Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for determining root causes of issues in an electrical grid. The method includes receiving local data from each of a plurality of meters. The local data may be indicative of voltage levels measured by the plurality of meters. The method also includes identifying abnormalities in the received local data. An abnormality is indicated by local data indicative of a voltage level that is outside of a predetermined range of acceptable levels. The method further includes associating each of the identified abnormalities with a respective meter and a geographic location of the respective meter and analyzing each of the identified abnormalities according to a predetermined set of evaluation factors to determine a root cause.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) system for use with an internal combustion engine (ICE)-based system that produces electrical power via operation of the engine (e.g., an ICE inverter generator). The system includes an energy storage device configured to store and provide DC electrical power. The system also includes a DC interface electrically configured to control the transfer of DC electrical power to the energy storage device. The system also includes a DC-AC inverter configured to invert the DC power of the energy storage system to AC power. The system further includes a control system configured to operate at least one of the DC interface, the DC-AC inverter and the energy storage device. The DC-AC inverter may be configured to electrically couple to the ICE-based system to selectively recharge the energy storage system via the power produced thereby. The system may or may not include the ICE-based system.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for determining root causes of issues in an electrical grid. The method includes receiving local data from each of a plurality of meters. The local data may be indicative of voltage levels measured by the plurality of meters. The method also includes identifying abnormalities in the received local data. An abnormality is indicated by local data indicative of a voltage level that is outside of a predetermined range of acceptable levels. The method further includes associating each of the identified abnormalities with a respective meter and a geographic location of the respective meter and analyzing each of the identified abnormalities according to a predetermined set of evaluation factors to determine a root cause.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) system for use with a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, an onboard first energy storage device configured to store and provide DC electrical power for at least one of cranking and starting the engine, and a charging device configured to provide a recharging power to the first energy storage device. The UPS system includes a second energy storage device configured to store and provide DC electrical power, and a DC interface electrically coupled between the first and second energy storage devices. The UPS system further includes a DC-AC inverter electrically coupled to the second energy storage system configured to invert the DC power to AC power, an AC power interface electrically coupled to the DC-AC inverter configured to provide an electrical connection to an external load, and a control system configured to selectively operate the charging device of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a corresponding method for intubating a human or non-human animal patient. In some embodiments, the present invention is used in the field of anesthesia and emergency medicine. In some embodiments, the present invention provides an intubation tube that includes an integrated Blaine Bafflex System having a plurality of blaines for sealing the trachea, wherein the intubation tube is formed from a single material. In some embodiments, the shape and outer circumference of each blaine of the system is selected according to the desired use of the intubation tube (e.g., for intubating a pediatric patient or an adult patient or for intubating a small animal or a large animal). In some embodiments, the distance between successive blaines is selected such that, when the intubation tube is inserted into the patient and the blaines bend, none of the blaines overlap with their nearest neighbor.

Abstract: A hybrid power locomotive system has a plurality of combustion engines for driving a plurality of electric power generators that supply electric power to at least one traction battery. The battery is connected to supply power to a plurality of electric traction motors coupled in driving relationship to respective ones of a plurality of wheel-axle sets of the locomotive. At least one traction motor drive is connected for controlling power to the electric traction motors. An electric power controller is arranged for coupling electric power from the power generators to the battery and senses the available energy in the battery and the power demand from the traction drives for activating selected ones of the plurality of combustion engines for charging the battery.

Abstract: An intermediate frequency sidelobe canceller of the kind including a cancellation loop and switch means for sampling and holding correlation weights present in the loop, affording enhanced cancellation and reduced loop lock-on time. This capability is achieved by provision of means for control of the sample-hold switch means so as to limit duration of the sampling interval to an optimum value substantially shorter than the loop stabilization time. Such shorter sampling interval may be either of fixed duration or adaptively controlled in response to one or more loop operating parameters.

Abstract: A torque shudder protection device for an induction machine includes a flux command generator for supplying a steady state flux command and a torque shudder detector for supplying a status including a negative status to indicate a lack of torque shudder and a positive status to indicate a presence of torque shudder. A flux adapter uses the steady state flux command and the status to supply a present flux command identical to the steady state flux command for a negative status and different from the steady state flux command for a positive status. A limiter can receive the present flux command, prevent the present flux command from exceeding a predetermined maximum flux command magnitude, and supply the present flux command to a field oriented controller.

Abstract: An electric continuously variable drive system includes an ac motor, an alternator for supplying electrical power to the ac motor via a rectifier and an inverter, a heat engine for driving the alternator, an energy storage device for providing electrical energy to the electric continuously variable drive system, and a combination cranking inverter and boost converter. The combination cranking inverter and boost converter is coupled in series between the alternator and the energy storage device and coupled substantially in parallel with the rectifier in a series hybrid drive.

