Abstract: Connector receptacles that have good signal integrity, are reduced in size, are reliable and durable, and are easy to assemble. One example may provide a connector receptacle having several ground connections to improve signal integrity and quality.

Abstract: A grip member in one aspect of the present invention comprises a base portion and one or more pairs of grip portions. Of one and the other of the pair of grip portions, the one grip portion comprises a first spring portion and a second spring portion. The other grip portion comprises a third spring portion and a fourth spring portion. The second and fourth spring portions can grip the shield case by holding the shield case therebetween. The second and fourth spring portions are in contact with the shield case at different positions in regard to at least a direction orthogonal to the joint surface when the second and fourth spring portions grip the shield case.

Abstract: A electrical connector includes an insulating body having a tongue plate, a plurality of upper conductive terminals having upper contact portions, and a plurality of lower conductive terminals having lower contact portions; the upper and lower conductive terminals are buried and molded in the insulating body, the upper contact portions and the lower contact portions are vertically aligned one by one and respectively exposed on an upper surface and a lower surface of the tongue plate; the upper conductive terminals vertically corresponding to the lower conductive terminals one by one so as to form a plurality of corresponding columns, and the upper and lower conductive terminals of at least one corresponding columns are fixedly connected with each other by riveting.

Abstract: A connector assembly mechanically and electrically connects a shielded power cable, capable of conducting DC and multiple phase AC electric power, to drive motors and powered accessories of an electric vehicle. The connector assembly includes a shielded power cable, a connector body, a sealing ring, a tapered compression ring and a flexible rubber boot. The hollow frustoconical interior of the connector body and the frustoconical tapered compression ring, with the shield layer of the power cable compressed between them, form a self-locking taper that provides a strong mechanical connection. The sealing ring and the flexible rubber boot inhibit penetration of fluids and particles into the connector assembly. The addition of an adhesive to the compressed section strengthens the connection and reduces corrosion. Filling empty spaces inside the connector body with an adhesive sealer further prevents penetration by contaminants, reduces corrosion and strengthens the connector.

Abstract: A wire terminal connector includes a terminal member having a base panel, two resilient clamp plates that project from the base panel for clamping a wire conductor therebetween, and a stop plate that projects from the base panel and extends transversely of the clamp plates for abutting against one end of the wire conductor, and an insulative housing having a receiving space, a first open end that permits the terminal member to enter and to be disposed in the receiving space, and a second open end that is opposite to the first open end and that is adapted for the wire conductor to enter the receiving space.

Abstract: A connector that prevents damage to an electric circuit provided inside a connecting object is provided. Two shield cables constituting a wire harness, a cable-side connector accommodating a distal end of the shield cable, and a device-side connector secured to a unit case are included. The cable-side connector includes a conductive shield shell including a shell body and a shell cap member, and a female housing that is made of an insulating resin and accommodated in the shield shell to allow the shield cable to be inserted therein. The shell securing portion for securing together the shell body and the shell cap member is provided in a position to oppose in the fastening direction of the bolt the device-side securing portion that secures the device-side connector to the unit case.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of network communication. In an embodiment, the present invention is a breakaway RJ45 cable assembly that includes a standard RJ45 plug inserted into a modified RJ45 jack that, upon a sufficient amount of tension, releases the installed standard RJ45 plug. To insure that, as tension builds up in the cable assembly, the connection between the modified RJ45 jack and the patch cord to which the standard RJ45 plug is connected to experience tension substantially along the plug and jack body lengths the breakaway cable assembly is installed in the middle of a communication channel.

Abstract: A midspan injector constituted of: a circuit board; a power injection circuit; a plurality of electrical paths without crossover; a first jack comprising a plurality of pins; and a second jack comprising a plurality of pins, each in communication with a respective pin of the first jack via a respective electrical path, wherein each of the first jack and the second jack exhibits a receptacle with a protrusion of the receptacle extending from a side thereof, wherein the receptacle protrusion of the first jack extends along a first vector and the receptacle protrusion of the second jack extends along a second vector, the direction of the second vector opposing the direction of the first vector, and wherein the power injection circuit is arranged to: receive common mode DC power from a power source; and inject the received power into the plurality of electrical paths.

