Abstract: A method of performing a black start in a wind farm is provided, the wind farm including a primary black start enabled wind turbine, at least one secondary black start enabled wind turbine, and a wind farm grid interconnecting at least a part of the wind turbines in the wind farm, the method including (a) starting the primary black start enabled wind turbine in black start mode in order to supply voltage to the wind farm grid, (b) monitoring, at the at least one secondary black start enabled wind turbine, an electric parameter value in the wind farm grid, and (c) starting the at least one secondary black start enabled wind turbine in black start mode in order to supply voltage to the wind farm grid when the monitored electric parameter value meets a predetermined condition. A corresponding wind farm is also provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine during disconnection from a utility grid includes a generator, a wind turbine converter, in particular including a grid side converter portion connectable to the utility grid, a DC link, a generator side converter portion, and a UPS, the method including: allowing the UPS to draw, according to an UPS active power reference, active power from the wind turbine converter (104); controlling the wind turbine converter by a converter power reference to meet the UPS active power reference. Controlling the wind turbine converter by the converter power reference includes modulating a frequency of the converter terminal voltage in dependence of the converter power operating point, in particular the converter power reference.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing cardless financial transactions at transaction devices such as Automated Teller Machines. An example method comprises receiving a transaction request including at least one transaction parameter and receiving a substitute value representing an account for processing the transaction request. The substitute value is distinct from an account number associated with the account. The method further comprises sending the at least one transaction parameter and the substitute value to a payment network associated with the substitute value and completing the transaction request. A second method comprises receiving a transaction request with at least one transaction parameter and a substitute value. The second method further comprises determining account credentials associated with the substitute value using the account credentials.

Abstract: A system for supplying electric power to a grid and for supporting the grid is provided. The system includes (a) a power generator including a main converter, (b) an energy buffer including an energy storage and a secondary converter, (c) a grid stability monitor-configured to provide a grid stability, and (d) a controller configured to control the main converter and the secondary converter in dependency on the grid stability indication such that when the stability level is at least equal to a predetermined threshold value, the main converter is controlled to operate as a virtual synchronous machine and the secondary converter is controlled to operate to maintain a predetermined amount of energy in the energy storage, and when the stability level is below the predetermined threshold value, the secondary converter is operated to provide a predetermined response in order to support the grid stability.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling at least one converter of at least one wind turbine connectable to a wind park grid of a wind park during black start or island mode of the wind park, the method including: ramping up a converter voltage reference unless a power related condition and/or a wind park grid frequency related condition or a converter current related condition is violated.

Abstract: A mattress topper for providing improved comfort to a sleeper comprises a pressure distribution layer defining an interior volume. The pressure distribution layer has substantially air-impermeable side walls and a substantially air-impermeable base, and a top surface having at least a region that is air permeable. Support material is contained within the interior volume. The mattress topper includes at least one electrically powered air circulation device for drawing air into the interior volume of the pressure distribution layer via at least one air inlet port. A lateral air-flow layer is disposed above the pressure distribution layer and is configured to provide substantially unimpeded air flow both upwardly and laterally.

Abstract: A converter network bridge controller for a power converter hardware being connectable to an alternating current electricity network is provided. The controller includes an output unit configured for generating a quadrature voltage component reference to a PWM modulator which determines the switching of the power converter hardware, wherein the quadrature voltage component reference includes a first signal and a second signal. The output unit includes a first part and a second part. The first part is configured for generating the first signal based on a current reference for an active current to be generated by the power converter hardware. The second part is configured for providing the second signal to reduce a difference between a converter active current component of measured feedback current and the current reference for active current.

Abstract: A system for supplying electric power to a grid and for supporting the grid is provided. The system includes (a) a power generator including a main converter, (b) an energy buffer including an energy storage and a secondary converter, (c) a grid stability monitor-configured to provide a grid stability, and (d) a controller configured to control the main converter and the secondary converter in dependency on the grid stability indication such that when the stability level is at least equal to a predetermined threshold value, the main converter is controlled to operate as a virtual synchronous machine and the secondary converter is controlled to operate to maintain a predetermined amount of energy in the energy storage, and when the stability level is below the predetermined threshold value, the secondary converter is operated to provide a predetermined response in order to support the grid stability.

Abstract: A converter network bridge controller for a power converter hardware being connectable to an alternating current electricity network is provided. The controller includes an output unit configured for generating a quadrature voltage component reference to a PWM modulator which determines the switching of the power converter hardware, wherein the quadrature voltage component reference includes a first signal and a second signal. The output unit includes a first part and a second part. The first part configured for generating the first signal based on a current reference for an active current to be generated by the power converter hardware. The second part is configured for providing the second signal to reduce a difference between a converter active current component of measured feedback current and the current reference for active current.