Abstract: An array of three magnetic sensors in a single package is employed with a single bias magnet for sensing shaft position, speed and direction of a motor in a high magnetic noise environment. Two of the three magnetic sensors are situated in an anti-phase relationship (i.e., 180.degree. out-of-phase) with respect to the relationship between the other of the two sensors and magnetically salient target, and the third magnetic sensor is situated between the anti-phase sensors. The result is quadrature sensing with noise immunity for accurate relative position, speed and direction measurements.

Abstract: An ac electric drive system includes a bidirectional power semiconductor interface between a battery, or an auxiliary energy storage device, and a power inverter for boosting an input dc voltage and for decoupling the dc link voltage from the input dc voltage such that the dc link voltage is substantially independent of the input dc voltage and the parameters of the battery or energy storage device. The input dc voltage is controlled to maximize efficiency along predetermined torque envelopes.

Abstract: A heat engine operates an alternator that supplies electrical power to an electric continuously variable transmission for driving at least one ac motor through a differential to multiple wheels or to multiple independent ac wheel motors in an automobile, bus or truck. A heat engine control operates in a closed-loop power mode and decouples heat engine speed from motor speed, allowing the heat engine to produce required power at an operating speed and throttle position, or fuel injector duty cycle, that maximizes fuel economy and minimizes engine emissions. An energy storage unit (e.g., a battery, flywheel, ultracapacitor, superconducting magnetic energy storage device, or combination thereof) provides electrical energy to the electric drive system during vehicle accelerations and further reduces peak power demands on the heat engine. Advantageously, energy is recovered during vehicle deceleration and braking; and the recovered energy is used to recharge the energy storage unit.

Abstract: A torque feedback system is employed in a universal field-oriented (UFO) controller to tune a torque-producing current command and a slip frequency command in order to achieve robust torque control of an induction machine even in the event of current regulator errors and during transitions between pulse width modulated (PWM) and square wave modes of operation.

Abstract: A clip for attaching a semiconductor to a heat sink comprises an arcuate section having a lip which contacts a projection on a heat sink so that the remainder of the arcuate section is disposed over the projection, the arcuate section also having a central stiffening rib. The clip further comprises a plate extending from the end of the arcuate section opposite its lip, the plate having sidewalls which form a semiconductor opening. When the clip is in place on the heat sink, the clip is flexed, and the plate is forced against a semiconductor, holding it in place against the heat sink.

Abstract: A resilient spring clip for attaching a semiconductor to a heat sink comprising a first surface having a first edge with a first leg projecting from a central portion of the first edge, and a second edge, parallel to the first edge and spaced apart therefrom with second and third legs projecting from the second edge, the legs being offset from each other and having heels on their ends opposite the first surface so that by flexing the legs inwardly, the heels can fit completely through slots on a heat sink, the clip being held in place when the legs unflex so that the heels engage the heat sink and cannot pass through the slots.

Abstract: A polyphase AC motor drive system comprises an electric power inverter and control means which enables operation in, and allows smooth transition between, a current controlled PWM mode and a quasi-square wave mode of operation. At low motor speeds, the system operates in PWM mode. At higher speeds, above the corner point speed of the motor, the system operates in a quasi-square wave mode. Smooth transitions between modes of operation are controlled by a microcomputer which counts the number of current chops made by a switching device in a preselected phase leg of the inverter over a time interval that varies with the desired fundamental period of the motor current. As speed increases and approaches the corner point, the number of chops decreases below a first predetermined number, and the system transitions from PWM to quasi-square wave mode. As speed decreases, the number of chops increases above a second predetermined number (larger than the first), and the system transitions back to PWM mode.

Abstract: A system for cranking/starting a combustion engine and for generating electrical power during engine operation uses an inverter-driven, high efficiency permanent magnet synchronous machine as a cranking/starting motor during a start mode and as an alternator during a run mode. A modified planetary gear assembly provides sufficient torque multiplication during the start mode to enable the synchronous machine to start the engine. One-way clutches allow the planetary gear assembly to provide the torque multiplication in the start mode and 1:1 coupling between the engine crankshaft and the shaft of the synchronous machine after the engine has been started and is operating.

Abstract: Emergency escape platform apparatus including an escape platform disposed in spaced apart relation from a drilling platform and joined to the drilling platform by escape bridge apparatus. Two flexible base cables are connected in tension horizontally adjacent between the escape platform and the drilling platform. Two flexible hand cables are connected in tension horizontally adjacent to one another and vertically adjacent respectively above the base cables. A plurality of vertical spacer bars are vertically connected between a respective base cable and a respective hand cable at selected intervals. Cable tensioning apparatus connects the base cables and the hand cables for maintaining the cables under selected tension while permitting relative movement between the escape platform and the drilling platform. Light weight walkway structure is horizontally disposed between and connects the base cables to provide a walkway for individuals between the drilling platform and the escape platform.