Abstract: A robotic loading/unloading system is disclosed. In various embodiments, sensor data is received via a communication interface. The sensor data is used to determine a position and orientation of an extendable conveyor relative to a robotic loader comprising one or more robotic arms mounted on a robotically controlled rover. The determined position and orientation of the extendable conveyor relative to the robotic loader are used to control one or both of the extendable conveyor and the robotic loader to place the extendable conveyor and robotic loader to position a distal end of the extendable conveyor within reach of the one or more robotic arms at a location within a work area from which one or more pick or placement locations within the work area are within reach of at least one of the one or more robotic arms.

Abstract: A system includes a power optimized energy source, an energy storage optimized source, and a network that combines a first current from the power optimized energy source and a second current from the energy storage optimized source in order to power a load at least during a high power demand event, including by connecting the power optimized energy source and the energy storage optimized source using a parallel connection.

Abstract: A system includes a power optimized energy source, an energy storage optimized source, and a network that combines a first current from the power optimized energy source and a second current from the energy storage optimized source in order to power a load at least during a high power demand event, including by connecting the power optimized energy source and the energy storage optimized source using a parallel connection.

Abstract: A system includes a power optimized energy source, an energy storage optimized source, and a network that combines a first current from the power optimized energy source and a second current from the energy storage optimized source in order to power a load at least during a high power demand event, including by connecting the power optimized energy source and the energy storage optimized source using a parallel connection.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the DC/DC converter are integrated into a photovoltaic package.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the DC/DC converter are integrated into a photovoltaic package.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the DC/DC converter are integrated into a photovoltaic package.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the DC/DC converter are integrated into a photovoltaic package.

Abstract: A method of providing power includes providing no power to an output device if the output device cannot or should not use power. If the output device can use power, power is provided to the output device from an input source. If power available at the input source would not overload the output device, power is provided to the output device from the input source according to a maximum power point tracking algorithm. If power available at the input source would overload the output device, power is provided to the output device from the input source according to a target power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module assembly includes a photovoltaic module which is capable of wirelessly coupling to an energy-receiving device in order to transfer energy.

Abstract: A multi-phase, coupled-inductor, DC-DC voltage converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) when the system is operated at low output power demand. An embodiment of the converter switches to operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) when the system is operated at high output power demand. Operation in single-drive and rotating phase DCM operation at low power are described. An alternative embodiment operates in a multiple-drive, rotating-phase, discontinuous conduction mode during at least one condition of output power demand.

Abstract: A method of providing power includes providing no power to an output device if the output device cannot or should not use power. If the output device can use power, power is provided to the output device from an input source. If power available at the input source would not overload the output device, power is provided to the output device from the input source according to a maximum power point tracking algorithm. If power available at the input source would overload the output device, power is provided to the output device from the input source according to a target power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the DC/DC converter are integrated into a photovoltaic package.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device including at least one photovoltaic cell and a transformerless inverter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the transformerless inverter are integrated into a photovoltaic package.

Abstract: A multi-phase, coupled-inductor, DC-DC voltage converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) when the system is operated at low output power demand. An embodiment of the converter switches to operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) when the system is operated at high output power demand. Operation in single-drive and rotating phase DCM operation at low power are described. An alternative embodiment operates in a multiple-drive, rotating-phase, discontinuous conduction mode during at least one condition of output power demand.

Abstract: A multi-phase, coupled-inductor, DC-DC voltage converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) when the system is operated at low output power demand. An embodiment of the converter switches to operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) when the system is operated at high output power demand. Operation in single-drive and rotating phase DCM operation at low power are described. An alternative embodiment operates in a multiple-drive, rotating-phase, discontinuous conduction mode during at least one condition of output power demand.

Abstract: A voltage regulator coupled to an unregulated DC input voltage source by an input terminal, and to a load by an output terminal is disclosed. The voltage regulator converts an input voltage at the input terminal to an output voltage at the output terminal. The voltage regulator includes one or more slaves, and each slave includes a switching circuit which serves as a power switch for alternately coupling and decoupling the input terminal to an intermediate node. The voltage regulator also includes a filter coupled to the slaves, the filter including one or more inductor banks each of which having a predetermined number of inductors.

Abstract: A voltage regulator coupled to an unregulated DC input voltage source by an input terminal, and to a load by an output terminal is disclosed. The voltage regulator converts an input voltage at the input terminal to an output voltage at the output terminal. The voltage regulator includes one or more slaves, and each slave includes a switching circuit. During each switching period of the switching circuit, the current for the slave is checked; namely, after the beginning of a low-side conduction period, and before the beginning of a high-side conduction period.

Abstract: A digital voltage regulator has an input terminal coupled to an input voltage source, an output terminal coupled to a load, and a plurality of switching circuits to alternately couple and decouple the input terminal to the output terminal. An estimated current is calculated for each switching circuit, each estimated current representing a current passing through an inductor associated with the switching circuit. A total desired output current to pass through the inductors is calculated which will maintain an output voltage at the output terminal substantially constant. The switching circuits are controlled based on the estimated current and the total desired output current so that a total current passing through the inductors is approximately equal to the total desired output current.

Abstract: A digital control system for a voltage regulator calculates an estimated current representing a current passing through each inductor associated with a switching circuit. A desired total output current is calculated which will maintain an output voltage at the output terminal at a substantially constant level. Upper current limit and a lower current limit are calculated and the switching circuit to is caused couple an input terminal to an output terminal when the estimated current falls below the lower current limit, and caused to couple the output terminal to ground when the estimated current exceeds the upper current limit. Also, the estimated current may be compared to an individual current to trigger the switching circuit.