Abstract: A system for estimating at least one of position, attitude, and heading of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes at least three gyroscopes configured to output a signal indicative of inertial angular rates around three mutually orthogonal axes of the vehicle and at least three accelerometers configured to output a signal indicative of accelerations along three mutually orthogonal axes of the vehicle. The system further includes a triaxial magnetometer configured to output a signal indicative of a projection of ambient magnetic field on three mutually orthogonal axes of the vehicle. The system also includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of vehicle altitude and a differential pressure sensor configured to output a signal indicative of airspeed of the vehicle. The system further includes a device configured to receive the signals and estimate at least of one of position, attitude, and heading of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control system (12) for controlling velocity and attitude of a dynamic system (20) includes a velocity controller configured to receive a desired velocity command and output a velocity error in the form of Euler angle commands to an attitude controller system. The attitude controller system includes a converter (14) configured to receive the Euler angle commands and output a desired quaternion based on the Euler angle commands. The attitude controller system further includes an attitude error generator (16) configured to receive the desired quaternion and an estimated quaternion indicative of an estimated velocity and attitude of the dynamic system (20) and to output attitude errors associated with the dynamic system (20). The attitude controller system also includes an attitude controller (18) configured to receive the attitude errors and to output error commands to the dynamic system (20) based on the attitude errors.

Abstract: An autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle (“AUV”) includes a body, a controller, a buoyancy engine, a rotary propulsion system and pitch control surface(s). The buoyancy engine is for alternately ingesting and expelling ambient water to change the mass of the AUV and thereby cause the AUV to alternately descend and ascend in the water. The pitch control surface(s) are for causing the AUV to move forward while alternately descending and ascending in the water. The rotary propulsion system includes a motor for rotating a propeller in the water to provide thrust. The controller is operative for responsively, automatically switching between at least the glider and rotary propulsion modes. In the glider mode, the buoyancy engine and the pitch control surface(s) are cooperative for causing the AUV to move forward while alternately descending and ascending. In the rotary propulsion mode, the rotary propulsion system is operative for causing the AUV to move forward.

Abstract: An intercepting vehicle, which is being towed by a towing vehicle, may home in on and attach to a retrievable vehicle that catches up to the intercepting vehicle from behind. Then, the intercepting vehicle, with the retrievable vehicle docked thereto, may be brought to the towing vehicle by reeling in the intercepting vehicle with the retrievable vehicle docked thereto.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system including components capable of determining the superheat at a compressor inlet is provided. The vapor compression refrigeration system may include sensors capable of making measurements from which the superheat at the compressor inlet may be determined. The vapor compression refrigeration system may be operable to compare the determined superheat level at the inlet to the compressor to a desired superheat level and generate a new evaporator discharge superheat level target for one or more evaporators operatively interconnected to the compressor to affect the superheat at the compressor inlet. The vapor compression refrigeration system may be operable to broadcast the new evaporator discharge superheat level target to the one or more evaporators over a communications bus. The vapor compression refrigeration system may update and broadcast the evaporator discharge superheat level target at programmed intervals.

Abstract: A high voltage inverter is provided which includes a plurality of k-level flying capacitor H bridge modules, k being greater than 2, each having a positive dc terminal, a negative dc terminal, and two ac terminals, a connecting unit for connecting said ac terminals of said plurality of k-level flying capacitor H bridge modules in series to form a cascading set of modules, and a dc source connected to an ac source and having a transformer, a rectifier rectifying an output voltage of said transformer, and a capacitor connected between the positive and negative dc terminals.

Abstract: An integrated power system suitable for simultaneously powering marine propulsion and service loads. The system includes: (a) at least one generator configured with at least first and second armature windings configured to output respective first and second alternating current power signals of different voltages, the at least two armature windings positioned within the same stator slots so that they magnetically couple; (b) at least first and second rectifier circuits coupled to said generator to convert said first and second alternating current power signals into first and second direct current power signals; (c) a first load to which said first direct current power signal is coupled and a second load to which said second direct current power signal is coupled.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electric bike with capability of self-charging. The electric bike is fixedly supported by supporting legs so as to be operated in a stationary point. A user steps on a petal assembly of the electric bike to drive a wheel to rotate. The electric bike further includes a power-generating device, a controller, a battery and a damper. The controller is used to receive a power source outputted by the power-generating device and convert the power source into a plurality of DC power sources to charge the battery. The damper consumes a portion of electricity generated by the power-generating device. With the above arrangement, the electric bike can be charged by itself while the user is exercising.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes an exercise machine and a media device. The exercise machine includes an exercise device and a controller. The exercise device generates an electrical output through an exercise mechanism that drives operation of a power generating unit. The controller includes a status data generating unit for receiving the electrical output and generating exercise status data based on the electrical output, a control unit storing user-configured data and the exercise status data, and a resistance controlling unit controlled by the control unit for causing the exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data. The control unit and the media device are configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol. The user-configured data is established and configured through the media device. The exercise status data is stored in or displayed by the media device.

