Abstract: Embodiments are directed to fault-tolerant power-distribution modules (PDM). A PDM is included in a power plant to provide a portion of the power generated by the plant as a direct current (DC) signal for the operation of the plant. A power-distribution system distributes a portion of the power generated by the plant to one or more PDMs, as an alternating current (AC) signal. The PDMs provide electrical power to various plant loads. The plant loads may be related to the safety of the operation of the power plant. At least one of the plant loads is a non-safety related load. A PDM may be a DC power supply. The power plant may include one or more power-generating module (PGM) assemblies. At least one of the PGM assemblies may include a nuclear reactor. Accordingly, the power plant may be a modular nuclear power plant.

Abstract: The examples include methods and apparatuses to control power adjustments. Controlling power adjustments can include receiving, from the sensor, a measurement of the power, comparing the measurement of the power to a pre-defined threshold, responsive to determining that the measurement is outside the scope of the threshold, calculating an adjustment to the consumption of the power by a load, and providing the adjustment to a power supply of the load to adjust the power consumed by the power supply.

Abstract: A power factor correction circuit can include: a power meter configured to measure a power factor at an input port; a switching-type regulator that is controllable by a switching control signal in order to adjust the power factor of an input AC power; an EMI filter disposed between the switching-type regulator and the input port; and a controller configured to generate the switching control signal to maximize the power factor by adjusting a current reference signal according to a measured power factor, where the current reference signal represents an expected inductor current of the switching-type regulator.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes main contacts movable between closed and open positions such that a line terminal and a load terminal are, respectively, in electrical communication or electrically isolated. A trip coil is connected to the contacts, causing the contacts to move from the closed position to the open position in response to a trip current, thereby tripping the circuit breaker. A normally closed relay having a relay activating circuit and a switching circuit is provided, with the switching circuit being electrically connected to the trip coil. A monitoring circuit is electrically connected to the relay activating circuit, supplying activating power to the relay activating circuit so long as a determination is made that the breaker is operating within acceptable parameters, and ceasing to supply activating power to the relay activating circuit upon a determination being made that the breaker is not operating within acceptable parameters, thereby tripping the breaker.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are two-wire communication systems and applications thereof. In some embodiments, a slave node transceiver for low latency communication may include upstream transceiver circuitry to receive a first signal transmitted over a two-wire bus from an upstream device and to provide a second signal over the two-wire bus to the upstream device; downstream transceiver circuitry to provide a third signal downstream over the two-wire bus toward a downstream device and to receive a fourth signal over the two-wire bus from the downstream device; and clock circuitry to generate a clock signal at the slave node transceiver based on a preamble of a synchronization control frame in the first signal, wherein timing of the receipt and provision of signals over the two-wire bus by the node transceiver is based on the clock signal.

Abstract: Method of controlling distribution of energy within an energy distribution system and energy distribution systems are provided. An energy distribution system includes a central controller and one or more remote distribution control units. A method includes obtaining, with the central controller from the remote distribution control units, operational data indicating an operational condition of the energy distribution system. The method further includes comparing the operational condition to a polling rate threshold that indicates when the operational condition is approaching a condition threshold at which the central controller will operably control operation of the remote distribution control unit. The method further includes adjusting a polling rate at which the operational data is obtained in response to the operational condition crossing the polling rate threshold.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes main contacts movable between closed and open positions such that a line terminal and a load terminal are, respectively, in electrical communication or electrically isolated. A trip coil is connected to the contacts, causing the contacts to move from the closed position to the open position in response to a trip current, thereby tripping the circuit breaker. A normally closed relay having a relay activating circuit and a switching circuit is provided, with the switching circuit being electrically connected to the trip coil. A monitoring circuit is electrically connected to the relay activating circuit, supplying activating power to the relay activating circuit so long as a determination is made that the breaker is operating within acceptable parameters, and ceasing to supply activating power to the relay activating circuit upon a determination being made that the breaker is not operating within acceptable parameters, thereby tripping the breaker.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an AC power module that provides alternating current (“AC”) electrical power; a power distribution wiring harness that receives the AC electrical power from the AC power module; a signal injection module that injects a communication signal on the power distribution wiring harness using signal modulation; and a plurality of inductive coupling modules, each inductive coupling module inductively receiving power and the communication signal from a location along the power distribution wiring harness, wherein each inductive coupling module is structured to transmit at least one of the power and the communication signal to one or more loads, wherein each inductive coupling module is separate from other inductive coupling modules in the plurality of inductive coupling modules.

