Abstract: An optically triggered semiconductor switch includes an anode metallization layer; a cathode metallization layer; a semiconductor between the anode metallization layer and the cathode metallization layer and a photon source. The semiconductor includes at least four layers of alternating doping in the form P-N-P-N, in which an outer layer adjacent to the anode metallization layer forms an anode and an outer layer adjacent the cathode metallization layer forms a cathode and in which the anode metallization layer has a window pattern of optically transparent material exposing the anode layer to light. The photon source emits light having a wavelength, with the light from the photon source being configured to match the window pattern of the anode metallization layer.

Abstract: A multijunction solar cell including a window layer with a gradation in doping; an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap adjacent to the window layer; a second solar subcell adjacent to said first solar subcell; a first graded interlayer adjacent to said second solar subcell, said first graded interlayer having a third band gap greater than said second band gap; a third solar subcell adjacent to said first graded interlayer; a second interlayer adjacent to said third solar subcell, said second graded interlayer having a fifth band gap greater than said fourth band gap; a fourth solar subcell adjacent to said second graded interlayer, such that said fourth subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said third subcell.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing corona discharge are provided. In one embodiment, an insulation system for a coil conductor comprising a grounded conductive or semi-conductive layer is molded over a primary insulation layer molded on coil conductor which limits the occurrence of voltage drop to the primary insulating layer is disclosed.

Abstract: A trunnion seal assembly for joining a stationary inlet/outlet box of a ball tube mill to a rotational interior of the ball tube mill includes an outer ring component configured to be mounted to an outer wall of the stationary inlet/outlet box. An inner ring component is joined to the outer ring component substantially concentrically with the outer ring component. A flexible pad seal is configured to be joined to the outer wall of the stationary inlet/outlet box proximate outer ring component. The pad seal includes a first annular sealing surface. A mill head extension ring configured to be joined to a rotational mill head is located proximate to and substantially concentric with the inner ring component. The mill head extension includes a second annular sealing surface sealingly engaged with the first annular sealing surface of the flexible pad seal.

Abstract: A fuel block system which includes a solid fuel. The solid fuel includes one or more of the following: a biomass or a charcoal generated from a biomass; the solid fuel is configured to release a gaseous and electrochemically-active fuel when exposed to heat.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a method and device for harvesting energy from a fluid flow by converting the kinetic energy of the flow into vibrational energy, which then may be converted to electrical energy by a magnetostrictive-based vibrational energy harvester. Some embodiments of this device rely on the principle of vortex-induced vibrations, where the frequency of the induced vibration is of the same order as the frequency of vortex shedding (the Strouhal number). Some embodiments of this device rely on the principle of turbulence-induced vibration, where the frequency of vibration can be significantly higher than the vortex shedding frequency, and is related to the turbulence frequency of the flow. Some embodiments also relate to converting energy from pressure pulses or differentials in the fluid.

Abstract: A system includes a fuel cell having a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode. A shield is configured to be on the oxygen electrode side of the fuel cell and an air chamber is configured to be on the oxygen electrode side of the fuel cell. The air chamber is formed at least in part by the shield. A fuel chamber is configured to be on the fuel electrode side of the fuel cell where the fuel chamber is configured to hold solid fuel.

Abstract: The systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a power converter that modulates the voltage to follow the envelope of the phase output such that the current may pass through to the line. The systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may provide a two phase power converter that modulates the voltage to follow the envelope of the two phase output. The systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may provide a three phase power converter that modulates the intermediate voltage to follow the envelope of the three phase output such that the current may pass through to the line without requiring intermediate storage.

Abstract: A piston construction with an end surface is equipped with a pattern of insulating cavities embedded in an upper end of the piston, between the end surface and interior portions of the piston that are cooled by circulating liquid coolant.

