Abstract: A system including a plurality of electrochemical cells, charge switching circuitry, and discharge switching circuitry. The charge switching circuitry and the discharge switching circuitry may be controlled to substantially isolate charging and discharging of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid electrochemical cell having two (or more) sub-cells each with different cell chemistry. For example, a second electrochemical sub-cell has a metal fuel electrode with the same type of metal fuel in a first electrochemical sub-cell, but has a different battery chemistry than the first sub-cell. A controller is configured to selectively generate an electrical current from at least one sub-cell in a discharge mode and selectively apply an electrical current to at least one sub cell in a charge mode, e.g., by controlling an open or closed state of switches. The operating modes may be controlled based on input parameters.

Abstract: A system includes a boost converter configured to amplify input voltage received from one or more power sources into output voltage. The system also includes a current sensor configured to sense a current of the input voltage for example, by induction. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust an amplification of the boost converter in response to the current sensed by the current sensor. When utilized in each of a plurality of power source modules coupled to a common load, the power source modules adjust the amplifications of their boost converters towards equalization of their output voltages and their currents in response to sensed currents of the input voltages changing through demand of the common load. Associated systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a boost converter configured to amplify input voltage received from one or more power sources into output voltage. The system also includes a current sensor configured to sense a current of the input voltage for example, by induction. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust an amplification of the boost converter in response to the current sensed by the current sensor. When utilized in each of a plurality of power source modules coupled to a common load, the power source modules adjust the amplifications of their boost converters towards equalization of their output voltages and their currents in response to sensed currents of the input voltages changing through demand of the common load. Associated systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid electrochemical cell having two (or more) sub-cells each with different cell chemistry. For example, a second electrochemical sub-cell has a metal fuel electrode with the same type of metal fuel in a first electrochemical sub-cell, but has a different battery chemistry than the first sub-cell. A controller is configured to selectively generate an electrical current from at least one sub-cell in a discharge mode and selectively apply an electrical current to at least one sub cell in a charge mode, e.g., by controlling an open or closed state of switches. The operating modes may be controlled based on input parameters.

Abstract: A method and battery system for assigning a plurality of addresses to a plurality of battery nodes in a battery system. An addressing power supply for outputting an addressing power signal in sequence to a plurality of battery nodes 1 to N connected in series and each coupled to at least one battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing insects and allowing for their eventual release or cleaning of the apparatus is disclosed. The capture system allows for the safe and efficient capture of a variety of flying insects through the use of a natural attractant and a capture apparatus. The multi-part capture apparatus allows for easy cleaning, replenishment of the natural attractant, and release of the insects after capture. The multi-part capture apparatus also significantly reduces the ability of insect escape through the possible exit point.

Abstract: A system includes a boost converter configured to amplify input voltage received from one or more power sources into output voltage. The system also includes a current sensor configured to sense a current of the input voltage for example, by induction. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust an amplification of the boost converter in response to the current sensed by the current sensor. When utilized in each of a plurality of power source modules coupled to a common load, the power source modules adjust the amplifications of their boost converters towards equalization of their output voltages and their currents in response to sensed currents of the input voltages changing through demand of the common load. Associated systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power system is configured to provide a regulated voltage to an electrical load connected to a power source through at least one power line. The power system includes a first voltage control loop based on a remote sense signal indicative of voltage level at the load. The power system further includes a second voltage control loop based on a local sense signal indicative of a level of output voltage at the power source. The voltage level of the local sense signal is generally at a higher voltage level relative to the voltage level of the remote sense signal. Circuitry is configured to pass just the signal with the higher voltage level to ensure that the local sense control loop is a dominant control loop with respect to the remote sense control loop. This avoids effects on the power source from one or more failure modes that can occur in interconnections of the system.

Abstract: An electric power system includes a variable speed generator driven by an engine and an electrical energy storage device. The generator and the storage device are coupled to a variable voltage DC bus. An inverter converts DC electricity from the DC bus to AC electricity for one or more electrical loads. A detector is included to monitor electric current provided to the DC bus by the storage device and provide a corresponding signal. Control circuitry is responsive to this signal to regulate power output from the storage device to the DC bus.

