Interconnected For Energy Transfer Patents (Class 307/19)
  • Publication number: 20130062942
    Abstract: An inverter system (1) for a photovoltaic solar installation for generating an AC voltage from a DC voltage of a solar generator (2) is provided which includes an additional energy storage device (38) which is arranged in an energy transfer path that can be activated when needed. A control arrangement (31, 39) for monitoring and controlling the operation of the inverter system (1) is designed to detect short-term energy peaks of the insolation at the solar generator and, upon a presence of insolation peaks, to activate the energy transfer path (36) in order to cause a transfer of energy from the solar generator (2) to the energy storage device (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Jochen Hantschel
  • Publication number: 20130057067
    Abstract: Methods and control apparatus are presented for controlling supply of electrical power to a mobile micro-grid power system, in which a master controller automatically rebalances the micro-grid by activating and deactivating individual power supplies to preferentially activate non-fuel consuming power supplies and deactivate fuel consuming power supplies so as to minimize fuel consumption for the micro-grid power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: John L. Creed
  • Patent number: 8384343
    Abstract: A power management system may comprise a generative power source, a main bus between the generative power source and electrical loads, a energy accumulator and a main bi directional power converter interposed between the main bus and the energy accumulator unit. The energy accumulator may comprise a plurality of energy storage blocks. The energy storage blocks may individually comprise energy storage units and control units with dedicated DC/DC bidirectional power converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan Ali Kojori, David Lazarovich, Harmohan N. Singh
  • Publication number: 20130026831
    Abstract: A power distribution system includes a plurality of load side power converters configured in a modular stacked DC (MSDC) converter architecture. Each load side converter includes a respective energy storage device such that together the plurality of energy storage devices provides a distributed subsea energy storage system configured to maintain a common subsea busbar voltage substantially constant during intermittent load voltage excursions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christof Martin Sihler, Simon Herbert Schramm, Stefan Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8338982
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments adapted to distribute power from four input lines to a plurality of power supply units (PSUs) configured in an N+1 architecture are provided. In one such embodiment, a plurality of rectifier devices have first and second ends, each of the plurality of rectifier devices connected at the first end to one of the four input lines, and adapted to be bypassed by a first relay in a first operating mode and provide rectified input current in a second operating mode. A plurality of second relays is connected between each of the second ends of the plurality of rectifier devices. The plurality of second relays are adapted to be closed in the second operating mode to sum the rectified input current from each of the plurality of rectifier devices in a single node connecting each of the plurality of PSUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jiwu Duan, Steven M. Groff, Trung Le
  • Publication number: 20120319475
    Abstract: A connection base is disclosed. The connection base includes a first connection port, a second connection port, a charging unit, a first electric power conversion unit, and a second electric power conversion unit. The first electric power conversion unit is for converting an input voltage to a first output voltage, and for transmitting the first output voltage to the charging unit. The charging unit is for receiving the first output voltage and outputting a charging voltage, in order to charge the electric power bank device which is detachably connected to the first connection port. The second electric power conversion unit is for receiving and converting a second output voltage of the electric power bank device to a supply voltage, and sending the supply voltage to the inverter which is detachably connected to the second connection port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: COOLER MASTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YU-HUNG CHENG
  • Publication number: 20120319476
    Abstract: A power and control unit for a low or medium voltage apparatus, said apparatus comprising at least a couple of electrical contacts that can be coupled/separated by means of an electro-magnetic actuator, first power storage means for supplying electric power for the operations of said apparatus and power supply means for charging first said power storage means, characterised in that it comprises: a primary control device for managing the operations of said apparatus when said power supply means are available; a secondary control device for managing the operations of said apparatus when said power supply means are not available, said secondary control device being able to receive electric power directly from said first power storage means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Luciano Di Maio
  • Publication number: 20120286572
    Abstract: A self-sufficient generator system includes one or more battery banks recharged by alternators driven by a motor. A main battery bank provides power to a load while other battery banks power the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: STEVEN B. TRACY
  • Publication number: 20120256483
    Abstract: This charge and discharge system comprises a battery connected to a bus to which multiple power a generator and an electric power transmission system are connected, a charger configured to supply power from the bus to the battery, a discharger separate from the charger and configured to output electric power from the battery to the bus, and a controller configured to separately control the charger and the discharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi NAKASHIMA, Souichi Sakai, Ryuzo Hagihara, Zenjirou Uchida
  • Publication number: 20120228933
    Abstract: A device for monitoring power sources of a storage battery includes a monitoring unit for monitoring input and output of power to and from a storage battery; and a power source management unit for managing sources from which amounts of power stored in the storage battery have been obtained and extents to which the amounts of power have been stored in the storage battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Akimi Shiokawa
  • Patent number: 8264215
