Abstract: A dwelling power management system includes a smart power integrated node located at a dwelling and configured to transit information to and receive information from a remote server arrangement. The smart power integrated node selectively controls power applied to dwelling electrical power hardware components according to a recommended operating procedure (ROP). The system also includes a utility switch connected to the smart power integrated node, the utility switch configured to control distribution of electrical power received from a dwelling external power source. The smart power integrated node transmits dwelling power usage information and dwelling user preferences to the remote server arrangement that evaluates relevant information including dwelling power usage information and dwelling user preferences and dwelling external factors to develop an optimized ROP. The smart power integrated node operates according to the optimized ROP.

Abstract: A multiple stage switching type converter circuit provided between an AC source and a DC source is provided. The circuit includes a boost converter stage coupled to the AC source, a DC link capacitor stage comprising a DC link capacitor decoupled from an AC source and a DC source, and an isolated DC-DC converter stage coupled to the DC source. The multiple stage switching type converter circuit comprises a plurality of switches, each switch configured to operate at a baseline duty cycle, a baseline voltage, a baseline resistance, with a baseline current and providing a baseline switching time. At least one switch is altered to perform at a duty cycle differing from the baseline duty cycle, a voltage differing from the baseline voltage, a resistance differing from baseline resistance, with a current differing from the baseline current or using a switching time differing from the baseline switching time.

Abstract: A dwelling power management system includes a smart power integrated node located at a dwelling and configured to transit information to and receive information from a remote server arrangement. The smart power integrated node selectively controls power applied to dwelling electrical power hardware components according to a recommended operating procedure (ROP). The system also includes a utility switch connected to the smart power integrated node, the utility switch configured to control distribution of electrical power received from a dwelling external power source. The smart power integrated node transmits dwelling power usage information and dwelling user preferences to the remote server arrangement that evaluates relevant information including dwelling power usage information and dwelling user preferences and dwelling external factors to develop an optimized ROP. The smart power integrated node operates according to the optimized ROP.

Abstract: A power management apparatus is provided. The apparatus is configured to connect a plurality of DC power elements to a plurality of AC power elements and includes a DC interface module connected to the plurality of DC power elements, a bi-directional AC-DC converter connected to the DC interface module, and an AC interface module connected to the bi-directional AC-DC converter and the AC power elements.

Abstract: An AC to DC converter system is provided. The system includes a bidirectional boost converter circuit coupled to an AC input, a high voltage DC link capacitor circuit coupled to the bidirectional boost converter and comprising at least one capacitor, and a DC to DC converter circuit coupled to the high voltage DC link capacitor circuit and a DC input, wherein the at least one capacitor may include a film capacitor.

Abstract: A power management apparatus is provided. The apparatus is configured to connect a plurality of DC power elements to a plurality of AC power elements and includes a DC interface module connected to the plurality of DC power elements, a bi-directional AC-DC converter connected to the DC interface module, and an AC interface module connected to the bi-directional AC-DC converter and the AC power elements.

Abstract: An AC to DC converter system is provided. The system includes a bidirectional boost converter circuit coupled to an AC input, a high voltage DC link capacitor circuit coupled to the bidirectional boost converter and comprising at least one capacitor, and a DC to DC converter circuit coupled to the high voltage DC link capacitor circuit and a DC input, wherein the at least one capacitor may include a film capacitor.

Abstract: A multiple stage switching type converter circuit provided between an AC source and a DC source is provided. The circuit includes a boost converter stage coupled to the AC source, a DC link capacitor stage comprising a DC link capacitor decoupled from an AC source and a DC source, and an isolated DC-DC converter stage coupled to the DC source. The multiple stage switching type converter circuit comprises a plurality of switches, each switch configured to operate at a baseline duty cycle, a baseline voltage, a baseline resistance, with a baseline current and providing a baseline switching time. At least one switch is altered to perform at a duty cycle differing from the baseline duty cycle, a voltage differing from the baseline voltage, a resistance differing from baseline resistance, with a current differing from the baseline current or using a switching time differing from the baseline switching time.

Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.

Abstract: A centrally controlled system for preventing overflow of fuels during loading operations includes dual processors either of which can take over the functions of the other processor when it fails. The system also includes full self-diagnostics and automatic testing to ensure that the warning lights and audible alarms at the loading compartments and the warning lights and audible alarms at the central location are operative during loading operations. If warning lights at the loading compartments are not visible due to obstructions, a voice synthesizer is used instead of lights at the loading compartments to announce the compartment identifier and the level of alarm reached. Floats in each compartment operate contacts when the level in the compartment reaches a first high level and when the level in the compartment reaches a second overfill level. In addition, if the level in any compartment reaches an overfill level, the power to the pumping station is automatically cut-off ceasing the loading operation.

Abstract: What is proposed is an electronic circuit for controlling the amount of AC power delivered to an inductive or resistive load which continuously measures the actual phase lag between the load current and applied voltage and automatically adjusts the firing angle to provide the desired amount of AC power. The circuit includes an auxiliary on/off input with soft start and independently adjustable time delays for the on and off functions and also incorporates an input for remote power level control and features a half-wave rectified mode which delivers pulsating DC power to the load.

Abstract: A voltage controller for use with a fluorescent-lighting system, the controller including a three-phase transformer having three auto-transformer windings each for developing two reduced voltages, three contactors for selectively coupling the full voltage and the reduced voltages to the lighting system, the contactors being switched in closed-transition fashion to avoid power interruptions, and another contactor for opening the winding-neutral connections during voltage switching to avoid shorting the transformer.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic device comprising a fluid containing housing and unique relatively rotatable wheel means, including an impeller wheel connected to an input shaft and a turbine wheel connected to an output shaft. With the addition of a stator wheel the device may provide torque multiplication between the shafts, or without the stator may be used to couple the shafts together. The wheel means is sized and arranged so that in one sequential pair of wheels the entrance edge of one of the wheels is spaced apart from the exit edge of the adjacent wheel a distance generally equal to or greater than the smallest maximum width of one of the wheels, and so that the heads generated by rotation of the wheels are predominantly additive and do not cause potentially destructive negative counter heads opposing the impeller flow. The conical configuration of wheel means with parallel edges especially lends itself to achieving such desired arrangement.

Abstract: What is proposed is an electronic circuit for controlling the amount of AC power delivered to an inductive or resistive load which continuously measures the actual phase lag between the load current and applied voltage and automatically adjusts the firing angle to provide the desired amount of AC power. The circuit includes an auxiliary on/off input with soft start and independently adjustable time delays for the on and off functions and also incorporates an input for remote power level control and features a half-wave rectified mode which delivers pulsating DC power to the load.