Abstract: A system is provided for adjusting power provided over a channel to a device. The system can include power sourcing equipment and a sub-system. The power sourcing equipment can provide power to a powered device via a channel. The sub-system can determine an amount by which to increase the power based on a resistance of the channel. The power sourcing equipment or the powered device can adjust the power (or load) in response to a command from the sub-system. The sub-system can include at least one measurement device and a processor. The measurement device can measure an output voltage of the power sourcing equipment, an input voltage of the powered device, and a current on the channel. The processor can determine the resistance of the channel based on the output voltage, the input voltage, and the current. The processor can output a command specifying an increase or decrease in the level of power supplied by the power sourcing equipment.

Abstract: A an open relay device and system includes a chassis having one or more openings; external connectors on a first wall of the chassis, the external connectors having a plurality of external connection terminals; ground bussing modules attached to a second wall of the chassis; junction bussing modules attached to a third wall of the chassis; relay sockets attached to a fourth wall of the chassis; and wiring electrically connecting the external connectors to the ground bussing modules, the junction bussing modules, and the relay sockets, the wiring further electrically connecting the relay sockets to the junction bussing modules and the ground bussing modules.

Abstract: A portable device is arranged to include a secondary battery, a driving component driven by charged power of the secondary battery, a charging unit configured to charge the secondary battery by outside power, a transformation unit (processing unit) configured to output the charged power of the secondary battery at a driving voltage of the driving component, a detection unit configured to detect the input of the outside power to the charging unit, and a switching controller configured to switch the state of the transformation unit from an operation state to a stopped state only when the input of the outside power to the charging unit is detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A method is provided for communicating data amongst controllers in a power supply system. The method include receiving a present measure of a parameter indicative of an operating state of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS); comparing the present measure to a control window for the parameter, where the control window defines a minimum value for the parameter and a maximum value for the parameter; updating the control window based on the present measure when the present measure falls outside of the control window; and transmitting the present measure via a controller area network to a managing controller when the present measure falls outside of the control window.

Abstract: A system includes multiple power supplies connected in series and an active balancing circuit. The active balancing circuit includes an LC resonance circuit and multiple switches configured to selectively couple different ones of the power supplies to the LC resonance circuit. The LC resonance circuit includes an inductor, a capacitor, and an additional switch. The inductor is configured to store energy to be transferred between two or more of the power supplies. The additional switch is configured to selectively create a resonance between the inductor and the capacitor in order to reverse a direction of a current flow through the inductor. The active balancing circuit can transfer energy between individual power supplies or groups of power supplies.

Abstract: A distributed energy power source control method, apparatus and system are provided. The method includes the following steps. The total amount of energy provided by an energy supply apparatus for various loads in a system is read. Energy data of each load is collected, the energy data including: a power supply voltage, a power supply current, a reactive power, an active power, and power consumption. The total power consumption of all the loads in the system is calculated. An energy allocation policy is determined by comparing the total power consumption and the total amount of energy, the energy allocation policy including: allocating energy according to a priority level of each load, and switching energy modes according to a power factor of each load. The method, apparatus and system can provide loads with dynamic power distribution modes, thereby improving the working efficiency, reliability and stability of an entire power supply system.

Abstract: A door integrated lighted mirror system of the present invention. In the best mode, the invention includes a door mounted on a structure at least one hinge; a mirror mounted on the door; first and second illumination elements mounted on the door on opposite sides of the mirror; and means for controlling the light output by the illumination elements. In the illustrative embodiment, the illumination elements are light emitting diode arrays with outputs filtered by diffusers. A control system is mounted in the door for controlling the light output by the illumination elements. In one embodiment, the light output by the illumination elements is controlled by a first switch mounted in a hinge of the door and a second switch mounted in a door knob on the door. The control system allows the user to control the color and intensity profile of the diode arrays mounted on the door.

