Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy, such as solar, wind, wave, thermal, and the like, including a solar panel and a duct supporting the solar panel at an operational angle. The duct comprises a bottom shroud and side shrouds, therein forming a large aperture, a small aperture, and an oblique frustum shaped cavity. The oblique frustum shaped cavity is configured to direct a flow of fluid from the large aperture to the small aperture. A flow energy generator, such as a turbine, located at the small aperture is configured to collect flow energy. Temperature differences between the solar panel and the environment may be used to harvest thermal energy with a thermoelectric generator. Fluid flow under the solar panel may decrease the panel temperature and increase the efficiency. Generators may be operated in reverse to lower the solar panel temperature and increase efficiency.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are related to determining climate settings of a climate controlled area during a duration of insufficient supply of power. Each of one or more power units may be configured to provide power to the climate controlled area. The climate setting of a survival operating mode of a climate control system of at least part of the climate controlled area may be determined, for example, based on the duration of insufficient supply of power, the total available power, and/or one or more weather condition parameters.

Abstract: Electrolytic capacitors may use a canister and a lid to confine an electrolyte and prevent the electrolyte from evaporating during use, and an improved seal between the canister and the lid may be achieved by increasing the surface area of the seal. For example, the surface area of the seal may be increased by changing the shape and/or thickness of the canister edge. For example, the surface area of the seal may be increased by changing the shape of an elastomer layer of the lid and/or adding an annular protuberance at the circumference of the lid. For example, the surface area of the seal may be changed by changing the process for forming the edge during the capacitor sealing.

Abstract: A capacitor manufacturing method is disclosed herein that includes a process for the isolation of electrode tabs attached to the capacitors' electrodes from other elements in the capacitor. An isolation patch or layer may be deposited over the tabs by a machine or a device after the tab is attached and before the electrodes are wound into a cylindrical internal element of a capacitor. The device may coat the tabs and surrounding regions with an isolating material. Electrode tabs may be provided with an isolating material pre-deposited at least in part over the tabs.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy, such as solar, wind, wave, thermal, and the like, including a solar panel and a duct supporting the solar panel at an operational angle. The duct comprises a bottom shroud and side shrouds, therein forming a large aperture, a small aperture, and an oblique frustum shaped cavity. The oblique frustum shaped cavity is configured to direct a flow of fluid from the large aperture to the small aperture. A flow energy generator, such as a turbine, located at the small aperture is configured to collect flow energy. Temperature differences between the solar panel and the environment may be used to harvest thermal energy with a thermoelectric generator. Fluid flow under the solar panel may decrease the panel temperature and increase the efficiency. Generators may be operated in reverse to lower the solar panel temperature and increase efficiency.

Abstract: An electromechanical relay may comprise a housing and one or more terminal pairs. Each terminal pair may comprise a first terminal connected to a first contact, a second terminal connected to a second contact, a first armature connected to a first coil and coupled to the first contact, and/or a second armature connected to a second coil and coupled to the second contact. Supplying power to the first and the second coils may enable movements of the first and the second contacts by moving the first and the second armatures, thereby resulting in an electrical connection between the first and the second contacts. Removing the power may comprise the first contact to be isolated from the second contact. A central armature lock may be inserted through the housing and into the recesses of each of the first and second armatures, which may reduce movement of the armatures.

Abstract: A capacitor manufacturing method is disclosed herein that includes a process for the isolation of electrode tabs attached to the capacitors' electrodes from other elements in the capacitor. An isolation patch or layer may be deposited over the tabs by a machine or a device after the tab is attached and before the electrodes are wound into a cylindrical internal element of a capacitor. The device may coat the tabs and surrounding regions with an isolating material. Electrode tabs may be provided with an isolating material pre-deposited at least in part over the tabs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for controlling the spacing of battery cells. The apparatus monitors the temperature of the battery cells, and when a battery cell temperature value exceeds a threshold, changes the configuration of the battery cell spacing from an initial closed configuration to an open configuration using a spacer mechanism. The spacing during the closed configuration is a first distance between the battery cells, and during the open configuration is a second distance between the battery cells. The second distance is substantially large than the first distance to position the lithium ion cells further apart, lowering the probability a thermal runaway event propagating from one cell to adjacent cells. The spacer mechanism may include a telescoping or expanding frame, a motor, one or more sensors, and a controller configured to operate the mechanical spacer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a power converter, one or more power source terminal configured to connect to a power source, and one or more load terminal. The apparatus further includes two or more energy storage terminals configured to connect to two or more electrical energy storage devices. Two or more protection circuits, included in the apparatus, one for each of the protection circuits, is electrically connected between the respective energy storage terminal and the power converter. The two or more protection circuits are configured to disconnect the respective terminal from the power converter following a failure of the respective one of the electrical energy storage devices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a power converter, one or more power source terminal configured to connect to a power source, and one or more load terminal. The apparatus further includes two or more energy storage terminals configured to connect to two or more electrical energy storage devices. Two or more protection circuits, included in the apparatus, one for each of the protection circuits, is electrically connected between the respective energy storage terminal and the power converter. The two or more protection circuits are configured to disconnect the respective terminal from the power converter following a failure of the respective one of the electrical energy storage devices.

