Abstract: An electric arc detection system is presented. The electric arc detection system comprises a receiving antenna that receives electromagnetic radiation generated by an electric arc formed in an internal cavity of a non-conductive hollow structure, and a processing subsystem for determining an existence of the electric arc in the internal cavity based upon signals representative of the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A combustion system is presented. The combustion system includes a hollow combustion chamber having a chamber head, chamber sidewalls, and a chamber bottom. Further, the combustion system includes a fuel injector coupled to the combustion chamber and configured to introduce a plurality of fuel droplets in the combustion chamber. Moreover, the combustion system includes a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on or about the combustion chamber such that an electromagnetic field is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode in response to an applied electric signal, and where the electromagnetic field is configured to control a trajectory of the plurality of fuel droplets within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An electric arc detection system is presented. The electric arc detection system comprises a receiving antenna that receives electromagnetic radiation generated by an electric arc formed in an internal cavity of a non-conductive hollow structure, and a processing subsystem for determining an existence of the electric arc in the internal cavity based upon signals representative of the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A prediction system for predicting solar irradiance based on cloud characteristics includes a sky imager that includes a customized lens configured to capture one or more substantially planar images of the sky. The prediction system further includes an image processor coupled to the sky imager and configured to process the one or more substantially planar images. Moreover, the prediction system includes a computing system coupled to the image processor and configured to detect cloud characteristics based on the one or more substantially planar images, and predict the solar irradiance based on the cloud characteristics.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging station is described. The charging station includes an input connector configured for coupling with an alternating current (AC) power source and an output connector configured for coupling with an electric vehicle. The charging station also includes a variable-output transformer comprising a primary side and a secondary side. The primary side is coupled to the input connector and the secondary side is coupled to the output connector and configured to be in selective electromagnetic communication with an energy storage device associated with the electric vehicle. The charging station also includes a controller coupled to the transformer and configured to determine a level of voltage to provide to the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine includes a rotor blade having a pressure side member, a suction side member, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. An electrically conductive band extends longitudinally on either or both of the pressure side member and suction side member along the trailing edge. A plurality of electrically conductive noise reduction features extend from the trailing edge and are configured as individual lightning strike receptors. The noise reduction features are configured in conductive communication with the conductive band.

Abstract: A combustion system is presented. The combustion system includes a hollow combustion chamber having a chamber head, chamber sidewalls, and a chamber bottom. Further, the combustion system includes a fuel injector coupled to the combustion chamber and configured to introduce a plurality of fuel droplets in the combustion chamber. Moreover, the combustion system includes a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on or about the combustion chamber such that an electromagnetic field is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode in response to an applied electric signal, and where the electromagnetic field is configured to control a trajectory of the plurality of fuel droplets within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A prediction system for predicting solar irradiance based on cloud characteristics is presented. The system includes a sky imager that includes a customized lens configured to capture one or more substantially planar images of the sky. The prediction system further includes an image processor coupled to the sky imager and configured to process the one or more substantially planar images. Moreover, the prediction system includes a computing system coupled to the image processor and configured to detect cloud characteristics based on the one or more substantially planar images, and predict the solar irradiance based on the cloud characteristics. Methods and non-transitory computer readable medium configured to perform the method for predicting power output of one or more solar panels in a solar plant based on cloud characteristics are also presented.

Abstract: An electrostatic filter assembly configured to be installed in equipment for removing particulate matter entrained within a gas stream. The filter assembly functions in the removal and collection of the particulate matter from the gas stream. The equipment for removing particulate matter includes a high voltage discharge electrode for imparting an electric charge to the particulate matter whereby an electrical field is produced at the filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a filter element and a supporting structure for the filter element. The supporting structure is configured to establish at the filter assembly, under the operating conditions of the equipment for removing particulate matter, an electrical field having an intensity that produces no more than a selected amount of degradation at the filter element during operation of the equipment for removing particulate matter. Also a method of manufacturing such an electrostatic filter assembly.

Abstract: A solar-based power generation system may include an array of components responsive to solar radiance. The components may be disposed over respective locations on a field. The system may further include a plurality of optical fibers having respective first ends coupled to the array of components and arranged to receive solar radiance. The plurality of optical fibers may have respective second ends arranged to output respective optical signals indicative of respective levels of solar radiance over the respective locations of the field. Opto-electrical circuitry may be coupled to receive the respective optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers and generate a respective signal indicative of a shadow condition present over at least one or more of the respective locations of the field.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging station is described. The charging station includes an input connector configured for coupling with an alternating current (AC) power source and an output connector configured for coupling with an electric vehicle. The charging station also includes a variable-output transformer comprising a primary side and a secondary side. The primary side is coupled to the input connector and the secondary side is coupled to the output connector and configured to be in selective electromagnetic communication with an energy storage device associated with the electric vehicle. The charging station also includes a controller coupled to the transformer and configured to determine a level of voltage to provide to the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A lightning protection system for a wind turbine blade or aircraft wing includes a glass-reinforced fiber or carbon-reinforced wind turbine blade or aircraft wing having a tip region, a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge and a trailing edge. A substantially planar sheet of conductive or semi-conductive material is disposed internal to the blade tip region or wing tip region and between the suction side and pressure side. The sheet operates during a lightning discharge to form an electric field control mechanism causing the lightning discharge to attach to the tip region. The sheet is in electrical communication or galvanic connection with a conductive or semi-conductive path such that the electric field control mechanism and the path together operate to protect the wind turbine blade or aircraft wing from damage caused by the lightning strike in the tip region of the wind turbine blade or aircraft wing by controlling an electric field in the tip region caused by the lightning strike.