Abstract: An electrical power system may comprise a first plurality of power sources, a first collector bus configured to receive power from the plurality of power sources, an unregulated DC bus configured to receive power from the first collector bus, a regulated high voltage direct current (HVDC) bus configured to receive power from the unregulated DC bus, and a first power distribution unit (PDU) configured to receive power from the regulated HVDC bus. The regulated HVDC bus may be configured to supply power to a high voltage load. The first plurality of power sources may comprise a first solar array, a first supercapacitor, and/or a first battery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power distribution system (1), especially a Power-over-Ethernet system, comprising at least one dominant sensor, which may be located within a powered device (4) like a lighting device, and at least one non-dominant sensor, which may be located within another powered device (4), wherein the power distribution system is adapted such that in a system low power mode the at least one dominant sensor (6) consumes power provided by a power providing unit (3) and the at least one non-dominant sensor (6) does not consume the provided power and that the power distribution system (1) switches from the system low powermode to a system high power mode, if the at least one dominant sensor (6) has sensed an event. Since in the system low power mode the at least one non-dominant sensor does not consume power, the power consumption can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering power to a load, which comprises an isolated power converter that converts input power on a primary side to output power and a supply voltage at a node on a secondary side. On the secondary side, a load switch is located on a current path to the load. A secondary-side control circuitry controls the load switch to operate in an ON mode in which current is provided to the load, and in response to a fault condition corresponding to an effective sudden disconnection of the supply voltage, switches the load switch into an OFF mode in which the current path to the load is blocked.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrical feeder permits the electrical feeder voltage to be maintained at the minimum voltage within a voltage range based upon dynamic grouping together of electrical generators on the electrical feeder with demand response loads on the electrical feeder. A method of assessing the proper operation of a voltage control device on the electrical feeder involves detecting a number of properties of the electrical power in the electrical feeder both prior to and subsequent to a change in an operational parameter of a voltage control device. An expected effect upon the electrical feeder of one or more distributed generators is filtered from this in order to determine a net effect of the voltage control device itself on the electrical feeder. Based upon the detected net effect and a predicted baseline effect for the voltage control device, it can be determined whether the voltage control device is functioning properly.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In some embodiments, the mirror comprises one or more adjustable sections. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light column configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of a mirror section. In some embodiments, the light column can produce various color temperatures. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly comprises a capacitive touch sensor that allows control of one or more features of the light emitted from the light source. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured control on/off settings and other features of the emitted light.

Abstract: A data determination method for a supplying-end module of an induction type power supply system includes generating a current signal on a resonant coil of the supplying-end module according to a modulated signal of a receiving-end module of the induction type power supply system fed back from a resonant coil of the receiving-end module to the resonant coil of the supplying-end module; amplifying the current signal to retrieve a plurality of peak values of the current signal; setting a reference voltage according to magnitudes of the plurality of peak values; comparing the plurality of peak values with the reference voltage to generate a comparison result; and analyzing the comparison result to obtain modulation data of the receiving-end module of the induction type power supply system.

Abstract: A communication system includes a sensor apparatus transmitting a sensor signal including detection information of a detection target as a digital signal and a microcomputer receiving the sensor signal through a signal line and performing a control operation at a predetermined operation cycle based on the sensor signal that is received. The microcomputer transmits, to the sensor apparatus, a synchronization signal which is synchronized with the predetermined operation cycle of the microcomputer. The sensor apparatus transmits the sensor signal at a predetermined constant cycle except when the synchronization signal transmitted by the microcomputer is received. The sensor apparatus changes a transmission timing of the sensor signal corresponding to the synchronization signal when the synchronization signal transmitted by the microcomputer is received.

Abstract: Operations of nuclear power plants have been suspended in various locations due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, it is not necessarily essential to undertake strict emergency energy saving measures at all times.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for connecting split HVAC systems (and/or for providing such connectivity) to networks and/or smart meters, thereby allowing a split HVAC system to be controllable via the Internet and/or a smart meter. An exemplary embodiment includes a system for use with a split HVAC system having at least one outdoor unit and at least one indoor unit having a receiver. In this exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a control having connectivity to a network and/or a smart utility meter. An equipment interface module is configured for wireless communication with the receiver of the at least one indoor unit and the control. The equipment interface module is operable for communicating instructions from the control to the receiver of the at least one indoor unit, thereby allowing operation of the at least one indoor unit to be controllable via the network and/or smart utility meter.

