Abstract: A system for suppressing inrush currents is described. The system may include a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor arranged in series between a power source and a battery system to be charged. At a low temperature, while the PTC thermistor provides only minimal resistance to minimize an inrush current, the NTC thermistor provides increased resistance. As the temperature increases, the resistance provided by the PTC thermistor increases as the resistance from the NTC thermistor decreases. The system may be used in conjunction with a battery charging system has at least one current pathway from the power source to the battery system.

Abstract: One example includes a method for generating a solar farm design. Geographic map data defines geographic features and boundaries of a geographic region. A solar panel block library that stores virtual solar panel block types is accessed. Each of the virtual solar panel block types corresponds to a design of a respective solar panel block that includes solar panels, an inverter, and an access road, and each virtual solar panel block type includes predetermined dimensions and a predefined output power rating. An array of a virtual solar panel block type to fit within the geographic features and boundaries of the geographic region on the map is generated based on the dimensions of each of the virtual solar panel blocks in the array. The array is iteratively modified to optimize a criterion of the solar farm design, and the design is stored in a memory for subsequent solar farm installation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for managing charging and discharging of battery packs. In one or more aspects, a system and method are provided to minimize overcharging of battery cells of specific battery chemistries while still enabling fast charging cycles. In other aspects, a buck converter may be used to reduce a voltage of power used to charge the cells. In further aspects, a fast overcurrent protection circuit is described to address situations involving internal short circuits of a battery cell or battery pack. In yet further aspects, a bypass circuit is provided in series-connected battery packs to improve the charging of undercharged battery packs while also increasing the efficiency of the overall charging process. In other aspects, a circuit is provided that permits a controller to determine a configuration of battery packs.

Abstract: A housing of a conformal wearable battery (CWB) encloses a plurality of battery cells arranged in a grid-like pattern and electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB includes an electrical connection pad that is electrically coupled to a positive terminal of a battery cell of the plurality of battery cells and a positive conductive region receiving electrical energy from one or more of the plurality of battery cells. A redundant trace fuse circuit is formed on the PCB to facilitate electrical connection of the electrical connection pad and the positive conductive region. The redundant trace fuse circuit includes a first fusible link for electrically connecting the first electrical connection pad to the positive conductive region and a second fusible link that is selectively enabled to electrically connect the first electrical connection pad to the positive conductive region when the first fusible link is inoperative.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for managing charging and discharging of battery packs. In one or more aspects, a system and method are provided to minimize overcharging of battery cells of specific battery chemistries while still enabling fast charging cycles. In other aspects, a buck converter may be used to reduce a voltage of power used to charge the cells. In further aspects, a fast overcurrent protection circuit is described to address situations involving internal short circuits of a battery cell or battery pack. In yet further aspects, a bypass circuit is provided in series-connected battery packs to improve the charging of undercharged battery packs while also increasing the efficiency of the overall charging process. In other aspects, a circuit is provided that permits a controller to determine a configuration of battery packs.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a plurality of wind turbines can include a turbine categorizer, executing on one or more computing platforms that categorizes each of a plurality of wind turbines as being damaged or undamaged to form a list of potentially damaged wind turbines. The system can also include a damage evaluator executing on the one or more computing platforms that predicts a damage type and a stage for each wind turbine in the list of potentially damaged wind turbines. The system can further include an impact engine executing on the one or more computing platforms that assigns a repair window and a priority for each wind turbine in the list of potentially damaged wind turbines based on a respective predicted damage type and stage.

Abstract: A prosthesis device has a rotary damper and a displacing device with a magnetorheological fluid in a damper volume of a housing. Two partition units divide the damper volume into two or more variable chambers. The partition units include a partition wall connected with the housing and a partition wall connected with a damper shaft. Radial gaps are formed in the radial direction between the partition wall on the housing and the damper shaft, and between the partition wall on the damper shaft and the housing. An axial gap is formed in the axial direction between the partition unit, the damper shaft and the housing. The magnetic field of the magnetic field source passes through at least two of the gaps.

