Abstract: An underbed illumination system includes a sensor, one or more lights, and a controller. The sensor is mountable to an underside of a bed and has a field of view that extends to left, foot, and right sides of the bed. The one or more lights are configured to mount to the bed and output light downward from the bed. The controller is configured to detect a person with the sensor and operate the lights to output the light according to the detection of the person.

Abstract: An adjustable bed system includes a mattress and an adjustment mechanism. The mattress includes a head portion and a foot portion rearward of the head portion, and the head portion defines a cavity that is downwardly open. The adjustment mechanism includes a lower base formed of a planar substrate, an upper support formed of either a frame or another planar substrate that is movably coupled to the lower base, and an actuator operable to move the upper support relative to the lower base. The adjustment mechanism is positioned in the cavity and coupled to the mattress. When the actuator is operated, the adjustment mechanism moves the adjustable bed system between a flat and an inclined configuration. The mattress and the adjustment mechanism are configured to be positioned on a support surface with the adjustment mechanism having a higher coefficient of friction with the support surface than the mattress.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering card game includes dealing a card face down on a table; requiring a player to place a color wager prior to the card being turned over; providing a player with an option, prior to the card being turned over, to place one or more additional wagers predicting the face value of the card dealt face down on the table; turning the card over to reveal the face value of the card; resolving the color wager by paying a payout based on the color wager if the card is the same color as the color wager; and resolving the one or more additional wagers if placed by paying a payout based on the one or more additional wagers if the value of the card is the same as any of the predicted values.

Abstract: An adjustable bed assembly includes a base frame, an articulating mattress support movably coupled to the base frame, and a support attachment assembly. The support attachment assembly includes a first linkage coupled to the articulating mattress support and a second linkage coupled to the first linkage and the base frame. The support attachment assembly includes a support attachment that may include a table top or a storage bin.

Abstract: An electrical supply system has a carport appliance with a framework supporting a plurality of PV panels and a system controller having a PV inverter coupled to the PV panels of the carport appliance. The PV inverter is adapted to provide current to charge electrically powered vehicles, and has a regulated bus coupled to electrical apparatus providing surge capacity for the supply system. In one instance the system controller has an AC output to input of a distribution apparatus for a residence or a business.

Abstract: A vehicular electricity generating canopy appliance includes a rectangular framework forming a vehicular chassis with solar panels, support apparatus for repositioning panels, auxiliary wheels, a trailer dolly for towing, and an electrical system connected to an inverter supporting optional Vehicle to Grid (V2G) operations. The vehicular canopy is designed to be movable and storable to protect the panels during adverse weather conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to resiliency in photovoltaically produced power generation and utilization. This invention comprises a system of elements that combine to minimize the cost and complexity of a backup-capable solar power system. An element of this system is a prior-art balancer-based photovoltaic panel power optimizer whose power electronics are time-shared to allow an array of battery modules to power or provide supplemental or surge power to an inverter. Further elements of the system provide for rapid and low-cost installation, reliability, and easy and safe maintenance.

Abstract: An electrical supply system has a carport appliance with a framework supporting a plurality of PV panels and a system controller having a PV inverter coupled to the PV panels of the carport appliance. The PV inverter is adapted to provide current to charge electrically powered vehicles, and has a regulated bus coupled to electrical apparatus providing surge capacity for the supply system. In one instance the system controller has an AC output to input of a distribution apparatus for a residence or a business.

Abstract: A microgrid system controller includes a regulated bus, a variable-frequency drive (VFD) inverter, a generator coupled to a rotatable flywheel, a resistive load; and a plurality of actuatable switches. The microgrid system controller may also include a battery and charge controller or a battery storage device. The plurality of actuatable switches couple some of the various components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to resiliency in photovoltaically produced power generation and utilization. This invention comprises a system of elements that combine to minimize the cost and complexity of a backup-capable solar power system. An element of this system is a prior-art balancer-based photovoltaic panel power optimizer whose power electronics are time-shared to allow an array of battery modules to power or provide supplemental or surge power to an inverter. Further elements of the system provide for rapid and low-cost installation, reliability, and easy and safe maintenance.

Abstract: A microgrid system controller includes a regulated bus, a variable-frequency drive (VFD) inverter, a generator coupled to a rotatable flywheel, a resistive load; and a plurality of actuatable switches. The microgrid system controller may also include a battery and charge controller or a battery storage device. The plurality of actuatable switches couple some of the various components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to resiliency in photovoltaically produced power generation and utilization. This invention comprises a system of elements that combine to minimize the cost and complexity of a backup-capable solar power system. An element of this system is a prior-art balancer-based photovoltaic panel power optimizer whose power electronics are time-shared to allow an array of battery modules to power or provide supplemental or surge power to an inverter. Further elements of the system provide for rapid and low-cost installation, reliability, and easy and safe maintenance.

Abstract: A microgrid system controller includes a regulated bus, a variable-frequency drive (VFD) inverter, a generator coupled to a rotatable flywheel, a resistive load; and a plurality of actuatable switches. The microgrid system controller may also include a battery and charge controller or a battery storage device. The plurality of actuatable switches couple some of the various components.

Abstract: A microgrid system controller includes a regulated bus, a variable-frequency drive (VFD) inverter, a generator coupled to a rotatable flywheel, a resistive load; and a plurality of actuatable switches. The microgrid system controller may also include a battery and charge controller or a battery storage device. The plurality of actuatable switches couple some of the various components.

Abstract: A control panel having a variety of potential applications that utilize ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light as a means of disinfection. In one embodiment, a human/machine interface (HMI) panel, such as a touchscreen or keypad uses a dynamically moveable multi-reflector assembly using UV-C light to disinfect its touch surfaces. The goal of integrating UV-C disinfection with an HMI works to provide a safe and effective dose of UV-C light to the panel's surface for the purpose of reducing the number of active pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to resiliency in photovoltaically produced power generation and utilization. This invention comprises a system of elements that combine to minimize the cost and complexity of a backup-capable solar power system. An element of this system is a prior-art balancer-based photovoltaic panel power optimizer whose power electronics are time-shared to allow an array of battery modules to power or provide supplemental or surge power to an inverter. Further elements of the system provide for rapid and low-cost installation, reliability, and easy and safe maintenance.

Abstract: This specification discloses a novel power converter comprising a large array of interleaved converter channels. As a system, these channels provide high reliability through redundancy. The embodiments described herein solve a reliability and cost issues in converting electrical energy to alternating current (AC) power, with particular application to string inverters for solar power applications.

Abstract: A control panel having a variety of potential applications that utilize ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light as a means of disinfection. In one embodiment, a human/machine interface (HMI) panel, such as a touchscreen or keypad uses a dynamically moveable multi-reflector assembly using UV-C light to disinfect its touch surfaces. The goal of integrating UV-C disinfection with an HMI works to provide a safe and effective dose of UV-C light to the panel's surface for the purpose of reducing the number of active pathogens.

Abstract: This specification discloses a novel power converter comprising a large array of interleaved converter channels. As a system, these channels provide high reliability through redundancy. The embodiments described herein solve a reliability and cost issues in converting electrical energy to alternating current (AC) power, with particular application to string inverters for solar power applications.

Abstract: A flyback converter has a sub-nanofarad capacitor disposed between the primary winding and the secondary winding of a transformer included in the flyback converter. A controller in the flyback converter co-optimizes the switch period and width such that the flyback converter operates substantially at peak efficiency via the use of a novel set point and control-signal. A model of global optimal control is provided via a novel characterization and analysis method.