Abstract: A system includes an inverter configured to convert DC power from a battery to AC power to drive a motor, wherein the inverter includes: a galvanic interface configured to separate a high voltage area from a low voltage area; a low voltage message manager in the low voltage area; a high voltage message manager in the high voltage area, and configured to communicate with the low voltage message manager; and a point-of-use message manager in the high voltage area, and configured to communicate with the high voltage message manager.

Abstract: A system comprises an inverter configured to convert DC power from a battery to AC power to drive a motor, wherein the inverter includes: a galvanic isolator separating a high voltage area from a low voltage area; a low voltage phase controller in the low voltage area, the low voltage phase controller configured to receive a clock reference signal; and a high voltage phase controller in the high voltage area, the high voltage phase controller configured to align a clock reference signal of the high voltage phase controller with the clock reference signal of the low voltage phase controller.

Abstract: A system comprises an inverter configured to convert DC power from a battery to AC power to drive a motor, wherein the inverter includes: a galvanic isolator separating a high voltage area from a low voltage area; a low voltage phase controller in the low voltage area, the low voltage phase controller configured to receive a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal from an inverter controller and adjust the received PWM signal based on a feedback signal; and a high voltage phase controller in the high voltage area, the high voltage phase controller configured to receive the adjusted PWM signal from the low voltage phase controller, provide the adjusted PWM signal to a phase switch, and provide the feedback signal based on an on-time measurement of the phase switch.

Abstract: A method (2000) of operating on crops (14) in a target area (20), comprising: using one or more sensors (1306), capturing (2200) data related to crops in a target area; mapping (2400) locations of the crops in the target area using the captured sensor data; generating (2600) one or more routes between at least some of the crops in the target area based on the mapped locations; and routing (2800) one or more operating units (1200) along the one or more routes thereby to operate on at least one of the crops.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a ceiling mounted brace bracket assembly for securing an electrical fixture. The brace of the invention includes a telescoping tubular bar mechanism for adjustment during installation and pre-set fastener openings to hold fasteners in place for “one-handed” installation. The design distributes the weight of the fixture to a specific component of the brace.

Abstract: This invention relates to a connector for securing a cable to an electrical junction box by contact with extending projections. In particular, the invention is a connector having a locking system for securing a cable in a knock-out opening of an electrical junction box.

Abstract: Mounting apparatus for fixtures and fans adapted for mounting on a slant ceiling or peak of a cathedral ceiling. Apparatus provides an enclosure for suspending an electrical box in a horizontal disposition so a fixture or fan can be suspended from the apparatus with the weight of the fixture transferred to a joist/beam. Apparatus includes a first enclosure having a bottom opening, a second enclosure adapted for attachment to the first enclosure, providing for extension of a vertical height of the mounting device, a junction box adapted for location within the bottom opening, and a mounting plate adapted for attachment to the junction box, the first enclosure, and the joist/beam. The fixture hangs from the joist/beam by attachment of the fixture to the junction box, attachment of the junction box to the mounting plate, and attachment of the mounting plate to the joist/beam.

Abstract: A fastening device for mounting an electrical fixture suspended from an electrical junction box in a ceiling. When a mounting bracket assembly suspends the electrical junction box between two joists, the fastening device is an overlay positioned adjacent to each end-plate of the support bar. When the electrical junction box attaches directly to a joist, the fastening device is an overlay positioned inside a cavity of the electrical junction box. The overlay includes fastener openings that position a preset fastener to attach the end-plates to the spaced joists, or openings in the top wall of the cavity to attach the electrical junction box to a joist in the ceiling. The overlay also includes radial incisions, cut in a star pattern, that surround each fastener opening. When an installer tightens all of the fasteners, the star patterns open and allow the installer to easily pull-out and remove the overlay.

Abstract: A fastening device for mounting an electrical fixture suspended from an electrical junction box in a ceiling. When a mounting bracket assembly suspends the electrical junction box between two joists, the fastening device is an overlay positioned adjacent to each end-plate of the support bar. When the electrical junction box attaches directly to a joist, the fastening device is an overlay positioned inside a cavity of the electrical junction box. The overlay includes fastener openings that position a preset fastener to attach the end-plates to the spaced joists, or openings in the top wall of the cavity to attach the electrical junction box to a joist in the ceiling. The overlay also includes radial incisions, cut in a star pattern, that surround each fastener opening. When an installer tightens all of the fasteners, the star patterns open and allow the installer to easily pull-out and remove the overlay.

Abstract: Various forms of ceiling fans with easy install features are disclosed. The fans include an electrical quick connect device. The quick connect device includes a plug/receptacle configuration in a rotatably mounted engagement enabling the fan to easily connect to an electricity supply while providing the gravitational and rotational support required by the fan. The ceiling fan side component may include sections that are slidably adjustable for use with different size fan bells.

