Abstract: A power supply includes a main circuit board and a multilayer power transmission board for transmitting power from one area of the main circuit board to another area of the main circuit board. The main circuit board includes a power input connector having power connections. The multilayer power transmission board includes conductive layers electrically coupled to the power connections of the power input connector, and a dielectric medium positioned between each of the conductive layers. The conductive layers of the multilayer board may include at least two conductive neutral layers and at least two conductive line layers positioned in an alternating configuration. Other example power supplies, multilayer boards and methods of manufacturing power supplies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A switching power converter includes a power circuit and a control circuit for receiving an analog signal representing a parameter of the power circuit. The control circuit includes an ADC for converting the analog signal into a digital signal, and a switch driver for generating a control signal for controlling a switch in the power circuit over multiple switching cycles. The control circuit is configured to adaptively determine a trigger point for activating the ADC within a switching cycle to sample the analog signal, and activate the ADC at the determined trigger point so a control parameter generated based on the digital signal is provided to the switch driver a minimal period of time before the next switching cycle begins. The adaptively determined trigger point optimizes phrase margin loss and bandwidth in the control circuit. Other example switching power converters and control circuits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A horizontal grinding machine includes a frame, a feed hopper that receives material to be processed, and a feed conveyor that moves material to be processed in a processing direction. A grinding cylinder rotates about a generally horizontal grinding axis. A feed roller assembly is mounted on the frame at the rear end of the feed hopper and in front of the grinding cylinder. The feed roller assembly includes a feed roller that rotates about a generally horizontal axis in a first direction that urges the material towards the grinding cylinder and a second direction that urges the material away from the grinding cylinder. A controller is operatively connected to the feed roller and to the feed conveyor and controls the rotational speed of the feed roller and the speed of the feed conveyor to obtain a predetermined ratio of feed roller rotational speed to feed conveyor speed.

Abstract: A storage silo apparatus having a storage silo including a shell wall, a secondary wall spaced radially outwards from the shell wall, and a space having a first width formed between an outer surface of the shell wall and an inner surface of the secondary wall. An insulation layer located in the space is narrower than the space such that an air gap is formed within the space. The air gap is formed radially adjacent the insulation layer and is configured to resist heat transfer between the shell wall and the secondary wall.

Abstract: A switch-mode DC-DC power converter includes one or more input terminals and output terminals, and a transformer coupled between the input and output terminals. The transformer includes a plurality of winding sets. Each winding set includes a primary winding and a secondary winding magnetically coupled with one another. The primary winding and the secondary winding include the same number of turns. The primary windings of the plurality of winding sets are connected in series and the secondary windings of the plurality of winding sets are connected in parallel. The power converter also includes at least one spacer positioned to separate an adjacent pair of the plurality of winding sets. A magnetic coupling between the adjacent pair of the plurality of winding sets is less than the magnetic coupling between the primary winding and the secondary winding within each winding set.

Abstract: An asphalt mix tracking system having a data collection system adapted to determine at least one characteristic of the asphalt mix, a data control system adapted to receive data from the data collection system, a lot tracking system adapted to track a lot of the asphalt mix, a truck tracking system adapted to track a truck, and a pavement injection system adapted to identify the lot of the asphalt mix. The preferred asphalt mix tracking system is adapted to substantially continuously track the asphalt mix from a mixing site to a paving site. A method for tracking an asphalt mix including determining the at least one characteristic of the asphalt mix, communicating the at least one characteristic of the asphalt mix to the data control system, transporting the asphalt mix from the mixing site to the paving site, and injecting an identification means at the paving site.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling multiple power supplies having their outputs coupled in series is configured to in response to an output current reaching a defined current threshold of a power supply of the power supplies, control the power supply to operate in its constant current mode so that the output current is regulated at the defined current threshold as the remaining power supplies operate in their constant voltage mode, and in response to the output voltage of the power supply reaching a defined voltage threshold, control the power supply to operate in its constant voltage mode so that the power supply provides a first regulated output voltage to its output as the remaining power supplies provide a second regulated output voltage different than the first regulated output voltage to their output. Various other systems, power supplies, control circuit and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A road sensor system for sensing data about a road surface and for providing that data, in real time, to data receivers. The system includes a communications network and a data control center that receives and transmits data via the communications network. Sensor assemblies include a housing that is implanted into the road surface, a sensor in the housing that collects sensor data related to an area local to the sensor assembly, and a communications module for communicating sensor data via the communications network from the sensor to the data control center for storage in the database. Sensor data received and stored is associated with location data for a location of the road surface where the housing is implanted. The data receivers receive sensor data or metadata derived from sensor data via the communications network.

Abstract: An electric power system includes a centralized switched mode power supply (SMPS) and a network bridge. The centralized SMPS includes AC/DC PFC power converters, DC/DC power converters and a control circuit having a communication interface. The control circuit is configured to control power switch(es) of the AC/DC PFC power converters and power switch(es) of the DC/DC power converters. The network bridge is in communication with the communication interface for receiving remote access control commands between a device remote from the centralized SMPS and the control circuit for controlling the power switch(es) of the AC/DC PFC power converters and the power switch(es) of the DC/DC power converters. Other example electric power systems and methods of detecting when at least one of a plurality of LED strings malfunctions in an electric power system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rectifier circuit for a power supply includes a diode bridge, a first metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and a second MOSFET each coupled in parallel with corresponding diodes of the diode bridge to reduce losses associated with bridge diode voltage drops and increase conversion efficiency. A self-driven driver circuit is coupled for controlling switching operation of the first MOSFET and the second MOSFET to operate the first MOSFET and the second MOSFET as high-side floating synchronous rectifiers. Methods of supplying power via a rectifier circuit of a power supply are also described.