Abstract: A method and a system control flow of fluid from a storage tank through a supply line to an end user. The system includes a valve that in its open position allows fluid flow from the storage tank to the end user and closes when the pressure in the fluid supply line drops below a predetermined set point. The storage tank is thereby isolated because the valve prevents fluid from flowing from the storage tank to the supply line when the pressure in the supply line is lower than a predetermined upper limit of the storage tank pressure. An end use that is particularly suited to the present system and method is a fuel storage and supply system for a natural gas powered internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system includes electrically coupling the fuel cell stack to an energy storage device and an electrical demand by a load device at a substantially constant voltage. A controller controls an amount of an oxidant supply to the fuel cell stack based on the demand by the load device.

Abstract: In an opposed-piston engine, two or more fuel injectors are mounted to a cylinder for direct side injection into the cylinder. The injectors are controlled so as to inject either a single fuel pulse or a plurality of fuel pulses per cycle of engine operation in order to initiate combustion during varying engine speeds and operating conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus of a gas extractor for exhaust gas monitoring includes an extractor tube, an intake opening, a vent opening, and a plurality of sensors. The extractor tube is connected to an exhaust duct, where the exhaust duct provides an emitting gas flow. The plurality of sensors is attached to the extractor tube. A representative sample of the emitting gas flow travels through the intake opening into the extractor tube, where the intake opening is an intake angular extremity of the extractor tube. The plurality of sensors is able to take readings from the representative sample once the representative sample is within the extractor tube. Then the representative sample exits from the extractor tube through the vent opening, where the vent opening is a vent angular extremity of the extractor tube.

Abstract: A four-stage power distribution system (100) includes (i) a first stage (110) having an inverter (112) that provides power to a frequency drive (114) and an electric motor (116) controlled by the frequency drive; (ii) a second stage (120) having a flywheel (122) driven by the motor; (iii) a third stage (130) having an alternator (132) driven by the motor (116) and connected to the flywheel, and a rectifier (134) that receives current from the alternator and generates a direct current; and (iv) a fourth stage (140) having a charge control switch (142) that receives power from the rectifier, and a plurality of power storage devices such as batteries (144A-144C). A master control switch (150) controls the charge control switch to transition the plurality of batteries individually between a charging configuration and a load configuration. One or more of the battery(ies) in the load configuration provides power to the inverter.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices provide a solar cell module which may ensure a tight connection between a junction box and an external function module. The various embodiments provide a solar cell module having a junction box which may independently support an external function module and may firmly fix the external function module onto a base plate of the solar cell module. The various embodiments simplify the connecting structures between the external function box, the junction box, and the base plate of the solar cell module. The various embodiments provide a solar cell junction box which may enable a solar cell system to track the maximum power point of the solar cell modules in the solar cell system. In an embodiment, a junction box may include a printed circuit board (“PCB”).

Abstract: A current detector for an output load includes a high side power transistor; a low side power transistor coupled to the high side power transistor; and a controller coupled to the high and low side power transistors to provide cycle by cycle control of the conduction of the high and low side power transistors, wherein if the controller detects zero or negative current in the output inductor, using a dead time between when the low side power transistor turns off and before the high side power transistor turns on, the low side power transistor is held off during the entirety of the next switching cycle.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a directly actuated valve that comprises a strain-type actuator to actuate a valve member to travel between a closed position and an open position, the method comprising transmitting displacements from the strain-type actuator to the valve member, maintaining a compressive stress on the actuator that is greater than a predetermined minimum stress by applying a pre-load compressive stress and limiting to less than predetermined limits at least one of: (a) acceleration and deceleration of the valve member when moving between open positions and the closed position; and (b) velocity of said valve member immediately before contacting the valve seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface plasmon energy converter device which includes a first layer having a first layer dielectric constant. A plurality of nanofeatures is disposed in or on the first layer. A second layer has a second layer dielectric constant which differs from the first layer dielectric constant. The surface plasmon energy converter device is configured to respond to an incident electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength by radiating away from the surface plasmon wavelength converter device an electromagnetic radiation having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The invention also relates to a surface plasmon energy converter device which has a first layer having a first plurality of nanofeatures disposed on a first layer surface, a second layer having a second plurality of nanofeatures disposed on a second layer surface. The invention also relates to a surface plasmon energy converter device for generating electricity.