Abstract: A vapor pressure regulation system includes a vessel including a vessel wall that defines an enclosure, and a temperature adjustment mechanism coupled to the vessel. A heat transfer between the temperature adjustment mechanism and the vessel is adjusted based on at least a vapor pressure within the vessel to facilitate regulating the vapor pressure within the vessel.

Abstract: One embodiment of a traffic intersection lane and signal system for improving intersection capacity and safety. Through traffic is stopped by signal means (22) a distance away from the intersection. Turning traffic on turn lanes (10) and (14) have an option to proceed and queue on lane segments (12) and (16) respectively, then complete the turning maneuvers during phase ?7 and phase ?1 respectively. The through traffic released from signal means (22) arrives at the intersection at the time opposing left turn phase ?5 expires and through phase ?6 starts, and passes through the intersection without significant delay. A set of detectors (50) and signal means (52) located before the presignal help drivers to make stop decisions, and another set of detectors (54) and signal means (56) located before the intersection provide last second warning to drivers who ran the red light at the presignal. This system accommodates left-handed or right-handed driving conventions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the main field current in an electrical generator is disclosed. The system can include a controller to sense the voltages and currents in the system to identify load faults. The system can also comprise one or more switches and an energy dissipator to absorb, store, or dissipate the main field current in the event of a load fault, such as a short circuit. In the event of a load fault, the controller can change the position of the one or more switches to redirect the main field current from the main field windings of the rotor to the energy dissipator. The energy dissipator can absorb or store the main field current significantly reducing the time required to stop the output current of the generator.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a fuel cell system to control an amount of degradation to the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system is operative to switch between two or more power sources to provide power to a load. The switching is designed to minimize degradation of a fuel cell of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power cable apparatus that comprises an elongated thermal conductor, and an electrical conductor layer surrounding at least a portion of the elongated thermal conductor. In one or more embodiments, heat generated in the power cable is transferred via the elongated thermal conductor to at least one end of the power cable. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an electric insulation layer surrounding at least a portion of the electrical conductor layer. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a thermal insulation layer surrounding at least a portion of the electric insulation layer.

Abstract: A voltage conversion system and methods are disclosed. Voltage converter cells are controlled using interleaved phase-shift modulation signals, and convert an input electrical current at an input voltage to an output electrical current at an output voltage. Each of the voltage converter cells comprises: a transformer comprising a primary side and a secondary side, a full-bridge voltage converter connected in parallel to the primary side, and center-tapped rectifiers connected in series to the secondary side. One or more group of outputs of the voltage converters are coupled in series via the center-tapped rectifiers.

Abstract: One embodiment of the current application is a device that can mount to a surface or stand on a table and interchangeably displays one or more sheets of materials. The device comprises a front panel and a back panel. One or more linear wave springs are installed between the two panels. Sheets of materials can be inserted in-between one of the two panels and the linear wave springs. The linear wave springs hold the sheets of materials onto the front panel and/or the back panel. The visual information on the sheets is displayed through one or more display windows on the panels. Another embodiment of the current application is a device that displays a long sheet of material. There are images and/or messages of personal status, feeling, emotion, expression, or greeting on the long sheet of material. The long sheet of material passes over a supporting panel and is attached to two parallel rollers. The top and bottom portions of the supporting panel are curve shaped and flexible.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the main field current in an electrical generator is disclosed. The system can include a controller to sense the voltages and currents in the system to identify load faults. The system can also comprise one or more switches and an energy dissipator to absorb, store, or dissipate the main field current in the event of a load fault, such as a short circuit. In the event of a load fault, the controller can change the position of the one or more switches to redirect the main field current from the main field windings of the rotor to the energy dissipator. The energy dissipator can absorb or store the main field current significantly reducing the time required to stop the output current of the generator.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle with reduced circulating current and phase-top-phase imbalance is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel modular converter modules. The system can also comprise a load balancer to ensure that differences in the properties (e.g., impedance) of the parallel modular converter modules do not create circulating currents or phase-to-phase imbalances. The load balancer can monitor the outputs to the plurality of parallel modular converter modules and modify the inputs to equalize, synchronize, or both the outputs.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel module converter modules. The centralization of power distribution can enable the reduction of components. The system can enable fewer power controllers, filters, and other components to be used, saving weight and time. The system can enable the controllers, inverters, and filters, among other things, to be utilized at a higher level reducing unnecessary redundancy. The system can enable the use of a single input EMI filter, for example, reducing the number of filters in the system significantly. Methods for designing EMI filters for each electrical load are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter modules (“modules”) each capable of supplying a predetermined electrical load. The plurality of parallel module converter modules can be networked to form a parallel module converter (“converter”) for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel module converter modules. Each module can include an internal protection controller and a logic controller. The individual modules can provide power to various loads in the vehicle either alone, or in concert with other modules. The system can enable fewer power controllers to be used, saving weight and time. The controllers in the system can also be utilized at a higher level reducing unnecessary redundancy.

