Abstract: Different systems to achieve solar power conversion are provided in at least three different general aspects, with circuitry that can be used to harvest maximum power from a solar source (1) or strings of panels (11) for DC or AC use, perhaps for transfer to a power grid (10) three aspects can exist perhaps independently and relate to: 1) electrical power conversion in a multimodal manner, 2) alternating between differing processes such as by an alternative mode photovoltaic power converter functionality control (27), and 3) systems that can achieve efficiencies in conversion that are extraordinarily high compared to traditional through substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion capability that can achieve 99.2% efficiency or even only wire transmission losses. Switchmode impedance conversion circuits may have pairs of photovoltaic power series switch elements (24) and pairs of photovoltaic power shunt switch elements (25).

Abstract: A circuit arrangement with a switchable voltage supply for a control apparatus may include a DC voltage supply terminal; and an AC voltage supply terminal; a control apparatus including at least one input, an output and at least one supply terminal; three electronic switches, each having a control electrode, a reference electrode and a working electrode, wherein the reference electrode of the first electronic switch and of the second electronic switch is coupled to the first node; wherein the working electrode of the first electronic switch is coupled to the supply terminal of the control apparatus; wherein the control electrode of the first electronic switch is coupled to a reference potential, wherein at least one further load is coupled to the working electrode of the second electronic switch.

Abstract: A redundant power supply device, particularly the one without installing a heat dissipating fan, includes a chassis having at least one power input accommodating space and a plurality of power output accommodating spaces, a back panel device comprising a back panel, which is a printed circuit board mounted onto the chassis, a plurality of power supply devices installed in the power output accommodating spaces and electrically connected to the back panel, at least one power input module inserted into the power input accommodating space for providing an external AC-to-DC or DC-to-AC conversion and electrically coupling the back panel. During an application without changing the back panel, the power input accommodating space is disposed opposite to the external input power supply, and the power input includes at least one power input module with AC-to-DC or DC-to-AC conversion to achieve high interchangeability, economic benefit and product competitiveness.

Abstract: A method and system of virtual energy management display involves periodically receiving via a mesh local area network electronic data representing energy management-related information by a RF communication-enabled memory storage device coupled to an electronic display device within a home area network. Electronic data representing telemetry information is likewise periodically received by the RF communication-enabled memory storage device from at least one RF communication-enabled energy management-related device within the home area network. The electronic data is converted to a common format by an application running at least in part on the memory storage device and displayed on a screen associated with the display device.

Abstract: Power is provided to a scanning device. Power supplied by an attached bus is used to power the scanning device when power requirements for the scanning device can be met by the power supplied by the attached bus. Power is drawn from a rechargeable battery to supply power to the scanning device when power requirements for the scanning device cannot be met by the power from the attached bus. When the scanning device is in a stand-by mode, the power from the attached bus is used to recharge the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A system for providing redundant power to a device includes a first power supply unit that includes a first communication module including first and second first power supply unit transmitters and first and second first power supply unit receivers and a second power supply unit that includes a second communication module coupled to the first communication module and including first and second second power supply unit transmitters and first and second second power supply unit receivers coupled, respectively, to the first and second first power supply unit transmitters. The first power supply unit transmits on both the first and second first transmitters and the second power supply is configured to provide power to the device in the event that signals are not received from both the first and second first power supply unit transmitters by the first and second second power supply unit receivers.

Abstract: A controlled switching arrangement from a first mode of power transfer, in which an ecological power source (EPS) directly charges a battery during times of a utility power outage to a second mode of power transfer in which the EPS output is fully delivered through a grid-interactive inverter so as to provide A.C. power to the grid power connection. A single switching operation switches between power transfer modes as a function of an availability of the utility power output over the grid power connection such that a percentage of utility power output is supplied directly to the battery in the second mode so as to maintain the battery in a charged condition for use during the times of the utility power outage, and an off-grid inverter converts charge stored in the battery into A.C. power when the controller is switched to the first mode of power transfer.

Abstract: Redundant power supplies and redundant channels of communication maximize the probability that a controller will trigger a battery disconnect switch to open when commanded to do so.

Abstract: A manhole cover is for use with a system for transmitting data to an above surface receiver. The manhole cover includes a body suitable for covering a manhole. At least a portion of the body is formed from a radio wave penetrable material so that radio waves may pass through the body. A microprocessor is provided for receiving a signal representing at least one environmental parameter inside a manhole enclosure measured by a sensor, and for responding to the signal by directly or indirectly causing a change to a parameter in the enclosure. A transmitting element in communication with the microprocessor transmits the signal to the surface above the manhole cover. Circuitry connects the microprocessor and the transmitting element for driving the transmitting element to transmit the signal. The microprocessor may be programmed to run an energy conservation cycle, which preserves power from the power source. Any one of numerous antenna designs may be embedded in the body of the cover.

Abstract: A power supply and associated method include a power supply converter having a power output and configured to provide a supply voltage through the power output to a communications device. A simplified boost circuit is connected to the power supply converter in parallel but isolated from the power supply converter's bulk input capacitance during normal operation. The boost circuit includes at least one power storage circuit and a charging circuit connected thereto and configured to charge and maintain the power storage circuit to a predetermined voltage and switch the power storage circuit into the power supply converter during an undervoltage condition to transfer the stored power from the power storage circuit to the power supply converter and maintain the supply voltage to the communications device connected thereto for a required hold-up time.

