Abstract: A multi-bus, energy storage system includes an energy storage bus that provides energy storage; a power demand bus that provides power delivery; and a supervisory system comprised of a system supervisor.

Abstract: A multi-bus, energy storage system includes an energy storage bus that provides energy storage; a power demand bus that provides power delivery; and a supervisory system comprised of a system supervisor.

Abstract: A power-line/communication system including: (a) a power-line/communication bus comprised of first and second conductors; (b) one or more capacitor-based, receiver/transmitter nodes, parallel-connected to the first and second conductors; (c) a shunt capacitor parallel-connected to the first and second conductors; and (d) a current transformer having a secondary winding connected in series to the first conductor, which secondary winding is disposed between the shunt capacitor at one end thereof and the receiver/transmitter nodes at the other end thereof.

Abstract: A power-line/communication system including: (a) a power-line/communication bus comprised of first and second conductors; (b) one or more capacitor-based, receiver/transmitter nodes, parallel-connected to the first and second conductors; (c) a shunt capacitor parallel-connected to the first and second conductors; and (d) a current transformer having a secondary winding connected in series to the first conductor, which secondary winding is disposed between the shunt capacitor at one end thereof and the receiver/transmitter nodes at the other end thereof.

Abstract: Method of operating a bidirectional DC DC converter that transfers power among an energy source (for example, a solar PV array), an energy storage system, and an energy usage system (for example, a DC AC inverter) to control the charge and discharge times of the energy storage system so that power harvested during peak energy source production can be stored and can later be released to the energy usage system at predetermined times.

Abstract: Method of operating a bidirectional DC DC converter that transfers power among an energy source (for example, a solar PV array), an energy storage system, and an energy usage system (for example, a DC AC inverter) to control the charge and discharge times of the energy storage system so that power harvested during peak energy source production can be stored and can later be released to the energy usage system at predetermined times.

Abstract: A bidirectional DC DC converter that transfers power among an energy source (for example, a solar PV array), an energy storage system, and an energy usage system (for example, a DC AC inverter). The converter controls the charge and discharge times of the energy storage system so that power harvested during daylight can be metered to the DC AC inverter at predetermined times. During charge times, the converter utilizes synchronous rectification when down-converting higher voltages to lower voltages and during discharge times the converter utilizes variable overlapping of switch drive signals to provide a continuous range of voltage levels of transferred power from the energy storage system to the DC AC inverter.

Abstract: A DC AC inverter system includes a full bridge DC AC inverter, a first module with a first capacitance connected to a positive DC input and an intermediate output, and a second module with a second capacitance connected to a negative DC input and to the intermediate output, wherein the first and second capacitance is greater than P?A/(V?*Vnom*2?f); (a) P? is a predetermined power imbalance between a first output and the intermediate output and a second output and the intermediate output; (b) Vnom is a predetermined nominal output voltage between the first output and the intermediate output (V1) and the second output and the intermediate output (V2); (c) V? is a predetermined fraction of voltage difference, relative to Vnom, between V1 and V2 when there is a power imbalance P?; and (d) f is a frequency of V1 or V2.

Abstract: A bidirectional DC DC converter that transfers power among an energy source (for example, a solar PV array), an energy storage system, and an energy usage system (for example, a DC AC inverter). The converter controls the charge and discharge times of the energy storage system so that power harvested during daylight can be metered to the DC AC inverter at predetermined times. During charge times, the converter utilizes synchronous rectification when down-converting higher voltages to lower voltages and during discharge times the converter utilizes variable overlapping of switch drive signals to provide a continuous range of voltage levels of transferred power from the energy storage system to the DC AC inverter.

Abstract: An embodiment replaces a transformer with a capacitor-based circuit module in a DC AC converter.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a unique bidirectional DC DC converter that transfers power between a high voltage source, such as the DC voltage in a solar PV array, a low voltage energy storage element such as a battery pack, and an inverter that is controlling the operating voltage of the solar PV array. Its novelty is that it is transparent to the inverter's control mechanism and is perceived as a source equivalent to the existing solar PV. By controlling the charge and discharge times of the energy storage element, the solar power that is harvested during the sun hour day can be metered back to the inverter at more optimal times, either for self consumption or to take advantage of higher rates of power sold to a connected utility. The bidirectional DC DC converter is unique in its operation in that it utilizes synchronous rectification when down-converting higher voltages to lower voltages and in that it uses high speed Silicon Carbide, or Gallium Nitride devices necessary for such rectification.

Abstract: A first housing has an open end and a sidewall with at least one slot. A second housing has an open first end in operative association with the open end of the first housing. The second housing has an open second end. A fan assembly is secured between the first and second housings to effect a flow of air through the slot and open second end of the second housing. A mesh fabric entraps insects entrained against the fabric by the flow of air through the fabric. A source of light within the first housing attracts flying insects toward the slot and into the first housing. Once in the first housing the flow of air from the fan will entrain the flying insects in a path of movement from the first housing to the second housing and then to the fabric.

Abstract: A crop harvester has bristle guards (39) mounted on the cutter bar (14) as crop lifters and to capture fruit lost by dehiscence during cutting. Each bristle guard is a set of laterally oriented bristles (44). Dehisced fruit is swept into the header by a pickup reel (16) having bristle bats (74). The bristles (76) are supported on the leading side by a strip (78) of flexible belting. The belting protects the bristle against being cut by the cutter bar. The crops are supported against being pushed forward by the bristle bats (74) of the reel. The diameter is reduced to about one-half normal and the reel index in increased to provide an aggressive reel operation, ensuring that plants are properly engaged in the bristle guards for cutting.

Abstract: A straw spreader for the rear straw discharge of a combine comprises a frame mounted on ground wheels together with a pair of hitch arms which extend forwardly from the frame on either side of the rear portion of the combine for attachment to the combine frame structure. The separate frame can thus move up and down relative to the rear of the combine and maintains a pair of spreader spinners on the frame at a predetermined height relative to the ground. Guide surfaces collect the material from the chopper at the rear of the combine and direct it onto the spinners for a spreading action. The low height of the spreading action reduces dust emission and enhances spreading consistency. An accumulator can be provided between the spreader and the discharge in the rear of the combine to allow the amount of straw spread to be varied relative to the amount collected at any particular point on the field.

Abstract: A pneumatic concave grain separator is provided to remove as much as possible of the chaff and straw from the grain as the mixture is forced through the concave and grate below the threshing cylinder of a combine. Fan means draws air from below and through the concave and air velocity and deflector arrangements are provided to permit removal of the majority of chaff and straw with a negligible amount of grain kernels.