Abstract: A header assembly of a mezzanine connector system may include a main housing defining signal channels extending through the main housing and ground channels extending into a first surface of the main housing, a plurality of signal modules, and a plurality of ground shields. At least a portion of each of the plurality of signal modules is retained within a respective one of the signal channels. At least a portion of each of the plurality of ground shields is retained within at least one of the ground channels.

Abstract: A biased closed crimping head for a hydraulic power tool. The crimping head comprises a first pivoting pin and a first jaw disposed for rotation about a first axis defined by the first pivoting pin. The crimping head further comprises a second pivoting pin and a second jaw disposed for rotation about a second axis defined by the second pivoting pin. An extension spring is operatively coupled to the first jaw and the second jaw so that the jaws reside in a biased closed position. During a crimping action, the first jaw rotates about a first axis defined by the first pivoting pin, and the second jaw rotates about a second axis defined by the second pivoting pin.

Abstract: A gas laser device having a function for properly controlling the gas pressure of a laser oscillator after an alarm is generated. A controller of the laser device has an alarm monitoring part which monitors as to whether an alarm is generated in the oscillator, by which discharge in the oscillator should be stopped; an alarm judging part which discriminates a type of the alarm generated in the oscillator; a gas pressure controlling part which controls a pressure of laser gas within a discharge tube of the oscillator; and a power supply controlling part which controls a power supply of the oscillator. The gas pressure controlling part controls the pressure of the laser gas within the discharge tube to an appropriate value, after the alarm is generated, based on one of a plurality of control patterns predetermined corresponding to the respective types of the alarm.

Abstract: A laser apparatus comprising an aperture module array including two or more aperture modules, each aperture module of the array being optically couple-able to a source of coherent electromagnetic radiation and configured to emit a beam of radiation received from the source. The apparatus emits a composite beam comprising beams emitted by the respective aperture modules and modulates at least one of the beams in power and phase relative to at least one other of the beams such that a desired non-uniform composite beam profile is provided.

Abstract: A method for generating continuous wave laser radiation in the deep ultraviolet (DUV) spectral range includes the steps of: generating first laser radiation in the ultraviolet spectral range between 205 nm and 265 nm at a first power level, wherein the generation of the first laser radiation involves not more than two frequency conversion steps; generating second laser radiation in the infrared spectral range at a wavelength of more than 900 nm at a second power level; and sum frequency mixing the first and second laser radiation for generating the laser radiation in the deep ultraviolet spectral range below 205 nm. Moreover, a laser system generates continuous wave laser radiation in the DUV spectral range. According to a preferred embodiment, the DUV laser radiation is tunable in wavelength.

Abstract: Compact high brightness light sources for the mid and far IR spectral region, and exemplary applications are disclosed based on passively mode locked Tm fiber comb lasers. In at least one embodiment the coherence of the comb sources is increased in a system utilizing an amplified single-frequency laser to pump the Tm fiber comb laser. The optical bandwidth generated by the passively mode locked Tm fiber comb laser is further decreased by using simultaneous 2nd and 3rd order dispersion compensation using either appropriate chirped fiber Bragg gratings for dispersion compensation, or fibers with appropriately selected values of 2nd and 3rd order dispersion. Fibers with large anomalous values of third order dispersion, or fibers with large numerical apertures, for example fibers having air-holes formed in the fiber cladding may be utilized.

Abstract: A laser system and method of use are provided in which the laser system may include a fiber laser oscillator and rare earth doped piece of optical fiber which may absorb unused pump light which is unabsorbed in the oscillator.

Abstract: In the method for generating blue laser light with high optical and electrical efficiency, wherein the improvement comprises the step of using a phosphate glass photonic crystal fiber rod as a gain medium.

