Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a dispatch operation of an energy storage system are provided. In particular, a degradation value of a present dispatch state of an energy storage system can be determined. The present dispatch state can specify one or more energy storage units presently coupled to the system. The degradation value can be determined based at least in part on one or more operating parameters, such as temperature, open circuit voltage, charge or discharge current, and/or contactor life. The degradation value can then be compared against one or more degradation values associated with one or more candidate dispatch states. A dispatch state can then be selected based on the comparison. One or more energy storage units can be selectively coupled to the energy storage system based at least in part on the selected dispatch state.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for calibrating state-of-charge (SOC) of an energy storage device. The method includes monitoring, via a battery management system, at least one of an accumulated capacity of the energy storage device after a first SOC calibration or a time period after the first SOC calibration. Another step includes determining, via the battery management system, whether at least one of the accumulated capacity or the time period is above a predetermined threshold. If at least one of the accumulated capacity or the time period is above a predetermined threshold, then the method includes charging, via the battery management system, the energy storage device for a specified duration until the energy storage device reaches a second SOC calibration.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a dispatch operation of an energy storage system are provided. In particular, a degradation value of a present dispatch state of an energy storage system can be determined. The present dispatch state can specify one or more energy storage units presently coupled to the system. The degradation value can be determined based at least in part on one or more operating parameters, such as temperature, open circuit voltage, charge or discharge current, and/or contactor life. The degradation value can then be compared against one or more degradation values associated with one or more candidate dispatch states. A dispatch state can then be selected based on the comparison. One or more energy storage units can be selectively coupled to the energy storage system based at least in part on the selected dispatch state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for charging a plurality of battery strings are provided. The individual string current of each of the individual battery strings can be monitored and used to regulate a charging output provided by the charger. For instance, the output voltage of charger can be controlled as part of a closed loop control system based on the individual string current of the battery string under the constraint of an individual string current limit and/or a charging voltage limit. As the charging voltage of the charger increases as a result of the closed loop control based on the individual string current, other battery strings can be coupled to the charger when the charging voltage provided by the charger exceeds a battery string voltage associated with the battery string.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for controlling an energy storage device by more accurately detecting an end-of-discharge voltage of the energy storage device. More specifically, in one embodiment, the method includes determining an end-of-discharge voltage threshold for the energy storage device. Another step includes filtering the end-of-discharge voltage threshold via a filter. The method also includes adjusting a time constant of the filter based on at least one voltage-current condition. Still a further step includes comparing the filtered end-of-discharge voltage threshold and a terminal voltage of the energy storage device. Based on the comparison, the method includes determining a change of state of the energy storage device. Thus, the energy storage device can be controlled based on the change of state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for charging a plurality of battery strings are provided. The individual string current of each of the individual battery strings can be monitored and used to regulate a charging output provided by the charger. For instance, the output voltage of charger can be controlled as part of a closed loop control system based on the individual string current of the battery string under the constraint of an individual string current limit and/or a charging voltage limit. As the charging voltage of the charger increases as a result of the closed loop control based on the individual string current, other battery strings can be coupled to the charger when the charging voltage provided by the charger exceeds a battery string voltage associated with the battery string.

Abstract: Systems and methods for charging a plurality of battery strings are provided. The individual string current of each of the individual battery strings can be monitored and used to regulate a charging output provided by the charger. For instance, the output voltage of charger can be controlled as part of a closed loop control system based on the individual string current of the battery string under the constraint of an individual string current limit and/or a charging voltage limit. As the charging voltage of the charger increases as a result of the closed loop control based on the individual string current, other battery strings can be coupled to the charger when the charging voltage provided by the charger exceeds a battery string voltage associated with the battery string.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a dispatch operation of an energy storage system are provided. In particular, a degradation value of a present dispatch state of an energy storage system can be determined. The present dispatch state can specify one or more energy storage units presently coupled to the system. The degradation value can be determined based at least in part on one or more operating parameters, such as temperature, open circuit voltage, charge or discharge current, and/or contactor life. The degradation value can then be compared against one or more degradation values associated with one or more candidate dispatch states. A dispatch state can then be selected based on the comparison. One or more energy storage units can be selectively coupled to the energy storage system based at least in part on the selected dispatch state.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for controlling an energy storage device by more accurately detecting an end-of-discharge voltage of the energy storage device. More specifically, in one embodiment, the method includes determining an end-of-discharge voltage threshold for the energy storage device. Another step includes filtering the end-of-discharge voltage threshold via a filter. The method also includes adjusting a time constant of the filter based on at least one voltage-current condition. Still a further step includes comparing the filtered end-of-discharge voltage threshold and a terminal voltage of the energy storage device. Based on the comparison, the method includes determining a change of state of the energy storage device. Thus, the energy storage device can be controlled based on the change of state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for charging a plurality of battery strings are provided. The individual string current of each of the individual battery strings can be monitored and used to regulate a charging output provided by the charger. For instance, the output voltage of charger can be controlled as part of a closed loop control system based on the individual string current of the battery string under the constraint of an individual string current limit and/or a charging voltage limit. As the charging voltage of the charger increases as a result of the closed loop control based on the individual string current, other battery strings can be coupled to the charger when the charging voltage provided by the charger exceeds a battery string voltage associated with the battery string.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for calibrating state-of-charge (SOC) of an energy storage device. The method includes monitoring, via a battery management system, at least one of an accumulated capacity of the energy storage device after a first SOC calibration or a time period after the first SOC calibration. Another step includes determining, via the battery management system, whether at least one of the accumulated capacity or the time period is above a predetermined threshold. If at least one of the accumulated capacity or the time period is above a predetermined threshold, then the method includes charging, via the battery management system, the energy storage device for a specified duration until the energy storage device reaches a second SOC calibration.