Abstract: Electrically assisted safing of a solenoid linear actuator to provide shock tolerance is provided for a solenoid actuator, the actuator having an armature and at least one electromagnetic inductive coil. A controller, receiving an output from a motion sensor, adjusts an electrical power input to the electromagnetic inductive coil. When the output of the motion sensor indicates onset of an environmental transient exceeding a predetermined threshold of intensity, the controller adjusts the electrical power input such that an electromagnetic field generated by the coil is sufficient to restrain the armature in a desired position during the environmental transient.

Abstract: A four pole, three-phase, NPC converter that produces virtually no common mode voltage. The low common mode voltage output is achieved by constraining the switch states of the NPC converter. A fourth pole and associated control balance the upper and lower DC link voltages. The converter may be an inverter or a rectifier.

Abstract: A ballast protecting device is connected between an AC input voltage and a ballasted lamp. The device includes a voltage sensing block, a current sensing block, a pulse forming block, a switch block, and a micro-controller unit (MCU). The pulse forming block converts positive half cycles of the voltage and current provided by the voltage and current sensing blocks to square wave pulses, and the MCU performs a phase angle comparison between generated pulses. Upon lamp malfunction, ballast current is phase shifted. Current may also be phase shifted when there is a radical change in the input voltage. As a trend of the phase shift between current and voltage is determined by the MCU, a ballast disconnect decision is made, and the MCU actuates the switch block to disconnect the connected ballast and malfunctioning lamp.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the power output efficiency of a power generation system based on an operator input. A processor is coupled to the input means and (i) receives the generated operator command, (ii) receives a plurality of detected ambient air conditions, (iii) receives a plurality of detected engine performance parameters, (iv) determines first and second engine control commands based on the received pilot thrust command, the detected ambient environmental conditions, and the engine performance parameters, and (v) outputs control commands to optimize the efficiency of the power generation system.

Abstract: The present invention involves a lighting kit adapted for installation into a conventional fluorescent lighting unit having a fluorescent socket and a ballast disposed in the lighting unit. At least one elongated body has fixture ends configured to engage a fluorescent socket. The elongated body supports a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). A control unit, capable of receiving exterior control signals, electrically connects the LEDs to a power source for selectively dimming the LEDs, and is adapted to be mounted in place of the ballast. Dimming may be accomplished by control circuitry that recognizes repeated switching of a power source, and/or by a dipswitch on the LED device that sets the dim level. A method of retrofitting a fluorescent housing unit involves installing a LED device in the fluorescent housing unit and mounting an LED driver in the location configured to receive a conventional fluorescent ballast.

Abstract: An at least partially self-propelled vehicle is configured for being towed by a towing vehicle, by way of a tow line. Operation of the vehicles may be coordinated so that, for a length of the tow line that connects the vehicles, the length of the tow line is curved in a manner that inhibits the tow line from transferring oscillatory motion between the vehicles while the entirety of the length of the tow line may be under tension.

Abstract: A ballast protecting device is connected between an AC input voltage and a ballasted lamp. The device includes a voltage sensing block, a current sensing block, a pulse forming block, a switch block, and a micro-controller unit (MCU). The pulse forming block converts positive half cycles of the voltage and current provided by the voltage and current sensing blocks to square wave pulses, and the MCU performs a phase angle comparison between generated pulses. Upon lamp malfunction, ballast current is phase shifted. Current may also be phase shifted when there is a radical change in the input voltage. As a trend of the phase shift between current and voltage is determined by the MCU, a ballast disconnect decision is made, and the MCU actuates the switch block to disconnect the connected ballast and malfunctioning lamp.