Abstract: Equalization of the state of health of multiple serial strings of battery cells connected in parallel to a common direct current bus in an energy storage system utilized with a utility-sized renewable energy system or other system where optimum operational battery health is a requirement, and in particular is provided by a separate bi-directional DC-to-DC converter in each serial string that controls the charge and discharge of the multiple serial strings of battery cells to maximize efficiency of the stored energy and also provides galvanic isolation between the direct current bus and the multiple serial strings of battery cells.

Abstract: Equalization of the state of health of multiple serial strings of battery cells connected in parallel to a common direct current bus in an energy storage system utilized with a utility-sized renewable energy system or other system where optimum operational battery health is a requirement, and in particular is provided by a separate bi-directional DC-to-DC converter in each serial string that controls the charge and discharge of the multiple serial strings of battery cells to maximize efficiency of the stored energy and also provides galvanic isolation between the direct current bus and the multiple serial strings of battery cells.

Abstract: An integrated multi-mode, large-scale electric power support system supplies on demand at least 2,500 kW to an electrical grid with low harmonic distortion either from co-located solar or wind renewable energy DC power sources or in combination with, or alternatively, from system stored energy DC power sources via a plurality of DC-to-AC inverters with phase-shifted outputs. The power support system can also inject on demand grid power factor correcting reactive power. An alternative high voltage power support system can supply on demand at least 50 megawatts to the grid.

Abstract: An integrated multi-mode, large-scale electric power support system supplies on demand at least 2,500 kW to an electrical grid with low harmonic distortion either from co-located solar or wind renewable energy DC power sources or in combination with, or alternatively, from system stored energy DC power sources via a plurality of DC-to-AC inverters with phase-shifted outputs. The power support system can also inject on demand grid power factor correcting reactive power. An alternative high voltage power support system can supply on demand at least 50 megawatts to the grid.

Abstract: A renewable energy, utility-size electric power system is provided with a high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network connected by a direct current link to a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. The harvesting network includes distributed renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters that control delivery of renewable energy to the grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. A visual immersion monitoring and control system can be provided for a three dimensional, visually oriented, virtual reality display, and command and control environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of clamping a semiconductor assembly with a desired compression force equally distributed across the opposing surfaces of the devices and associated components of the semiconductor assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and melting of a transition material that is non-electrically conductive in the solid state and electrically conductive in the non-solid state in an electric induction heating and melting process wherein solid or semi-solid charge is periodically added to a heel of molten transition material initially placed in a refractory crucible. Induction power is sequentially supplied to a plurality of coils surrounding the exterior height of the crucible at high power level and high frequency with in-phase voltage until a crucible batch of transition material is in the crucible when the induction power is reduced in power level and frequency with voltage phase shifting to the induction coils along the height of the crucible to induce a unidirectional electromagnetic stir of the crucible batch of material.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for controlling the heating and melting of a material that is non-electrically conductive in the solid state and is electrically conductive in the non-solid state. Power is selectively directed between coil sections surrounding different zones of the material in a susceptor vessel by changing the output frequency of the power supply to the coil sections. Coil sections are at least one active coil section, which is connected to the output of the power supply, and at least one passive coil section, which is not connected to the power supply, but is connected in parallel with a tuning capacitor so that the at least one passive coil section can be selectively operated at, or near, resonant frequency when the transition material in the vessel is molten.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and melting of a transition material that is non-electrically conductive in the solid state and electrically conductive in the non-solid state in an electric induction heating and melting process wherein solid or semi-solid charge is periodically added to a heel of molten transition material initially placed in a refractory crucible. Induction power is sequentially supplied to a plurality of coils surrounding the exterior height of the crucible at high power level and high frequency with in-phase voltage until a crucible batch of transition material is in the crucible when the induction power is reduced in power level and frequency with voltage phase shifting to the induction coils along the height of the crucible to induce a unidirectional electromagnetic stir of the crucible batch of material.