    Abstract: Electrical currents are detected and analyzed across structural members in a structural joint, such as a fastener of a vehicle. In some aspects, printed circuit boards etched with Rogowski coil circuits are inserted proximate the structural members in the structural joint. The Rogowski coil circuits may detect an electrical current as it flows through the structural joint. An integrator may integrate a transient current to generate an output signal, such as when the vehicle is subjected to an electrical charge. The output signal may be transmitted to an Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) system for analysis. In various aspects, the IVHM system may enable recording and reporting of various aspects of the current to enable maintenance, inspection, or real time/near real time health assessment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel James Kovach, Andrew M. Robb
  • Patent number: 8212387
    Abstract: A device may include an interconnect module that includes a number of ports, where each port is configured to receive both an alternating current (AC) power supply and a direct current (DC) power supply; where the interconnect module provides power from the received power supplies to a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Jaspal Gill
  • Patent number: 8207628
    Abstract: A power converter that gives priority to the high power output and only provides power to the low power output when the total potential output power is equal to or less than the rated power of the power converter. A specific power threshold is established, and when the high power output remains below this threshold for a period of time the low power output is allowed to turn on. If the high power output subsequently exceeds this threshold for a period of time, then an electronic circuit powers down the low power output in order to keep the total output power below the rated power of the power converter. Subsequently, the high power output is checked against the threshold to determine if the low power output can be turned on again. If the high power output is below the threshold, then the low power output is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Igo, Inc.
    Inventors: Garry DuBose, Ann Briggs
  • Publication number: 20120146573
    Abstract: A solar powered charging shelter and system and method thereof. The shelter includes a metal standing seam roof and a flush mounted metal frame. The top of the roof has a plurality of solar units that provide power to at least a plurality of retractable electrical outlets or receptacles coupled to either the bottom of the roof or the metal frame. The retractable electrical outlets or receptacles are to provide power to or charge various electrical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: David J. GOCHENAUR
  • Publication number: 20120023977
    Abstract: An air conditioner which may controlled to adapt to changes in power rates, and an associated method, are provided. The method may include receiving electric power information, determining whether a current power rate included in the received information is higher than a preset reference value, and supplying electric power from a supplementary electric power source to at least one appliance in a network to which the air conditioner is connected if the current power rate is higher than the preset reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Younggeul Kim, Namwoo Kwon, Jeonghyun Lim, Suyoung Kang, Juyoung Min
  • Patent number: 8093749
    Abstract: A system may include a switchover element configurable to source or sink power from or to an electronic device electrically coupled to the switchover element and a controller in communication with the switchover element. The controller may be configured to determine if the electronic device is healthy. When the electronic device is healthy, the controller may configure the switchover element to deliver power from the electronic device to the system and configure the switchover element to provide the power to any unhealthy electronic device electrically coupled to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Hogan Lew, Ankur Singla, Harshad Nakil
  • Patent number: 8072093
    Abstract: An intelligent power system includes one or more common power sources and one or more subsystem components interconnected with the common power sources. Each common power source includes an unregulated bus, a plurality of power source regulated buses, each regulated bus originating at a common power source and terminating at a respective one of k load subsystems, a power source, first, second, third and fourth groups of switches, a regulator having a plurality of outputs and an energy storage element. The regulator is configured to provide a time-shared mode of operation to provide power sequentially to one or more of the k load subsystems, such that the time intervals when the regulator is connected to any one of the k load subsystems do not overlap, and where the regulator is configured to switch in supplemental power from the energy storage, if necessary, to ensure that an average power delivered by the regulator does not exceed the average power consumed by all of the k load subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Boris S. Jacobson, Jacqueline M. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 8041466
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a wind turbine connected to a utility grid during a utility grid disturbance. The method comprises the steps of controlling active current in dependency of the frequency deviation from a reference frequency, and controlling reactive current in dependency of the voltage deviation from a reference voltage. The invention also relates to a wind turbine and wind park.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Lars Helle, John Godsk Nielsen, Mark James Jensen
  • Patent number: 8022570
    Abstract: Systems and methods for illuminating flight deck devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a flight deck panel illumination system includes at least one illuminated panel having at least one illumination source, and a power supply coupled to the at least one illumination source and to an electrical energy source that is configured to selectively provide a suitable power conversion mode in response to an applied signal. A processor is coupled to the power supply to generate the applied signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven D. Flickinger, Ty A. Larsen, Steven D. Ellersick
  • Patent number: 8004111
    Abstract: A DC-DC switching cell module includes a switch, a rectifier, an output filter coupled to the rectifier, and an input port for receiving an external PWM control signal from a controller. The switching cell module is configured to control the switch in response to the external PWM control signal to generate a DC output voltage from a DC input voltage. The switching cell module is configured for attachment to a circuit board as a discrete component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey Potter, Hong Mao
  • Publication number: 20110187186
    Abstract: A switched-mode power converter power converter, in one preferred embodiment with eight switches connected between three ports and an inductive element, with a donor (charging) port, a receptor port (load) and donor/receptor port (storage) operated so that energy may be switch between any of the ports regardless of the polarity and magnitude of the inductor current at the beginning of a chopping cycle. In one embodiment of the invention power conversion and power factor correction are accomplished in a single stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: LAWSON LABS, INC.
