Abstract: A characteristic, such as State Of Health (SOH) or State Of Charge (SOC), is estimated for an Energy Storage System (ESS) by supplying a pre-determined signal to the ESS, measuring a response signal output by the ESS, and obtaining an impedance spectrum of the ESS. In one example, the ESS is one of several electrochemical battery packs of an electric vehicle. The pre-determined signal is a current signal generated by a switching power converter that transfers charge from the battery pack to other battery packs or transfers charge from the other battery packs onto the battery pack. The pre-determined signal is generated without disrupting any load supplied by the battery packs. The battery pack outputs a voltage signal in response to receiving the pre-determined current signal. A processor obtains an impedance spectrum using the current and voltage signals, and thereby obtains an SOH and SOC estimate of the battery.

Abstract: In disclosed techniques, secure communication initiation and execution is used for datacenter power control. Information relating to power control is encrypted for inclusion in a first data payload. The first data payload is used for datacenter power infrastructure control. The first data payload is sent from a first component within a datacenter to a second component within the datacenter. The first component and the second component enable power infrastructure power control of the datacenter. The datacenter power infrastructure control is modified based on decryption of the first data payload by the second component within the datacenter. The first data payload provides for intelligent power control within the datacenter. Modifying the datacenter power infrastructure control dynamically changes power control within the datacenter. The changing power control changes power policies within the datacenter. The first component is authenticated using the first data payload. Encryption includes obscurity.

Abstract: A battery apparatus with voltage-balancing control and a method controlling the same employ a voltage-balancing module, which balances voltage values of multiple series-connected batteries of the battery apparatus, and accumulates voltage difference values of each battery relative to reference voltage values to adjust an allowable discharge control parameter Duty for each battery. By virtue of a cycle for updating the Duty, voltage differences of the multiple series-connected batteries can be lowered below a preset value.

Abstract: A system includes a power source, a power converter, a leakage current cancelation circuit, a load, and a ground node. The power converter is coupled to the power source and supplies the load. During operation of the power converter, a common mode current flows from the load to the ground node via a leakage capacitance. The leakage current cancelation circuit receives at least one signal indicative of the common mode current and generates a leakage cancelation current that is injected into at least one node of the system. The leakage cancelation current has a magnitude opposite a magnitude of the common mode current. For example, the leakage current cancelation circuit receives supply voltage signals output by the power converter, and generates and supplies the leakage cancelation current onto input nodes of the power converter such that a current level on the ground node is between ?3.0 milliamperes and +3.0 milliamperes.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously charging an energy storage device from multiple energy input devices includes energy input devices in the form of solar and non-solar modules and an energy storage device in the form of a rechargeable battery, which is part of an energy storage module. A first solar module is able to generate solar power and delivers this power to the energy storage module, while the non-solar module delivers, for example, electrochemically generated electricity to the energy storage module via the first solar module, which acts as a backplane. The system may also include additional solar modules that can be connected to the first solar module in collapsed or expanded states to adjust the amount of electricity generated from solar power.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to provide energy control via power-requirement analysis and power-source enablement. Both demand-side and supply-side techniques are used alone or in conjunction to determine an optimal number of power sources to supply power to one or more loads. When fluctuations in power requirements are present, measures such as decoupling less-critical loads in order to continue delivering power to critical systems and turning on and off power sources as needed to meet the current power demands of a system are implemented. Power sources are periodically deactivated by the system on a rotational basis such that all power sources wear evenly, prolonging the life of the equipment. A scalable architecture that allows the virtualization of power from the underlying hardware form factor is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly for indicating and communicating a priming charge to a fluid pump to establish self-sustained operation of the fluid pump is disclosed. The priming assembly includes an enlarged inlet associated with a fluid priming chamber and an outlet that is in fluid communication with the working fluid passage associated with the pump. The priming assembly includes one or more of a cap or valve assembly associated with isolating the pump chamber from atmosphere and preferably includes indicia associated with use and/or operation of the priming assembly.

Abstract: A system includes first and second dam modules, a power generation unit, and first and second turbine modules. The first dam module can be secured to a foundation of a dam site and redirect a first flow of water. The second dam module can be secured to the first dam module opposite the foundation and redirect a second flow of water. The first turbine module can be secured to the foundation. The second turbine module can be secured to the first turbine module opposite the foundation. The power generation unit includes a turbine to be driven by a third flow of water at least partially including at least one of the first flow of water or the second flow of water. The first turbine module includes a draft tube having an inlet to receive water from the turbine and an outlet to discharge water from the first turbine module.

