Abstract: Various enhancements to grid-interactive inverters in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes input terminals configured to receive a direct current, output terminals configured to provide an alternating output current to the utility grid, a controller, an output current sensor, and a DC-AC inverter stage comprising a plurality of switches controlled by control signals generated by the controller. In addition, the controller is configured to: generate control signals that cause the switches in the DC-AC inverter stage to switch a direct current in a bidirectional manner; measure the alternating output current; perform frequency decomposition of the output current; and generate control signals that cause the switches in the DC-AC inverter stage to switch current in a way that the magnitude of a plurality of unwanted current components is subtracted from the resulting output current.

Abstract: A blower includes a motor mounted to a frame. The frame includes wheels mounted to the frame. The blower includes a fan powered by the motor and a blower outlet. The fan is configured to expel air from the fan through the blower outlet. The blower outlet is movable in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The blower includes a horizontal control for controlling a horizontal position of the blower outlet. The blower includes a vertical control for controlling a vertical position of the blower outlet. Both the horizontal and vertical controls are positioned remote from the blower outlet.

Abstract: A method for testing and controlling a rapid shutdown device, and a tester are provided. The method includes: transmitting a heartbeat signal of first signal strength to a target rapid shutdown device in a target rapid shutdown module to switch the target rapid shutdown device on and testing the target rapid shutdown device using a preset testing program t, on receipt of a rapid shutdown device testing request, where all rapid shutdown devices in the target rapid shutdown module are previously off; and transmitting a heartbeat signal of second signal strength to the target rapid shutdown module to switch the rapid shutdown devices on or off, on receipt of a rapid shutdown device control request, where the first signal strength is lower than the second signal strength. The rapid shutdown devices can be tested and controlled efficiently, thereby effectively avoiding safety hazards and thus protecting workers.

Abstract: A novel converter circuit topology is disclosed. The converter circuit has a bridge circuit, a transformer, and a half-bridge current-doubler rectifier. An input end of the bridge circuit is connected to an input voltage node of the converter circuit. A reference end of the bridge circuit is connected to an output voltage node of the converter circuit. Opposing ends of a primary winding of the transformer are connected to bridge nodes of the bridge circuit. A secondary winding of the transformer serves as current-doubler inductors of the half-bridge current-doubler rectifier. A tap of the secondary winding is connected to the reference end of the bridge circuit.

Abstract: An electric power system is disclosed herein. The electric power system may manage and store electric power and provide uninterrupted electric power, derived from a plurality of electric power sources, to an electric load. The electric power system may contain an energy storage unit and generator assembly. The electric power system may connect to a power grid and renewable energy sources, and may charge the energy storage unit using the power grid, renewable energy sources, and/or generator assembly. The electric power system may be configured to determine load power usage and environmental factors to automatically and continuously modify a charging protocol to, for example, provide high efficiency and/or self-sufficiency from the power grid. The electric power system may operate entirely off-grid and may provide electricity to the load without interruption to power.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a wide bandgap device includes providing a thin native substrate. An epitaxial layer is grown on a surface of the native substrate. After growing the epitaxial layer, a handle substrate is attached to the opposite surface of the native substrate by way of an interface layer. With the handle substrate providing mechanical support, wide bandgap devices are fabricated in the epitaxial layer using a low-temperature fabrication process. The handle substrate is detached from the native substrate after fabrication of the wide bandgap devices.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, system, and techniques described herein allow pole retention hardware of the electric motor to also function as a cooling manifold for removing heat generated by the electrical coils. A pole retainer apparatus can include a pole retainer for retaining a pole to a hub. The pole retainer can include a proximal end mounted on the hub and a distal end. The pole retainer can include a channel extending through the pole retainer from the proximal end of the pole retainer mounted on the hub to the distal end of the pole retainer. The apparatus can include a mount located at the distal end of the pole retainer and configured to retain the pole on the hub. The apparatus can include a fluid transfer duct connected to the mount. The cooling system can be employed on TORUS Axial Flux Permanent Magnet motors, and various other motor designs.

Abstract: A method of operating a forced induction gaseous-fueled engine includes mixing gaseous-fuel and engine intake air to form a mixture at a fuel mixer. The method includes delivering the mixture to an intake manifold by at least partially bypassing a charge air cooler.