Abstract: Provided is an operating method of a cache memory device includes receiving an address from an external device, reading an entry corresponding to at least a portion of the received address among a plurality of entries that are included in the cache memory, performing error detection on additional information that is included in the read entry, and performing a recovery operation on the entry based on a result of error detection and the additional information. The entry includes the additional information and a cache line corresponding to the additional information, and the additional information includes a tag, valid bit, and dirty bit that correspond to the cache line.

Abstract: An electrical monitoring system that includes non-binary indications.

Abstract: A datacenter room can be associated with multiple computer room air handling units (CRAHUS) capable of transitioning between cooling modes. A management component of the datacenter can separate transitions of different CRAHUS by time intervals. Durations of the time intervals may be determined based on ambient air temperature.

Abstract: Within examples, systems for power distribution within the cabin of an aircraft are provided and methods for operation. The system includes a passenger seat of the aircraft. The passenger seat includes a charging module. The charging module is configured to supply power to a connected device of the passenger seat. The passenger seat also includes a passenger control unit (PCU) coupled to the charging module. The passenger control unit is configured to determine a power requirement for the connected device. Additionally, the passenger seat is associated with a seat grouping of the aircraft. The seat grouping of the aircraft includes at least one passenger seat. Further, the power distribution system includes a power supply configured to supply power to at least one charging module based on the determined power requirement.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that operates a power supply. During operation, the system obtains power states of two or more loads coupled to two or more power converters in the power supply. Next, the system generates one or more control signals for a set of switching mechanisms to configure a coupling of the two or more loads to the two or more power converters through the switching mechanisms based on the power states.

Abstract: A bicycle includes a computing device including a processor and a memory. The processor is programmed to communicate with a user input device of a vehicle when the bicycle is docked to the vehicle. The processor is programmed to communicate with a mobile device when the bicycle is undocked from the vehicle.

Abstract: A communication system includes at least one sensor apparatus including at least one sensing element and a transmission circuit, and a microcomputer including a reception circuit and a differential calculator. The sensing element detects a sensor value indicating a physical quantity of a detection target, and the transmission circuit transmits, as a digital signal, a sensor signal including information indicative of the sensor value at a predetermined transmission cycle. The reception circuit receives the sensor signal through a signal line and updates last time sensor value with present time sensor value. The differential calculator calculates, at a predetermined calculation cycle, a time differential value by performing a time differential calculation to the updated using time information provided separate from the sensor value.

Abstract: A power distribution control apparatus includes a power source switcher that switches a power source for supplying electric power to a plurality of load groups between a commercial power source and a battery, control circuitry that controls the power source switcher and a plurality of switches provided in power supply paths between the power source switcher and each of the load groups, and a memory that stores positions of the plurality of switches in the order of priority. When the power source switcher switches to the commercial power source and a power saving time zone in which commercial power consumption is to be reduced is reached, the control circuitry controls the switches to be in a non-conducting state, switches the power source from the commercial power source to the battery using the power source switcher, and sequentially controls the switches in a conducting state in the order of priority.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method to implement at least one automation rule is described. The at least one automation rule may be generated, wherein the at least one automation rule may control at least one aspect of an automation system. The execution origination point may be selected for the at least one automation rule based at least in part on the one or more implementation parameters. The one or more implementation parameters may comprise at least one of the speed of the automation rule execution, the scalability of the automation rule, the flexibility of the automation rule conditions, or the ease of automation rule modification.

Abstract: A distributed low voltage power system is disclosed herein. The system can include a power source generating line voltage power, and a first line voltage cable having a first line voltage end and a second line voltage end, where the first line voltage end is coupled to the power source. The system can also include a first power distribution module (PDM) comprising a first power transfer device and a first output channel. The system can further include a first LV cable having a first LV end and a second LV end, where the first LV end is coupled to the first output channel of the first PDM. The system can also include at least one first LV device operating on the first LV signal, where the second LV end of the first LV cable is coupled to the at least one first LV device.