Abstract: A horticulture facility includes a first set of LED luminaires disposed in a grow room of the horticulture facility, a second set of LED luminaires disposed in another grow room of the horticulture facility, a centralized power supply and power transfer switches. The power supply includes DC/DC power converters each having an output. The power transfer switches include a first power transfer switch coupled to the output of one respective DC/DC power converter of the DC/DC power converters. The first power transfer switch is configured to switch between a first position for coupling the output of the respective DC/DC power converter to the first set of LED luminaires, and a second position for coupling the output of the respective DC/DC power converter to the second set of LED luminaires. Other example horticulture facilities and electric power systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transformer includes a transformer core, and a primary winding and a secondary winding each wound about the transformer core. The primary winding includes a wire wound in multiple primary winding layers, and each primary winding layer includes multiple primary turns arranged in a spiral. The secondary winding includes one or more substantially flat conductors defining multiple secondary winding layers. Each secondary winding layer includes one secondary turn, every two adjacent secondary turns have a single different one of the primary winding layers positioned between the two adjacent secondary turns to interleave the secondary winding and the primary winding, and each secondary turn has a different diameter than an adjacent one of the secondary turns.

Abstract: A current limiting circuit for controlling current from a power supply to a load having a capacitance includes an inductor, a transistor coupled in a current path with the inductor, and a control circuit. The transistor includes a control terminal. The control circuit is coupled to sense a voltage across the inductor and coupled to the control terminal of the transistor. The control circuit is configured to turn off the transistor when the voltage across the inductor is greater than a threshold to restrict current from a power supply, and turn on the transistor when a defined parameter is met to allow current from the power supply to charge the load capacitance. Other example current limiting circuits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drum-type wood chipper for processing wood includes a chipper drum that is adapted to rotate about a generally horizontal drum axis, a plurality of cutting blades that are disposed around the periphery of the chipper drum, and an engine that is adapted to rotate the chipper drum about the drum axis. The wood chipper also includes a feed system that is adapted to advance wood to be processed towards the chipper drum, and a controller that is operatively connected to the engine and adapted to determine an instantaneous engine operating rate during rotation of the chipper drum. The controller is also operatively connected to the feed system and adapted to control the rate of advance of wood towards the chipper drum. The controller is also adapted to modify the rate of advance of wood towards the chipper drum as the instantaneous engine operating rate changes while the chipper drum is being rotated.

Abstract: According to some aspects of the present disclosure, heat sink assemblies are disclosed. Example heat sink assemblies include a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side. The printed circuit board defines an opening extending from the first side to the second side. The heat sink assembly also includes a heat sink coupled to the first side of the printed circuit board. The heat sink includes a protrusion extending through the through opening of the printed circuit board. The heat sink assembly further includes a surface mounted device coupled to the second side of the printed circuit board. The surface mounted device is in thermal contact with the protrusion of the heat sink to transfer heat from the surface mounted device to the heat sink. Example methods of manufacturing heat sink assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power supply connection assembly includes a power connector for mating with a complementary connector, a first conductor electrically coupled to the power connector, a second conductor electrically coupled to the first conductor, and a third conductor electrically coupled to the second conductor. The second conductor is flexible, and the power connector is movable relative to the third conductor in at least one direction. Other example power supply connection assemblies and power supplies including one or more power supply connection assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control circuit is configured to sense an AC input voltage of a power factor correction (PFC) power circuit in a switching power converter, provide a control signal having an on-time and an off-time to at least one power switch of the PFC power circuit, and in response to detecting a peak voltage of the AC input voltage, increase the on-time of the control signal based on the sensed AC input voltage during an interval that begins with the peak voltage of the AC input voltage and ends with the next zero crossing following the peak voltage of the AC input voltage to improve a power factor of the switching power converter. Other example switching power converters, PFC power circuits and control circuits for controlling one or more power switches are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exhaust quenching system is provided for use in connection with an asphalt concrete production plant having a dryer for drying aggregate material, an exhaust gas outlet conduit for discharge of exhaust gases from the dryer, and a dust collection assembly that is adapted to receive exhaust gases and entrained dust from the dryer via the exhaust gas outlet conduit. The exhaust quenching system is adapted to effect evaporative cooling of the exhaust gases in the exhaust gas outlet conduit upstream of the dust collection assembly.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter kit includes a body, a plurality of input connectors, and a plurality of output connectors. The body includes a plurality of inputs configured to couple to one another to form a power converter input, a plurality of outputs configured to couple to one another to form a power converter output, and a plurality of transformers. The power converter output is configured to provide a first output voltage when using a first set of the input connectors and a first output connector, and the power converter output is configured to provide a second output voltage different than the first output voltage when using a second set of the input connectors and a second output connector. Additional example power converter kits, power converters, and methods for adjusting an output voltage are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in debarking logs that includes a debarking assembly for separating bark from logs as the logs are passed through the apparatus, such that the separated bark falls away from the logs. A contact surface catches falling bark that has been separated from logs by the debarking assembly. A pusher reciprocates over the contact surface and includes a first pusher face that pushes bark over the contact surface. A magnet reciprocates with the pusher and may be selectively activated and deactivated. When the magnet is activated, a magnetic field is provided proximate the first pusher face such that magnetically attracted portions in the bark that are brought within the magnetic field as the pusher reciprocates are magnetically attracted to the first pusher face by the magnetic field and are separated from the bark.