Abstract: A battery module assembly includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell. The first battery cell includes a rear surface, a side surface, and a top surface. A second battery cell also includes a front surface, a side surface, and a top surface. The front surface of the second battery cell contacts the rear surface first battery cell. A barrier contacts the side surfaces of both the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

Abstract: A battery module comprises a first electrical connector assembly disposed opposite a second electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly of a first of the battery module is configured to electrically and physically couple the second electrical connector assembly of a second of the battery module.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus and systems including a cooling tube including a proximal end having a first opening and a distal end having a second opening. The cooling tube includes an intermediate portion extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The apparatus includes an interface component disposed on an exterior interface of the intermediate portion and at least partially encapsulating the cooling tube, the interface component composed of an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material. The interface component is in abutting contact with one or more heat conducting or heat generating elements of an electromechanical device.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for fabricating a heat source for a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG). The method may include reducing a particle size in a strontium compound by powdering and sieving the strontium compound and/or dissolving the strontium compound into an aqueous solution; mixing the strontium compound with graphite to obtain a strontium-graphite mixture; performing a press to the strontium-graphite mixture; and encapsulating the pressed strontium-graphite mixture into an x-ray shielding to obtain the heat source.

Abstract: A load shed module configured to be connected in series between a power supply and a load is disclosed. A separate load shed module is connected in series between each load and the power supply. The load shed module determines the frequency of the voltage supplied from the power supply. Based on the frequency, the load shed module determines if utility power is connected or if a generator is connected. If the generator is connected and the frequency of the voltage goes outside of a desired operating range for a preset time, the load shed module disconnects the load from the power supply. Each load shed module includes a priority setting and reconnects its corresponding load after a predetermined time corresponding to the priority setting.

Abstract: Engines operating using multiple, different types of fuel are described. The engines may include components that control the introduction of fuels and/or reduce premature pre-ignition of fuels, such as a fuel comprising a percentage of hydrogen. The described hydrogen-fueled engines have a reduced carbon footprint.

Abstract: If an additional power source is introduced at the distribution level it is then possible for power to flow back into the grid. This is a potentially undesired scenario, so much so that some entities enacted laws to regulate/control this scenario. There are also regulations in some places that restricts off-grid scenarios. The present disclosure is directed to embodiments that can operate with the grid, or islanded, with a range of grid load from 0-100%. 10% grid load is described as a model for abiding by legal interconnection/tax requirements. At the interconnection point/points there is typically protection and or control technology such as fuses in a circuit-breaker that limit current to a particular load or loads. A solution to this scenario, using split load configuration according to embodiments of the present disclosure, allows for both distributed generation and no power flow back into the grid.

Abstract: A smart battery balancer is provided that monitors the voltage output levels of two battery packs and switches current into a selected one of the batteries to maintain balanced voltage output levels. In one embodiment, first and second batteries are connected in series to generate a high voltage output. Current from the batteries is stored in an inductor that is connected to first and second switches. A switch control circuit is configured to generate drive signals to control the first and second switches. The drive signals close the first switch and open the second switch when an output voltage of the first battery is greater than an output voltage of the second battery. The drive signals open the first switch and close the second switch when the output voltage of the second battery is greater than the output voltage of the first battery.

Abstract: A diesel emissions control system comprising a first DEF tank and a second DEF tank. A pump for pumping fluid from one or more of the first DEF tank and the second DEF tank. A connection line fluidly connecting the first DEF tank and the second DEF tank. A heating system preventing freezing of the DEF in the diesel emissions control system.

Abstract: A switching tube control method and device, and a direct-current converter. In the solution, after a switching tube on a leading bridge arm in a phase-shifted full-bridge converter is disconnected and a current on a transformer is not greater than a current preset value, a corresponding switching tube on a lagging bridge arm is controlled to be disconnected, and it is ensured that the current flowing through the switching tube is small when the switching tube on the lagging bridge arm is disconnected, such that the soft turn-off of the switching tube on the lagging bridge arm is realized, the loss is reduced, the anti-interference capability of the switching tube is improved, and the EMS performance of the switching tube is improved.

Abstract: Junction field effect transistors (JFETs) and related manufacturing methods are disclosed herein. A disclosed JFET includes a vertical channel region located in a mesa and a first channel control region located on a first side of the mesa. The first channel control region is at least one of a gate region and a first base region. The JEFT also includes a second base region located on a second side of the mesa and extending through the mesa to contact the vertical channel region. The vertical channel can be an implanted vertical channel. The vertical channel can be asymmetrically located in the mesa towards the first side of the mesa.