Abstract: A heat recovery steam generator (“HRSG”) includes a first casing having an interior enclosing at least one duct for gas to flow therein along a gas flow axis. Each duct is defined by duct defining members that are spaced apart from each other and extend into the interior of the first casing. A plurality of stiffening members are elongated along the gas flow axis. Each of the stiffening members are positioned between two of the duct defining members. The stiffening members and duct defining members have a substantially similar coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing multi-phase power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cycloconverter controller for determining a charge ratio based on a reference waveform; and a cycloconverter, coupled to the cycloconverter controller and to a multi-phase AC line, for selectively coupling an alternating current to each line of the multi-phase AC line based on the charge ratio.

Abstract: A method of cutting a tie wrap, bound about at least one wire, using a cutting tool is provided. The method comprising steps of: applying a housing of the cutting tool to the tie wrap, positioning a portion of the tie wrap within a first groove of the housing between first two opposing sidewalls and second two opposite sidewalls of the housing, moving the at least one wire and maintaining the at least one wire a distance away from the tie wrap, moving a circular blade of the cutting tool against the portion of the tie wrap, positioned within the first groove, and at least partially cutting the tie wrap with the circular blade. In some examples, the method further comprises controlling a depth of the circular blade within the tie wrap while the circular blade at least partially cuts the tie wrap.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling power conditioners in a distributed resource island are provided herein. In one embodiment, an input of a power conditioner that is operating in a de-energized state and coupled to an islanded grid is compared to an input threshold. When the input exceeds the input threshold, the power conditioner is operated in a soft-grid mode to generate a touch-safe AC voltage that is coupled to the islanded grid. The power conditioner compares an impedance of the islanded grid to a grid impedance range and compares load demand of the power conditioner to an activate threshold; when the impedance is within the grid impedance range and the load demand exceeds the activate threshold, the power conditioner is activated to operate proximate its nominal output voltage.

Abstract: A tool for use in cutting a tie wrap that is bound about at least one wire is provided. The tool includes a housing having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side and the second side are coupled together to define a cavity. The housing further includes a groove formed in the first side and in the second side, wherein the groove is in flow communication with the cavity. A blade is coupled to the first side and positioned with the cavity, wherein the blade includes a cutting surface partially extending into the groove. The tool also includes a spacer coupled to the housing and configured to maintain the wire a distance away from the cutting surface when the housing is applied to the tie wrap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power converter current control. In one embodiment, the method comprises controlling an instantaneous current generated by a power converter such that that power converter appears, from the perspective of an AC line coupled to the power converter, as a virtual AC voltage source in series with a virtual impedance.

Abstract: System and apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprising a DC stage, comprising a resonant circuit, for generating a high-frequency resonant current; and an AC stage for converting a high-frequency current, generated from the high-frequency resonant current, to an AC output current, wherein the AC stage comprises: a pair of serially-connected switches for (i) passing, during a first half of a cycle of an AC line, a positive portion of the high-frequency current, and (ii) passing, during a second half of the cycle of the AC line, a negative portion of the high-frequency current; and an unfurling bridge for unfurling a current waveform, formed from the positive and the negative portions, to generate the AC output current, wherein the unfurling bridge is operated at a frequency on the order of three orders of magnitude lower than an operating frequency of the serially-connected switches.

Abstract: The socket assembly includes a housing that presents an inner wall which surrounds an open bore. A stud is partially received in the open bore with a bearing interposed between the inner wall and the stud. The bearing has a bearing piece, which is in surface-to-surface contact with the stud, and a preload piece which is elastically compressed to impart a biasing force on the bearing piece, thereby preloading the bearing piece against the stud. The preload piece is in an overmolded engagement with the bearing piece to securely couple these pieces together such that the bearing can be inserted into the open bore of the housing together as a unit. The bearing and preload pieces are made of different materials with different elasticities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power converter current control. In one embodiment, the method comprises controlling an instantaneous current generated by a power converter such that that power converter appears, from the perspective of an AC line coupled to the power converter, as a virtual AC voltage source in series with a virtual impedance, wherein real and reactive phasor currents for the power converter are indirectly controlled by modifying amplitude and phase of a virtual AC voltage waveform that defines the virtual AC voltage source.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for adjusting an armrest assembly, the assembly comprising an armrest that includes an armrest pad, a rising platform having a nut aperture, a nut positioned within the nut aperture. The assembly further includes a rod assembly coupled with the armrest, an adjustment mechanism for raising or lowering the armrest, and may include one or more rotation stops coupled with a stationary plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling power conversion. In one embodiment, the method comprises computing a voltage ratio based on a voltage conversion in a resonant converter; comparing the voltage ratio to a threshold; and controlling, independent of switching frequency of the resonant converter, power output from the resonant converter based on whether the voltage ratio satisfies the threshold.

