Abstract: A hybrid power conversion circuit includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, a transformer, a resonance tank, a first switch, a second switch, a first synchronous rectification switch, a second synchronous rectification switch, and a third switch. The resonance tank has an external inductor, an external capacitance, and an internal inductor. The first switch is connected to the external inductor. The second switch and a first capacitance form a series-connected path, and is connected to the external capacitance. The first and second synchronous rectification switches are respectively coupled to a first winding and a second winding. The third switch is connected to the second synchronous rectification switch. When an output voltage is less than a voltage interval, the hybrid power conversion circuit operates in a hybrid flyback conversion mode, and otherwise the hybrid power conversion circuit operates in a resonance conversion mode.

Abstract: An access point (AP) and a station (STA) communicate with each other, with the AP indicating to the STA either or both of a preamble detection (PD) channel and a signaling (SIG) content channel and with the STA being initially monitoring a primary frequency segment of a plurality of frequency segments in an operating bandwidth of the AP. A downlink (DL) or triggered uplink (UL) communication is performed between the AP and the STA during a transmission opportunity (TXOP) such that: (i) during the TXOP, the STA monitors a preamble on the PD channel and decodes a SIG content on the SIG content channel; and (ii) after an end of the TXOP, the STA switches to the primary frequency segment.

Abstract: In a method for forming an integrated semiconductor device, a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed over a semiconductor device that includes a first transistor structure, a two-dimensional (2D) material layer is formed over and in contact with the first ILD layer, the 2D material layer is patterned to form a channel layer of a second transistor structure, a source electrode and a drain electrode of the second transistor structure are formed over the patterned 2D material layer and laterally spaced apart from each other, a gate dielectric layer of the second transistor structure is formed over the patterned 2D material layer, the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a gate electrode of the second transistor structure is formed over the gate dielectric layer and laterally between the source electrode and the drain electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for powering an electrical thruster (112) of a vehicle (100). The methods comprise providing an unregulated high voltage output current of a high voltage solar array (122) directly to an electric propulsion system (104) of the vehicle. The electric propulsion system generates a converted high voltage current by converting a voltage level of the unregulated high voltage output current. The converted high voltage current is supplied directly to an anode of the electrical thruster. A regulated low voltage current is also generated by regulating a low voltage output of a low voltage solar array (124). The regulated low voltage current is used to supply power to at least one electronic component of the electrical thruster.

Abstract: A power converter is provided and includes a heat collector surface, n- and p-legs formed of n- and p-type thermoelectric materials, respectively, which are each disposed in thermal communication with the heat collector surface, parallel electric busses electrically coupled to the n- and p-legs and a housing, which is electrically decoupled from the busses, to support the heat collector surface at a predefined distance from a heat pipe.

Abstract: A heat rejection system includes a plurality of panel subassemblies and a solid state heat pipe flex joint. Each panel subassembly includes a fin, a solid state heat pipe manifold, a first solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold and secured to the fin, a second solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold adjacent to the first solid state heat pipe and secured to the fin. The solid state heat pipe flex joint operably connects the solid state heat pipe manifolds of two of the plurality of panel subassemblies in a hermetically sealed configuration, and is configured to permit repositioning of the two panel subassemblies relative to each other.

Abstract: A center-tapped solar array includes a plurality of series-connected solar cells connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal for generating an output voltage. A center-tapped terminal connected to ground is connected to the plurality of series-connected solar cells at a midpoint between the positive and negative terminals. As a result, the positive terminal of the solar array has a positive voltage relative to ground greater than the center-tapped terminal and the negative terminal has a negative voltage relative to ground less than the center-tapped terminal.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery assembly provides load balancing for individual battery cells making up a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes a plurality of series-connected battery cell assemblies. Each battery cell assembly includes a battery cell and a charge bypass load connected in parallel with the battery cell. A cell supervisory circuits (CSCs) and battery interface unit (BUI) interface between the battery cell assembly and a battery charge/discharge circuit to provide load balancing by comparing the voltages monitored with respect to each battery cell assembly to an end of charge voltage (EOCV) threshold and in response to the monitored voltage equaling the EOCV threshold issues a charge bypass command to the CSC to activate the charge bypass load.

Abstract: A solar receiver device includes a metal conduit and a glass container disposed around the metal conduit such that there is a space between the glass container and the conduit. A coating is disposed on the metal conduit and has a composition that includes at least one element from silicon, titanium, aluminum, barium, and samarium.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided and includes a reactor core, a boom and a shield assembly supportively interposed between the reactor core and the boom, a heat pipe disposed in thermal communication with the reactor core, a thermoelectric power converter operably coupled to the heat pipe, struts supportively coupled to the heat pipe at opposite ends of the power converter and hinge joints to rotatably couple the struts to the boom, at least one of the hinge joints being spring-loaded.