Abstract: A synchronous machine (100) has a frame (110), a shaft (115), a main section (120), and an exciter section (125). The main section (120) has a stator winding (130) which is mounted on the frame, and a rotor winding (135) which is mounted on the shaft. The exciter section has a transformer (140) and a rectifier (145). The transformer has a primary winding (140A) mounted on the frame and a secondary winding (140B) mounted on the shaft. The rectifier is mounted on the shaft and rectifies an output of the secondary winding to provide a rectified output to the rotor. A control unit (170) provides a high-frequency control signal to the primary winding. This signal is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding, rectified, and then applied to the rotor to control the operation of the synchronous machine.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for virtual cells for battery thermal management are disclosed. The disclosed method involves sensing, with at least one temperature sensor, a temperature of at least one battery cell in a battery pack. The method further involves sensing, with at least one current sensor, at least one current within the battery pack. Also, the method involves determining, with a battery thermal management system (BTMS) controller, if the temperature of any of the battery cells in the battery pack exceeds a temperature limit (TLimit). Further, the method involves activating, with the BTMS controller, at least one virtual cell to provide current or sink current for at least one of the battery cells in the battery pack that exceeds the temperature limit.

Abstract: One embodiment of a traffic intersection lane and signal system for improving intersection capacity and safety. Through traffic is stopped by signal means (22) a distance away from the intersection. Turning traffic on turn lanes (10) and (14) have an option to proceed and queue on lane segments (12) and (16) respectively, then complete the turning maneuvers during phase ?7 and phase ?1 respectively. The through traffic released from signal means (22) arrives at the intersection at the time opposing left turn phase ?5 expires and through phase ?6 starts, and passes through the intersection without significant delay. A set of detectors (50) and signal means (52) located before the presignal help drivers to make stop decisions, and another set of detectors (54) and signal means (56) located before the intersection provide last second warning to drivers who ran the red light at the presignal. This system accommodates left-handed or right-handed driving conventions.

Abstract: A synchronous brushless machine having a single exciter field stator winding. The single exciter field stator winding is energized by a high frequency alternating current to provide a single excitation field to magnetically couple with the exciter field armature winding in both the starter mode and the generator mode. With a higher excitation frequency relative to the main armature current frequency, a steady main field voltage can be achieved which improves stability control while in the starter mode. In one or more configurations, the single exciter field stator winding is driven by a H-bridge converter.

Abstract: A method includes determining parameters of a rechargeable battery during an effective power cycle of the rechargeable battery. The parameters include a current provided by the rechargeable battery, a voltage across the rechargeable battery, and a temperature of the rechargeable battery. The effective power cycle includes multiple charge operations and multiple discharge operations. The method includes estimating a remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery based on the current, the voltage, and the temperature. The method also includes generating an output indicating the remaining capacity.

Abstract: A synchronous brushless machine having a single exciter field stator winding. The single exciter field stator winding is energized by a high frequency alternating current to provide a single excitation field to magnetically couple with the exciter field armature winding in both the starter mode and the generator mode. With a higher excitation frequency relative to the main armature current frequency, a steady main field voltage can be achieved which improves stability control while in the starter mode. In one or more configurations, the single exciter field stator winding is driven by a H-bridge converter.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a fuel cell system to control an amount of degradation to the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system is operative to switch between two or more power sources to provide power to a load. The switching is designed to minimize degradation of a fuel cell of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting water. The apparatus comprises a first and second cooling device and a controller. The first cooling device has a first and second side. The first side heats materials located at the first side and generates a water vapor. The second side cools the water vapor and fluids collected from a source. The second cooling device transfers heat from the water vapor and the fluids flowing through the second cooling device to an environment around the second cooling device. A controller controls a first amount of power delivered to the first cooling device and a second amount of power delivered to the second cooling device based on a temperature for the fluids and the water vapor at an output. Water extracted from the fluids and the water vapor by cooling the fluids and the water vapor is collected at the output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing icing of a plurality of transmission lines in a power transmission system. A power transmission system comprises a plurality of transmission lines and a control system. A first amount of power flows into the power transmission system through the plurality of transmission lines and a second amount of power flows out of the power transmission system through the plurality of transmission lines. The control system is configured to change a flow of power through the plurality of transmission lines such that icing of the plurality of transmission lines is managed. The first amount of power flowing into the power transmission system and the second amount of power flowing out of the power transmission system remains substantially constant during the change in the flow of power through the plurality of transmission lines.