Abstract: A latch assembly for insertion into an edge of a door and adjustable for actuation by a half-round spindle at either a first backset or a second backset. The latch has an inner casing non-rotatably received within an outer casing and slideable along an axis. The inner casing is provided with a transverse void substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis and is slideable between a first position in which the transverse void is aligned at the first backset and a second position is which the transverse void is aligned at the second backset. A slide within the casing is, without adjustment, engageable by the half-round spindle at either backset. A cam is rotatably mounted within the casing and engaged to the slide and to a bolt also within the casing. The bolt is slideably retractable into the casing by rotation of the cam in response to sliding of the slide. A spring biases the bolt to an extended position extend out from the casing.

Abstract: A vehicle door handle device for attaching to a door panel for operating a door latching device and a door locking device comprises an operation handle and a lock knob. The operation handle operates the latching device to unlatch and open the door. The lock knob operates the locking device to lock and unlock the door. An open cable links the operation handle to the latching device. A lock cable links the lock knob to the locking device. An inner handle housing houses the operation handle and the lock knob. The handle housing includes a cable support part defining a first space for receiving an end portion of the open cable, and a second space for receiving an end portion of the lock cable. The cable support part is configured to prevent one of the end portion of the open cable and the end portion of the lock cable from being received in one of the first space and the second space.

Abstract: A vehicle closure assembly includes a closure movable relative to a vehicle opening between closed and open positions. A latch is coupled to one of a threshold of the vehicle opening and the closure, and a striker is coupled to the other of the threshold of the vehicle opening and the closure. The striker and latch are engageable to secure the closure in the closed position. A striker cover is movable relative to the striker between a concealing position in which the striker is substantially concealed from the latch, and an exposing position in which the striker is substantially exposed to the latch. An actuator is coupled to the striker cover and is operable to move the striker cover to the concealing position or the exposing position from the other position in response to movement of the closure relative to the vehicle opening.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a polymeric support structure and a metal cover. The polymeric support structure may be one piece or a multi-piece component. The polymeric support structure includes a plurality of ribs formed on a substantially vertical wall. The chrome-plated metal cover is disposed on the one-piece polymeric support structure.

Abstract: A suction gripper arrangement includes several suction gripper arms arranged in a row, which, at their lower ends, each have a suction gripper head with an abutment surface for abutting an article to be sucked onto the suction gripper head. The abutment surfaces of the suction gripper heads of the suction gripper arms neighboring each other are arranged in different planes. Moreover, the invention relates to a suction gripper arrangement in which at least one of the suction gripper arms is connected to an actuator via a lever, wherein both between the lever and the suction gripper arm, and also between the lever and the actuator, respectively, a pivot joint is formed, and wherein the lever is composed of at least to lever parts.

Abstract: A supporting device for supporting a load includes a body including a load supporting device for supporting the load in relation to the body, a remotely controlled actuator including a first stopping device and a first actuator element, a connection interface fastened to the body, where the connection interface is configured to be engaged with the remotely controlled actuator by providing the connection interface with first and second rails configured for receiving the first actuator element of the remotely controlled actuator between the first and second rails, and a first guiding device connected to the first rail and a second guiding device connected to the second rail for guiding the remotely controlled actuator towards the connection interface, where a distance between the ends of the first and second guiding device is larger than a distance between the rails.

Abstract: The connecting structure of a center filler and a quarter member of a vehicle may include a lateral junction portion formed at a front end of the quarter member, the lateral junction portion coupling with one side surface of the center filler in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The connection structure may further include a longitudinal coupling portion formed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle coupled with an outer quarter member of the quarter member, a trim coupling portion substantially the same length as the longitudinal coupling portion coupled with trim, and a connection portion connecting the longitudinal coupling portion and the trim coupling portion to each other, wherein the lateral junction portion extends at a front end of the longitudinal coupling portion, and the lateral junction portion is bent substantially perpendicular to contact to the center filler.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat moveable between a horizontal seating position and a vertical raised position. An under-seat space is defined between a floor surface of the vehicle and a bottom surface of the seat. A collapsible storage system is stowable under the seat, flat against the bottom surface of the seat when not needed for storage, and is positionable on the floor to define a lateral boundary wall to convert the under-seat space into an enclosed storage space.