Abstract: A solar power source is a multi-layer structure consisting of photovoltaic and quantum well thermoelectric modules in electrical contact with, but thermally insulating from, each other. The structure generates power when focused solar energy is directed at the photovoltaic module which generates power, heats up, and subsequently generates a thermal gradient in the thermoelectric module which generates additional power. The thermoelectric module may generate additional electrical energy using the Seebeck effect, or may cool the photovoltaic module using the Peltier effect.

Abstract: A panel for forming a heat exchanger structure includes a first end; a second end; a first side to connect to another adjacent panel; a second side to connect to an adjacent panel; a first surface between the first and second ends and the first and second sides; a second surface between the first and second ends and the first and second sides; and a circular flow passage extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the panel is an extruded monolithic structure.

Abstract: A heat exchanger structure includes a monolithic extrusion and a plurality of headers. The extrusion includes a first end; a second end; a first, smooth side; and a second side with a plurality of smooth portions alternating with a plurality of raised portions defining a plurality of parallel flow passages extending from the first end to the second end; and a plurality of headers connecting the plurality of flow passages to form a flow path.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery assembly provides load balancing for individual battery cells making up a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes a plurality of series-connected battery cell assemblies. Each battery cell assembly includes a battery cell and a charge bypass load connected in parallel with the battery cell. A cell supervisory circuits (CSCs) and battery interface unit (BUI) interface between the battery cell assembly and a battery charge/discharge circuit to provide load balancing by comparing the voltages monitored with respect to each battery cell assembly to an end of charge voltage (EOCV) threshold and in response to the monitored voltage equaling the EOCV threshold issues a charge bypass command to the CSC to activate the charge bypass load.

Abstract: An example space-based power generation panel arrangement includes a first reflective panel and at least one heat pipe configured to communicate thermal energy to the first reflective panel and a second reflective panel. The heat pipe is configured to hinge the first reflective panel to the second reflective panel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided and includes a reactor core, a boom and a shield assembly supportively interposed between the reactor core and the boom, a heat pipe disposed in thermal communication with the reactor core, a thermoelectric power converter operably coupled to the heat pipe, struts supportively coupled to the heat pipe at opposite ends of the power converter and hinge joints to rotatably couple the struts to the boom, at least one of the hinge joints being spring-loaded.

Abstract: A power converter is provided and includes a heat collector surface, n- and p-legs formed of n- and p-type thermoelectric materials, respectively, which are each disposed in thermal communication with the heat collector surface, parallel electric busses electrically coupled to the n- and p-legs and a housing, which is electrically decoupled from the busses, to support the heat collector surface at a predefined distance from a heat pipe.

Abstract: A center-tapped solar array includes a plurality of series-connected solar cells connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal for generating an output voltage. A center-tapped terminal connected to ground is connected to the plurality of series-connected solar cells at a midpoint between the positive and negative terminals. As a result, the positive terminal of the solar array has a positive voltage relative to ground greater than the center-tapped terminal and the negative terminal has a negative voltage relative to ground less than the center-tapped terminal.

Abstract: A resource recovery system includes a capture container located at a desired surface defining a capture volume between the surface and an interior of the capture container. One or more hole-making devices are located in the capture container to excavate soil from at least one hole in the surface. A heater located in the hole making device heats the excavated soil, releasing one or more compounds from the excavated soil. The capture container is configured to capture gas and/or liquid compounds released from the excavated soil. A method of resource extraction from soil includes covering a desired surface with a capture container defining a capture volume between the desired surface and an interior of the capture container. Soil is excavated from a hole in the desired surface into the capture volume with an auger. The auger heats the excavated soil thereby releasing one or more compounds into the capture volume.

Abstract: A resource recovery system includes a capture container located at a desired surface defining a capture volume between the surface and an interior of the capture container. One or more hole-making devices are configured to excavate soil from at least one hole in the surface. One or more energy emitters direct energy toward the excavated soil to heat the excavated soil thereby releasing one or more compounds. The capture container is configured to capture gas and/or liquid compounds released from the excavated soil. A method of resource extraction from soil includes covering a desired surface with a capture container defining a capture volume between the desired surface and an interior of the capture container. Soil is excavated from a hole in the desired surface into the capture volume. The excavated soil is heated via one or more energy emitters thereby releasing one or more compounds into the capture volume.