Abstract: A dual-independent hybrid actuator system includes an actuator body defining a hydraulic chamber. The actuator system includes a hydraulic piston assembly, including a hydraulic piston disposed within the hydraulic chamber and dividing the hydraulic chamber into a first hydraulic sub-chamber in fluid communication with a first hydraulic fluid passage and a second hydraulic sub-chamber in fluid communication with a second hydraulic fluid passage. The actuator system further includes a piston rod mounted to the hydraulic piston that passes through the second hydraulic sub-chamber with a distal end that projects outward from the actuator body. The actuator system further includes an electric motor mounted to the actuator body, and a threaded axle mechanically coupled to a motor shaft of the electric motor. The threaded axle passes through the first hydraulic sub-chamber and engages with a threaded port formed in the hydraulic piston assembly.

Abstract: A battery management system (BMS) described herein determines the internal resistance for a cell that may have an internal short circuit. In one aspect, the BMS monitors the voltage across each of a plurality cells that are coupled in series. If the voltage across one of the cells differs from the voltages across the other cells, the BMS can flag the cell as potentially having an internal short circuit. Once flagged, the BMS can use a simulator that stores a model cell that has similar characteristics as the cells monitored by the BMS to determine the internal resistance of the flagged cell. In one aspect, the simulator changes the value of a surrogate resistor that is parallel with the model cell until the voltage across the model cell matches the voltage of the flagged cell. The value of the surrogate resistor indicates the internal resistance of the flagged cell.

Abstract: A system includes a battery and a power management unit connected with the battery. The power management unit controls power to the battery. A spare power unit can connect with the power management unit and the battery. The power management unit stores excess charge to the spare power unit and to divert stored charge to the battery when the battery is charged less than a determined percentage.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly may include a combustion chamber for igniting a fuel and air mixture that generates a core stream flow. The gas turbine engine may also include a hot section cowling for directing the core stream flow through the engine assembly. The hot section cowling may include an inside surface and an outside surface opposite the inside surface. The gas turbine engine assembly may additionally include a plurality of thermoelectric generator (TEG) assemblies that are thermally attached to the outside surface of the hot section cowling. Each TEG assembly may include a multiplicity of thermoelectric generator (TEG) devices that generate an electric current based on a temperature differential across each of the multiplicity of TEG devices. The TEG devices may include different materials that are used in different heat zones along the hot section cowling between the combustion chamber and an exhaust end of the engine.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple actuators that are attached to a structure for moving and positioning the structure include a magnetic flux sensor in a motor of each actuator. The magnetic flux sensor senses a magnetic flux in an associated motor and generates an electrical signal that corresponds to the magnetic flux in the associated motor. The system also includes a control unit that receives the electrical signal from the magnetic flux sensor of each actuator. The control unit is configured to generate a drive command signal to each actuator that balances a torque applied to the structure by each actuator in response to the magnetic flux sensed in the motor of each actuator.

Abstract: A battery management system (BMS) described herein determines the internal resistance for a cell that may have an internal short circuit. In one aspect, the BMS monitors the voltage across each of a plurality cells that are coupled in series. If the voltage across one of the cells differs from the voltages across the other cells, the BMS can flag the cell as potentially having an internal short circuit. Once flagged, the BMS can use a simulator that stores a model cell that has similar characteristics as the cells monitored by the BMS to determine the internal resistance of the flagged cell. In one aspect, the simulator changes the value of a surrogate resistor that is parallel with the model cell until the voltage across the model cell matches the voltage of the flagged cell. The value of the surrogate resistor indicates the internal resistance of the flagged cell.

Abstract: A battery management system (BMS) described herein determines the internal resistance for a cell that may have an internal short circuit. In one aspect, the BMS monitors the voltage across each of a plurality cells that are coupled in series. If the voltage across one of the cells differs from the voltages across the other cells, the BMS can flag the cell as potentially having an internal short circuit. Once flagged, the BMS can use a simulator that stores a model cell that has similar characteristics as the cells monitored by the BMS to determine the internal resistance of the flagged cell. In one aspect, the simulator changes the value of a surrogate resistor that is parallel with the model cell until the voltage across the model cell matches the voltage of the flagged cell. The value of the surrogate resistor indicates the internal resistance of the flagged cell.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly may include a combustion chamber for igniting a fuel and air mixture that generates a core stream flow. The gas turbine engine may also include a hot section cowling for directing the core stream flow through the engine assembly. The hot section cowling may include an inside surface and an outside surface opposite the inside surface. The gas turbine engine assembly may additionally include a plurality of thermoelectric generator (TEG) assemblies that are thermally attached to the outside surface of the hot section cowling. Each TEG assembly may include a multiplicity of thermoelectric generator (TEG) devices that generate an electric current based on a temperature differential across each of the multiplicity of TEG devices. The TEG devices may include different materials that are used in different heat zones along the hot section cowling between the combustion chamber and an exhaust end of the engine.