Abstract: A vehicle includes sidewalls, a tailgate located proximate to rear ends of the sidewalls, and a tailgate energy management system. The tailgate energy management system includes a governor coupled to one of the sidewalls and to the tailgate. The governor selectively applies a governing force to the tailgate to reduce an opening speed of the tailgate. The tailgate energy management system also includes a speed sensor sensing an opening speed of the tailgate and an electronic control unit electronically coupled to the governor and the speed sensor. The electronic control unit includes a processor and memory storing an instruction set. The electronic control unit receives a speed signal indicative of the opening speed of the tailgate and the processor executes the instruction set to cause the electronic control unit to transmit a control signal to the governor to slow the opening speed of the tailgate based on the speed signal.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body including a rear wall of a passenger compartment, a first member being mounted with respect to the wall, having a first surface that is generally horizontal, and defining a lower seat portion of a vehicle seat, and a second member having a second surface. The second member is selectively mountable to the rear wall such that the second surface is generally vertical and functions as a seatback. The second member is also selectively mountable to the first member such that the second surface is generally horizontal and cooperates with the first surface to provide a larger support for a child seat than just the first surface alone.

Abstract: A folding top for vehicles has a cast-resin bead element provided in a connecting region between an outer cover surface element and at least one further cover element. The top is made by first inserting at least one section of the outer cover surface element into a casting mold and at least one section of a sacrificial profile into the casting mold. A head area of the profile is wider than a neck area thereof. Then a casting compound is introduced into the casting mold around the head area. After curing of the compound, the cover surface element is removed with bead element affixed thereto from the casting mold. The sacrificial profile is extracted from the bead element in order to provide an undercut seat in the bead element.

Abstract: The convertible top assembly includes a front panel member and a rear panel member. The convertible top assembly also includes a main pivot bracket attached to the vehicle. The main pivot bracket includes a forwardly located arm pivotally connected to a rear edge of the front panel member and a rearwardly located arm pivotally attached to a rear edge of the rear panel member, such that an inner surface of the front panel member is adjacent an outer surface of the rear panel member when the convertible top is in a retracted position. To retract the convertible top, the deck lid pivots on a rearward edge along a first pivot axis while a rear edge of the rear panel pivots upwardly about a third pivot axis.

Abstract: An improved structure for car cover comprises a main unit with a compartment inside and multiple conduits for the external connectivity for the main unit, and a transmission component that can be driven by external power supply and is located inside the compartment of the main unit, and multiple passive components located at the peripheral of the transmission component inside the compartment to allow synchronous movement, and at least one wire duct on each passive component for a flexible elastic cable to wrap around, and an active end on each flexible elastic cable to pass through a conduit to outside of the compartment, and multiple link mechanisms that are composed of multiple links and use one end to connect to the main unit and the other end to connects to an active end of a different flexible elastic cable, and a soft piece of shield that is attached to the multiple link mechanisms and able to varies with the length of the multiple link mechanisms to change the coverage area.

Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is provided for use with vehicles having surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus including an exterior cover supported by moveable frames which in turn are supported by sets of supporting linkages. The moveable frames extend rearward and together with the exterior cover form a drag reducing shape for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.

Abstract: A cargo bed of a utility vehicle includes an extruded wall panel with an integrally-formed track and an attachment assembly that can be positioned on the track and secured without the use of tools. The attachment assembly includes a first piece that is inserted into the track and a second piece that abuts an outer surface of the track. The attachment assembly also includes a clamping mechanism that draws the first and second pieces together to clamp a portion of the track between them. The attachment assembly may include a spring that biases the first and second pieces together, such that insertion of the first piece into the track includes a push-and-twist action to overcome the spring bias, properly insert the first piece through a slot, and locate the first piece within the track.

Abstract: A vehicle system allowing for interchangeably attaching different shells to the hull of a vehicle chassis. The shells can be configured for different tasks allowing the vehicle to be easily configured for specific missions and then swapped for new shells based on changing mission requirements. The vehicle system attaches the shell to the support walls of the hull such that the hull can support the shell and withstand use of the equipment integrated into the shell.

Abstract: A dashboard assembly that includes a cross-car beam extending across at least a portion of the width of the automobile. Also included is a cross-car beam post secured to the cross-car beam. Further included is an energy absorbing bracket operably connecting the cross-car beam post to a glove box assembly, where the energy absorbing bracket comprises a plurality of apertures for permitting deflection of the bracket in the event of movement of the cross-car beam post.