Abstract: A transistor comprises a semiconductor substrate and a barrier metal layer forming a Schottky barrier. One or more insulated gates may be positioned adjacent to an edge of the Schottky barrier. By applying a reverse bias voltage between the semiconductor substrate and the barrier metal, and applying a gate voltage between the one or more insulated gates and the barrier metal, a reverse bias current may be increased to a reverse bias conducting state. When the gate voltage is sufficient, the transistor may conduct current between the semiconductor substrate and the barrier metal. For example, voltages may be applied to an n-type substrate and an insulated gate (both relative to the barrier metal), and a current may flow from the semiconductor substrate to the barrier metal. The transistor may operate as a switch, a filter, a rectifier, an oscillator, or an amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy, such as solar, wind, wave, thermal, and the like, including a solar panel and a duct supporting the solar panel at an operational angle. The duct comprises a bottom shroud and side shrouds, therein forming a large aperture, a small aperture, and an oblique frustum shaped cavity. The oblique frustum shaped cavity is configured to direct a flow of fluid from the large aperture to the small aperture. A flow energy generator, such as a turbine, located at the small aperture is configured to collect flow energy. Temperature differences between the solar panel and the environment may be used to harvest thermal energy with a thermoelectric generator. Fluid flow under the solar panel may decrease the panel temperature and increase the efficiency. Generators may be operated in reverse to lower the solar panel temperature and increase efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a power converter, one or more power source terminal configured to connect to a power source, and one or more load terminal. The apparatus further includes two or more energy storage terminals configured to connect to two or more electrical energy storage devices. Two or more protection circuits, included in the apparatus, one for each of the protection circuits, is electrically connected between the respective energy storage terminal and the power converter. The two or more protection circuits are configured to disconnect the respective terminal from the power converter following a failure of the respective one of the electrical energy storage devices.

Abstract: A capacitor manufacturing method is disclosed herein that includes a process for the isolation of electrode tabs attached to the capacitors' electrodes from other elements in the capacitor. An isolation patch or layer may be deposited over the tabs by a machine or a device after the tab is attached and before the electrodes are wound into a cylindrical internal element of a capacitor. The device may coat the tabs and surrounding regions with an isolating material. Electrode tabs may be provided with an isolating material pre-deposited at least in part over the tabs.

Abstract: The invention provides method, system and device for determining trabecular bone structure and strength by digital topological analysis, and offers, for the first time, a demonstration of superior associations between vertebral deformity and a number of architectural indices measured in the distal radius, thus permitting reliable and noninvasive detection and determination of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. A preferred embodiment provides imaging in three dimension of a region of trabecular bone, after which the 3D image is converted into a skeletonized surface representation. Digital topological analysis is applied to the converted image, and each image voxel is identified and classified as a curve, a surface, or a junction; and then associated with microarchitectural indices of trabecular bone to quantitatively characterize the trabecular bone network. The invention is applicable in vivo, particularly on human subjects, or ex vivo.

Abstract: The invention provides method, system and device for determining trabecular bone structure and strength by digital topological analysis, and offers, for the first time, a demonstration of superior associations between vertebral deformity and a number of architectural indices measured in the distal radius, thus permitting reliable and noninvasive detection and determination of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. A preferred embodiment provides imaging in three dimension of a region of trabecular bone, after which the 3D image is converted into a skeletonized surface representation. Digital topological analysis is applied to the converted image, and each image voxel is identified and classified as a curve, a surface, or a junction; and then associated with microarchitectural indices of trabecular bone to quantitatively characterize the trabecular bone network. The invention is applicable in vivo, particularly on human subjects, or ex vivo.