Abstract: Increased DC-to-AC power conversion efficiency in a scalable, flexible, resilient, cascading inverter driver topology. Plural power cells, which include a rectifier and an inverter, are arranged in a series/parallel topology. Use of plural power cells increases efficiency by reducing voltage transition losses and by increasing duty cycle. Also, the power cells output AC to an electric motor using a forward-looking controller that responds to varying power demand while maintaining motor speed at a maximum efficiency level. Power output is varied by varying the width of rectifier output pulses to the inverters while maintaining pulse voltage. Transitions between power levels are smoothed by pulse density modulation. Pulse density, determined automatically in the inverter, begins high and gradually becomes less dense so voltage changes rapidly then slowing gradually. The topology and power cell components allow faulty power cells 10 to be isolated and bypassed.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly may include a combustion chamber for igniting a fuel and air mixture that generates a core stream flow. The gas turbine engine may also include a hot section cowling for directing the core stream flow through the engine assembly. The hot section cowling may include an inside surface and an outside surface opposite the inside surface. The gas turbine engine assembly may additionally include a plurality of thermoelectric generator (TEG) assemblies that are thermally attached to the outside surface of the hot section cowling. Each TEG assembly may include a multiplicity of thermoelectric generator (TEG) devices that generate an electric current based on a temperature differential across each of the multiplicity of TEG devices. The TEG devices may include different materials that are used in different heat zones along the hot section cowling between the combustion chamber and an exhaust end of the engine.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple actuators that are attached to a structure for moving and positioning the structure include a magnetic flux sensor in a motor of each actuator. The magnetic flux sensor senses a magnetic flux in an associated motor and generates an electrical signal that corresponds to the magnetic flux in the associated motor. The system also includes a control unit that receives the electrical signal from the magnetic flux sensor of each actuator. The control unit is configured to generate a drive command signal to each actuator that balances a torque applied to the structure by each actuator in response to the magnetic flux sensed in the motor of each actuator.

Abstract: A battery management system (BMS) described herein determines the internal resistance for a cell that may have an internal short circuit. In one aspect, the BMS monitors the voltage across each of a plurality cells that are coupled in series. If the voltage across one of the cells differs from the voltages across the other cells, the BMS can flag the cell as potentially having an internal short circuit. Once flagged, the BMS can use a simulator that stores a model cell that has similar characteristics as the cells monitored by the BMS to determine the internal resistance of the flagged cell. In one aspect, the simulator changes the value of a surrogate resistor that is parallel with the model cell until the voltage across the model cell matches the voltage of the flagged cell. The value of the surrogate resistor indicates the internal resistance of the flagged cell.

Abstract: Increased DC-to-AC power conversion efficiency in a scalable, flexible, resilient, cascading inverter driver topology. Plural power cells, which include a rectifier and an inverter, are arranged in a series/parallel topology. Use of plural power cells increases efficiency by reducing voltage transition losses and by increasing duty cycle. Also, the power cells output AC to an electric motor using a forward-looking controller that responds to varying power demand while maintaining motor speed at a maximum efficiency level. Power output is varied by varying the width of rectifier output pulses to the inverters while maintaining pulse voltage. Transitions between power levels are smoothed by pulse density modulation. Pulse density, determined automatically in the inverter, begins high and gradually becomes less dense so voltage changes rapidly then slowing gradually. The topology and power cell components allow faulty power cells 10 to be isolated and bypassed.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly may include a combustion chamber for igniting a fuel and air mixture that generates a core stream flow. The gas turbine engine may also include a hot section cowling for directing the core stream flow through the engine assembly. The hot section cowling may include an inside surface and an outside surface opposite the inside surface. The gas turbine engine assembly may additionally include a plurality of thermoelectric generator (TEG) assemblies that are thermally attached to the outside surface of the hot section cowling. Each TEG assembly may include a multiplicity of thermoelectric generator (TEG) devices that generate an electric current based on a temperature differential across each of the multiplicity of TEG devices. The TEG devices may include different materials that are used in different heat zones along the hot section cowling between the combustion chamber and an exhaust end of the engine.

Abstract: A system includes a battery and a power management unit connected with the battery. The power management unit controls power to the battery. A spare power unit can connect with the power management unit and the battery. The power management unit stores excess charge to the spare power unit and to divert stored charge to the battery when the battery is charged less than a determined percentage.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of microgrid systems which may be used as stand-alone systems or may be connected to a larger, integrated power supply system. In some embodiments, a system comprises a smart microgrid system comprising at least one electrical power bus connectable to at least one input power source by one or more switchable connections, a communication network coupled to the smart microgrid system, and a controller coupled to the communication network. In some embodiments the controller comprises logic to monitor power outputs from the at least one input power source, to monitor one or more power loads coupled to the at least one electrical power bus, and to selectively connect one or more of the input power sources to the at least one electrical power bus.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product is provided for configuring a microgrid. A first configuration of the microgrid having a set of microgrid elements is initialized. An address for each element in the set of microgrid elements of the microgrid is verified. In response to receiving status data from the set of microgrid elements connected in a peer-to-peer network indicating a reconfiguration of the microgrid, the set of microgrid elements is re-aligned to form a second grid configuration. The second grid configuration is executed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product is provided for configuring a microgrid. A first configuration of the microgrid having a set of microgrid elements is initialized. An address for each element in the set of microgrid elements of the microgrid is verified. In response to receiving status data from the set of microgrid elements connected in a peer-to-peer network indicating a reconfiguration of the microgrid, the set of microgrid elements is re-aligned to form a second grid configuration. The second grid configuration is executed.

Abstract: A mobile device for generating electrical power may include a combustion chamber and a heat sink. A TEC module is in thermal communication with the combustion chamber and the heat sink to transfer thermal energy from the combustion chamber to the heat sink. A heat flux across the TEC module causes electrical power to be generated. The mobile device may also include a fuel delivery system to feed fuel into the combustion chamber. A control system may be included to at least monitor and control delivery of fuel to the combustion chamber by the fuel delivery system and to control a temperature gradient across the TEC module to control the electrical power produced by the thermal-to-electric energy conversion device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product is provided for configuring a microgrid. A first configuration of the microgrid having a set of microgrid elements is initialized. An address for each element in the set of microgrid elements of the microgrid is verified. In response to receiving status data from the set of microgrid elements connected in a peer-to-peer network indicating a reconfiguration of the microgrid, the set of microgrid elements is re-aligned to form a second grid configuration. The second grid configuration is executed.