Abstract: A power supplying apparatus includes a voltage outputting module and a voltage selecting module. The voltage selecting module is electrically connected to the voltage outputting module. The voltage selecting module includes a returning unit. The voltage selecting module receives a voltage identification signal when the voltage outputting module is electrically connected to an electronic device. When the voltage identification signal is larger than a voltage level, the returning unit notifies the electronic device, such that the electronic device returns a voltage request signal. The power supplying apparatus selectively sends out one of a plurality of DC voltage signals to the electronic device according to the voltage request signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an intelligent seat power system in which a plurality of seat nodes are embedded in respective aircraft seats. The seat nodes receive power and commands from a plurality of power supply units, each of which is connected to a cabin management system. The seat nodes are able to monitor and control functionality at the seat, and communicate their status back to the cabin management system.

Abstract: A more efficient power supply unit and a method for supplying power using same are disclosed. The power supply unit comprises a relay for switching alternating current power supplied from a plurality of sources; a direct current power supply for converting the switched current power to direct current power; and a controller for generating a switch signal to control the relay to switch the sources on the basis of the result for monitoring the alternating current power supplied from the sources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric motorcycle realized so that it can be subjected to a simple maintenance process. Such motorcycle is realized so that all the components at major risk of failure or deterioration are grouped in an unique compact and easily removable block called “block of electric components”. Moreover, the structure of the same motorcycle is conceived so that the extraction of said “block of electric components”, even if it is bulky and heavy, results simple and that it is also reduced at minimum the risk that such operation occurs in an incorrect way, or that it can provide other kinds of damage. All this aims at making the motorcycle maintenance and the restoration of its full function possible also at not specialized sites.

Abstract: A power strip includes a power plug and an outlet connected to the power plug through a power cord. The power plug has a plugging face and at least one power pin disposed on the plugging face. The power plug includes a first thermal cut-off device, which has a first thermal sensing pin exposed on the plugging face. The outlet has at least one set of apertures. The first thermal cut-off device is in electrically connection with a power output wire of the power plug. The first thermal cut-off device cuts off the power transmission between the power plug and the outlet when the temperature of the plugging face exceeds a first determined temperature.

Abstract: A method for managing allocation of electrical power includes selecting one or more power consuming entities for receiving a request to reduce electrical power usage (S23) based on data pertaining to past selections of entities for receiving requests to reduce power and a history of compliance with said requests (S22). A customized request to reduce power usage for each of the selected one or more power consuming entities is generated (S24). The generated customized request to reduce power usage is received at a corresponding power consuming entity and a cost associated with complying with the received customized request to reduce power usage is evaluated (S25). A commitment to comply with the received customized request to reduce power usage is returned when the evaluated cost is within a threshold of acceptability and negotiating a new request to reduce power when the evaluated cost is greater than a threshold of acceptability (S26).

Abstract: M-PHY communications are provided over a mass storage-based interface. Related connectors, systems, and methods are also disclosed. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure take the M-PHY standard compliant signals and direct them through a memory card compliant connector so as to allow two M-PHY standard compliant devices having memory card based connectors to communicate.

Abstract: A switching mode power supply (SMPS) includes a rectifier to rectify an alternating current (AC) voltage; a first transformer to convert the rectified voltage into a first output voltage of the SMPS according to a switching operation of a first switching unit; a second transformer to convert the rectified voltage into a second output voltage of the SMPS according to a switching operation of a second switching unit; first and second switching control units to control the switching operations of the first and second switching units; a power blocking unit to block power supply according to a light signal. The power blocking unit is electrically insulated from the light emitting unit.

Abstract: A distributed low voltage power system is disclosed herein. The system can include a power source generating line voltage power, and a first line voltage cable having a first line voltage end and a second line voltage end, where the first line voltage end is coupled to the power source. The system can also include a first power distribution module (PDM) comprising a first power transfer device and a first output channel. The system can further include a first LV cable having a first LV end and a second LV end, where the first LV end is coupled to the first output channel of the first PDM. The system can also include at least one first LV device operating on the first LV signal, where the second LV end of the first LV cable is coupled to the at least one first LV device.