Abstract: Various embodiments charges battery for a renewable energy source. In one embodiment, a forecast having a plurality of predetermined time intervals with a predicted energy input level of the renewable energy source corresponding to each predetermined time interval is received. A setpoint is calculated for each predetermined time interval for an amount of power available to charge the battery based on the forecast. The battery is charged during a predetermined time interval according to its corresponding setpoint. An actual energy input level of the renewable energy source is monitored and compared to the predicted energy input level for its corresponding time interval to determine a lesser energy input level. The lesser energy input level is set as the setpoint for the corresponding predetermined time interval.

Abstract: Systems and methods to monitor a wind turbine azimuth drivetrain. Azimuth variation characteristics data are accumulated from wind turbines over a period of time. Clusters of values within the azimuth variation characteristics data are identified and a respective condition of the main drivetrain is associated with different clusters of values. After the associating, a measured set of azimuth variation characteristics data is received. A cluster corresponds to values in the measured set of azimuth variation characteristics data is determined and a condition associated with that cluster is determined to be a condition associated with the subject main drivetrain. That condition is then reported.

Abstract: A battery system with a large-format Li-ion battery pack powers attached equipment by discharging battery cells distributed among a plurality of battery packs. A limp home notification is generated from a smart lithium-ion battery pack to one or more application devices using an analog signal. The battery pack may provide broadcast messages over electronic communication lines, that includes state of charge (SoC), fault status, etc. which can be read by one or more application devices to enter limp home mode. In another example, a “fully charged” notification is generated from the smart lithium-ion battery pack to one or more application devices using an analog signal. The end device powered by the battery pack system receives and reacts to the outputted fully charged signal by modifying the state of the circuitry on the end device.

Abstract: A battery system with a large-format Li-ion battery pack powers attached equipment by discharging battery cells distributed among a plurality of battery packs. A limp home notification is generated from a smart lithium-ion battery pack to one or more application devices using an analog signal. The battery pack may provide broadcast messages over electronic communication lines, that includes state of charge (SoC), fault status, etc. which can be read by one or more application devices to enter limp home mode. In another example, a “fully charged” notification is generated from the smart lithium-ion battery pack to one or more application devices using an analog signal. The end device powered by the battery pack system receives and reacts to the outputted fully charged signal by modifying the state of the circuitry on the end device.

Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of non-cylindrical shaped battery cells arranged on, and physically affixed to, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB may include a bend axis that facilitates folding of the flexible PCB to form an upper portion of the flexible PCB and a lower portion of the flexible PCB. A central stiffener may be positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion of the flexible PCB using an adhesive foam tape to form a battery assembly. The battery system may include a flexible housing with an internal cavity that receives the battery assembly. The central stiffener, and the adhesive foam tape, may provide a degree of rigidity and/or absorption to the PCB to reduce localized deformation of the PCB when the battery system experiences shock forces and to prevent damage to components of the battery assembly. The stiffener may be formed from non-metallic material.

Abstract: A door component has a controllable damping device containing a magnetorheological fluid as a working fluid. Two connection units can move relative to one another. One of the two connection units can be connected to a support structure and the other of the two connection units can be connected to a moveable door unit of a vehicle in order to damp a movement of the door unit between a closed position and an open position under control of a control device. The damping device has an electrically adjustable magnetorheological damping valve which is current-less in an adjusted state of the damping valve. A damping property of the damping device is continuously adjusted as needed via an electrical adjustment of the damping valve.

Abstract: A haptic operator control device for a motor vehicle has a magnetorheological brake with a brake component that is fixed to a holder and a brake component that is continuously rotatable relative to the fixed brake component. A first of the brake components extends in an axial direction and has a magnetically conductive core which extends in the axial direction, and a second brake component has a hollow shell part that encircles the first brake component. An encircling gap between the brake components is filled with a magnetorheological medium. An electrical coil is accommodated in the brake housing. At least one star contour with magnetic field concentrators formed thereon is arranged between the shell part and the core. The magnetic field concentrators project radially into the gap to define a varying gap height in a region of the star contour.