Abstract: A local power generation system generates DC voltage at an inverter input, modulated to generate an AC power signal to a load. The inverter input voltage may be obtained from an engine generator, providing a rectified AC power signal. An energy storage device helps maintain DC voltage at the inverter input when load power draw increases or during engine startup or acceleration, for example, until the engine accommodates increased power demand. The system may also be used in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), in which the load draws power from a utility-provided AC power source until a fault condition appears. When the fault condition appears, the load switches its power draw from the utility-provided AC power source to the inverter output. The energy storage device is charged through a bidirectional DC-to-DC converter and through an inverter operating in rectifier mode to rectify a utility-provided AC power signal.

Abstract: A power system is configured to provide a regulated voltage to an electrical load connected to a power source through at least one power line. The power system includes a first voltage control loop based on a remote sense signal indicative of voltage level at the load. The power system further includes a second voltage control loop based on a local sense signal indicative of a level of output voltage at the power source. The voltage level of the local sense signal is generally at a higher voltage level relative to the voltage level of the remote sense signal. Circuitry is configured to pass just the signal with the higher voltage level to ensure that the local sense control loop is a dominant control loop with respect to the remote sense control loop. This avoids effects on the power source from one or more failure modes that can occur in interconnections of the system.

Abstract: A self-locking hook for supporting a load on a support surface is disclosed. The hook has a relatively rigid C-shaped body which includes a surface defining an opening for accommodating a support component and a connector having a load bearing or attachment point. The surface of the opening includes a first contact area and a second contact area. The load bearing or attachment point is attached to the body relative to the opening such that application of a load at the load bearing point while the first contact area is contacting a component rotates the body about the first contact area until the second contact area abuts the component. This self-locking feature allows the hook to be used effectively on component surfaces which are at almost any angle or slope relative to horizontal.

Abstract: An electric power system includes a variable speed generator driven by an engine and an electrical energy storage device. The generator and the storage device are coupled to a variable voltage DC bus. An inverter converts DC electricity from the DC bus to AC electricity for one or more electrical loads. A detector is included to monitor electric current provided to the DC bus by the storage device and provide a corresponding signal. Control circuitry is responsive to this signal to regulate power output from the storage device to the DC bus.

Abstract: A configurable organizer is described having releasably securable dividers or partitions for defining areas or compartments within the organizer for receiving items therein. The dividers are secured via retainers having retainer portions that are resiliently shiftable to permit insertion or removal of the retainer portions within openings in the organizer and to permit shifting to a natural outwardly biased position for retaining the dividers with the organizer. Support structures may also be provided to retard or prevent tilting or deflecting of the secured dividers. Additionally, the organizer may include a pair of trays having the openings for receiving the retainers and supports, and the trays may be adjustably and selectively moved relative to each other to expand or contract the organizer as desired, such as to conform to interior dimensions of a drawer.

Abstract: A self-locking hook for supporting a load on a substantially horizontal surface is disclosed. The hook has a relatively rigid C-shaped body which includes a surface defining an opening for accommodating a substantially horizontal component and a support having a load bearing or attachment point. The surface of the opening includes a first contact area and a second contact area. The load bearing or attachment point is attached to the body relative to the opening such that application of a load at the load bearing point while the first contact area is contacting a component rotates the body about the first contact area until the second contact area abuts the component. This self-locking feature allows the hook to be used effectively on both component surfaces which are slightly angled or sloped and with loads which are not perpendicular to the component surface.

Abstract: A kettle has a spout closure movable between open and closed conditions, and an actuator assembly manually operable for effecting movement of the closure between the open and closed conditions, the actuator assembly including a retaining mechanism for retaining the closure in each of its open and closed conditions.

Abstract: A kettle is provided which includes a body defining a storage unit and including a spout coupled to the body and defining an opening. The kettle also includes a handle having first and second ends and coupled to the body for rotation about a second axis disposed between the first and second ends and engageably coupled to the spout lid, wherein the rotation of the handle in a first direction causes movement of the lid to its open position and rotation of the handle in a second direction causes movement of the lid to its closed position.