Abstract: Provided is a distributed-power-generation system capable of maintaining an operation point and a method of controlling the same. The distributed-power-generation system comprises: a fuel cell producing current and high-temperature gas through an electric chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen; a turbine obtaining rotation power using heat produced by the fuel cell; a compressor supplying air to the fuel cell using the rotation power of the turbine; a motor/generator unit acting as a motor using a current supplied from a battery in a starting mode, and as a generator rotating by rotation power of a turbine and generating a current in a generating mode; and an inverter unit supplying a DC power produced by the fuel cell and an AC power produced by the motor/generator unit for a three-phase power system.

Abstract: In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments, the present technique provides methods and apparatus for providing operating power to a complementary device to an induction device based uninterruptible power source (UPS) via a direct current (dc) bus. In one embodiment, the UPS includes a flywheel that stores kinetic energy during conventional operating conditions, e.g., external power is available. During such operating condition, the external power operates the induction device as an induction motor. However, when external power is lost, i.e., a transient operating condition, power conversion circuitry of the UPS provides ac power to the induction device such that the induction device operates above its synchronous speed and, as such, acts as an induction generator.

Abstract: A field coil is housed inside a coil housing space of a pole core, and an annular body that is made of an insulating resin is fixed to a portion of a shaft that projects outward at a first end of the pole core. A pair of slip rings are fixed to the annular body so as to be separated axially, and a pair of connecting terminals are disposed on the annular body such that first ends are respectively connected to the pair of slip rings and second ends project radially outward from a flange portion of the annular body. In addition, a coil winding start end and winding finish end of the field coil are led out through a valley portion between first claw-shaped magnetic pole portions, and are respectively connected to projecting portions of the connecting terminals.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating AC power using a synchronous reluctance machine (12) or a salient-pole synchronous machine (102) and a power converter (110). The present invention can be used to achieve power production for a synchronous reluctance machine (12), or can be used to achieve AC power from a traditional salient-pole synchronous machine/starter (102) without dependence upon a rotor current which is subject to failure. In the power generation system, the control system and method can include a power converter (110), controlled by a voltage command and at least one of a measured AC bus (125) current and voltage, and a DC link (120) voltage, for use with a synchronous reluctance machine (102) and a prime mover (116), such that movement of the rotor of the synchronous reluctance machine (102) can be used to produce at least partial AC power generation on the AC bus (125).

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer including: a fixed electrode; a vibrating film placed opposite to a surface of the fixed electrode and having a conducting layer; a member that holds the fixed electrode and vibrating film; the fixed electrode including a driving-use fixed electrode formed to drive the ultrasonic transducer, and a detecting-use fixed electrode formed to detect an amplitude of the vibrating film; and a unit that controls a signal to be applied to the driving-use fixed electrode based on a magnitude of the amplitude of the vibrating film detected by the detecting-use fixed electrode so that the magnitude of the vibration of the vibrating film becomes in proportion to an input signal, wherein when an alternating current signal is applied between the fixed electrode and the conducting layer of the vibrating film, the ultrasonic transducer generates an ultrasonic wave.

Abstract: Spindle-motor stator includes at least a first core sheet and at least one or more second core sheets located next to an end core sheet. A bent portion bent upward and a protrusion extending upward from the bent portion are formed at the forward end of the plurality of the first core sheet. Each of the plurality of teeth is wound with a conductive wire.

Abstract: A drive motor is supported and fixed onto a motor support plate composing a support member through vibration proof rubber which damps vibration, the frequency of which is not less than 1 kHz. Due to the foregoing, it becomes difficult for the vibration generated from the drive motor itself, to be transmitted to the support member so that the generation of resonance noise can be prevented.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a flexible substrate and a piezoelectric element including a pair of electrodes each positioned on the flexible substrate. A switching element is connected to one of the pair of electrodes, in the flexible substrate, and a common line is connected to the other of the pair of electrodes, on the flexible substrate.

Abstract: Energy efficient circuitry is provided for rapid transfer of charge to and from a reactive load while avoiding excessive peak currents and significant resistive energy dissipation. For example, circuitry of the invention provides for rapid actuation of a piezoelectric mass flow valve actuator while significantly reducing electrical input power and power dissipation requirements. The invention also features circuitry for recovering a substantial portion of the energy delivered to the reactive load while still permitting rapid cycling of the load drive circuit. Controlling the activation interval of the drive circuitry provides for incremental actuation or positioning of the reactive load.

Abstract: The ocean wave energy converter uniquely includes a generator with a rotating inner rotor surrounded by a counter-rotating outer rotor for generating electricity. A reciprocating drive rod drives the inner rotor on the downstroke of the drive rod and the outer rotor on the upstroke of the drive rod through a gear driven driveshaft with clutches. A buoy is attached to end of the drive rod whereby the undulation of the ocean waves relative to the buoy reciprocates the drive rod between the upstroke and the downstroke positions.

