Abstract: A system for powering an electric load. The system includes a local generator generating an electric current, a current synchronization subsystem, and a controller. The current synchronization subsystem is coupled to the local generator and to an electric grid, synchronizing the electric current generated by the local generator with a grid current provided by the electric grid to provide a synchronized alternating current to said electric load. The controller is coupled to the local generator and to the electric load and is configured to dynamically set an output power of said local generator to provide the electric load with electric power equal to an instantaneous power drawn by the electric load less a defined baseline power, and cause the electric grid to provide the defined baseline power to the electric load.

Abstract: An energy storage system comprises a housing and a flywheel having a drive shaft portion attached to a cylindrical ferromagnetic rotor portion. The drive shaft portion defines a substantially vertical axis about which the rotor portion is mounted for rotation.

Abstract: An energy storage system comprises a housing and a flywheel having a drive shaft portion attached to a cylindrical ferromagnetic rotor portion. The drive shaft portion defines a substantially vertical axis about which the rotor portion is mounted for rotation. A magnetic bearing assembly comprised of an annular permanent magnet having no electromagnetic components is mounted on the housing in stationary centered relation about the vertical axis above the rotor portion so as to attract the rotor portion axially upwardly towards a lower face of permanent magnet, thereby supporting a significantly high portion of the weight of the flywheel. At least one low friction mechanical bearing assembly is mounted within the housing about the drive shaft portion to provide radial positioning of the rotor portion and to limit at least upward axial movement of the rotor portion in relation to the lower face.

Abstract: A robotic system for use in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is provided that, in various aspects of this specification, comprises at least one elongated shaft known as the robotic arm. In certain aspects, the robotic arm is provided with an independent roll wrist mechanism, which can allow for imparting the roll motion to the end effectors while mitigating or potentially eliminating the need of rotating the entire robotic arm, thus ensuring independent movement of end effectors. The independent movement of the end effectors sweeps a considerably smaller conical volume, as compared to that swept by the entire robotic arm, thereby reducing the likelihood of collisions with neighboring tissues or organs.

Abstract: A power regulation system for an electrical grid has a store of electrical energy connected through a first switch to a source of electrical energy. The response time of the store is faster than that of the source. A second switch is connected to the store at one side with the opposite side for connection to the grid. A first controller monitors energy stored in the store and energy available from source and selectively controls the first switch to close to transfer energy from the source to the store. A second controller monitors energy stored in said store and, on receiving an indication that additional energy is needed in the grid, if the energy stored in the store exceeds a supply threshold, controls the second switch to close to transfer energy from the store to the grid.

Abstract: A power regulation system for an electrical grid has a store of electrical energy connected through a first switch to a source of electrical energy. The response time of the store is faster than that of the source. A second switch is connected to the store at one side with the opposite side for connection to the grid. A first controller monitors energy stored in the store and energy available from said source and selectively controls the first switch to close to transfer energy from the source to the store. A second controller monitors energy stored in said store and, on receiving an indication that additional energy is needed in the grid, if the energy stored in the store exceeds a supply threshold, controls the second switch to close to transfer energy from the store to the grid.

Abstract: A power regulation system for an electrical grid has a store of electrical energy connected through a first switch to a source of electrical energy. The response time of the store is faster than that of the source. A second switch is connected to the store at one side with the opposite side for connection to the grid. A first controller monitors energy stored in the store and energy available from said source and selectively controls the first switch to close to transfer energy from the source to the store. A second controller monitors energy stored in said store and, on receiving an indication that additional energy is needed in the grid, if the energy stored in the store exceeds a supply threshold, controls the second switch to close to transfer energy from the store to the grid.

Abstract: A system for navigating around healthy organs to reach a desired site of surgery is provided. The system includes an articulating shaft capable of navigating around healthy organs in a body. The articulating shaft includes a plurality of shaft sections and one or more movable joints. Further, the one or more movable joints have a two-degree of freedom motion. The two-degree of freedom joints operatively connect the plurality of shaft sections. Moreover, the system includes one or more cables which aid in controlling the movements of the movable joints. Additionally, the system can include a variety of medical tools located at the tip of a shaft section of the articulating shaft, wherein the medical tool aids in performing the medical activity.

Abstract: An energy storage system comprises a housing and a flywheel having a drive shaft portion attached to a cylindrical ferromagnetic rotor portion. The drive shaft portion defines a substantially vertical axis about which the rotor portion is mounted for rotation. A magnetic bearing assembly comprised of an annular permanent magnet having no electromagnetic components is mounted on the housing in stationary centered relation about the vertical axis above the rotor portion so as to attract the rotor portion axially upwardly towards a lower face of permanent magnet, thereby supporting a significantly high portion of the weight of the flywheel. At least one low friction mechanical bearing assembly is mounted within the housing about the drive shaft portion to provide radial positioning of the rotor portion and to limit at least upward axial movement of the rotor portion in relation to the lower face.

Abstract: A valve has a body, an outer shell and a bottom board. The outer shell contains a membrane and internal and external sliding bases with abutting stubs pressing the membrane. Channels are defined in the body and the sliding bases. The bottom board fits inside a rear of the body and has multiple apertures rotatably aligning the channels in the body to change “5-way, 2-position” or “3-way, 2-position” operation modes. Moreover, an electromagnetic valve with a shaft is installed inside the valve and cooperates with the movement of the sliding bases to selectively open or close the channels.

Abstract: A valve has a body, an outer shell and a bottom board. The outer shell contains a membrane and internal and external sliding bases with abutting stubs pressing the membrane. Channels are defined in the body and the sliding bases. The bottom board fits inside a rear of the body and has multiple apertures rotatably aligning the channels in the body to change “5-way, 2-position” or “3-way, 2-position” operation modes. Moreover, an electromagnetic valve with a shaft is installed inside the valve and cooperates with the movement of the sliding bases to selectively open or close the channels.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided and is configured to be received within a beverage container receptacle comprising a first section including a base, the base including a planar support surface. The adaptor also includes at least one sidewall extending from the support surface, wherein the sidewall is configured to provide lateral support to a beverage container, and a second section jointed to and depending from the upper section including a pedestal. There is also provided A beverage container support apparatus comprising a first section including a a planar support surface, the planar support surface including a throughbore disposed therein, and a plurality of sidewall sections extending from the planar support surface and configured to provide lateral support to a multi-sided beverage container, and a second section, depending from the first section, and including a receptacle communicating with the throughbore.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided and is configured to be received within a beverage container receptacle comprising a first section including a base, the base including a planar support surface. The adaptor also includes at least one sidewall extending from the support surface, wherein the sidewall is configured to provide lateral support to a beverage container, and a second section jointed to and depending from the upper section including a pedestal. There is also provided A beverage container support apparatus comprising a first section including a a planar support surface, the planar support surface including a throughbore disposed therein, and a plurality of sidewall sections extending from the planar support surface and configured to provide lateral support to a multi-sided beverage container, and a second section, depending from the first section, and including a receptacle communicating with the throughbore.