Abstract: Buckle assemblies and associated systems and methods for use with child seats and other restraint systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly includes a housing having an opening shaped to receive a first tongue of a first web connector and a second tongue of a second web connector. The buckle assembly also includes a spring having a first ejector arm carrying a first magnet and a second ejector arm carrying a second magnet. A switch assembly is positioned within the housing, and insertion of the tongues into the housing to latch the buckle assembly moves the magnets toward the switch assembly to activate switches in the switch assembly and produce a signal confirming buckle engagement.

Abstract: A cutting tool and method of operating cutting tool. The tool includes a support having a first side and a second side. The tool further includes a handle coupled to at least one of the first side and the second side. The handle includes a blade, wherein the handle is configured to move the blade between a first position and a second position. An alignment guide is coupled to the support. The alignment guide includes a channel configured to receive the blade positioned in the second position.

Abstract: The movable joint assembly includes a housing which extends along an axis and has an outer surface and an open interior. A ball stud is partially disposed in the open interior and projects out of the housing. A flexible and elastic boot is sealed against the outer surface of the housing and against the ball stud. A metal insert is at least partially embedded within the boot adjacent an end of the boot for resisting pull out of the boot from the housing. The boot includes a lip which is at least partially spaced axially from the insert and extends radially inwardly and is in an interference fit engagement with the outer surface of the housing for establishing a fluid tight seal of the housing and for maintaining the fluid tight seal in response to injection of a lubricant into the open interior of the housing.

Abstract: A differential transmission line includes a positive conductor on which a positive complementary component of a differential signal is transmitted, and a negative conductor parallel to the positive conductor on which a negative complementary component of the differential signal is transmitted. A quarter wavelength differential coupler is inserted along a length of the positive and negative conductors. The quarter wavelength differential coupler has a length corresponding to a frequency of common mode noise on the positive and negative conductors. The quarter wavelength differential coupler reduces the common mode noise at the frequency as the differential signal passes through the quarter wavelength differential coupler.

Abstract: A device and method to facilitate the opening and closing and closing of a ski boot. The devices includes a buckle attachment section, a ski pole cooperation section and a securing member. The buckle attachment section has a cavity which is dimensioned to receive a free end of the buckle therein to prevent unwanted movement of the buckle attachment section relative to the buckle. The ski pole cooperation section has a ski pole receiving opening. The ski pole receiving opening extends through the ski pole cooperation section and is dimensioned to receive an end of a ski pole therein. The securing member secures the device to the buckle of the ski boot. The device allows the buckles of the ski boot to be latched and unlatched with minimal twisting of the skier's body.

Abstract: The movable joint assembly includes a housing which extends along an axis and has an outer surface and an open interior. A ball stud is partially disposed in the open interior and projects out of the housing. A flexible and elastic boot is sealed against the outer surface of the housing and against the ball stud. A metal insert is at least partially embedded within the boot adjacent an end of the boot for resisting pull out of the boot from the housing. The boot includes a lip which is at least partially spaced axially from the insert and extends radially inwardly and is in an interference fit engagement with the outer surface of the housing for establishing a fluid tight seal of the housing and for maintaining the fluid tight seal in response to injection of a lubricant into the open interior of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power converter current control. In one embodiment, the method comprises controlling an instantaneous current generated by a power converter that is part of an AC battery such that (i) the power converter appears, from the perspective of an AC line coupled to the power converter, as a virtual AC voltage source in series with a virtual impedance, wherein real and reactive phasor currents for the power converter are indirectly controlled by modifying amplitude and phase of a virtual AC voltage waveform that defines the virtual AC voltage source, and (ii) active power flow is prioritized while the AC battery is operating in a charge mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomously operating a microgrid power generator. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a first measurement of at least one grid parameter of a microgrid transmission line coupled to a power generator in a microgrid; comparing the first measurement to a turn-on threshold; initiating, when the first measurement is less than the turn-on threshold, power generation by the power generator; obtaining, after initiation of the energy generation, a second measurement of the at least one grid parameter of the microgrid transmission line; comparing the second measurement to a shut-down threshold that is greater than the turn-on threshold; and stopping, when the second measurement exceeds the shut-down threshold, the power generation by the power generator.

Abstract: A circuit-interrupting device includes a load-breaker operable between an open state and a closed state and a first interlock member operatively associated with the load-breaker. The first interlock member moves between a first position and a second position when the load-breaker moves between the closed state and the open state. The circuit-interrupting device further includes a disconnect switch that moves between an open state and a closed state. When the load-breaker is in the closed state, the first interlock member is in the first position and contacts the disconnect switch to prevent the disconnect switch from moving from the closed state to the open state.