    Inventors: THOMAS E. LAWSON, WILLIAM H. MORONG
  • Patent number: 7989980
    Abstract: An energy storage system, more particularly to a power distribution system for providing power for an indeterminate period of time. The power distribution system comprises means for converting the energy from an alternator to AC/DC circuits. The alternator transmits electric current to a battery, where an inverter is electrically connected to the battery and transmits AC power to low-load circuits. A DC control panel is connected to the battery and transmits electric current from the battery to low-load DC circuits. The power system is part of a portable toolbox. The system is connected to a vehicle's charging system or any mechanism having a alternator a first battery an engine and a starting system an would continually recharge it self.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Tracy D. Blackman
  • Patent number: 7970518
    Abstract: The keyless power system has an ignition system including an ignition switch having an “OFF” position and one or more electrical components associated with a work machine. The keyless power system also has one or more alternate power sources configured to provide electrical power to the one or more electrical components. The keyless power system also has a controller configured to determine a power-level requirement of the one or more electrical components and activate at least one of the one or more alternate power sources to at least partially satisfy the power-level requirement based on whether the ignition switch is in the “OFF” position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Jay Bernardi, Kevin Dee Ehrenhardt
  • Patent number: 7952224
    Abstract: A discharge share ratio calculation unit (52) calculates, for each power storage device, a remaining electric power quantity before an SOC is reached with respect to which an allowable discharge electric power is restricted, and calculates a discharge power share ratio between power storage devices according to the ratio of the remaining electric power quantity. A charge share ratio calculation unit (54) calculates, for each power storage device, a chargeable quantity before an SOC is reached with respect to which an allowable charge electric power is restricted, and calculates a charge power share ratio between power storage devices according to the ratio of the chargeable quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Sawada, Masayuki Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20110121647
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a solar power system including an array of photovoltaic panels. The photovoltaic array may include a first module electrically coupled to an AC load and a second module electrically coupled to a DC load. The array may be reconfigured such that individual panels may be transferred from the first module to the second module, and vice versa. The arrays may generate power that is selectively distributed to direct current and alternating current power loads. The system further includes a power management device effective to maximize the power generation of the second module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Chris J. Ragavanis
  • Patent number: 7944082
    Abstract: A device may include an interconnect module that includes a number of ports, where each port is configured to receive both an alternating current (AC) power supply and a direct current (DC) power supply; where the interconnect module provides power from the received power supplies to a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Jaspal Gill
  • Patent number: 7944083
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing a circuit coupled to an AC line. The apparatus comprises a consumption measurement unit (CMU), adapted for coupling, independent of voltage and current polarity, to the AC line and the circuit. The CMU comprises a discovery module adapted for (i) generating a circuit current signature based on current samples representative of current on a phase of the circuit, (ii) generating at least one AC line current signature based on AC line current samples representative of current on each phase of the AC line, and (iii) determining, based on the circuit current signature, the at least one AC line current signature, and at least one of a source profile or a load profile, at least one of a type or a voltage characteristic for the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Marv Dargatz
  • Patent number: 7939962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply system for several user systems onboard an aircraft. This system comprises at least two power supply electronics (10, 11) and means of connecting these at least two power supply electronics to at least two user systems (12, 13, 14, 15), characterised in that these connecting means comprise a network of connecting contactors (16, 17; 32, 33) from each power supply electronics with at least two user systems not performing similar functions but technologically compatible such that these power supply electronics supply these user systems at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignees: Airbus France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Etienne Foch, Gaetan Bisson, Pascal Maussion, Maria Pietrzak-David, Maurice Fadel
  • Patent number: 7932637
    Abstract: A method includes operating a microsource in a grid mode in which the microsource is connected to a utility grid. The microsource is located in a microgrid and is configured to deliver a power P1 at a frequency ?1. During operation in the grid mode ?1 is a first frequency and P1 is a first power. The first frequency is an operating frequency of the utility grid. The microsource is transferred from the grid mode to an island mode, causing a frequency change such that ?1 changes to a second frequency and a power change such that P1 changes to a second power. The frequency change occurs at a first rate with respect to the power change while ?1 is less than a slope switch frequency. The frequency change occurs at a second rate with respect to the power change while ?1 is greater than the slope switch frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert H. Lasseter, Paolo Piagi
