Abstract: A spheromak is a plasma of ions and electrons formed into a toroidal shape. A spheromak plasma can include electrons and ions of nearly equal amounts such that it is essentially charge neutral. It contains large internal electrical currents and their associated internal magnetic fields arranged so that the forces within the spheromak are nearly balanced. The spheromak described herein is observed to form around an electric arc in partial atmosphere, and is observed to be self-stable with no external magnetic containment.

Abstract: A system for power balance monitoring in an energy storage battery comprising a plurality of energy modules connected in a series-parallel configuration. The energy storage module comprises a plurality of cells. Each module is a three-terminal module. The three terminals comprise a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal for connecting the modules in a series string to a load and an energy sharing terminal for sharing energy between modules is other battery strings. A module power management sub-system comprising a current monitoring circuit is connected to each of the energy sharing terminals. Each module power management sub-system is in communication with a battery power management sub-system so that a weak module can be detected based on module current output. Advantageously, the module power management sub-system is not connected across the main power pathway of the module and so does not appreciably increase module impedance.

Abstract: A battery self heating system for batteries that experience battery impedance or internal battery resistance when temperature drops. The system comprises an energy storage element applied to the battery terminals to draw energy from the battery. The energy is stored in a magnetic or capacitive storage device. The system is self-resonant so that energy transfer from the storage device to the battery will occur at a frequency and load level that is compatible with the current state of the battery. Internal heating of the battery is accomplished by a cycle comprising the out flux and influx of energy through the impedance of the battery. Energy losses due to battery impedance are converted to heat thereby heating the battery internally.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transient suppression circuit for use with a rectifier coupled to a transformer. In one embodiment, the transient suppression circuit includes a triggering section configured to provide a timing signal corresponding to a dead time of the rectifier. Additionally, the transient suppression circuit also includes a biasing section coupled to the triggering section and configured to apply a reverse bias voltage to the rectifier based on the timing signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a cover in a closed orientation substantially covering a chassis face of a unit; the unit containing equipment in an equipment volume; the equipment volume being partially bounded by the chassis face; includes: a positioning structure coupling the cover with the unit for selectively situating the cover in the closed orientation or in an other orientation; and a latching structure configured for latchingly engaging the chassis face and the cover for holding the cover in the closed orientation when the latching structure is in a first orientation. The latching structure does not engage the chassis face and the cover when the latching structure is in a second orientation. The latching structure is situated substantially entirely outside the equipment volume.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping voltage on a line at a desired voltage and configured for receiving a test voltage includes: (a) A varistor coupled with the line, manifesting characteristics of a capacitor with first signals exceeding a first frequency and manifesting Zener characteristics establishing a first breakdown voltage with second signals having a frequency less than a second frequency which is lower than the first frequency. (b) A spark gap establishing a second breakdown voltage equal with the desired voltage being coupled with the varistor and a low reference potential. (c) A passive direct current element coupled in parallel with the spark gap between the varistor and the low reference potential and effecting forward biasing of the varistor in the presence of the second signals. The second breakdown voltage is less than the test voltage. The sum of the first and second breakdown voltages is greater than the test voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrically conductive generally planar strip having a thickness, having a width greater than the thickness and having a length greater than the width. The strip is arranged in alternating length segments. Each adjacent pair of length segments are oriented about divergent axes and are joined by a respective transition arrangement. Each respective transition arrangement presents the strip foldingly lapped upon itself in a laminate structure.

Abstract: An electrical winding structure configured for use in assembling a plurality of electrical winding structures in an installed orientation wound about a central member includes: a unitary segmented strip. First portions of the unitary strip are oriented about a first axis. Second portions of the unitary strip are oriented about a second axis substantially perpendicular with the first axis. Each of the first portions and the second portions have a thickness, have a width greater than the thickness and have a length at least as great as the width. The first and second portions are oriented to effect arranging the electrical winding structure at predetermined loci during winding to clear the winding path to establish a predetermined plurality of strata in the installed orientation.

Abstract: Introduced is a power system chassis identification system. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a power system chassis rack holding a plurality of chassis, each housing a rectifier or a converter and (2) a label located on each chassis having symbols thereon identifying the chassis as housing a rectifier or a converter and its voltage input/output, which label is readable at a distance of not less than twenty feet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a site-adaptive current manager for use with a rectifier. In one embodiment, the site-adaptive current manager includes a current limit programmer configured to set an AC input current limit for the rectifier corresponding to a site-restricted current capability. The site-adaptive current manager also includes an input current sensor coupled to the current limit programmer and configured to determine an AC input current of the rectifier. The site-adaptive current manager further includes a rectifier current coordinator coupled to the current limit programmer and configured to restrict the AC input current based on the AC input current limit.

