Abstract: Aspects of self-powered weigh-in-motion systems and methods that utilize piezoelectric components for sensing load as well as powering data acquisition and analysis components. In one example, the weigh-in-motion system includes a number of piezoelectric stacks, each stack including a number of piezoelectric elements. Each stack includes one or more top or upper piezoelectric element that provides vehicle sensing data. Each stack also includes a set of piezoelectric elements used for energy harvesting. The sensing piezoelectric elements are connected to a data input of a microcontroller for vehicle classification, while the energy harvesting piezoelectric elements are connected to a power input of the microcontroller.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for passive infrared sensing and detection of vehicular traffic. Vehicle parameters are detected using thermal detection states of pixels of an infrared array sensor. The vehicle parameters can include a velocity of a vehicle. A vehicle record that includes the vehicle parameters can be provided, for example, by a computing device in connection with the infrared array sensor.

Abstract: A unique system may include a power absorber; an electrical machine coupled to the power absorber and operative to supply mechanical power to the power absorber; a drive coupled to the electrical machine and operative to supply electrical power to drive the electrical machine; and a controller communicatively coupled to the drive. The controller may be configured to execute program instructions to selectively vary a control voltage while maintaining a given torque output of the electrical machine, and to determine, based on varying the control voltage, a minimum current required for the electrical machine to maintain the given torque output.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a power collection system are disclosed herein. One exemplary embodiment is an MVDC collection system coupled to a utility grid including a collection bus, a plurality of branches coupled to the collection bus, and a branch controller. Each of the plurality of branches include a semiconductor switch coupled to the collection bus, and a DC/DC converter coupled to the semiconductor switch and an LVDC power source. The branch controller configured to determine a fault condition is occurring within the MVDC collection system, determine the location of the fault condition, and isolate the fault condition using at least one of the semiconductor switches and the DC/DC converters.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) control are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a control device structured to operate a converter coupled to a synchronous reluctance machine and receive measurements of current. The device comprises a converter controller structured to detect a power supply restoration, operate the converter so as to transmit a series voltage vectors relative to the stationary reference frame to the stator of the synchronous reluctance machine, receive current measurements following the transmission of each of the voltage vectors, estimate the rotor position using the characteristics of the voltage vector and the received current measurements corresponding to at least one voltage vector, estimate the rotor speed using the characteristics of the voltage vectors and the received current measurements corresponding to at least two voltage vectors, and operate the converter so as to apply voltage to the stator.

Abstract: A unique system may include a power absorber; an electrical machine coupled to the power absorber and operative to supply mechanical power to the power absorber; a drive coupled to the electrical machine and operative to supply electrical power to drive the electrical machine; and a controller communicatively coupled to the drive. The controller may be configured to execute program instructions to selectively vary a control voltage while maintaining a given torque output of the electrical machine, and to determine, based on varying the control voltage, a minimum current required for the electrical machine to maintain the given torque output.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a power collection system are disclosed herein. One exemplary embodiment is an MVDC collection system coupled to a utility grid including a collection bus, a plurality of branches coupled to the collection bus, and a branch controller. Each of the plurality of branches include a semiconductor switch coupled to the collection bus, and a DC/DC converter coupled to the semiconductor switch and an LVDC power source. The branch controller configured to determine a fault condition is occurring within the MVDC collection system, determine the location of the fault condition, and isolate the fault condition using at least one of the semiconductor switches and the DC/DC converters.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system includes an AC input interface and a DC output interface, and a plurality of power supply paths coupled between the AC and DC interfaces. A first one of the power supply paths has a lower component count, whereas a second one of the power supply paths has a higher component count. At least one of the power supply paths is structured to supply DC electrical power to a power bus in the DC output interface at a varying voltage.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques, and apparatuses of datacenter power supply systems are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a datacenter power supply system comprising an AC power bus structured to selectably receive AC power from an AC power grid and a AC generator and structured to provide AC power to one or more AC datacenter loads and an AC/DC converter, a DC power generation system structured to provide DC power to a DC/DC converter, a DC power bus structured to selectably receive power from the AC/DC converter and the DC/DC converter and to provide DC power to a plurality of DC datacenter loads, and an electronic control system structured to selectably control the datacenter power supply system to operate in plurality of modes.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) control are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a control device structured to operate a converter coupled to a synchronous reluctance machine and receive measurements of current. The device comprises a converter controller structured to detect a power supply restoration, operate the converter so as to transmit a series voltage vectors relative to the stationary reference frame to the stator of the synchronous reluctance machine, receive current measurements following the transmission of each of the voltage vectors, estimate the rotor position using the characteristics of the voltage vector and the received current measurements corresponding to at least one voltage vector, estimate the rotor speed using the characteristics of the voltage vectors and the received current measurements corresponding to at least two voltage vectors, and operate the converter so as to apply voltage to the stator.

Abstract: A solar power plant including a power conversion system and a method of controlling the power conversion system. Implemented in a DC/AC inverter, the plant includes photovoltaic modules (PV modules) arranged in arrays connected to a respective DC/DC converters. A power collecting grid interfaces between the DC/DC converters and the DC/AC inverter. The method includes monitoring the performance of each PV array by adjusting the voltage level of each interface between a PV array and the corresponding DC/DC converter, and includes monitoring the output power of each DC/DC converter as a feedback for the regulating.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques, and apparatuses of datacenter power supply systems are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a datacenter power supply system comprising an AC power bus structured to selectably receive AC power from an AC power grid and a AC generator and structured to provide AC power to one or more AC datacenter loads and an AC/DC converter, a DC power generation system structured to provide DC power to a DC/DC converter, a DC power bus structured to selectably receive power from the AC/DC converter and the DC/DC converter and to provide DC power to a plurality of DC datacenter loads, and an electronic control system structured to selectably control the datacenter power supply system to operate in plurality of modes.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system includes an AC input interface and a DC output interface, and a plurality of power supply paths coupled between the AC and DC interfaces. A first one of the power supply paths has a lower component count, whereas a second one of the power supply paths has a higher component count. At least one of the power supply paths is structured to supply DC electrical power to a power bus in the DC output interface at a varying voltage.

Abstract: A power supply system includes an AC input interface, a DC output interface, and each of a single-conversion power supply path and a multi-conversion power supply path extending between the AC input interface and the DC output interface. Operating the system in a first or standard mode includes conveying electrical power between an AC power supply and an electrical load by way of the single-conversion power supply path. Operation in a second or non-standard operation mode includes conveying the electrical power by way of the multi-conversion power supply path.

Abstract: A solar power plant including a power conversion system and a method of controlling the power conversion system. Implemented in a DC/AC inverter, the plant includes photovoltaic modules (PV modules) arranged in arrays connected to a respective DC/DC converters. A power collecting grid interfaces between the DC/DC converters and the DC/AC inverter. The method includes monitoring the performance of each PV array by adjusting the voltage level of each interface between a PV array and the corresponding DC/DC converter, and includes monitoring the output power of each DC/DC converter as a feedback for the regulating.