Abstract: The invention provides in various embodiments methods and systems relating to controlling energy storage units in flowing electrolyte batteries.

Abstract: The invention provides in various embodiments methods and systems relating to controlling energy storage units in flowing electrolyte batteries.

Abstract: A method for shifting energy in space and time includes charging an energy store from an energy source at a first location, transporting the energy store to a second location, and discharging the energy store at the second location to deliver energy to an energy consumer. A method for providing energy security to an energy consumer includes charging an energy store from an energy source at a first location, transporting the energy store to a second location, and when a primary energy source at the second location is unavailable, discharging the energy store at the second location to deliver energy to the energy consumer. A vehicle for wirelessly transmitting electric power from a first location to a second location includes a battery, at least one power converter, a controller, and power coupling electrically coupled to the at least one power converter.

Abstract: The invention provides in various embodiments methods and systems relating to controlling energy storage units in flowing electrolyte batteries.

Abstract: A method for shifting energy in space and time includes charging an energy store from an energy source at a first location, transporting the energy store to a second location, and discharging the energy store at the second location to deliver energy to an energy consumer. A method for providing energy security to an energy consumer includes charging an energy store from an energy source at a first location, transporting the energy store to a second location, and when a primary energy source at the second location is unavailable, discharging the energy store at the second location to deliver energy to the energy consumer. A vehicle for wirelessly transmitting electric power from a first location to a second location includes a battery, at least one power converter, a controller, and power coupling electrically coupled to the at least one power converter.

Abstract: The invention provides in various embodiments methods and systems relating to controlling energy storage units in flowing electrolyte batteries.

Abstract: The invention provides in various embodiments methods and systems relating to controlling energy storage units in flowing electrolyte batteries.

Abstract: A non-contact smart card assembly and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The non-contact smart card assembly includes a RF antenna for receiving and transmitting RF signals and an integrated circuit component for processing the RF signals. Both the RF antenna and the integrated circuit component are mounted to a substrate. The smart card assembly further includes a capacitor, which together with the RF antenna form a resonance circuit. The capacitor is electrically coupled to the RF antenna and the integrated circuit component using flip-chip bonding techniques, thereby increasing reliability of the smart card assembly. Further, because the smart card assembly can be manufactured by automated equipment, manufacturing costs are reduced.

Abstract: A method for providing pre-placed, pre-brazed feed throughs in the substrate of a hermetic package corresponding to the terminal leads of the encased circuit COTS components. The substrate may include directly bonded copper (DBC) regions forming circular shapes where the holes for the special connectors of the present invention will be located. These holes will correspond to the leads of the COTS component that will be mounted to it. Holes are laser or mechanically drilled into the substrate inside the circular shapes formed in the DBC. To form the feed through, a bushing, such as a blind copper rivet, is brazed in the hole, with the open end thereof oriented toward the component-side of the substrate. These open ends can accept the leads of the COTS component, like the holes of a conventional PC circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy storage apparatus having a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a bobbin having a cylindrical shape and open at each end. The bobbin includes at least one fin extending longitudinally on an exterior surface of the bobbin. The bobbin also includes a phase winding longitudinally and circumferentially encircling said bobbin. The winding is separated by at least one fin. The bobbin also includes at least one cooling passage for transporting a cooling medium.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes a rotor, a stator and a hub rotatably positioned about an axial shaft. The hub includes at least one spoke plane projecting radially from the hub, and the at least one spoke plane includes at least one spoke. The at least one spoke becomes progressively thinner along an increasing radius.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a power unit communicating power between a turbine alternator, flywheel and traction motor. The power unit stores DC power in capacitors and places the power on a DC bus for use in driving the induction machines. Power transistors receive the DC power from the DC bus and are pulse width modulated to output a synthesized AC waveform. The power transistors include a support plate of thermally conductive material having a first surface supporting the transistor and a second surface forming a heat sink with cooling fluid. An electrical insulation layer is fixedly connected between the power transistor and the support plate on the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a methodology for assembling a magnet onto a rotor for an energy storage apparatus. The methodology includes the step of mounting a magnet onto a mandrel. The methodology also includes the step of turning an outer diameter of the magnet to a predetermined size. The methodology further includes the step of turning a rim section of the rotor for receiving the magnet to a predetermined size. The methodology still further includes the step of attaching the magnet to the rim section. The methodology includes the step of removing the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention is a gimbal system for an apparatus supported in a frame. The gimbal system includes at least two parallel flexible beams positioned on either side of the apparatus. The apparatus is attached to the beam near a center of the beam to the apparatus, such that an active length of the beam is equal to a distance between the beams centers. A first end and a second end of the beam is mounted to the frame. At least one dampening mechanism is attached at a first end to the apparatus and at the other end to the frame. The apparatus exhibits axisymmetric roll stiffness independent of the motion of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention is an a rotor. The rotor includes a rim portion, divided into a first rim section and a second rim section. The first rim section includes a soft magnet positioned on it. The second rim section includes a mass positioned on it with similar density to the magnet to generate equivalent centrifugal forces along a spin axis. A carbon fiber overwrap encloses the rim.

Abstract: A method for constructing a rotor for an energy storage apparatus includes the step of fabricating a rim having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The method also includes the step of bonding at least one lamina panel to the rim at the inner diameter of the rim. The method further includes the step of bonding at least one lamina panel to the rim at the outer diameter of the rim. The method next includes the steps of machining the at least one lamina panel on the outer diameter of the rim and the rim to have a radius, bonding a magnet to the at least one lamina panel on the inner diameter of the rim, and bonding a mass to the at least one lamina panel on the inner diameter of the rim. The method further includes the step of arranging an outer panel on the at least one lamina panel on the outer diameter of the rim and curing the outer panel.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes a rotor. The rotor includes a rim. The rim includes a plurality of disks. The disks are bonded together to maximize rim balance and minimize a bonding stress between adjacent disks.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes a hub rotatably positioned about a stationary axial shaft. The hub supports a rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of balance bars positioned on the rotor to compensate for any stress imbalance of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention is a energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes a rotor and a stator and a hub rotatably positioned about a stationary axial shaft. The hub also includes at least one spoke plane projecting radially from the hub, and the at least one spoke plane contains at least one spoke. The at least one spoke includes an in-plane bending stiffness exceeding an out-of-plane bending stiffness.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle utilizes a power unit to store and convert power between a turbine alternator, flywheel and traction motor. The power unit includes a fluid cooled cold-plate assembly for cooling power transistors used to switch stored and generated power between the peripheral machines. The cold-plate assembly a first frame member having a plurality of windows therein, a plurality of transistor modules supporting power transistors are secured within the windows, the transistor modules including at least one transistor connected to a support plate, the support plate secured within the window, a base plate connected to the frame member and spaced from the frame member establishing a first cavity to allow coolant to flow between the base plate and the frame member for cooling the transistor modules.