Abstract: A renewable energy, utility-size electric power system is provided with a high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network connected by a direct current link to a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. The harvesting network includes distributed renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters that control delivery of renewable energy to the grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system by step-up voltage boost of the DC voltage from the renewable energy sources in combination with a DC-to-DC conversion where the stepped-up voltage of the renewable sources is utilized as a positive high voltage DC output across the input of an inverter used in a DC-to-DC converter to establish an equal magnitude negative high voltage DC output across a rectified output of the inverter. A visual immersion monitoring and control system can be provided for a three-dimensional, visually-oriented, virtual reality display, and command and control environment.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and melting of a transition material that is non-electrically conductive in the solid state and electrically conductive in the non-solid state in an electric induction heating and melting process wherein solid or semi-solid charge is periodically added to a heel of molten transition material initially placed in a refractory crucible. Induction power is sequentially supplied to a plurality of coils surrounding the exterior height of the crucible at high power level and high frequency with in-phase voltage until a crucible batch of transition material is in the crucible when the induction power is reduced in power level and frequency with voltage phase shifting to the induction coils along the height of the crucible to induce a unidirectional electromagnetic stir of the crucible batch of material.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for scan induction heating of a workpiece. The workpiece is moved through an inductor to inductively heat treat features of the workpiece with electric power of varying frequency and duty cycle to control the magnitude of electric power as the frequency changes. Alternatively the inductor is moved along the workpiece to inductively heat treat features of the workpiece with electric power of varying frequency and duty cycle to control the magnitude of electric power as the frequency changes, or a combination of simultaneous inductor and workpiece movement may be used.

Abstract: A renewable energy, utility size electric power system is provided with a high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network connected by a direct current link to a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. The harvesting network includes distributed renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters that control delivery of renewable energy to the grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. A visual immersion monitoring and control system can be provided for a three-dimensional, visually-oriented, virtual reality display, command and control environment.

Abstract: An impeder for use in an electric induction welding process is provided. A cooling medium is circulated around the exterior of the impeder's magnetic material with the impeder entry and exit passages for the cooling medium located on opposite sides of the impeder.

Abstract: Solid or semi-solid feedstock is melted in an open bottom electric induction cold crucible furnace. Directionally solidified multi-crystalline solid purified material continuously exits the bottom of the furnace and may optionally pass through a thermal conditioning chamber before being gravity fed into a transport mold where an ingot of the purified multi-crystalline solid material is transported to a remote holding area after the transport mold is filled with the multi-crystalline material and cut from the continuous supply of material. Cool down of the ingot is accomplished remote from the open bottom of the electric induction cold crucible furnace.

Abstract: The present invention is apparatus for, and method of, purification of silicon by electric induction heating and melting of silicon in a crucible or susceptor vessel, with subsequent directional partial cooling of the silicon melt to an initial amorphous-to-crystalline (solidification) temperature to produce a directionally solidified purified quantity of silicon and a separate quantity of high impurity silicon. The quantity of high impurity silicon is removed from the vessel and the purified quantity of silicon at solidification temperature is remelted in the vessel for removal from the vessel or further processing.

Abstract: An impeder for use in an electric induction welding process is provided. A cooling medium is circulated centrally through the impeder's magnetic material with the impeder entry and exit passages for the cooling medium located on opposite sides of the impeder.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for heating and melting a material in a susceptor vessel are provided wherein phase synchronized ac voltage is supplied from a separate power source to each one of at least two induction coils in separate zones around the vessel. Power magnitude from each source to an induction coil is controlled by pulse width control of the source's output voltage. Output frequency from each source is either fixed or variable based upon the electrically conductive state of the material. Optional electromagnetic stirring is achieved by establishing a phase shift between the voltage outputs of the power supplies after the material in the susceptor vessel has melted.

Abstract: The present invention is apparatus for, and method of, purification of silicon by electric induction heating and melting of silicon in a crucible or susceptor vessel, with subsequent directional partial cooling of the silicon melt to an initial amorphous-to-crystalline (solidification) temperature to produce a directionally solidified purified quantity of silicon and a separate quantity of high impurity silicon. The quantity of high impurity silicon is removed from the vessel and the purified quantity of silicon at solidification temperature is remelted in the vessel for removal from the vessel or further processing.

Abstract: The present invention is apparatus for, and method of, purification of silicon by electric induction heating and melting of silicon in a crucible or susceptor vessel, with subsequent directional partial cooling of the silicon melt to an initial amorphous-to-crystalline (solidification) temperature to produce a directionally solidified purified quantity of silicon and a separate quantity of high impurity silicon. The quantity of high impurity silicon is removed from the vessel and the purified quantity of silicon at solidification temperature is remelted in the vessel for removal from the vessel or further processing.