Abstract: Hybrid actuator. The actuator includes a piezoelectric actuator spaced apart from a magnetostrictive actuator. A linkage is in contact with the piezoelectric and magnetostrictive actuator, the linkage having an end including microgrooves. A rotatable shaft includes microgrooves mating with the microgrooves in the linkage end. Electronic circuitry is provided to drive the piezoelectric actuator and the magnetostrictive actuator resulting in the piezoelectric and the magnetostrictive actuators moving 180° out of phase thereby moving the linkage to rotate the shaft. It is preferred that the actuators be driven at resonance. In one embodiment, the actuator includes three actuators to provide motion about three axes. In another embodiment the actuator is a linear actuator.

Abstract: An exemplary description provided for patent searches includes a linear electrodynamic system for conversion of mechanical motion into electrical power or conversion of electrical power into mechanical motion involving advantageous use of magnetic material positioned on a mover. Bore surfaces of the magnetic material is shape complementary to bore surfaces of stator poles. Some implementations utilize non-annularly shaped bore surfaces while others utilize annularly shaped bore surfaces.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator includes; a lower electrode 24 formed on a substrate 11; a piezoelectric film 23 formed on the lower electrode 24; an upper electrode 25 formed on the piezoelectric film 23 and obtaining, in collaboration with the lower electrode 24, a signal having a predetermined resonance frequency by a propagation of a bulk acoustic wave inside the piezoelectric film 23; and an acoustic multilayer reflective film 28 including an SiO2 film 28a having a predetermined acoustic impedance and an AIN film 28b having an acoustic impedance higher than the SiO2 film 28a, and reflecting the bulk acoustic wave, the SiO2 film 28a and the AIN film 28b being alternately stacked on the upper electrode 25, and the SiO2 film 28a being in contact with the upper electrode 25.

Abstract: A piezoelectric gyro element including: a piezoelectric vibration body, which has a shape of a rectangular column with a rectangular section, the piezoelectric vibration body being fixed on one end; first driving electrodes formed on opposing first side faces of the piezoelectric vibration body; second and third driving electrodes formed separated from each other in the width direction of opposing second side faces of the piezoelectric vibration body; first detecting electrodes formed on the opposing first side faces of the piezoelectric vibration body; and second detecting electrodes formed on the opposing second side faces of the piezoelectric vibration body; wherein the piezoelectric vibration body is made to oscillate so that one end thereof rotates in a circular path, by applying driving currents with phase differentials to each of the driving electrodes; and a bend of the piezoelectric vibration body, the bend being generated by a torque operating orthogonally to a rotational central axis of the oscilla

Abstract: A positioning device for heavy loads is provided. The positioning device includes a frame and a stage disposed or integrally defined within the frame. The stage is dimensioned and configured to be translatable within the frame in at least one axis of motion. At least one dual-parallel flexure connects the stage to the frame.

Abstract: An electromechanical motor includes a rail to be moved, a dry, non-lubricated, sliding bearing for the rail, and driving members imposing a mechanical driving force on the rail. The bearing has two rail contacting portions. A first portion contacts the rail for obstructing displacements of the rail in a first direction transverse to a main extension of the rail. The first portion also obstructs rotation of the rail around an axis parallel to the main extension. The second portion is arranged for obstructing displacements of the rail in the first direction transverse to the main extension, while allowing at least a minor movement of at least one of rotation of the rail. The motor allows for mechanical flexibility at certain selected positions and ensures immobility at other selected positions, in order to reduce the impact of externally induced displacements, torques and rotations at critical places in the motor.

Abstract: The frequency of a drive signal supplied to a piezoelectric actuator 91 is swept within a specific range, the consumption current of the piezoelectric actuator 91 is determined, and when the consumption current is equal to or greater than a reference value, the frequency of the drive signal supplied to the piezoelectric actuator 91 is shifted proportionate to a specific frequency and returned to its initial value, and the frequency sweep is continued. The resonance frequency component can be removed when the frequency of the drive signal supplied to the piezoelectric element is swept. Consequently, the piezoelectric element can be driven outside of the resonance frequency range at which the consumption current is highest, allowing extreme increases in the consumption current to be prevented and system failures due to the flow of an excessive consumption current to be avoided.

Abstract: A stepping motor comprises a stator core, a drive coil which is attached to the stator core and a terminal block having a plurality of terminal pins to be wound with the terminals of the drive coil windings. The stator core and terminal block have respective fitting parts. The fitting part of the terminal block is fitted to the fitting part of the stator core. A gap is provided between the terminal block and the drive coil.

Abstract: A resonator comprises a base portion and a plurality of vibrational arms connected to the base portion and vibratable in a flexural mode. An electrode is disposed on at least one of opposite side surfaces of each of the vibrational arms so that a capacitance ratio r1 of a fundamental mode of vibration of the resonator is less than a capacitance ratio r2 of a second overtone mode of vibration thereof. A groove is formed in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of the vibrational arms, and at least one mounting arm protrudes from the base portion.

Abstract: A magnetoelectric generator includes: a generating coil that is constituted by: a generating coil main body in which a conducting wire is wound onto respective teeth of a stator core; and an output wire that is led axially outward from the generating coil main body; and a varnish that is applied to a surface of the generating coil and heat-hardened, and an insulating insert is inserted into a gap in the generating coil between adjacent teeth; and the output wire is fixed to the generating coil main body by the varnish and is also fixed by being held between the insulating insert and the generating coil main body.