Abstract: An image-processing apparatus identifies a numeral recognition target range in an image, extracts, when a circumscribed rectangle of a numeral likelihood portion that is likely to represent a numeral in the numeral recognition target range conforms to a reference size, the circumscribed rectangle, extracts, when a plurality of circumscribed rectangles extracted are arrayed, the arrayed circumscribed rectangles, determines whether the circumscribed rectangles extracted each include one or both of a horizontal line and a vertical line, each of the horizontal line and the vertical line constituting a segment in a multiple-segment character, and extracts, as a target area for numeral identification, the circumscribed rectangle that includes one or both of the horizontal line and the vertical line, and isolates a numeral display area from the numeral recognition target range so as to include the target area in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A buck power converter creates a desired output voltage from a greater input voltage with higher efficiency than linear regulators or charge pumps. For compact-size and cost sensitive products, the use of the buck power converter is hindered mainly because of lack of physical space and increases in the cost of the passive components like the inductor and capacitor. Techniques are presented to reduce the sizes of the passive components so that they can be integrated on-chip or in-package or on board. A signal converter in the buck power converter determines the duty cycle of a switching control signal. The switching control signal would ordinarily have driven a power switching circuit that provides current to the inductor in the buck power converter. The signal converter outputs a modified (multiphase) switching control signal that includes multiple separated on-periods that taken together approximate the duty cycle of the switching control signal while maintaining the same control loop frequency.

Abstract: A method of two-way communications over a power distribution network in which outbound communication signals (O) and an inbound communication signals (I) modulate a time-varying waveform propagated through the network, on the low voltage side of the network. An outbound signal waveform is detected at a customer location (C) with remote communication equipment (RCE) at the customer location then producing a return or inbound communication signal. A corresponding inbound signal is produced in an associated voltage waveform and this signal is detected and processed by a distribution concentrator unit (DCU) at the sending end of the network. The transmission and detection of signals on the low voltage side of the network requires less energy than the generation, propagation, detection, and processing of signals on the high voltage side thereof.

Abstract: Provided is an inverter system capable of more economically and efficiently performing photovoltaic power generation by automatically switching an integrated operation and an independent operation of inverters according to voltage values and current values of photovoltaic panels without a separate communication function. The inverter system for photovoltaic power generation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is an inverter system which changes direct current power output from a first photovoltaic panel and a second photovoltaic panel to alternating current power and includes: a first inverter and a second inverter, in which all of the outputs of the first and second photovoltaic panels are applied to the first inverter, or the output of the first photovoltaic panel is applied to the first inverter, and the output of the second photovoltaic panel is applied to the second inverter according to output values of the first and second photovoltaic panels.

Abstract: An interface circuit (1) is provided for an operating device (2) of the domestic appliance technology, in particular for an operating device for lighting means (3), for bi-directional communication with a bus (4) via a respective transmitting opto-coupler (9) and a receiving opto-coupler (8), wherein a node point (P) of the interface circuit (1) is impinged upon with a driver voltage (VT) in such a way that the transmitting opto-coupler (9) switches through and thus sends a signal to the bus (4), and wherein, at the same node point (P), the state of the receiving opto-coupler (8) can be detected so that a signal can be received from the bus (4).

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed to use thermoelectric generating (TEG) devices to generate electricity from heat generated by a power cable. An apparatus includes multiple thermoelectric generating (TEG) devices. Each of the TEG devices has a first surface configured to be positioned in thermal communication with an outer surface of the power cable and a second surface configured to be positioned proximate to an ambient environment around the power cable. The apparatus also includes a set of terminals electrically coupled to the TEG devices. When a temperature differential exists between the first surface and the second surface, the TEG devices convert heat into electricity presented at the set of terminals.

Abstract: A power supply system comprises a path switching means that switches a power supply path between power generation equipment and a load so that at least a part of output power of each power generation equipment is supplied to another power generation equipment during a power failure or power instability in the grid.