Abstract: An apparatus for controlling components in a grid branch of an electrical power supply grid having a grid branch control unit for limiting a load in the grid branch, containing a grid state determination device, by means of which at least one physical parameter denoting a grid state of the grid branch is determinable, a control device for generating a control signal, by means of which an electric current between the grid branch and a component connected to a connection point thereof is influencable on the basis of the grid state, wherein the components have associated communication means for sending and/or receiving data and the control device of at least one of the components evaluates the determined parameters of the multiple components and takes the evaluation result as a basis for generating the control signals of the associated components of the same grid branch.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling components in a grid branch of an electrical power supply grid having a grid branch control unit for limiting a load in the grid branch, containing a grid state determination device, by means of which at least one physical parameter denoting a grid state of the grid branch is determinable, a control device for generating a control signal, by means of which an electric current between the grid branch and a component connected to a connection point thereof is influencable on the basis of the grid state, wherein the components have associated communication means for sending and/or receiving data and the control device of at least one of the components evaluates the determined parameters of the multiple components and takes the evaluation result as a basis for generating the control signals of the associated components of the same grid branch.

Abstract: The invention relates an electrical device for providing an output depending on an electrical input. The electrical device (1) is adapted to provide a constant output, if the electrical input is in a first electrical input range, and a dependent output, if the electrical input is in a second electrical input range, wherein the dependent output depends on the electrical input. The output can therefore remain constant, even if the electrical input, which is preferentially a DC grid voltage, fluctuates within the first electrical input range. Moreover, in the second electrical input range the output can be controlled by just controlling the electrical input like the DC grid voltage, without necessarily requiring an additional control construction of the electrical device. A resistance against fluctuations of the electrical input and a controllability of the output can therefore be realized in a relatively simple way.

Abstract: A consumer product electric power supply is provided and includes a grid power converter that is coupled to a power grid; an energy storage element that is coupled to the grid power converter, which provides an intermediate voltage to the energy storage element; a load power converter that is coupled to the energy storage element and provides constant power to a load; and a power controller that measures a state variable of the grid, wherein the power controller controls the grid power converter based on the state variable of the grid to help stabilize the grid.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter capable of detecting a receiver and a method for the same is described. According to some implementations, the transmitter is configured to detect the presence of the receiver by detecting a change in capacitance in the transmitter by detecting the change in a current flowing through a capacitive circuit at the transmitter. According to some implementations, the capacitive circuit is formed by a first transmission coil corresponding to a first electrode and a second transmission coil corresponding to a second electrode. According to some implementations, the capacitive circuit is formed by a transmission coil as an electrode and a ground, or by the electrode and the receiver circuitry.

Abstract: A capacitive contactless powering system (100) comprises a pair of receiver electrodes (141, 142) connected to a load (150) through a first inductor (160), wherein the first inductor is coupled to the load to resonate the system; a pair of transmitter electrodes (121, 122) connected to a driver (110); an insulating layer (130) having a first side and a second side opposite each other, wherein the pair of transmitter electrodes are coupled to the first side of the insulating layer and the pair of receiver electrodes are decoupled from the second side of the insulating layer, such that a capacitive impedance is formed between the pair of transmitter electrodes and the pair of receiver electrodes, wherein a power signal generated by the driver is wirelessly transferred from the pair of transmitter electrodes to the pair of receiver electrodes to power the load when a frequency of the power signal matches a series-resonance frequency of the first inductor and the capacitive impedance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transmitting power inductively from a transmitter (11) to a receiver (10), the receiver (10) comprising a signal generator for generating a signal, triggered by an event reflecting that the receiver intends to receive power from the transmitter, wherein said signal intends to activate said transmitter from standby mode to activated mode; and comprising a signal transmitting coil (103) for transmitting said signal to said transmitter; said transmitter (11) comprising a signal receiving coil (112); a detector (114) for detecting said signal received by the receiving coil; and a unit (115) for activating the transmitter from standby mode to activated mode upon the detection of said signal.

Abstract: A method of detecting a receiver (214) by a transmitter and a transmitter for detecting a receiver are provided. The transmitter is intended to transmit power inductively to the receiver (214). The transmitter comprising a first transmission coil as a first electrode (204) and a second electrode (206). The first electrode (204) and the second electrode (206) form a capacitor (202). The method comprises the steps of applying a voltage (216) to any one of the electrodes (204, 206) and detecting a capacitance change of the capacitor (202).

Abstract: A method of detecting a receiver (214) by a transmitter and a transmitter for detecting a receiver are provided. The transmitter is intended to transmit power inductively to the receiver (214). The transmitter comprising a first transmission coil as a first electrode (204) and a second electrode (206). The first electrode (204) and the second electrode (206) form a capacitor (202). The method comprises the steps of applying a voltage (216) to any one of the electrodes (204, 206) and detecting a capacitance change of the capacitor (202).

Abstract: A consumer product elec-tric power supply is provided and includes a grid power converter that is coupled to a power grid; an energy storage element that is coupled to the grid power converter, which provides an intermediate voltage to the energy storage element; a load power converter that is coupled to the energy storage element and provides constant power to a load; and a power controller that measures a state variable of the grid, wherein the power controller controls the grid power converter based on the state variable of the grid to help stabilize the grid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power distribution system for distributing power from a power supply (2) to several electrical loads (4, 5) via sockets (3). The sockets receive power requests from the electrical loads and transmit the power requests to a master device (9) which controls the power to be provided by the respective socket based on the received power requests. Since the master device receives all power requests from the sockets and has therefore an overview of the overall power requirements, the master device can determine the power to be provided by the respective socket under consideration of this knowledge. This can lead to an improved determination of the power to be provided by the respective socket and hence to an improved overall power distribution.