Abstract: An exemplary safety cover for a power panel includes at least one body, at least one connector, and at least one gripping portion. The body has a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first surface. A perimeter wall extends between at least a portion of a perimeter of the first surface to at least a portion of a perimeter of the second surface. The connector has a perimeter wall that extends from the second surface of the body to a distal end. A plurality of relief areas are located in the perimeter wall proximate the distal end of the connector. The connector also includes at least one stop that is spaced apart from the distal end of the perimeter wall. The connector is configured to removably engage at least one of a connector and an opening of the power panel.

Abstract: This invention provides a thermal energy battery having an insulated tank containing a multitude of densely packed plastic tubes filled with a phase-change material (PCM, such as ice) that changes from solid to liquid and vice-versa. Energy is stored when the PCM transitions from liquid to solid form, and released when the PCM transitions back from solid to liquid form. The tubes are arranged vertically, span the height of a well-insulated tank, and are immersed in heat transfer fluid (HTF) contained within the tank. The HTF is an aqueous solution with a freezing point temperature below the freezing point temperature of the chosen PCM. The HTF remains in liquid form at all times during the operation of the battery. Diffusers located allow the HTF to be extracted uniformly from the tank, pumped and cooled by a liquid chiller situated outside the tank and then and inserted back into the tank.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a LDMOS device, including: forming a semiconductor substrate; forming a dielectric layer atop the semiconductor substrate and an electric conducting layer on the dielectric layer; forming a first photoresist layer on the electric conducting layer; patterning the first photoresist layer through a first mask to form a first opening; etching the electric conducting layer through the first opening; implanting dopants of a first doping type into the semiconductor substrate through the first opening to form a first body region adjacent to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a second body region located beneath the first body region; removing the first photoresist layer; etching the electric conducting layer using a second photoresist layer and a second mask.

Abstract: A semiconductor device reducing parasitic loop inductance of system for the switching converter. The semiconductor device has an input voltage pin, a ground reference pin, a switching pin, and a semiconductor die, wherein the semiconductor die comprises a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch and a metal connection. The metal connection directly connects the high-side power switch and the first terminal of the low-side power switch, and is along and proximity to an edge of the semiconductor device to which the input voltage pin is distributed.

Abstract: A current source generating a charging current and a supply voltage by charging a capacitor with the charging current. The current source has a conversion circuit converting a line voltage into a second voltage, a current generation circuit generating the charging current based on the second voltage, and a control circuit controlling the current generation circuit based on the supply voltage. The charging current is controlled to be at a first current value when the supply voltage is lower than a first threshold voltage, the charging current is controlled to be at a second current value when the supply voltage is higher than a second threshold voltage. The first threshold voltage is lower than the second threshold voltage, and the first current value is lower than the second current value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of creating a dynamically reconfigurable energy source comprised of individual, isolated, controllable energy modules, supported by software to measure and manage the energy modules and facilitate the reconfiguration, where the platform consisting of hardware, based upon an inverted H-Bridge circuitry, in combination with software which allows for real-time management, control, and configuration of the modules and uses a combination of software algorithms and localized electronic switches, to achieve a performance and functionality of the invention matching, or exceeding, traditional large, heavy, and expensive power electronics-based products used for charging, energy storage management, power inverting, and motor or load control.

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: An airflow system for an enclosed portable generator is provided that efficiently cools internal components by collecting an airflow and directing the entire airflow past a heat generating component such as an inverter module assembly before releasing the airflow in an unrestricted manner into an open interior space of the portable inverter generator. The airflow system includes an intake plenum system with a plenum body configured to collect and concentrate a volume of air as an intake airflow and to damp sound emission from a front side of housing of the generator.

Abstract: Electrical power is dynamically managed among one or more power sources and one or more loads. A plurality of monitor nodes is connected to an input terminal connected to each source, and to an output terminal connected to each load. A plurality of electrical power storage cells is connected among the input and output terminals, each cell being capable of storing power from at least one of the sources and being capable of discharging stored power to at least one of the loads. A plurality of controllable switches is connected to the cells. A programmed controller dynamically monitors operating conditions at the monitor nodes during operation of each source and each load, and selectively dynamically controls the switches to interconnect the cells in different circuit topologies in response to the monitored operating conditions.

Abstract: A thermal choke, includes (1) a body, comprising a heat conductive material, (2) an electric heater, on or in the body, (3) a temperature sensor, on or in the body, and (4) a fin, in a channel surrounded by the body. The thermal choke is configured to fit between a throttle assembly and a cylinder of a spark ignition engine.

Abstract: A seal protection system includes a housing located on a dry side of a seal and adjacent to the frame of a pump. The housing, in part, defines a cooling chamber adjacent to the seal in which a cooling liquid may be circulated. The cooling liquid may be contained within the chamber or within a reservoir removed from the chamber. The cooling liquid circulates within the chamber to keep the seal cool even if the pump is operating under dry conditions.