Abstract: A system for detecting faint perturbations of interest in an image is described. The system includes a memory comprising the image, and a processor. The processor is configured to estimate a local mean and variance for each of a plurality of pixels in the image, analyze a local region of the image, an image mean, and an image variance using a filter bank, thereby generating a plurality of response vectors, determine a likelihood of a local perturbation in the image using a probability distribution based on the plurality of response vectors, and make a classification decision of the local perturbation. The probability distribution is calculated, for each of the plurality of response vectors, based on a response of each of the plurality of response vectors to the estimated local mean and variance for each of the plurality of pixels. Methods and machine-readable media are also described.

Abstract: A barge which is capable of offloading bulk cargoes to dockside without requiring assistance from onshore equipment or other floating equipment. The barge has a movable auger support housing and a to move the housing. An auger container is pivotably mounted to the housing with a rotating screwshaped auger mounted within the container. A first conveyor is located within the support housing to transport bulk cargo from the auger which lifts the cargo, from a lower level to a higher level, to a second conveyor located along the edge of the cargo hold. A moveable third conveyor is positioned to receive cargo from the second conveyor and to transport the material off the barge.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing a vessel to a stationary mooring, which apparatus permits shifting movement of the vessel in a fore and aft direction relative to the mooring while restricting movement away from the mooring. The combination comprises docking lines extending fore and aft from the vessel to the mooring to cause shifting movement of the vessel in a fore and aft direction, an elongated rail affixed to the vessel and extending substantially parallel to its longitudinal axis, a breasting dolly embracing the rail and shiftable freely fore and aft on the rail, and a breasting line secured to the dolly and extending laterally of the fore and aft direction and fixed to the mooring in a manner to restrict the dolly and rail against movement away from the mooring.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is used to roll up a steel plate into a cylindrical shell. Cables wrapped around channels on the outer ends of fixtures are used to roll up the fixture along the plate. After the fixture with the shell on it is placed on pedestals for further fabrication, cables placed in the channels are used to rotate the shells. After the fixture is collapsed within the shell, it is raised up by pedestal lifting mechanisms, and wheels provided on the fixture are lowered into place to aid in removal of the fixture from the shell, and onto a roll-out table. Roller mechanisms are also used to aid in the removal of the fixture from the shell. The roll-out table is situated between two sets of pedestals and used in the removal of fixtures from single modules or sets of modules.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is situated to roll up flat steel plate into a circular shell for the tunnel modules. A hydraulic cylinder is utilized to adjust the diameter of the fixture without collapsing it, in order to close any gaps between the ends of the plate when it is rolled into a shell.

Abstract: An improved access tower for use in the manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections for building underwater tunnel tubes is provided. The tower is positioned at one end of the tunnel module shells when they are placed on pedestals for rotation and further processing. Assembly of the support framework around the shell is conducted from the top position on the shells. A moveable bridge extends from the tower for access to the top of the shell.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is used to roll up a steel plate into a cylindrical shell. Cables wrapped around channels on the outer ends of fixtures are used to roll up the fixture along the plate. After the fixture with the shell on it is placed on pedestals for further fabrication, cables placed in the channels are used to rotate the shells. After the fixture is collapsed within the shell, it is raised up by pedestal lifting mechanisms, and wheels provided on the fixture are lowered into place to aid in removal of the fixture from the shell, and onto a roll-out table. Roller mechanisms are also used to aid in the removal of the fixture from the shell. The roll-out table is situated between two sets of pedestals and used in the removal of fixtures from single modules or sets of modules.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is situated to roll up flat steel plate into a circular shell for the tunnel modules. A hydraulic cylinder is utilized to adjust the diameter of the fixture without collapsing it, in order to close any gaps between the ends of the plate when it is rolled into a shell.