Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a motion activated wheel light for a vehicle wheel having an air valve stem. A housing connects the light to the wheel's air valve stem. A power source is positioned within the housing for energizing a light source. A switch is connected to the power source and to the light source so as to energize the light source responsive to rotational motion of the wheel. The housing comprises a material which allows light from the light source to shine through so that it may be seen by a person observing the moving vehicle. The wheel light may comprise a shape for forming a visually perceptible light image when the light source is energized by the motion of the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a motion activated wheel light for a vehicle wheel having an air valve stem. A housing connects the light to the wheel's air valve stem. A power source is positioned within the housing for energizing a light source. A switch is connected to the power source and to the light source so as to energize the light source responsive to rotational motion of the wheel. The housing comprises a material which allows light from the light source to shine through so that it may be seen by a person observing the moving vehicle. The wheel light may comprise a shape for forming a visually perceptible light image when the light source is energized by the motion of the vehicle wheel.