Abstract: Converter modules for providing and receiving electric power through a single telephone wire-pair and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, a converter module for providing electric power to a single telephone wire-pair includes: (1) a DC/DC boost converter configured to receive input power from an existing power supply and an existing distribution bus at a central office and further configured to provide output power to the single wire-pair and (2) a current-limiting converter controller coupled to the DC/DC boost converter and configured to limit a current output of the DC/DC boost converter to the single wire-pair.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring heat from an electrical module includes: (a) a thermally conductive base member having a plurality of edges establishing a polygonal perimeter and having a first side for presentation toward the electrical module; and (b) a heat transferring structure integrally formed with the base member and extending from a second side of the base member opposite from the first side. The heat transferring structure occupies less than all of the second side and establishes a margin substantially about the perimeter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a PWB for attaching electrical components thereto. The PWB includes a stack of insulating layers, conductive layers located between the insulating layers, wherein the conductive layers terminate at an edge of the PWB, and an edge plate interconnect located on the edge. The edge plate interconnect is free of a complementary via and contacts and electrically interconnects the conductive layers. The present invention also provides a method of making the PWB and also provides a power converter implementing the edge plate interconnects.

Abstract: A system for fixing a substrate with a heat transferring device in an assembled orientation; the system comprising: a substantially rod-shaped positioning member having a length generally symmetrically oriented about an axis and a generally constant lateral expanse substantially perpendicular with said axis substantially along said length; said positioning member interferingly fitting within at least one of a first aperture in said substrate and a second aperture in said heat transferring device to maintain a predetermined separation between said substrate and said heat transferring device in said assembled orientation.

Abstract: An electromagnetic apparatus includes: (a) A magnetic material arranged in a core structure establishing a first flux path set and a second flux path set; the first flux path set includes a first middle flux path oriented about a first axis and two first side flux paths parallel with the first axis; the second flux path set includes a second middle flux path oriented about a second axis and two second side flux paths parallel with the second axis; the second axis is perpendicular with the first axis. The first and second flux path sets cooperate to establish open spaces. Each open space is bounded by portions of two flux paths from each of the first and second flux path sets. (b) A plurality of windings for conducting electrical current about the magnetic core structure. The windings are oriented around one axis on both sides of the other axis.

Abstract: A method for assembling electrical windings about an axis, the windings being strips and wound in alternating strata with their widths parallel with the axis, includes the steps: (a) Winding a first-wound winding in a winding path about the axis establishing a first stratum. (b) Arranging the first-wound winding to clear the winding path. (c) Winding one or more next windings to establish next-wound windings in the winding path until at least one next stratum is established. (d) Interleaving earlier-wound windings to establish the plurality of strata; the interleaving including the steps of: (1) rearranging a next-to-be-wound winding to realign with the winding path; (2) winding the next-to-be-wound winding in the winding path until a next stratum is established; (3) arranging the next-to-be-wound winding to clear the winding path; and (4) repeating steps (d)(1) through (d)(3) until the assembling is complete.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reconfigurable power distribution panel, a power distribution system, a method for reconfiguring a power distribution panel, and a method for manufacturing a reconfigurable power distribution panel. The reconfigurable distribution panel, among other elements, may include a first bus bar having a first plurality of contact points thereon and a plurality of circuit protection locations associated therewith and a second bus bar located proximate the first bus bar and having a second plurality of contact points thereon, the second plurality of contact points having the same plurality of circuit protection locations associated therewith.

Abstract: A circuit for, and method of, changing transient response characteristics of a DC/DC converter module having an output rail pin and a trim pin and a distributed power conversion system incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes a reactive component coupled to the output rail pin and the trim pin of the DC/DC converter module and configured to interact with at least one network internal to the DC/DC converter module to change the transient response characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wiring degradation detector for use with telephone wire-pairs providing electric power. In one embodiment, the wiring degradation detector includes a transmission section configured to transmit load power over the telephone wire-pairs. Additionally, the wiring degradation detector also includes a test section coupled to the transmission section and configured to provide a load power test signal that determines a condition of the telephone wire-pairs. In an alternative embodiment, the wiring degradation detector further includes a degradation monitoring section coupled to the test section and configured to track values of the condition of the wiring over time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soft-transition controller for use with a synchronous converter having primary and secondary rectifiers. In one embodiment, the soft-transition controller includes a primary driver configured to provide a primary drive signal to the primary rectifier operating in a synchronous mode, while the secondary rectifier is operating in a diode mode, to provide an output voltage of the synchronous rectifier. Additionally, the soft-transition controller also includes a complementary driver coupled to the primary driver and configured to provide a soft-transition drive signal during a transition period, which transfers the secondary rectifier from the diode mode to a synchronous mode while maintaining the output voltage within a predetermined voltage range.