Abstract: A matrix of battery cell modules includes a flexible printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) for a conformal wearable battery (CWB) with a plurality of attachment sections for each of a plurality of battery cells that are arranged in a grid-like pattern on a same side of the flexible PCBA. Each battery cell may be joined with a flexible PCB via a welding process. The flexible PCBA is configured to fold along a bend axis so that the flexible PCBA is folded approximately in half. When affixed to the flexible PCBA, the plurality of battery cell modules and a circuitry module form a grid of physical components. When folded, the flexible PCBA forms a three-dimensional grid of physical components comprising at least the battery cell modules.

Abstract: An operator control device has an actuation unit on a console unit. The actuation unit movable between an idle position and one or more actuation positions. The actuation unit is fixable in the idle position by a retaining device. In order to leave the idle position, it is necessary to overcome a retaining force provided by the retaining device. The retaining device has a coupling device with a coupling element that is magnetically couplable to the actuation unit and to the console unit in order to magnetically fix the actuation unit in at least the idle position.

Abstract: A molded housing of a conformal wearable battery (CWB) encloses an electronic component and include an electrically conductive contact component embedded within an exterior wall to conduct electricity between an interior and an exterior of the casing. A flexible printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) for a conformal wearable battery (CWB) is enclosed in a cavity within the molded housing and includes attachment sections for a plurality of battery cells that are arranged in a grid-like pattern on a same side of the flexible PCBA. A visco-elastic shock-absorbing member installed between the upper and lower portion of the flexible PCBA when configured in a folded configuration. Each battery cell is joined to the flexible PCBA via a welding process. Each battery cell has a visco-elastic shock-absorbing member attached individually to each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: An input device, such as a joystick, has an operating device, a magnetorheological brake device, and a controller for activating the brake device. An operating lever is disposed on a supporting structure for pivoting around at least one pivot axis. The brake device is coupled with the pivot axis for controlled damping of a pivoting motion of the operating lever. The brake device has a rotary damper with two components, namely, an inside component and an outside component. The outside component radially surrounds the inside component and a damping gap is formed in between that is filled with a magnetorheological medium. The damping gap can be exposed to a magnetic field to damp a pivoting motion between the two contrapivoting components about an axis. One of the components has radial arms equipped with an electric coil whose winding extends adjacent to and spaced apart from the axis.

Abstract: A rotary damper has a housing and a damper shaft rotatable in the housing. A damper volume contains magnetorheological fluid for influencing the damping of a damper shaft rotation relative to the housing. A partition wall on the shaft and a partition wall formed on the housing divide the damper volume into two variable chambers. A gap is formed between the partition unit of the housing and the damper shaft, and a gap is formed between the partition unit on the damper shaft and the housing. The magnetic field source includes a controllable electric coil for influencing the strength of the magnetic field and thus the strength of damping. A substantial part of the magnetic field of the magnetic field source passes through at least two of the gaps and influences the two gap sections in dependence on the strength of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A chassis component has a rotary damper with a housing, a damper shaft rotatably accommodated thereat, a displacing device in the housing, and a magnetic field source. The displacing device has a damper volume with magnetorheological fluid to influence the damping of the rotary motion of the damper shaft relative to the housing. The damper volume is divided into variable chambers by a partition wall connected with the housing and a partition wall connected with the damper shaft. Radial and axial gaps are formed between the partition walls, the damper shaft and the housing. The magnetic field source has a controllable electric coil for influencing the strength of the magnetic field and thus the strength of damping. A substantial part of the magnetic field of the magnetic field source passes through the gaps and influences the gap sections in dependence on the strength of the magnetic field.