Abstract: A center floor panel assembly for a vehicle may include a first center floor panel and a second center floor panel mutually engaged to form a tunnel portion of a closed section in which a center muffler unit that may be provided in a vertical direction of a vehicle body may be accommodated, and provided in a continuous shape along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and a support member provided in the tunnel portion between the first center floor panel and the second center floor panel and enclosing the center muffler unit to support the center muffler unit against the tunnel portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof arrangement having a cover for closing the opening in a vehicle roof, a fixing plate, which is connected to the cover for fixing the cover to the vehicle roof, wherein the fixing plate is partially insert molded with a plastic material, so that the plastic material forms a water channel on the upper side of the plate. According to the invention it is characterized in that an injection-molded masking piece is formed on the underside of the fixing plate and the fixing plate in the area of the masking piece has at least one aperture, through which the plastic material of the water channel and of the masking piece can be connected to one another. The invention also relates to a suitable method for producing such a roof arrangement.

Abstract: A vehicle roller blind arrangement, with a roller blind web that can be wound or unwound in an extension direction, a band-shaped guide element that extends along the extension direction and is guidable in a guide rail, which can be coupled fixedly to a vehicle, in such a manner that said guide element extends parallel to the roller blind web, and a band element that extends along the extension direction and is arranged between the roller blind web and the guide element and, on a first longitudinal side, is coupled fixedly to the roller blind web and, on a second longitudinal side, is coupled fixedly to the guide element. The band element has a T-shaped or Y-shaped cross section, is formed of a different material from the roller blind web, and has a smaller material thickness than the roller blind web. In addition, the invention relates to correspondingly configured subassemblies and roof arrangements.

Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes outer and inner window panels and a spacer element disposed there-between to establish an interpane cavity between the inner and outer window panels. At least one of (a) the outer window panel has a larger cross dimension relative to the inner window panel to provide overhang regions, and (b) the inner window panel has a different contour or curvature than that of the outer window panel so that the interpane cavity varies in gap distance across the window assembly. A roller shade is disposed in the cavity and is electrically deployable to coil and uncoil between a coiled light transmitting condition, where the roller shade functions to substantially allow light transmission through the window assembly, and an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition, where the roller shade functions to at least partially attenuate light transmission through the window assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable folding tattoo chair comprising a left part (100) and a right part (200), the left part (100) of the chair comprising a left cushion (101), a left fixing plate (102), a left fixing frame (103) and a left footing support (104); the right part (200) of the chair comprising a right cushion (201), a right fixing plate (202), a right fixing frame (203) and a right footing support (204); the left part (100) and the right part (200) of the chair being rotatable so as to be folded together, the left footing support (104) and the right footing support (204) being rotatable to be folded up. The tattoo chair in unfolding states may provide various auxiliary modes for different tattoo positions. The chair can also be folded after use to save space and transportation cost. The chair can be used as a pushcart to add functionality.

Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between seat-lift, closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a base plate fixedly mounted to a lift assembly, a back-mounting link rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, a seat-adjustment assembly with a bellcrank, and a linear actuator for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a force on the bellcrank that translates the seat-mounting plate rearward in a consistent angle of inclination and rotates the back-mounting link from a reclined to an upright orientation. A stroke in a second phase acts to collapse the footrest assembly. A stroke in a third phase causes the lift assembly to raise and tilt the seating unit, thereby accommodating egress and ingress of an occupant.

Abstract: A lounge chair equipped for lounging face down includes a frame having opposed top and bottom ends and opposed side rails extending longitudinally therebetween, the frame including lower, middle, and upper sections. A plurality of spaced apart leg members extends downwardly from the frame to support the frame in a horizontal configuration. A fabric material is stretched across the frame between the top, bottom, and side rails. The fabric material on the upper section defines a face opening configured to receive the face of a user when lounging in a face down position. The fabric material on the upper section defines a first arm opening adjacent a respective side rail and a second arm opening adjacent an opposed side rail. A platform is coupled to a front leg member adjacent the face opening and configured to support items to be viewed by a user through the face opening.

