Abstract: A system and method for prolonging and equalizing the effective life of a plurality of transistors operating in parallel. The temperature of each transistor is measured and compared with the average temperature of the transistor system. A temperature difference is determined between the average temperature of the transistors and the measured temperature of each of the transistors. The gate resistance and the gate emitter resistance of each transistor is varied based on the temperature differences to control the measured temperature of each transistors by controlling current through each transistor thereby thermally balancing the transistors.

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: A method for controlling a circuit control system. Currents are sensed at outputs of transistors in the circuit control system. Levels are identified for the currents. A number of characteristics of the transistors are controlled while the currents flow out of the transistors such that the currents flowing out of the transistors have desired levels.

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: A method and apparatus comprising a switch and a charging management module. The switch is configured to control an electrical connection between a charging device for a battery and a power source. A current flows from the power source through the charging device to the battery to charge the battery when the electrical connection is present between the charging device and the power source. The charging management module is configured to identify a period of time for charging the battery and to control the switch to electrically connect the charging device for the battery to the power source during the period of time identified for charging the battery.

Abstract: A voltage conversion system and methods are disclosed. Phase-shift modulation signals are generated and interleaved to provide interleaved phase-shift modulation signals. A plurality of voltage converters are controlled using the interleaved phase-shift modulation signals to convert an input electrical current at an input voltage to an output electrical current at an output voltage.

Abstract: The multifunctional power converter apparatus and method includes an input power stage configured to receive a DC input voltage from a DC power source and convert the DC input voltage to an AC or DC output voltage. At least one electrical power conversion electronic circuit is connected to an output of the input power stage, a DC output circuit; an AC output circuit; and a controller configured to control the input power stage, the DC output circuit and the AC output circuit. The controller is configured to automatically control the power converter output voltage based on a preselected user input.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system, method, and apparatus for battery management. The disclosed method involves current balancing through sinking and/or sourcing current, by at least one virtual cell, for battery cells in a battery pack based on available current and capacity of the battery cells. In one or more embodiments, at least one virtual cell is capable to sink and/or source current for at least one degraded battery cell or at least one dead battery cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods of electric power generation are disclosed. A particular method includes generating electric power using a fuel cell. The method also includes generating additional electric power using a thermoelectric generator (TE) by routing exhaust from the fuel cell to a hot side of the TE and routing fuel cell intake gases to a cold side of the TE. The method also includes preheating the fuel cell intake gases by routing the fuel cell intake gases from the TE through a heat exchanger (HX).

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 after the flow of power through the plurality of transmission lines is changed.

Abstract: A device for producing electrical power has a thermoelectric device coupled to an aircraft bleed system for generating electrical power using temperature differentials between ram air and bleed air. A system control is coupled to the ram air and the bleed air to control a temperature of the bleed air and to control a temperature gradient of the thermoelectric device.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling power transfer includes the operations of receiving a power transfer value indicating a power level to be transferred either to or from an energy storage sub-system and receiving an input comprising a rotational speed of a rotating mass in the energy storage sub-system. The operations further include calculating a torque value corresponding to the power transfer value based on the rotational speed of the rotating mass and determining whether the torque value exceeds a maximum allowed torque. The operations further include defining an adjusted torque value as the maximum allowed torque value if the torque value exceeds the maximum allowed torque value or defining the adjusted torque value as the torque value if the torque value does not exceed the maximum allowed torque value, and providing the torque value to a direct torque controller for controlling the torque of the rotating mass.

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: A voltage conversion system and methods are disclosed. Phase-shift modulation signals are generated and interleaved to provide interleaved phase-shift modulation signals. A plurality of voltage converters are controlled using the interleaved phase-shift modulation signals to convert an input electrical current at an input voltage to an output electrical current at an output voltage.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed to use thermoelectric generating (TEG) devices to generate electricity from heat generated by a power cable. An apparatus includes multiple thermoelectric generating (TEG) devices. Each of the TEG devices has a first surface configured to be positioned in thermal communication with an outer surface of the power cable and a second surface configured to be positioned proximate to an ambient environment around the power cable. The apparatus also includes a set of terminals electrically coupled to the TEG devices. When a temperature differential exists between the first surface and the second surface, the TEG devices convert heat into electricity presented at the set of terminals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a switch and a charging management module. The switch is configured to control an electrical connection between a charging device for a battery and a power source. A current flows from the power source through the charging device to the battery to charge the battery when the electrical connection is present between the charging device and the power source. The charging management module is configured to identify a period of time for charging the battery and to control the switch to electrically connect the charging device for the battery to the power source during the period of time identified for charging the battery.

Abstract: Cooling systems and methods of use are disclosed. A particular method includes routing at least a first portion of a coolant stream from a first heat exchanger to a second heat exchanger to receive heat from a hot side of a thermoelectric cooling device. The method also includes cooling one or more electronic devices using a cold side of the thermoelectric cooling device. The method also includes routing at least a second portion of the coolant stream to an engine.

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 device for producing electrical power. A thermoelectric device is coupled to an aircraft bleed system for generating electrical power using temperature differentials between ram air and bleed air.

Abstract: Systems and methods of electric power generation are disclosed. A particular method includes generating electric power using a fuel cell. The method also includes generating additional electric power using a thermoelectric generator (TE) by routing exhaust from the fuel cell to a hot side of the TE and routing fuel cell intake gases to a cold side of the TE. The method also includes preheating the fuel cell intake gases by routing the fuel cell intake gases from the TE through a heat exchanger (HX).