Abstract: A power receiver device including: a pair of receiver electrodes (341, 342) for capacitively coupling with the pair of transmitter electrodes (321, 322) placed on one side of a surface; and a deformable transfer layer (371, 372) placed between each of the pair of the receiver electrodes and another side of the surface. A power signal generated by the power driver (110) is wirelessly transferred from the pair of transmitter electrodes (321, 322) to the pair of receiver electrodes (341, 342) to power a load (150) in the power receiver device.

Abstract: Transformers (1) comprise primary parts and secondary parts with first and second taps (11, 12) for providing feeding signals to combinations of switching circuits (22, 26) and loads (21) and with third and fourth taps (13, 14) for providing data signals to receivers (23). At least one of the third and fourth taps (13, 14) is different from the first and second taps (11, 12). In that case, the data signals will be better available, even in case the first and second taps (11, 12) are short-circuited. The primary parts may comprise primary windings (15), the secondary parts may comprise secondary windings (16). The first to fourth taps (11-14) may be taps of the secondary windings (16). The first and third taps (11, 13) may be identical taps, and the second and fourth taps (12, 14) may be different taps. The first and second taps (11, 12) may be outer taps and the fourth taps may be center taps.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for supplying a power to a load connected in a capacitive power transfer system comprises a sheet (210) of a non-conductive material; and a plurality of conductive stripes (220), each two adjacent conductive stripes being electrically insulated from each other, wherein the sheet forms an insulating layer of the capacitive power transfer system and the plurality of conductive stripes form at least a pair of transmitter electrodes of the capacitive power transfer system.

Abstract: Pick-up devices (1-9) for picking-up signals from first cables (21, 22) in electrically contactless manners comprise first arrangements (31) for picking-up power signals from the first cables (21, 22) in inductive manners and second arrangements (35, 36) for picking-up data signals from the first cables (21, 22) in capacitive manners. The first arrangements (31) may comprise inductive couplings such as magnetic cores (61, 62) with first openings for surrounding parts of first conductors (21) of the first cables (21, 22) and with second openings for surrounding parts of second conductors (22) of the first cables (21, 22). The second arrangements (35, 36) may comprise capacitive couplings such as first and second electrodes (71-74). The pick-up devices (1-9) may be pick-up and transfer devices (3) for transferring the signals to second cables (23, 24) in electrically contactless manners.

Abstract: Various receiver electrodes for supplying power to a load connected in a capacitive power transfer system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the receiver electrodes include a first conductive plate connected to a first sphere-shaped hinge, wherein the first sphere-shaped hinge is coupled to a first receiver electrode; and a second conductive plate connected to a second sphere-shaped hinge, wherein the second sphere-shaped hinge is coupled to a second receiver electrode, the second receiver electrode being connected to an inductor of the capacitive power transfer system and the first receiver electrode being connected to the load, the inductor being connected to the load to resonate the capacitive power transfer system.

Abstract: Various receiver electrodes for supplying power to a load connected in a capacitive power transfer system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the receiver electrodes include a first conductive plate (212) connected to a first sphere-shaped hinge (211), wherein the first sphere-shaped hinge is coupled to a first receiver electrode (210); and a second conductive plate (222) connected to a second sphere-shaped hinge (221), wherein the second sphere-shaped hinge is coupled to a second receiver electrode (220), the second receiver electrode being connected to an inductor of the capacitive power transfer system and the first receiver electrode being connected to the load, the inductor being connected to the load to resonate the capacitive power transfer system.

Abstract: Cables (1, 2) comprise first and second conductors (1, 2) for transporting signals to be picked-up in contactless manners. At first/second locations (3, 4), the first and second conductors (1, 2) are at first/second distances from each other. The first locations (3) are neutral locations where the conductors (1, 2) are parallel. The second locations (4) are pick-up locations. The second distances are larger than the first distances. Pick-up devices for picking-up signals in a contactless manner from the cables (1, 2) comprise parts for defining minimum values of the second distances. These parts may comprise core-parts, such as center ends (10) of E-shaped magnetic cores further comprising outer ends (11, 12) and backs (13). Methods for installing pick-up devices comprise steps of at second locations (4) increasing a distance between the first and second conductors (1, 2) from a value of the first distance to a value of the second distance.

Abstract: An electronic device which is inductively powered or charged has a receiver coil on which a metal object can be placed without causing deterioration of the coil's magnetic field and without generating heat in the metal object. An ultra-thin, flexible, high magnetic permeability metal foil having a thickness of 50 ?m or less is provided as a shielding layer between the coil and the object. Radial slits are provided in the shielding layer, which suppress unwanted eddy currents in the layer to reduce power transfer losses and heat generation.

Abstract: System for configuring and powering a wireless batteryless device, the system comprising: a wireless batteryless device (A) comprising: a built-in harvester (12) for harvesting energy from a first energy source, for example ambient energy, means for communicating wirelessly, —and an external device (B) comprising: —a second power source (16), —means (17) for converting energy supplied by the second power source into energy suitable for being harvested in the harvester of the batteryless device, means (18) for wirelessly supplying the batteryless device with the converted energy via the built-in harvester, and means for communicating with the batteryless device. The invention also relates to an external device therefore, and a method for configuring and powering a batteryless device.