  • Patent number: 7872367
    Abstract: A method and a device for redundantly supplying several electric servomotors or drive motors by a common power electronics unit, particularly in an aircraft, wherein the power electronics unit contains a number of electronic motor control units, and wherein the electric motors are operated with nominal power if the electronic motor control units are fully functional. The motors are operated with the available residual power of the motor control units if partial failure of the motor control units occurs. The motors may be operated sequentially or simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignees: Airbus Deutschland GmbH, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
    Inventors: Martin Recksiek, Christoph Giebeler
  • Patent number: 7863772
    Abstract: Novel techniques for balancing current drawn from multiple power supply inputs. A multiple-input inductor is coupled between the power supply inputs and the switching circuits associated with the respective power supply inputs for balancing voltages applied to each of the switching circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David McLean Dwelley, David Bundy Bell
  • Publication number: 20100301669
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for optimizing power consumption in electronic devices that operate on battery-based or scavenged power. The power scavenged or otherwise supplied by such devices may therefore last longer, allowing longer performance on a given charge (whether sourced from scavenged power, battery power, or a combination thereof). An energy distribution circuit can be used in conjunction with a hysteretic switch, wherein the hysteretic switch can be used to switch an energy storage element in-circuit (so that it can provide charge to sub-circuitry or components) when the charge stored on that element exceeds a given charge threshold; otherwise, the hysteretic switch presents as a high resistance or open circuit when the charge stored on the energy storage element drops below a lower recharge threshold. The energy distribution circuit can be configured for adaptively providing different discharge rates for different loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Lawrence, Paul E. Gili
  • Patent number: 7830035
    Abstract: The power supply unit has a sample-and-hold circuit that samples a voltage supplied from a power source to a load according to a sample timing signal and holds the voltage as an output set value for the DC/DC converter. The unit supplies a load with an output from the DC/DC converter controlled so that an output voltage of a power source becomes an output set value of the DC/DC converter when the voltage of the power source drops. Since a voltage corresponding to the voltage of the power source before the voltage drop is set to the output set value of the DC/DC converter, a stable power supply unit is obtained in which the difference is always small between the voltage of the power source in normal times and the output voltage from the DC/DC converter when the voltage of the power source temporarily fluctuates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yoshida, Hiroyuki Handa, Mitsuhiro Matsuo, Masafumi Nakamura, Takaharu Murakami
  • Publication number: 20100276996
    Abstract: A method is provided for using a temporary power source to transfer a power bus from a first power source to a second power source. The first power source operates at a first electrical frequency, and the second power source operates at a second electrical frequency that is different from the first electrical frequency. The method includes adjusting the output frequency of the temporary power source to match the first electrical frequency and supplying power to the power bus from the temporary power source. The method also includes disconnecting the first power source from the power bus. The method further includes adjusting the output frequency of the temporary power source to match the second electrical frequency. The method further includes coupling the second power source to the power bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: David Dimitri Karipides
  • Patent number: 7825536
    Abstract: An intelligent power system includes one or more common power sources and one or more subsystem components interconnected with the common power sources. Each common power source includes a regulated bus, an unregulated bus, a sensor, a controller and a plurality of switches operated by the controller. A subsystem component includes a regulated bus, an unregulated bus, a power source, a sensor, a controller and a plurality of switches operated by the controller. With such a configuration, the system is able detect and isolate failed segments of the power system and is reconfigurable to restore power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Boris S. Jacobson, Jacqueline M. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 7808123
    Abstract: A power supply system for supplying power to a plurality of loads includes a plurality of fuel cells for generating and supplying power to be supplied to the respectively corresponding loads, wherein the fuel cells are provided to correspond to the plurality of loads, a power network for receiving surplus power, which is generated ‘by the fuel cells except power to be supplied to the loads corresponding to the fuel cells, and supplying the surplus power to the loads short of power, wherein the power network is coupled to the plurality of fuel cells, and a control unit for stopping power generation of a first fuel cell among the fuel cells corresponding to a first load among the loads and controlling a second fuel cell among the fuel cells to generate power to be supplied to the first load as the surplus power if an amount of power to be supplied to the first load is less than a predetermined first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Japan Research Institute, Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ikuma, Makoto Inoue
  • Publication number: 20100237695
