Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for energy harvesting by circuitry of a node in a network. The node operates in a communication mode that includes communicating, via an RF transceiver, data with another node in the network. The node includes an energy storage device that provides power for the node. The node switches, via an RF switch, from said communication mode to an energy harvest mode. The energy harvest mode includes receiving RF emissions accessible to the node via an antenna. The RF emissions are converted to DC electrical energy, and the DC energy is stored in the energy storage device.

Abstract: A distribution board includes: a pack housing unit which houses a battery pack and includes a connecting unit; and a charge control unit. The battery pack includes a connecting terminal unit for charge and discharge of power and can supply power to the distribution board and another device different from the distribution board. The connecting unit is connectable to and disconnectable from the connecting terminal unit. The charge control unit converts AC power supplied from a power system into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the battery pack housed in the pack housing unit to charge the battery pack.

Abstract: A pre-charge circuit is provided for an electromechanical relay having a coil and relay contacts. The pre-charge circuit includes a semiconductor switch configured to be electrically connected across the relay contacts of the electromechanical relay. The pre-charge circuit includes a resistor configured to be electrically connected in series with the semiconductor switch between the coil and the relay contacts of the electromechanical relay. The pre-charge circuit includes a driver configured to be electrically connected between the coil of the electromechanical relay and the semiconductor switch such that the driver is configured to power operation of the semiconductor switch. The semiconductor switch is configured to pre-charge a capacitor of a load of the electromechanical relay with electrical current through the resistor for limiting in-rush electrical current supplied to the relay contacts of the electromechanical relay.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method of detecting when a wall mounted drum type washing machine drops, slips, tilts or detaches from the wall, in which the apparatus includes a horizontality detecting sensor configured to output a sensor value corresponding to a horizontal inclination of a main body of a washing machine; a verticality detecting sensor configured to output a sensor value corresponding to a vertical inclination of the main body of the washing machine; and a controller configured to determine whether the main body of the washing machine has dropped, slips, tilts or detaches from the wall by receiving sensor values from the horizontality detecting sensor and the verticality detecting sensor, and blocking power to the washing machine when the main body of the washing machine dropped, slipped, tilted or detached from the wall.

Abstract: An auxiliary power pack for a vehicle includes an energy harvesting system for converting energy from an ambient environment into electrical power, a storage device in communication with the energy harvesting device for storing energy in response to the electrical power, and an output interface in communication with the storage device for supplying the stored energy to an electronic device. The power pack further includes a portable housing for the energy harvesting system, the storage device and the output interface. The housing is configured for removable mounting to a vehicle.

Abstract: A voltage source converter includes a black start control unit and cells, where each cell includes a first switch between a first end of a cell capacitor and a first cell terminal, a second switch between a second end of the cell capacitor and the first cell terminal, where a second cell terminal is provided via the first or the second end of the cell capacitor, a first power supply unit and a second power supply unit, where the black start control unit is configured to perform, after the initial application of a DC voltage to a cell terminal of a cell and the subsequent initial charging of the chargeable power supply unit of one of the switches, charging of an uncharged power supply unit of the other switch through repeatedly turning on and off the switch with initially charged power supply unit.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating a UPS system, the method comprising receiving, at an input of a first UPS, input power from a power source, generating, with a first analysis circuit, a first signal indicative of a characteristic of the input power, receiving, at the analysis circuit, a second signal from a second analysis circuit of a device coupled to the power source, the second signal indicative of a characteristic of input power received at the second analysis circuit, analyzing with the analysis circuitry, the first signal and the second signal, determining, whether an improper wiring condition exists at the input, in response to a determination that an improper wiring condition does not exist, providing output power to an output of the first UPS, and in response to a determination that an improper wiring condition does exist, de-energizing the first UPS.

Abstract: Improved mechanisms for automated control of harvested energy delivery are described. A device harvests and stores energy and activates a controller when a sufficient level of stored energy is achieved. The controller retrieves previous power-off state information determines status information, and activates and powers a powered device. Just before insufficient energy remains to power the powered device, the controller stores shutdown status information and enters a power-off state.

Abstract: A switching device for an electrically driven vehicle, in particular a track vehicle, has a switch unit that is provided for respectively connecting and disconnecting a vehicle drive unit to and from an electrical supply line carrying high voltage and has at least two switch contacts. A drive unit is provided for driving a relative movement of the switch contacts with respect to one another. A housing unit receives the switch unit and the drive unit. The housing unit contains a support for supporting at least the switch unit. In order to provide a generic switch device for which a compact construction can be achieved, the switch unit is arranged in a lying position relative to the support.

Abstract: A power signal source may provide current to a transmit coil to support wireless power transmission. The power signal source may include one or more modulators in parallel that may be phase delayed by an angle with respect to one another. The phase delay angle allows for adjustment of the magnitude of the current. The current provided to the transmit coil may be independent of the load of the transmit coil.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle high voltage bus is connected to a power source by a circuit having a main contactor and a precharge contactor. To energize the bus, the precharge contactor is closed and then the main contactor is closed. Upon completion of precharging, the main contactor is opened and energization of the bus is complete.

Abstract: An electrical interface circuit includes a microphone circuit, a battery charger circuit and an electrical connector for connecting the electrical interface circuit to an external device. The electrical connector has a pin on which signals are multiplexed for connecting either the battery charger circuit to an external supply voltage, or the microphone circuit to an external microphone. The battery charger circuit includes an amplifying circuit for controlling voltage or current to a battery at battery charging, and a p-type power transistor. The pin is connected to the microphone circuit and to a source of the p-type power transistor. When a voltage applied to the pin exceeds the battery voltage, the p-type power transistor provides current from the pin to the charger circuit, and, otherwise, the charger circuit and battery are disconnected from the pin. A method of multiplexing signals on the electrical interface circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transfer device for energy in a motor vehicle is designed for connection to a first vehicle electrical distribution system and a second vehicle electrical distribution system, which each comprise an associated energy store. In this case, the transfer device comprises a first sampling device for determining that the two energy stores have been filled sufficiently, a second sampling device for detecting an energy withdrawal from one of the vehicle electrical distribution systems, and a DC-to-DC converter for transferring energy between the vehicle electrical distribution systems. In addition, a control device is provided which is designed, in an automatic mode to control a transfer of energy from one of the vehicle electrical distribution systems into the other vehicle electrical distribution system on the basis of the signals of the sampling devices when energy is withdrawn from the other vehicle electrical distribution system.

Abstract: A hybrid power supply device of an air-conditioner for supplying multiple electric power sources to a DC rail of an inverter of a DC brushless motor of the air-conditioner to drive the operation of the DC brushless motor is introduced. Two power sources may be selectively fed into the inverter of the DC brushless motor to provide hybrid power sources to the air-conditioner in a low cost simply by connecting the outputs of two one-way rectifiers. In addition, a voltage boost circuit is provided to program each source as the main power source and a backup power source. With the skillful arrangement of a simple circuit, the air-conditioner achieves the hybrid power supply effect with a multiple of controllable power sources.

Abstract: A dc energy store system includes a dc energy store, an AC/DC power converter having ac terminals connected to an ac power supply and dc terminals connected to the dc energy store, and at least one auxiliary unit associated with the dc energy store. The dc energy store system is adapted to be operated in a number of different operating modes including: (i) a first mode to supply power from the ac power supply to the dc energy store; (ii) a second mode to supply power from the dc energy store to the ac power supply; (iii) a third mode to supply power from the ac power supply to the auxiliary unit(s); and (iv) a fault mode where there is a fault in the ac power supply, and power is supplied from the dc energy store to the auxiliary unit(s).

Abstract: A circuit arrangement, includes output terminals that provide an output current and input terminals that receive a source current and a source voltage from a DC current source. A maximum power point tracker is coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals and a bypass circuit is coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals. The bypass circuit is configured to enter a bypass state dependent on the output current and dependent on the source current. The source current flows through the bypass circuit in the bypass state.

Abstract: A method and a system for self-regulating wireless power transmitted to a wireless power receiver (WPR) are provided. An auto-tuning network is operably coupled within the WPR. The auto-tuning network includes an impedance network that dynamically increases, decreases, or maintains an amount of the received wirelessly transmitted power by detecting changes in a rectifier load disposed in the WPR and/or in a rectifier output voltage in the WPR. The auto-tuning network self-regulates the wireless power received from a wireless power transmitter (WPT) obviating the need for conventional communication messages. The WPT is hence free from a modulator/demodulator block and an out-of-band communication block and operates over a limited operating range to enable a simpler design for passing electromagnetic compliance regulations.

Abstract: An electronic device controls a driving condition based on an operating state. The device includes a function block, a function monitoring agent, and a driving control module. The function block includes a plurality of function modules. The function monitoring agent is configured to identify one or more activated function modules among the function modules in the function block. The driving control module is configured to determine the driving condition required for an operation of the activated function modules, and based on the determined driving condition, to drive the activated function modules.

Abstract: A circuit for delivering power to a load from a wireless power supply comprises an inductor coil for placing in the electromagnetic field of an inductor coil of a supply and a switchable capacitor bank with capacitors switchable at least between a series and a parallel configuration. The voltage across the capacitor bank is used as a feedback control parameter for controlling the capacitor bank switching. A voltage regulator is used to supply the load with a constant voltage power supply derived from the capacitor bank output.

Abstract: A method of receiving a plug at a receptacle is disclosed. The method may include receiving a plug at a receptacle, the receptacle including contacts disposed with a rotational symmetry about a center point of the receptacle. The method may also include determining, via detection circuitry, any orientation of the plug inserted into the receptacle. The method may also include changing, via selection control circuitry, a connection path coupled to the contacts based on the orientation of the plug.