Abstract: A vertebral fixing system having a flexible elongated member, a connecting part, and an anchor, where the anchor may engage a bone structure (e.g., a vertebra) through an opening of the connecting part and the flexible elongated member may connect to the connecting part. In some cases, the vertebral fixing system may include a tightening part configured to apply a tension to the elongated member and/or secure the elongated member with respect to the connecting part. The vertebral fixing system may be configured to receive a rod and may be capable of connecting thereto. The connecting part may have a plurality of connecting members, where at least one of the connecting members includes an opening for receiving the anchor and at least one of the connecting members connects to the elongated member.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at a site are disclosed. A disclosed method includes obtaining or calculating a net load at the site and obtaining a temperature of the site during a time period. The method further includes comparing the net load to a threshold load value and comparing the temperature to a lower threshold temperature or an upper threshold temperature. The method also includes determining one or more operation parameter values for the HVAC system based at least in part on the comparison of the net load to the threshold load value and the comparison of the temperature to the lower threshold temperature or the upper threshold temperature, and setting the HVAC system based on the one or more operation parameter values.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling energy generation interactions that bypass the grid may be provided. Flow control devices may be directly connected with one another independent of electrical connections to the utility grid. In some examples, the direct connections between the devices may enable sharing of power, controlling power flow over the direct connections, and/or recording relative power flows between the devices.

Abstract: Techniques for curtailing a power generation system utilizing a message bus may be provided. Power generation data of a message bus system associated with an energy generation system may be subscribed to over a network. The message bus system may be configured to manage messages between the energy generation system, a system load metering device, and/or a server computer. The power generation data of the energy generation system may be received from the message bus system. In some examples, a control signal may be generated to curtail an overgeneration condition of the energy generation system based at least in part on the received power generation data when the overgeneration condition is occurring. The control signal may be published to the message bus system for communication to the energy generation system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology may include a method to enable real-time data requests. The method may include subscribing to real-time data enable requests for a device on an energy generation (EG) network. The method may also include intercepting, from a requester, a request for real-time data for the device on an EG system within the EG network. The method may further include publishing a single request to the device to post a single measurement corresponding to the real-time data request. The single request may be published at less than or equal to a predetermined frequency for a request cycle that lasts for a predetermined duration.

Abstract: A vertebral fixing system having a flexible elongated member, a connecting part, and an anchor, where the anchor may engage a bone structure (e.g., a vertebra) through an opening of the connecting part and the flexible elongated member may connect to the connecting part. In some cases, the vertebral fixing system may include a tightening part configured to apply a tension to the elongated member and/or secure the elongated member with respect to the connecting part. The vertebral fixing system may be configured to receive a rod and may be capable of connecting thereto. The connecting part may have a plurality of connecting members, where at least one of the connecting members includes an opening for receiving the anchor and at least one of the connecting members connects to the elongated member.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network provides secure communication by encrypting data using one or more encryption keys. A configuration device in communication with a security manager of the network provides a temporary secure communication path between the security manager and a new field device to be added to the mesh network. Cryptographic material and other configuration data can then be transferred between the security manager of the network and the new field device securely via the configuration device.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling energy generation interactions that bypass the grid may be provided. Flow control devices may be directly connected with one another independent of electrical connections to the utility grid. In some examples, the direct connections between the devices may enable sharing of power, controlling power flow over the direct connections, and/or recording relative power flows between the devices.

Abstract: A heat exchanger device is disclosed herein. The heat exchanger device includes a dryer-exhaust interface configured to releasably couple with the exhaust port of the clothes dryer and to receive the hot air from a clothes dryer, a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat from the dryer's exhaust to ambient air, and an exhaust outlet that discharges heated air from the exhaust. The device is may useful for recycling hot air from a clothes dryer into a home and help with heating the home.

Abstract: Gas turbine engines and turbines thereof including a stator section having a plurality of vanes, a rotating section having a plurality of blades, the rotating section being axially adjacent the stator section along an axis of the turbine, the stator section being aftward of the rotating section along the axis of the turbine, and a primary tangential onboard injector located radially inward from the stator section and configured to direct an airflow from the stator section in a forward direction toward the rotating section, the primary tangential onboard injector turning the airflow in a direction of rotation of the rotating section.

Abstract: Methods for controlling an energy storage device to reduce peak power demand at a site are provided. In one embodiment, load data corresponding to a load in a utility grid-connecting energy generation (EG) system is received. The load data may be sampled at a first predetermined interval, and the EG system may include an energy storage device. A load threshold level is received, and a discharge control signal is generated. The discharge control signal may be generated when the measured load is at or above the load threshold level. The control signal may be applied to the measured load for a second predetermined interval that is longer than the first predetermined interval.