    Abstract: A power device may include channels coupled to conductors in lines, where each one of the channels is coupled to a different one of the lines than the other channels and where the channels deliver direct current power signals over the conductors to the load devices. Each one of the load devices may be powered by a different one of the direct current power signals. The power device may include a power communicator that communicates with the load devices over the conductors that propagate the direct current power signals. The power communicator may determine a target power level for the load devices based on the communication over the conductors. The load device may adjust an amount of power in the direct current power signals in order to match the target power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: REDWOOD SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Covaro, Dave Leonard
  • Patent number: 7800245
    Abstract: Systems and methods perform power conversion and distribution. A system for power conversion and distribution, according to one embodiment comprises: a first generator substation (70) receiving power from a first electrical generator (10); a first main substation (100) for distributing converted power to at least one load, said load being local to the first main substation (100); a ring bus including ring bus feeders (1000, 2000); and at least one satellite substation (700) for powering a remote load, wherein the ring bus feeders (1000, 2000) connect the first generator substation (70) and the first main substation (100) in a ring arrangement, and the at least one satellite substation (700) receives power from the ring bus through a branch substation (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney G. Michalko
  • Patent number: 7800248
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a backup power system configured to be a UPS system, with a customer generation system and with a network monitoring device with a switch topology including a first connection node, that is connected to the customer generation system that is connected to at least one automatic disconnection switch including a first switch said first switch being disposed between the customer generation system and a utility grid, and that is connected to a second switch that is connected to one or several loads, said system including a second connection node that is connected to said second switch connected to said load, that is connected to a third switch disposed between the utility grid and the load and that is connected to a fourth switch to which there is connected a standalone inverter with a storage device, and said system including a third connection node, connecting said first switch and said third switch to said utility grid, said customer generation system supplying an AC volta
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Thomas Krämer, Martin Rothert, Volker Wachenfeld, Andreas Falk
  • Patent number: 7768150
    Abstract: A power management unit for a battery-operated electronic device having a bus interface for the interconnection with another electronic device, the power management unit including an electric energy storage element coupled between a battery of the battery-operated electronic device and a voltage supply line of the bus interface, the electric energy storage element being operable to charge/discharge electric energy; a drive circuitry arranged to control a charge/discharge of the electric energy storage element. The drive circuitry is operable to cause an electric power supplied by the other electronic device through the voltage supply line to re-charge the battery; or, in case the other electronic device does not supply electric power, cause the battery supply electric power to the other electronic device through the voltage supply line. The power management unit is particularly adapted for battery-operated, mobile USB OTG devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Jerome Nebon, Patrizia Milazzo, Alexandre Balmefrezol, Vincenzo Polisi
  • Patent number: 7737577
    Abstract: A system and a power supply method, on board an aircraft, in which the power supply system of an aircraft includes several generators powering with 230 volts A.C. several distinct electrical cores, wherein the various loads of the aircraft are connected to each of these cores. Each core includes an input driver, several identical power modules, means of placing in parallel several power modules including interconnection inductances between power modules, and a switching matrix including a set of relays, means of piloting the relays of the switching matrix, so as to reconfigure all of these relays in the case of failure of a power module, several output filters, and relays of the switching matrix that may each be connected to at one load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Olivier Langlois, Lucien Prisse, Etienne Foch, Dominique Alejo
  • Publication number: 20100138066
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing democratizing power in a power grid system. In architecture, the system includes a module for receiving a plurality of user preferences concerning load shedding using a graphical user interface, and a module for implementing the user preferences during a grid irregularity. The method of providing democratizing power, can be broadly summarized by the following steps of determining if a device needs a transfer of energy, determining if an electric network connected to the device is able to supply backup power, and determining the quantity of the backup power. The method further includes the steps of determining the cost of the backup power and facilitating payment of the cost of the backup power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: THINKECO POWER INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Poh Chew KONG
  • Patent number: 7701082