Abstract: Various forms of ceiling fan with easy install features are disclosed. The fans include an electrical quick connect device. The quick connect device includes a plug/receptacle configuration enabling the fan to easily connect to an electricity supply while providing the gravitational and rotational support required by the fan.

Abstract: A ceiling fan or light fixture is provided with a sliding support member that slides horizontally into a support channel attached to a ceiling box. An electrical plug and receptacle attached to the two support members automatically mate as the two support members are slid together. A bell is then raised to cover the two support members and prevent them from sliding apart. The sliding support member is held above the bell by telescopic standoffs with a frictional action. A screw is captive within each standoff. As the bell is raised, the part of each standoff fixed to the bell slides upwards until its upper end positions the tip of the screw just in front of a threaded hole in the fixed support channel. Fastening the screws into the threaded holes then both locks the sliding mechanism and attaches the bell directly to the fixed support channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an easily installed ceiling fan. The fan includes a quick-connect device for physically mounting the fan blades to a ceiling fan hub. The fan blades may be re-positioned from an operating position to an assembly position. In the operating position, the fan blades are locked into position and retained relative to the fan hub by a locking means. In the assembly position the fan blades may be to hung from the drive hub in a collapsed, vertical orientation and then quickly snapped into the extended position during operation. The articulating fan blade assembly of the present invention includes a fan blade hub, a fan blade, and a locking mechanism. The hub includes at least one receiving slot. The fan blade includes a mounting portion extending from its end and includes a tab configured for being received in the receiving slot. The locking means retains the fan blade shaft within the receiving slot upon insertion of the shaft into the receiving slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for easily installing an overhead electrical device is disclosed. Installation is made easier by forming guide channels in the bell of an electrical fixture and aligning those channels with guides on a plate. When the guide and channels are properly aligned, an electrical connection is made between a plug and receptacle. The plug and receptacle are mounted in the bell and to the junction box. Once the electrical connection is made, the bell is rotated to secure the bell to the guides mounted on the plate.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing crush tower for a vehicle bumper system includes a tube made of a continuous contiguous material, such as a heat-treatable steel. The tube has first and second ring sections connected by an interconnecting section. The first ring section is heat-treated to a high material strength, such as about 120 KSI tensile strength, which is substantially higher than the second ring section, which is kept at about 60 KSI tensile strength. The interconnecting section has a frustoconically-shaped portion forming a ramp. By this arrangement, upon the bumper system receiving an end impact parallel a length of the tube, the first and second ring sections telescopingly collapse with a predictable and consistent multi-phase deformation sequence where a third ring section forms between the first and second ring sections. A method related to the above is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A ceiling fan or light fixture is provided with a quick connect device comprises an upper support member attached to a ceiling and defining at least one upwardly-facing load-bearing surface, and a lower support member attached to and supporting the fixture and defining at least one downwardly-facing load-bearing surface resting on an upwardly-facing load-bearing surface of the upper support member. Electrical-contacts project from one of the load-bearing surfaces, and are received in recesses in another of the load-bearing surfaces, within which are corresponding contacts. The projecting contacts engaging in the recesses prevent the load-bearing surfaces from being separated horizontally unless they are first lifted vertically out of engagement.

Abstract: A ceiling fan or light fixture is provided with a sliding support member that slides horizontally into a support channel attached to a ceiling box. An electrical plug and receptacle attached to the two support members automatically mate as the two support members are slid together. A bell is then raised to cover the two support members and prevent them from sliding apart.

Abstract: A ceiling fan or light fixture is provided with a sliding support member that slides horizontally into a support channel attached to a ceiling box. An electrical plug and receptacle attached to the two support members automatically mate as the two support members are slid together. A bell is then raised to cover the two support members and prevent them from sliding apart.

Abstract: A ceiling fan or light fixture is provided with a quick connect device comprises an upper support member attached to a ceiling and defining at least one upwardly-facing load-bearing surface, and a lower support member attached to and supporting the fixture and defining at least one downwardly-facing load-bearing surface resting on an upwardly-facing load-bearing surface of the upper support member. Electrical contacts project from one of the load-bearing surfaces, and are received in recesses in another of the load-bearing surfaces, within which are corresponding contacts. The projecting contacts engaging in the recesses prevent the load-bearing surfaces from being separated horizontally unless they are first lifted vertically out of engagement.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an easily installed ceiling fan. The fan includes a quick connect device for physically mounting the fan blades to a ceiling fan hub. The fan blades can be hung from the drive ring hub in a collapsed, vertical orientation and then quickly snapped into the extended operating position.