Abstract: A spinal implant for stabilizing first and second vertebrae. The spinal implant includes an intervertebral spacer and a bone stabilization member configured to be coupled to the intervertebral spacer. The bone stabilization member includes a plurality of bone screw openings and a plurality of bone screws extendable through the bone screw openings to secure the bone stabilization member to the vertebrae. A retention member, which is slidably coupled to the bone stabilization member, is linearly slidable between a first position and a second position while coupled to the bone stabilization member. In the first position, each of the bone screws is permitted to be inserted into the bone screw openings, and in the second position the retention member at least partially covers each of the bone screw openings to prevent a bone screw from backing out of the respective bone screw opening.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes operation of a valve actuator to generate electrical power. A portion of the mechanical energy generated by operation of a valve actuator is converted to electrical energy. The mechanical energy may be converted to electrical energy at the same time as the valve actuator is operating or the mechanical energy may be stored for later conversion. A valve actuator may be operated manually, electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically. Generated electrical energy may also be stored.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include receiving load data from an energy generation (EG) system, where the load data is provided by a load meter, and where the load data corresponds to a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be during peak daylight hours (e.g., between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M). The method includes receiving EG data from the EG system, where the EG data corresponds to EG generation by an EG circuit over the predetermined time period, and determining if an inverse relationship exists between the load data and EG data. The method includes determining that the load meter is installed upstream from the EG circuit if an inverse relationship between the load data and EG data exists, and determining that the load mater is installed downstream from the EG circuit if an inverse relationship between the load data and EG data does not exist.

Abstract: A manually controlled coupling mechanism for onsite energy generation and storage systems includes a first contact portion having a first electrical contact for coupling to an utility grid and a second electrical contact for coupling to an on-grid AC terminal of an inverter, a second contact portion having a third electrical contact for coupling to an off-grid output terminal of the inverter, and a manually activated multi-position switch, wherein in a first position, only the first contact portion is activated to allow power transfer between the utility grid, the on-grid AC terminal of the inverter and a main electrical panel, and in the second position, only the second contact portion is activated to allow power transfer from the off-grid output terminal of the inverter to the main electrical panel.

Abstract: A spinal implant for stabilizing first and second vertebrae. The spinal implant includes an intervertebral spacer and a bone stabilization member configured to be coupled to the intervertebral spacer. The bone stabilization member includes a plurality of bone screw openings and a plurality of bone screws extendable through the bone screw openings to secure the bone stabilization member to the vertebrae. A retention member, which is slidably coupled to the bone stabilization member, is linearly slidable between a first position and a second position while coupled to the bone stabilization member. In the first position, each of the bone screws is permitted to be inserted into the bone screw openings, and in the second position the retention member at least partially covers each of the bone screw openings to prevent a bone screw from backing out of the respective bone screw opening.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling an energy storage device to reduce peak power demand at a site are provided. In one embodiment, instantaneous power usage at the site can be monitored, where the instantaneous power usage corresponds to power that is instantaneously imported or exported at a point of common coupling (PCC) between the site and a utility-managed energy grid. A historical power usage value for the site can then be calculated based on the monitored instantaneous power usage, and the historical power usage value can be compared with a target peak value plus a buffer value. If the historical power usage value exceeds the target peak value plus the buffer value, the target peak value can be set to the historical power usage value.

Abstract: A string inverter for use with a photovoltaic array includes at least one string-level DC input channel for receiving DC power from the photovoltaic array, and at least one input-output channel for connecting the string inverter to a battery pack. The string inverter also includes a DC to AC inverter having an AC output, and a switch configured to control a flow of power through the string inverter. When the switch is in a first state, AC power can flow from the string inverter to a load side of a customer utility meter and one or more back-up loads, in a second state, power can flow from the load side of a customer utility meter to the one or more back-up loads bypassing the string inverter, and in a third state, all circuits coupled to the output of the string inverter are electrically disconnected from the string inverter.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at a site are disclosed. A disclosed method includes obtaining or calculating a net load at the site and obtaining a temperature of the site during a time period. The method further includes comparing the net load to a threshold load value and comparing the temperature to a lower threshold temperature or an upper threshold temperature. The method also includes determining one or more operation parameter values for the HVAC system based at least in part on the comparison of the net load to the threshold load value and the comparison of the temperature to the lower threshold temperature or the upper threshold temperature, and setting the HVAC system based on the one or more operation parameter values.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes operation of a valve actuator to generate electrical power. A portion of the mechanical energy generated by operation of a valve actuator is converted to electrical energy. The mechanical energy may be converted to electrical energy at the same time as the valve actuator is operating or the mechanical energy may be stored for later conversion. A valve actuator may be operated manually, electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically. Generated electrical energy may also be stored.