    Abstract: An apparatus for regulating voltage and aerospace electrical power systems are implemented. A multi-functional apparatus for regulating voltage, according to one embodiment, comprises: a DC to DC converter (315), wherein the DC to DC converter (315) is controlled to operate in a first direction to receive a DC voltage from a first bus (329) and to output a first regulated DC voltage adjusted to charge a battery (307), wherein the first bus (329) receives power from a second bus (201), and is controlled to operate in a second direction to receive a battery DC voltage from the battery (307) and to output a second regulated DC voltage to the first bus (329) to power a load (231) independently or in combination with the second bus (201).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David Lazarovich, Srinivasa R. Dangeti, Ileana Rusan
  • Patent number: 7671484
    Abstract: A device for controlling power transfer between two cores of a direct current network, in which the cores, which are source-charge interconnection nodes, include protective and contact members, placed in different areas of a power distribution system in which the direct current network is installed. The device includes an electronic power converter including two switching cells mutually interconnected by an inductance, wherein each switching cell includes two switches, and a module for controlling the converter, which ensures both a controllable direct current power transfer and stabilization of the direct current voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignees: Airbus France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Loic Raulin, Hubert Piquet, Xavier Roboam, Henri Foch, Jeremi Regnier
  • Publication number: 20090312885
    Abstract: Management control system for managing an energy supply and storage system for a rig power supply of the type having a power generator coupled to rig loads, the power generator used for powering the rig and for charging the storage system, and the storage system adapted for selectively supplementing rig power, is adapted for controlling the selection of rig function operation, for setting the system to recommended settings for the selected rig function operation, for monitoring rig power usage for the selected rig function operation for distributing excess power to the storage system when the rig power usage falls below a preselected threshold, and for distributing stored power from the storage system when the rig power usage is above a preselected threshold. The recommended setting for the selected rig function may be modified depending upon power usage by setting preselected thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Edward R. Buiel
  • Patent number: 7634079
    Abstract: A telephone terminal includes: a main unit; an optional unit that performs an arbitrary additional communication function and detachably attached to the main unit; a distribution unit that distributes a drive power supplied through a communication network into a first channel and a second channel when a power of the telephone terminal is turned on; a first power supplying unit that supplies the first channel of the drive power to the main unit at a first timing; and a second power supplying unit that supplies the second channel of the drive power to the optional unit at a second timing shifted from the first timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamashita, Takeshi Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20090284071
    Abstract: A feed hub includes a priority receiving unit that acquires priority indicating degree of need of electricity feed, for each of plural terminals, a feed relation determining unit that selects two communication devices having different priorities acquired by the priority receiving unit, determines the communication device having lower priority as a feed source and the communication device having higher priority as a feed destination from the selected communication devices, an electricity switching unit that connects the feed source and the feed destination determined by the feed relation determining unit, and a feed requesting unit that requests the feed source determined by the feed relation determining unit to feed electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Madoka Mitsuoka, Shigeki Fukuta, Shunsuke Yamaguchi, Kazuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7602080
    Abstract: Systems and methods to balance currents among a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series. In aspect, a management unit is coupled between a photovoltaic energy production unit and a string of energy production units. The management unit has an energy storage element (e.g., a capacitor) connected to the photovoltaic energy production unit. The management unit further has a switch to selectively couple to the energy storage element and the photovoltaic energy production unit to the string. The management unit allows the current in the string to be larger than the current in the photovoltaic energy production unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Hadar, Shmuel Arditi
  • Patent number: 7602075
    Abstract: The disclosure describes implementations of methods, systems and apparatuses that are configured to facilitate normal operating characteristics for a wind turbine during normal operation, as well as during voltage irregularities. In an implementation, a turbine controller coordinates operating primary turbine systems and ancillary turbine systems during normal operation and during voltage irregularities. During normal operation, the turbine controller coordinates powering both primary and ancillary turbine systems through a power supply. During a detected voltage event, ancillary turbine systems may be transitioned to a having an uninterruptible power supply power these systems. However, the turbine controller coordinates maintaining the power supply as the sole powering device for primary turbine systems despite a voltage irregularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: William Erdman, Michael Behnke, Ricardo Royo Garcia, Miguel Nunez Polo
  • Publication number: 20090236908
    Abstract: A reservoir capacitor includes a first power supply unit and a second power supply unit, and at least two large-capacity capacitors connected in series between the first and second power supply units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Kun-Woo PARK