Abstract: A cupholder has a substantially tubular shell configured to be mounted with a longitudinal axis oriented substantially vertically. A floor received in the shell is vertically movable along the longitudinal axis for defining a variable depth cup well. A ring coaxially atop the shell has a plurality of vertical guide extensions disposed around a periphery of the shell. The ring is vertically movable. A linkage is provided between the floor and the guide extensions providing reciprocal motion of the floor and the ring wherein pushing down the floor raises the ring and wherein pushing down the ring raises the floor.

Abstract: A seat adapter apparatus for fixing a seat frame to a moving part of a seat rail of a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle is provided. The seat adapter apparatus has a seat frame side with a seat mount and an energy absorption device coupled to the seat frame side. The energy absorption device is configured to absorb at least a portion of the kinetic energy of the vehicle seat and/or redirect it to the seat rail in the event of a crash of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A fully adjustable seat assembly adapted for a motor vehicle with safety features including a blast mitigating device, such as an energy attenuation device, to absorb energy in a controlled manner. Another safety features is a one-hand lap belt release system. The seat assembly preferably has a back cushion support with a seat base that automatically flips-up when not in use. When used in a vehicle turret, the seat assembly can provide for 360 degrees of rotational movement with a bracket and a single bearing.

Abstract: The present invention is an infant stimulation device to be used by a caregiver sitting in a chair and cradling an infant against the caregiver's chest. It is comprised of several strips of fabric with different patterns and textures sewn together at their edges. It has narrowed ends that can fit between the arms or slats of a chair, and the narrowed ends are padded to provide lumbar support for the sitting caregiver. The different patterns and textures of the fabric are designed to stimulate the infant by providing visual and textural contrasts. This encourages the infant to lift and turn his head, and reach out with his hands, stimulating necessary motor development.

Abstract: A harness apparatus including a first adjustable harness strap, a second adjustable harness strap, and a retainer apparatus. The retainer apparatus includes a first retainer portion slidably attached to the first harness strap, a second retainer portion slidably attached to the second harness strap, and a braking mechanism configured to prevent the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion from moving along the first harness strap and the second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The braking mechanism includes a braking device configured to apply resistance to the first harness strap and/or the second harness strap and to hold the retainer apparatus in a stationary position along the first harness strap and the second harness strap.

Abstract: An opportunity for stimulating an occupant of a vehicle seat in order to activate his/her body and mind is provided. For this purpose, a vehicle seat system includes a vehicle seat with a massage device for influencing the seat contour integrated into the seat back and a control unit for controlling the massage device. The system also includes a communication device that can transmit at least one instruction to an occupant of the vehicle seat in response to the control of the massage device.

Abstract: An aircraft seat set is provided that allows for providing extra room for passengers and/or allow for selectively increasing the width of an aircraft aisle during enplaning and deplaning and/or increasing the width of some seats during flight. In one embodiment, the aisle seat of the seat set is movably connected to the seat frame of the seat set to allow the aisle seat to be disposed above and in front of the middle seat of the seat set for enplaning and deplaning.

Abstract: A lounger seat, as for infants or children, having a body with a seating area, sidewalls for retaining the child in the seating area, and a non-flat lower surface for supporting the lounger on a support surface. In example embodiments, the non-flat lower surface allows rocking of the lounger. A kickstand or brace is optionally extendable to block the lounger from rocking, or retractable to permit rocking.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism is used to adjust a restoring force that acts on a backrest of a chair. The adjusting mechanism has a spring element for creating the restoring force, a support, and a backrest support that is pivotably mounted about a support axis on the support. An adjusting element configured as a pair of scissors containing a first scissor arm and a second scissor arm is provided, and the scissor arms are rotatably connected to each other about a scissor axis. The first scissor arm is pivotably mounted on the backrest support about an adjusting axis. A spring force produced by the spring element acts on the second scissor arm. A first actuating lever length is defined between the support axis and the scissor axis. The lever length is changeable using an adjusting element for adjusting the restoring force by pivoting the adjusting element about the adjusting axis.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for a movable seat for use on a bi-directional work vehicle that laterally shifts the lower seating surface as it is pivoted between raised and lowered positions to increase clearance adjacent to the seat to improve operator ingress and egress to the vehicle operator platform. The incorporation of a biasing mechanism enables the seat mechanism to automatically reposition the seat for maximum ingress/egress clearance when the vehicle operator rises from the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle footrest system allows an occupant seated in a rear seat to brace their feet and that is capable of inhibiting load from concentrating at the heels of an occupant. A footrest system is provided with: a reclining device that rotates an upper end part side of a seatback in the direction of arrow A and holds it at a predetermined angle of rotation; and a slide device that slides a front seat in the direction of arrow B with respect to a vehicle body floor. When an occupant seated in a rear seat uses a footrest portion of the seatback, the reclining device is operated and the upper end part side of the seatback is inclined toward the vehicle front side. Further, the slide device is operated and a slide portion of a seat cushion is moved in a vehicle front-rear direction along a rail portion.

