Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting current imbalance between two or more electrical energy distribution elements of an electrical energy distribution network are disclosed. Each of a plurality of temperature sensors are implemented by a temperature sensing section of an optical fiber arranged to produce, in response to an optical input signal, an optical output signal indicative of the temperature of the temperature sensing section. First and second temperature sensors of the plurality are in thermal contact with first and second electrical energy distribution elements, respectively, to determine first and second temperature characteristics thereof based on the respective output signals. A current imbalance between the first and second elements is detected based on a comparison of the first temperature characteristic with the second temperature characteristic.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a failure in a contactor economizer that is configured to provide a first current to a coil of a contactor to close the contactor, and to provide a second current lower than the first current to the coil after the contactor is closed to hold the contactor closed. The method includes at least one of: driving contactor actuation based on economizer failure status; and/or signaling failure of the economizer through built in test (BIT) indication.

Abstract: A protection device for a pulse inverter is provided and is configured to be detachably arranged on an opening of an open housing part of the pulse inverter, wherein the protection device is configured to protect from dirt, mechanical impact and/or electrostatic charging, at least one inner element of the pulse inverter, in particular an electrical system and/or an electronic system, which is arranged in the open housing part. Furthermore, a pulse inverter is provided comprising a housing, as well as an e-machine with a pulse inverter.

Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle is disclosed having a first battery connectable to a first electric drive; a second, redundant battery, connectable to a second, redundant electric drive; and an electronic power switch having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal, the first input terminal being electrically connected to the first battery, the second input terminal being electrically connected to the second battery, and the output terminal being electrically connectable to an electrical accessory, the electronic power switch being configured to selectively and electrically connect the output terminal to the first input terminal or the second input terminal to provide electrical power from the first battery or the second battery to the electrical accessory.

Abstract: An air-cooled subsurface vault houses a wireless power transfer charger for charging electric vehicles. The vault includes a cavity that receives the wireless power transfer charger and includes an air space around the wireless power transfer charger. At least two grates are positioned on respective sides of the wireless power transfer charger to enable bi-directional air-flow between the surface and the air space around the wireless power transfer charger. A temperature control element is further provided to regulate a temperature within the cavity and the at least two grates. The temperature control element may further include a heat exchanger positioned within the air space of the vault. Each grate is further adapted to act as an inlet or an outlet for the heat exchanger. A controller may be used to control operation of the heat exchanger to control venting duration and a direction of air flow in the cavity.

Abstract: A surge arrester device comprising a first housing portion including a first end and a second end, the first end including a first opening and the second end including a second opening. The device includes a first axis parallel to the first housing portion, the first axis intersecting a first center of the first opening and a second center of the second opening, and a second axis perpendicular to the first housing portion, the second axis intersecting an intermediate section of the first housing portion. The device includes a second housing portion protruding from the intermediate section of the first housing portion, the second housing portion protruding at an angle between the first axis and the second axis, and a metal oxide varistor (MOV) stack within the second housing portion, wherein the MOV stack is released through an opening of the second housing portion if the arrester faults to ground.

Abstract: A coordinated multiple power management system provides an efficient and unique means of controlling the power usage of devices attached to a personal energy platform. Power control in an abundant power situation (i.e. commercial power is available) saves money. Power control in a constrained power situation (i.e. commercial power is unavailable e.g. “power failure”) provides more availability of needed computing services (for example, emergency activities, enable longer communication periods, longer video streaming, security monitoring, internet access and communications, or critical healthcare device usage etc.). The power supplied to the devices can be determined automatically and is under program control, which allows the complete management and distribution of power to any, and all, devices attached to the personal energy platform.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for a power control system device housed in a subpanel, that allows for multiple alternative energy inputs as well as providing an islanding feature, which allows a homeowner to receive alternative energy power when the utility power is lost. For example, in a system that includes an electrical service panel main with a main circuit breaker that is connected directly to a utility electrical source, which may have one or more secondary circuit breakers that back-feeds current from an alternative energy source, there is provided an apparatus that: monitors current from both circuit breakers and prevents excess power from overheating the service panel and/or the wiring to the main circuit breaker; may have multiple spaces for circuit breakers that may be connected to multiple alternative energy sources; and may continue to feed specific loads to the home when utility power is lost and one or more alternative energy sources are available.

Abstract: The invention essentially consists of a system (1) for transmitting acoustic power, which will determine the optimum frequency and the optimum electrical load without data communication being established beforehand with the receiver (3).

Abstract: A time-admittance fault detection and isolation system includes a series of time-admittance switches spaced apart along the power line, each including a respective time-admittance function. Together, the time-admittance functions define a cascade trip sequence in a downstream-to-upstream direction, which autonomously causes a closest upstream time-admittance switch to a fault to trip to isolate the fault on an upstream side of the fault without communication with the time-admittance switches. The fault detection and isolation system may also include a radio communicating a trip signal from the closest upstream time-admittance switch to the fault to a closest downstream time-admittance switch to the fault. The trip signal causes the closest downstream time-admittance switch to the fault to trip to isolate the fault on a downstream side of the fault. A tie switch closes to back-feed a portion of the electric power line downstream from the closest downstream time-admittance switch to the fault.