Abstract: A lightning detection and damage estimation system for a structure is disclosed herein. The system includes a lightning receptor coupled to a lightning conductor configured to receive multiple lightning strikes and induce lightning current in a pick-up coil coupled to the lightning conductor. An integrated circuit coupled to the lightning conductor via the pick-up coil includes a non-volatile memory for successively storing one or more samples of the lightning induced current for the multiple lightning strikes. A damage estimation unit is configured to estimate a condition of the structure based on analyzing a history of stored samples of the lightning induced current of the multiple lightning strikes from the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical portion disposed on a carrier portion. The optical portion includes an optical path of and a magneto-sensitive element within the optical path. A light source is disposed on the carrier portion in operative communication with a first end of the optical path, and a photo-detector is disposed on the carrier portion in operative communication with a second end of the optical path.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine includes a rotor blade having a pressure side member, a suction side member, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. An electrically conductive band extends longitudinally on either or both of the pressure side member and suction side member along the trailing edge. A plurality of electrically conductive noise reduction features extend from the trailing edge and are configured as individual lightning strike receptors. The noise reduction features are configured in conductive communication with the conductive band.

Abstract: A glass-reinforced fiber or carbon-reinforced wind turbine blade having a suction side and a pressure side includes a tip portion adapted with an electric field control region disposed solely on or within the tip portion. The electric field control region is in electrical communication with or galvanically connected to an electric discharge conduction mechanism, wherein the electric field control region and the electric discharge conduction mechanism together operate to protect a wind turbine and its associated blade(s) from damage due to a lightning strike at the tip of the wind turbine blade(s) by controlling an electric field at the tip portion(s) caused by the lightning strike.

Abstract: A solar-based power generation system may include an array of components responsive to solar radiance. The components may be disposed over respective locations on a field. The system may further include a plurality of optical fibers having respective first ends coupled to the array of components and arranged to receive solar radiance. The plurality of optical fibers may have respective second ends arranged to output respective optical signals indicative of respective levels of solar radiance over the respective locations of the field. Opto-electrical circuitry may be coupled to receive the respective optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers and generate a respective signal indicative of a shadow condition present over at least one or more of the respective locations of the field.

Abstract: A lightning detection and damage estimation system for a structure is disclosed herein. The system includes a lightning receptor coupled to a lightning conductor configured to receive multiple lightning strikes and induce lightning current in a pick-up coil coupled to the lightning conductor. An integrated circuit coupled to the lightning conductor via the pick-up coil includes a non-volatile memory for successively storing one or more samples of the lightning induced current for the multiple lightning strikes. A damage estimation unit is configured to estimate a condition of the structure based on analyzing a history of stored samples of the lightning induced current of the multiple lightning strikes from the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A lightning protection system for a wind turbine blade or aircraft wing includes a glass-reinforced fiber or carbon-reinforced wind turbine blade or aircraft wing having a tip region, a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge and a trailing edge. A substantially planar sheet of conductive or semi-conductive material is disposed internal to the blade tip region or wing tip region and between the suction side and pressure side. The sheet operates during a lightning discharge to form an electric field control mechanism causing the lightning discharge to attach to the tip region. The sheet is in electrical communication or galvanic connection with a conductive or semi-conductive path such that the electric field control mechanism and the path together operate to protect the wind turbine blade or aircraft wing from damage caused by the lightning strike in the tip region of the wind turbine blade or aircraft wing by controlling an electric field in the tip region caused by the lightning strike.

Abstract: A power generation system including a plurality of isolated power converters and a plurality of first weatherable units is provided. Each of the isolated power converters includes a primary stage, a secondary stage and a transformer providing an electrically contactless connection between the primary and secondary stages. The first weatherable unit includes a photovoltaic module coupled to the primary stage of a respective one of the plurality of isolated power converters and a primary side of the transformer. The system further includes a plurality of second units, each having a second side of the transformer coupled to the secondary stage of a respective one of the plurality of isolated power converters. The system also includes a direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) inverter and a connection unit for coupling the secondary stages of the isolated power converter and the DC to AC inverter. The DC to AC inverter is configured to transfer power from the photovoltaic module to a power grid.