Abstract: In a vehicle seat, a first slide mechanism disposed on a side wall side of the vehicle compartment is provided with a hinge mechanism having a biasing member that flips up a seat body toward the side wall, and a second slide mechanism disposed on the inner side of the vehicle compartment is provided with a coupling/decoupling switching mechanism for locking or unlocking the mutually coupled second slide mechanism and seat body. The seat body is flipped up by the biasing member when the coupling/decoupling switching mechanism is in the unlocking position. A flip-up position detecting unit is provided for detecting a predetermined flip-up position of the seat body within a slidable range of the seat body, and the coupling/decoupling switching mechanism is switched to the unlocking position when the flip-up position detecting unit detects the flip-up position.

Abstract: A chair gas lift allowing easy disassembly is revealed. A gas lift is disposed between a seat cushion and a chair base of a chair. By extension or retraction of a piston rod of the gas lift, the seat cushion height is adjusted. At least one polygonal ring assembly is arranged around a circumference of the gas lift. Due to the polygonal ring assembly being mounted in an opening of a wrench, a force is applied to the wrench to remove the gas lift from the seat cushion easily.

Abstract: A chair system according to embodiments of the present invention includes a base comprising a seat for a user and one or more support legs, a back, and a flexible back support element rigidly coupled to the back and to the base, the flexible back support element comprising a flex zone, the flex zone comprising one or more notches, wherein the back is reclinable from an upright position to a reclined position, wherein the one or more notches are configured to narrow as the back reclines from the upright position to the reclined position, and wherein the one or more notches are open in the upright position and closed in the reclined position.

Abstract: An automobile neck pillow relates to an automobile seat articles technology field, which adopts a key technology truly adapted to human mechanical physiological curves and makes a multiple choice about materials of a core body and an elongated housing and a scientific measurement about shapes and sizes thereof to make the core body and the elongated housing match with each other, wherein the core body is soaked in medical liquids of health care to provide health care and healing to the neck, the core body is attached with a bamboo charcoal fiber cushion, an infra-red cloth, or a negative oxygen ion cloth while integrally being sprayed with perfume, and a brace provided in the elongated housing is mounted between a seat and a head cushion by a longitudinal fixation, a transverse fixation, a combination of longitudinal and transverse fixation, a head-sleeving fixation, or an integral fixation with the head cushion.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a vehicle seat back is disclosed. The vibration damper includes an enclosure provided inside the upper end of a vehicle seat back. The enclosure includes a plurality of projections, preferably in the form of spaced apart, vertically extending pins, extending from one or more interior walls of the enclosure. A non-newtonian stress thickening fluid is provided within the enclosure. When the seat back is at rest the stress thickening fluid is free flowing within the enclosure. When the seat back is moved the stress thickening fluid is acted upon by the walls of the enclosure, the internally mounted pins, or both. As the walls and pins push on the fluid it comes under shear stress which causes the fluid to harden. As the pin passes through the hardened fluid they absorb energy and dampen the motion.