Abstract: A power device transforms input power into power for output, and includes an input unit, a power factor unit, an output unit, a power saving unit, and a control signal port. The power saving unit includes a first electronic switch, a first diode and a single-direction switch. The first electronic switch is connected between the input unit and the power factor unit. An anode of the first diode is connected to the input unit, and a cathode of the first diode is connected to the output unit. The single-direction switch is connected to the power factor unit and the output unit to block current from the output unit to the power factor unit. The control signal port controls an on/off state of the first electronic switch.

Abstract: A power device transforms input power into power for output, and includes an input unit, a power factor unit, a first electronic switch, an output unit, and a control signal port. The power factor unit includes a power factor correction circuit and a first detection circuit connected to an output end of the power factor unit and the power factor correction circuit. The first electronic switch is connected to the first detection circuit, and is under control of the control signal port.

Abstract: A solar energy system (55) has aspects that can allow individualized control and analysis for overall field power control that can be used while harvesting maximum power from a solar energy source (1) and a string of solar panels (11) for a power grid (10). The invention provides control of power at high efficiency with aspects that can exist independently including: 1) power management with switch disconnect control (64), 2) sequenced start of a solar power system, 3) providing a safety output system that can be handled by installers and maintenance and advantageously controlled, 4) providing programmable power functionality controller (86) either on site or remotely from an administrative facility by radio transmission individual solar panel disconnect control (85), 5) a system with pattern analyzer (87) for operational, installation, and maintenance indications, and 6) systems with individual solar panel string power simulator (89) for disparate components.

Abstract: A power system with light-controlled function and the control method thereof, which power system comprising a light sensor module, a first microprocessor, a wireless transmitter, at least one controlled socket, a wireless receiver and a second microprocessor. The light sensor module outputs a first electrical signal according to the brightness of light. The first microprocessor is coupled to the light sensor module and outputs a first control signal according to the first electrical signal. The wireless transmitter is coupled to the first microprocessor and transmits the first control signal to the wireless receiver. The second microprocessor is coupled to the wireless receiver and the aforementioned controlled socket so as to control the state of power supply in the above-said controlled socket according to the first control signal.

Abstract: A multi-supply power supply circuit has a first power supply regulating circuit that produces a first power supply voltage; and a second power supply regulating circuit that receives the first power supply voltage from the first power supply regulating circuit as an enable input signal and is operative to produce a second and different power supply voltage. In one embodiment, the first power supply voltage may reach a steady state condition prior to the second power supply voltage reaching a steady state condition. In one example, the multi-supply power supply circuit includes a plurality of cascaded low drop out power supply regulating circuits.

Abstract: A touch switch apparatus emulating a mechanical switch includes a field effect sensor and an electric field stimulator mechanically associated with the field effect sensor. A field generation signal applied to the field effect sensor causes an electric field to be generated thereabout. The electric field stimulator can be moved between first and second positions with respect to the field effect sensor. When moved into proximity with the field effect sensor, the electric field stimulator disturbs the electric field. A detection circuit coupled to the field effect sensor detects and responds to the disturbance to the electric field.

Abstract: Uninterruptible power supplies, solar power kits for uninterruptible power supplies and related methods are described. According to one aspect, an uninterruptible power supply includes a power bus, mains circuitry configured to rectify electrical energy received from a mains supply system into rectified electrical energy and to provide the rectified electrical energy to a power bus of the uninterruptible power supply, photovoltaic circuitry configured to convert solar energy into converted electrical energy and to provide the converted electrical energy to the power bus, a battery system configured to receive electrical energy from the power bus to charge a battery of the battery system and to discharge electrical energy to the power bus, an inverter configured to provide electrical energy from the power bus to the load, and a controller configured to monitor the photovoltaic circuitry and to implement at least one operation of the uninterruptible power supply using the monitoring.

Abstract: A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes an integrated uninterruptible power supply. The integrated uninterruptible power supply may be integrated with the cash recycler or other currency handling device such that the power supply is pre-configured based on one or more currency handling device specific components. The cash recycler may be used with various types of uninterruptible power supplies. The cash recycler is configured to receive power from a primary power source. When there is an interruption in the power provided by the primary power source, the cash recycler is transitioned to receiving power from the uninterruptible power supply located within the cash recycler. This transition is performed without interruption to the power to the cash recycler.

Abstract: A reconfigurable multi-cell power converter and method wherein a set of cells are connected between an input bus and a load in an input series output parallel configuration or in an input parallel output series configuration. Each cell includes a primary side reconfigurable between series and parallel operation and a secondary side also reconfigurable between series and parallel operation. Switching circuitry is configured to reconfigure the primary side of each cell between series and parallel operation and vice versa and also to reconfigure the secondary side of each cell between series and parallel operation and vice versa. A controller is configured to actuate the switching circuitry depending a voltage on the input bus and/or cell condition to reconfigure all the cell primary sides and/or secondary sides while maintaining a desired input series output parallel or input parallel output series connection for the set of cells.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling type isolator includes: a magnetic field generator for generating an external magnetic field by an input signal; a magnetoresistive element for detecting the external magnetic field and converting the detected magnetic field into an electric signal, the magnetoresistive element being electrically insulated from the magnetic field generator and positioned in a location capable of being magnetically coupled so as to be overlapped with the magnetic field generator as seen in a top plan view; first and second shield films overlapped with the magnetic field generator and the magnetoresistive element as seen in a top plan view; and a third shield film disposed to surround the magnetoresistive element.