Abstract: Electrical overstress protection for high speed interfaces are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a semiconductor die with bidirectional protection against electrical overstress is provided. The semiconductor die includes a first pad, a second pad, a forward protection silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) electrically connected between the first pad and the second pad and configured to activate in response to electrical overstress that increases a voltage of the first pad relative to a voltage of the second pad, and a reverse protection SCR electrically connected in parallel with the forward protection SCR between the first pad and the second pad and configured to activate in response to electrical overstress that decreases the voltage of the first pad relative to the voltage of the second pad.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first terminal for a battery, a second terminal for an inverter circuit, and a transistor. The semiconductor device is configured to control a voltage applied to a control terminal of the transistor to allow supply of a current from the first terminal to the second terminal and allow supply of a current from the second terminal to the first terminal. A withstand voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal is greater than or equal to a voltage between the battery and the inverter circuit.

Abstract: An electric power supply device supplies electric power to a work machine having an electric power source. The electric power supply device includes a fuel cell different from the electric power source and an electric power connecting section for transferring electric power between the electric power source and the electric power supply device. A control device for controlling the electric power supply device includes a rated capability obtaining section for obtaining the information indicating the rated value of the charge and discharge capability of the electric power source of the work machine in response to the electric power supply device being mounted in the work machine or the electric power supply device being able to utilize the electric power of the electric power source, and an operating condition determining section for determining the operating condition of the electric power supply device based on the rated value.

Abstract: An underarm gang operated vacuum break switch (underarm switch) has an electrically live portion under a mounting arm, which provides advantages over the standard vacuum break switch, which have the electrically live portion above the mounting arm. Because the non-electrified mounting arm is above the electrified portion, the underarm switch is safer for perching birds and other wildlife. The nature of the underarm switch also provides other benefits including a disconnect blade that when opened creates a visual gap to ensure electrical discontinuity along with a safety locking arm tied to deactivating the underarm switch. Adding to the safety measures is a visual indicator that shows an electrician when the switch is live and safe to open the disconnect blade. Other safety measures include a shock absorber assembly and inertia slowing mass protecting electrical contacts within the vacuum break switch from failing.

Abstract: A short circuit protection circuit may comprise a first configuration channel line extending from a first connector, a first resistor connected to the first configuration channel line; a voltage divider connected to a junction point on the first configuration channel line, the voltage divider comprising a second resistor and a thermistor, and a field effect transistor (FET) comprising a source, gate, and drain. The thermistor may be connected to a ground line. The drain of the FET may be connected to the first resistor, the source of the FET may be connected to the ground line, and the gate of the FET may be connected to a second junction point between the second resistor and thermistor of the voltage divider.

Abstract: A switching device including at least one main breaker, an actuator configured to cause a change of state of the main breaker, from a first to a second state, counter to a spring generated force, the actuator being powered by a control signal equal to a first level to cause the change of state of the main breaker then to a second, lower level, to hold the main breaker in the second state. The switching device comprises a current sensor configured to control the control signal to increase it to a third level higher than the second level if the current flowing in the main breaker is higher than or equal to a given operating threshold, to avoid a spurious change of state of the main breaker. The switching device comprises a re-armable protection system for controlling the time for which the control signal is held at the third level.

Abstract: An electronic device for simulating load currents when testing a tow-vehicle brake controller is described. The electronic device utilizes current monitoring circuitry to measure a current of an input signal from the tow vehicle. The electronic device also includes a series of resistors that are arranged in parallel on the input signal as wells a series of switches (e.g., relays or transistors) that can activate and deactivate each one of the resistors. Microcontroller circuitry within the electronic device controls the series of switches based on the measured current of the input signal, and, by extension, controls the series of resistors applied to the input signal. In so doing, the electronic device is able to simulate a desired load current on the tow-vehicle brake controller being tested.

Abstract: An underarm gang operated vacuum break switch (underarm switch) has an electrically live portion under a mounting arm, which provides advantages over the standard vacuum break switch, which have the electrically live portion above the mounting arm. Because the non-electrified mounting arm is above the electrified portion, the underarm switch is safer for perching birds and other wildlife. The nature of the underarm switch also provides other benefits including a disconnect blade that when opened creates a visual gap to ensure electrical discontinuity along with a safety locking arm tied to deactivating the underarm switch. Adding to the safety measures is a visual indicator that shows an electrician when the switch is live and safe to open the disconnect blade. Other safety measures include a shock absorber assembly and inertia slowing mass protecting electrical contacts within the vacuum break switch from failing.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck includes a ceramic dielectric substrate; a base plate; and a heater unit which heats the ceramic dielectric substrate. The heater unit includes a first heater element. The first heater element has a plurality of sub-zones. The sub-zones include a first sub-zone. The first sub-zone includes a sub-heater line generating heat by allowing a current to flow, a first sub-power feeding portion feeding a power to the sub-heater line, and a second sub-power feeding portion feeding a power to the sub-heater line. The first sub-zone has a central region located centrally in the first sub-zone and an outer peripheral region located outside the central region when viewed along a Z-direction perpendicular to the first major surface. At least one of the first sub-power feeding portion and the second sub-power feeding portion is provided in the central region.

Abstract: A load control device includes an energization circuit unit connected between a power source and a load and configured to switch ON and OFF of energization of the load, a failure detection unit connected to a downstream side of the energization circuit unit, a current interruption unit connected to an upstream side of the energization circuit unit and configured to interrupt supply of current of the power source to the energization circuit unit based on an input from the failure detection unit, and a control unit configured to supply an ON-OFF control signal to the energization circuit unit. The energization circuit unit includes a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch which are connected in parallel to each other. The control unit supplies a common ON-OFF control signal to the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch.