Abstract: A distributed power network includes a power bus infrastructure distributed over a region with node points provided to interface with controllable power nodes. Each power node can be connected to an external power device such as a DC power source, a DC power load, or a rechargeable DC battery.

Abstract: A cable gland assembly for attaching a shielded cable to an electronic enclosure includes a cable gland housing enclosing and in electrical contact with exposed cable shielding of the shielded cable and providing an electrically conductive pathway between the cable shielding and the electronic enclosure. The cable gland housing further encloses a shield pressure ring disposed to hold the exposed cable shielding in contact with the cable gland housing, a weather gasket, and an exposed portion of a cable strength member. The cable gland assembly includes environmental molding disposed within the cable gland housing to bond to and fix in place the exposed cable shielding, shield pressure ring, weather gasket, and exposed cable strength member. An outer molding is disposed around the cable gland housing.

Abstract: A power manager including a power bus operable at a DC bus voltage. A plurality of device ports operably connect to the power bus. A first data processing device and a first memory device are associated with the first data processing device. A data communication channel extends between the first data processing device and each of the plurality of device ports. An energy management schema operates on the first data processing device. For each of the plurality of device ports, the energy management schema establishes a communication link with an external power device connected to the device port over the data communication channel and determines if an external power device is connected to the device port and if so, determines an external power device type.

Abstract: An improved power manager includes a power bus (410) and multiple device ports (1-5), with at least one device port configured as a universal port (3 and 4) to be selectively connected to the power bus over an input power channel that includes an input power converter (510) or over a output or universal power channel (412, 416) that includes an output power converter (440, 442). The universal power channel (412) allows the input port (4) to be selected as an output power channel instead of an input power channel (i.e. operated as a universal port) for outputting power to device port (4) over power converter (440). The improved power manager (500) includes operating modes for altering an operating voltage of the power bus (505), to minimize overall power conversion losses due to DC to DC power conversions used to connect non-bus voltage compatible power devices to the power bus.

Abstract: A Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system having a hot zone with a center cathode air feed tube for improved reactant distribution, a CPOX reactor attached at the anode feed end of the hot zone with a tail gas combustor at the opposing end for more uniform heat distribution, and a counter-flow heat exchanger for efficient heat retention.

Abstract: An electronics device carrier for porting a battery powered electronic device is formed by outer walls surrounding a hollow volume. The electronic device is held within the hollow volume and can be operated without removing the electronic device from the carrier. An input interface comprising interface elements external to the outer walls provides an element suitable for interfacing with external power devices such as a power source or another power load. A device interface includes interface elements at least partially disposed internal to the outer walls for interfacing with the electronic device battery. A charge controller is disposed between the input interface and the device interface and is operable to connect elements connected to the input interface to the device battery to either recharge the device battery or use the device battery as a power source.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system included high thermal conductivity materials such as copper to increase thermal energy transfer by thermal conduction. The copper is protected from oxidation by nickel electroplating and protected from thermal damage by providing Hastelloy liners inside combustion chambers. Monel elements are used in the incoming air conduits to prevent cathode poisoning.

Abstract: Methods and systems for hydrogen generation from solid hydrogen storage compositions which generate hydrogen in an exothermic reaction wherein the heat released can be absorbed by solid endothermic compositions are disclosed. The solid hydrogen storage compositions comprise mixtures of chemical hydrides and water surrogate compounds. Fuel cartridges suitable for use with compositions which generate hydrogen upon the application of thermal initiation and methods for operating the fuel cartridges are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved power manager includes a power bus (410) and multiple device ports (1-5), with at least one device port configured as a universal port (3 and 4) to be selectively connected to the power bus over an input power channel that includes an input power converter (510) or over a output or universal power channel (412, 416) that includes an output power converter (440, 442). The universal power channel (412) allows the input port (4) to be selected as an output power channel instead of an input power channel (i.e. operated as a universal port) for outputting power to device port (4) over power converter (440). The improved power manager (500) includes operating modes for altering an operating voltage of the power bus (505), to minimize overall power conversion losses due to DC to DC power conversions used to connect non-bus voltage compatible power devices to the power bus.

Abstract: An improved power manager includes a power bus (410) and multiple device ports (1-5), with at least one device port configured as a universal port (3 and 4) to be selectively connected to the power bus over an input power channel that includes an input power converter (510) or over a output or universal power channel (412, 416) that includes an output power converter (440, 442). The universal power channel (412) allows the input port (4) to be selected as an output power channel instead of an input power channel (i.e. operated as a universal port) for outputting power to device port (4) over power converter (440). The improved power manager (500) includes operating modes for altering an operating voltage of the power bus (505), to minimize overall power conversion losses due to DC to DC power conversions used to connect non-bus voltage compatible power devices to the power bus.

Abstract: A portable DC power manager (400) includes an internal power bus (410) and a plurality of device ports (1150, 1160, 1170, 1180, 1190, 1200) for connecting with external power and energy sources, external power loads and other external power managers. Each device port is isolated for the internal power bus by controllable switches (A, B, C, D). Power converters (440, 442, 510) may be disposed between device ports and the internal power bus to convert voltages and attenuate current amplitude. Energy management schema operating on the power manager sums available power and allocates the available power to connected power loads according to power priority settings. A hot-change-over circuit (1300) connects additional sources to the internal bus in response to a voltage drop on the internal power bus. A compact and lightweight package (1100) enables a portability.

Abstract: Various aspects of invention provide portable power manager operating methods. One aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a power manager having a plurality of device ports for connecting with external power devices and a power bus for connecting with each device port. The method includes: disconnecting each device port from the power bus when no external power device is connected to the device port; accessing information from newly connected external power devices; determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus without power conversion; if not, determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus over an available power converter; and if so, configuring the available power converter for suitable power conversion.

Abstract: A Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system having a hot zone with a center cathode air feed tube for improved reactant distribution, a CPOX reactor attached at the anode feed end of the hot zone with a tail gas combustor at the opposing end for more uniform heat distribution, and a counter-flow heat exchanger for efficient heat retention.

Abstract: An electronics device carrier for porting a battery powered electronic device is formed by outer walls surrounding a hollow volume. The electronic device is held within the hollow volume and can be operated without removing the electronic device from the carrier. An input interface comprising interface elements external to the outer walls provides an element suitable for interfacing with external power devices such as a power source or another power load. A device interface includes interface elements at least partially disposed internal to the outer walls for interfacing with the electronic device battery. A charge controller is disposed between the input interface and the device interface and is operable to connect elements connected to the input interface to the device battery to either recharge the device battery or use the device battery as a power source.

Abstract: Various aspects of invention provide portable power manager operating methods. One aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a power manager having a plurality of device ports for connecting with external power devices and a power bus for connecting with each device port. The method includes: disconnecting each device port from the power bus when no external power device is connected to the device port; accessing information from newly connected external power devices; determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus without power conversion; if not, determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus over an available power converter; and if so, configuring the available power converter for suitable power conversion.

Abstract: Various aspects of invention provide portable power manager operating methods. One aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a power manager having a plurality of device ports for connecting with external power devices and a power bus for connecting with each device port. The method includes: disconnecting each device port from the power bus when no external power device is connected to the device port; accessing information from newly connected external power devices; determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus without power conversion; if not, determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus over an available power converter; and if so, configuring the available power converter for suitable power conversion.

Abstract: Various aspects of invention provide portable power manager operating methods. One aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a power manager having a plurality of device ports for connecting with external power devices and a power bus for connecting with each device port. The method includes: disconnecting each device port from the power bus when no external power device is connected to the device port; accessing information from newly connected external power devices; determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus without power conversion; if not, determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus over an available power converter; and if so, configuring the available power converter for suitable power conversion.

Abstract: A Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system having a hot zone with a center cathode air feed tube for improved reactant distribution, a CPOX reactor attached at the anode feed end of the hot zone with a tail gas combustor at the opposing end for more uniform heat distribution, and a counter-flow heat exchanger for efficient heat retention.