Abstract: Provided is an underwater miner cutter head (20) attached to an underwater miner disposed on a seabed and configured to excavate the seabed, the cutter head including cylindrical cutter drums (21) disposed on respective sides defining a regular polygon in plan view, having bits (26) on the outer circumferential surfaces thereof, and configured to rotate around corresponding first rotational axes by first driving sources; and an intake (28) disposed at a center part of the regular polygon and configured to receive muck excavated with the bits (26), wherein rotating directions of the cutter drums (21) are set such that the bits (26) sequentially move toward the intake (28).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-propelled surface milling cutter, with a working assembly comprising a rotatingly drivable drum body, and at least one drum drive unit which is accommodated in the interior of the drum body and forms at least part of a rotatable bearing of the drum body on a drum supporting frame, wherein the at least one drum drive unit includes a stationary drive part attached to the drum supporting frame and a rotatable drive part connected with the drum body. The rotatable drive part of the drum drive unit is mounted on the drum body by a positive entrainment connection in a torque-transmitting, but longitudinally movable manner. The entrainment connection rotatorily entrains the drum body, in order to be able to transmit the rotary drive movements of the drive part to the drum body.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for producing bristle arrangements for brushes, in particular toothbrushes, having a bristle supply (2) and an apparatus (3) for extracting individual bundles (4) of bristles from the bristle supply (2), and also having a transporting apparatus for transporting the bundles (4) of bristles by way of at least one hollow line (8) by means of a stream of gas or air in perforations in a bundle-retaining plate, is characterized in that the apparatus (3) for extracting the bundles (4) of bristles from the bristle supply (2) has at least one bundle holder (6), and in that the bundle holder(s) (6) of the extraction means (3), the inner contour (10) of the hollow line(s) (8) and the perforations in the bundle-retaining plate are each contoured in a manner corresponding to the bundle contour which is desired in the bristle arrangement.

Abstract: The wheel weight according to the invention (5) consists of a body (7) consisting of ceramics. It is provided with means for fastening to a rim (3) with material fit and/or positive fit. The body (7) has a cross section that decreases along a prescribed direction, such as the direction normal to its upper surface (9). The ceramic body can have a high specific weight of two or more g/cm3 for example.

Abstract: A spoke receiving hole is perforated through a flange formed on a rim so as to incline by a predetermined angle in a radial direction with respect to a line perpendicular to a wheel center plane. A head of a spoke seats on a seating surface provided on one side surface of the spoke receiving hole in contact at a region I on the side closer to a rim body and a head straight portion of the spoke contacts with an edge portion K of an opening on the side distant from the rim body to which a hole portion directly opens on the opposite side from the seating surface of the spoke receiving hole.

Abstract: A system and method for brake assisted turning are provided. One system includes a pedal operated braking system configured to apply hydraulic brake pressure to brakes of a vehicle when one or more brake pedals are pressed. The system also includes a steer assist braking system configured to apply hydraulic brake pressure to the brakes of the vehicle based at least partly on a steering angle. The system includes hydraulic shut-off circuitry configured to selectively enable and disable operation of the steer assist braking system.

Abstract: A sprocket assembly for a vehicle having a chassis and at least one endless track for engaging a ground surface. The track being movably coupled to the chassis and driven by the sprocket assembly. The sprocket assembly including at least one sprocket segment, a hub rotationally coupled to the chassis and a fastening system configured to displace some material portion of the sprocket segment when the sprocket segment is attached to the hub.

Abstract: The two ends of a battery circuit (18), in which a first power supply (11) is connected in series to a second power supply (12), are connected to the respective first and third lines (L1 and L3), while a junction (18a) between the first power supply (11) and the second power supply (12) is connected to a second line (L2). The two ends of a switching circuit (33) are connected to the respective first and third lines (L1 and L3). An end of a reactor (34) is connected to a junction between first and second switching elements (31 and 32), while the other end of the reactor (34) is connected to the second line (L2). The power supply apparatus (10), when activated, executes an operation in which, while the ON state of the first switching element (31) is inhibited, only the second switching element (32) is alternately turned ON and OFF with the ON state duration changed such that the ON state duration has a tendency to become longer.

Abstract: A generator connected to an engine generates AC power. A converter is connected to the generator, and an inverter for controlling the electric power to a rotation electric motor is connected to the converter. The converter and the inverter are formed of IGBTs connected between power supply lines and the rotation electric motor. The AC power from the generator is converted directly to AC power which can be supplied to the rotation electric motor.

Abstract: A renewable energy management system includes a load center that enables current flow into a renewable energy system generated from one or more sources and facilitates consumption of generated energy by one or more devices in the renewable energy system, and a smart meter that tracks energy flow in and out of the load center to measure energy consumption and energy production for the renewable energy system. The system also includes an energy manager in communication with the smart meter and at least one of the devices, wherein the energy manager signals the at least one of the devices to function as an energy storage device for storing excess renewable energy generated by the renewable energy system.