burst mode controller causes energy to be stored in the energy storage module during at least one storage period, and further causes the energy to be drawn from the energy storage module during at least one burst period. During the at least one burst period, the DC output power is greater than the DC input power. Additionally, the burst mode controller employs a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique for operating a device providing the DC input power proximate a maximum power point (MPP).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an islanding condition. In one embodiment, the method comprises altering a phase error response within a phase locked loop (PLL), and determining whether the islanding condition exists based on the altered phase error response.