Abstract: A mattress topper for providing improved comfort to a sleeper comprises a pressure distribution layer defining an interior volume. The pressure distribution layer has substantially air-impermeable side walls and a substantially air-impermeable base, and a top surface having at least a region that is air permeable. Support material is contained within the interior volume. The mattress topper includes at least one electrically powered air circulation device for drawing air into the interior volume of the pressure distribution layer via at least one air inlet port. A lateral air-flow layer is disposed above the pressure distribution layer and is configured to provide substantially unimpeded air flow both upwardly and laterally.

Abstract: A vendor portal for electronic commerce over a network is provided. The vendor portal comprises a vendor portal web site, a collection of preconfigured modules linked to the portal, and vendor tools to enable a vendor to compile a promotional offer or service by selecting and personalising one or more preconfigured modules. The vendor portal further comprises a unique identifier generator to generate and link a unique identifier to said promotional offer or service; wherein the portal is operable to cause the vendor compiled promotional offer or service to be displayed on a user interface of a customer's networked device when a customer uses their networked device to scan said unique identifier.

Abstract: Methods and systems for content initiation are described. In one embodiment, execution of an executable application is initiated. The executable application is associated with source code of a gaming application and a compiled version of a gaming application. Advertising data is received through a network. The source code of the gaming application is recompiled using the advertising data to create a recompiled version of the gaming application. Game play of the recompiled version of the gaming application is initiated. The game play includes presentation of advertising based on at least a portion of the advertising data. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine including a piston crown having an upper surface and a lower surface; a piston skirt; and a generally cup-shaped undercrown formed on the lower surface of the piston crown and integral with the top portions of opposing side walls of the piston skirt, at least a portion of the surface of the undercrown being rough, defining at least one region of increased surface area, wherein the distance between an uppermost and lowermost points of the surface of the undercrown in the at least one region of increased surface area is in the range of approximately 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided wherein a central Credit Controller Entity (CCE) is connected to a PCIE fabric environment by means of several buses. Flow Control information sent to the CCE over two of the buses indicates the buffer storage capacity that is available at respective Receiver components in the PCIE fabric. The CCE processes the Flow Control information, to generate updates that are sent by a third bus to Transmitter components corresponding to the Receivers. In one useful embodiment, directed to a method of Flow Control management, the CCE provides a repository adapted to store credit count information that represents the available storage capacity of respective Receivers. The method further comprises routing further credit count information from a given Receiver to the CCE, for storage in the repository, following each of successive events that affect the storage capacity of the given Receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of valuing property assets and methods of securitizing such assets. The present invention provides a means whereby holders or owners of proprietary intellectual property may readily determine the value to the business of the securitization of their intellectual property estate and obtain capital by securitizing all or part of their intellectual property estate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of repeatedly valuing intellectual property assets and securitizing such assets. The present invention provides a means whereby holders or owners of proprietary intellectual property may readily determine the value to the business of the securitization of their intellectual property estate and obtain capital by securitizing all or part of their intellectual property estate.

Abstract: Methods for producing alcohols from CO or CO2 and H2 utilizing a palladium-zinc on alumina catalyst are described. Methods of synthesizing alcohols over various catalysts in microchannels are also described. Ethanol, higher alcohols, and other C2+ oxygenates can produced utilizing Rh—Mn or a Fisher-Tropsch catalyst.

Abstract: Novel methods of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are described. It has been discovered that conducting the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over a catalyst with a catalytically active surface layer of 35 microns or less results in a liquid hydrocarbon product with a high ratio of C5-C20:C20+. Descriptions of novel Fischer-Tropsch catalysts and reactors are also provided. Novel hydrocarbon compositions with a high ratio of C5-C20:C20+ are also described.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the daily operating performance parameters for water treatment processes through the collection of localized data. The data is manipulated to generate preconfigured performance, maintenance, and quality assurance reports and further provide automatic submission of data as required for regulatory review of certain water treatment systems such as potable water treatment. The data is collected from sensors located at an equipment site and transferred to a remote computer located by use of the Internet, further all data received and used for generation of reports is also accessible by Internet connection and be delivered directly to the regulatory agency without additional process.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the daily operating performance parameters for water treatment processes through the collection of localized data. The data is manipulated to generate preconfigured performance, maintenance, and quality assurance reports and further provide automatic submission of data as required for regulatory review of certain water treatment systems such as potable water treatment. The data is collected from sensors located at an equipment site and transferred to a remote computer located by use of the Internet, further all data received and used for generation of reports is also accessible by Internet connection and be delivered directly to the regulatory agency without additional process.