Abstract: A laser assembly for generating laser output light at an output wavelength of approximately 183 nm includes a fundamental laser, an optical parametric system (OPS), a fifth harmonic generator, and a frequency mixing module. The fundamental laser generates fundamental light at a fundamental frequency. The OPS generates a down-converted signal at a down-converted frequency. The fifth harmonic generator generates a fifth harmonic of the fundamental light. The frequency mixing module mixes the down-converted signal and the fifth harmonic to produce the laser output light at a frequency equal to a sum of the fifth harmonic frequency and the down-converted frequency. The OPS generates the down-converted signal by generating a down-converted seed signal at the down-converted frequency, and then mixing the down-converted seed signal with a portion of the fundamental light.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment time separated pulse pairs are generated, followed by amplification to increase the available peak and/or average power. The pulses are characterized by a time separation that exceeds the input pulse width and with distinct polarization states. The time and polarization discrimination allows easy extraction of the pulses after amplification. In some embodiments polarization maintaining (PM) fibers and/or amplifiers are utilized which provides a compact arrangement. At least one implementation provides for seeding of a solid state amplifier or large core fiber amplifier with time delayed, polarization split pulses, with capability for recombining the time separated pulses at an amplifier output. In various implementations suitable combinations of bulk optics and fibers may be utilized. In some implementations wavelength converted pulse trains are generated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical amplifier using an optical fiber. The optical fiber includes a single-mode optical fiber in which a plurality of rare earth elements is doped simultaneously; first and second optical fiber gratings disposed at opposite sides of the optical fiber, respectively, and totally reflecting light having a wavelength in a specific range; a pumping light source configured to generate a pumping light to excite rare earth ions in the optical fiber; and an optical coupler connected to the optical fiber and configured to transmit a light signal generated from a light source and the pumping light generated from the pumping light source to the optical fiber. Therefore, it is possible to obtain efficient amplification of a light signal through a simple configuration using the rare earth elements-doped optical fiber.

Abstract: In at least one opening of a plurality of openings 10a and 10b, the following inequality is satisfied: x?½·t·(kx/ky) where x represents a minimum distance in a horizontal direction between an end of the one opening and an end of a submount 8, and t represents a thickness of the submount, and in at least one of the other openings different from the one opening, the following inequality is satisfied: x>½·t·(kx/ky)

Abstract: A laser apparatus including an active medium, an optical cavity, a wavelength conversion medium, an excitation light source, a first reflector and a second reflector, wherein the active medium and the wavelength conversion medium are arranged between the first reflector and the second reflector, excitation light with a center wavelength ?1 emitted from the excitation light source is caused to enter the wavelength conversion medium through the first reflector, the wavelength conversion medium generates wavelength-converted light with a center wavelength ?2 by entrance of the excitation light, the first reflector and the second reflector reflect the wavelength-converted light, the active medium is photoexcited by at least the wavelength-converted light to emit light, and the laser apparatus causes resonance of the light by the optical cavity to generate laser light with a center wavelength ?3.

Abstract: System for wavelength stabilization in a multimode (MM) laser diode (LD), including at least one MM LD, a respective at least one MM 2×2 beam splitter for each MM LD, an isolator and at least one LD, the LD being respectively coupled with the isolator, the MM LD for generating high power MM laser light, the isolator for enabling laser light to pass through in only one direction and the LD for generating low power laser light, each respective MM 2×2 beam splitter including four ports, each respective MM 2×2 beam splitter having a highly asymmetric splitting ratio and for splitting the generated high power MM laser light and the generated low power laser light, each MM LD being respectively coupled with the fourth port of each respective MM 2×2 beam splitter and a wavelength of the high power laser light locking onto a wavelength of the low power laser light.

Abstract: Described herein are lasers comprising an output port to output an optical signal, a plurality of waveguide segments forming an optical cavity length, and a resonant optical cavity comprising the optical cavity length, a gain medium included in the resonant optical cavity to amplify the optical signal, and a heating element disposed near at least two of the plurality of waveguide segments, the heating element controllable to adjust the phase of the optical signal by heating the waveguide segments. Described herein are optical devices comprising a first plurality of ports to output a plurality of optical signals, a second plurality of ports to receive the plurality of optical signals, and a plurality of coupling waveguides. The plurality of waveguide may comprise a pair of adjacent waveguides separated by a first distance, each of the pair of adjacent waveguides comprising a different width.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser light source comprising an edge-emitting semiconductor body (10) is provided. The semiconductor body (10) contains a semiconductor layer stack (110) having an n-type layer (111), an active layer (112) and a p-type layer (113) which is formed for generating electromagnetic radiation which comprises a coherent portion (21). The semiconductor laser light source is formed for decoupling the coherent portion (21) of the electromagnetic radiation from a decoupling surface (101) of the semiconductor body (10) which is inclined with respect to the active layer (112). The semiconductor body (10) comprises a further external surface (102A, 102B, 102C) which is inclined with respect to the decoupling surface (101) and has at least one light-diffusing sub-region (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 120A, 120B) which is provided in order to direct a portion of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the semiconductor layer stack (110) in the direction towards the further external surface (102A, 102B, 102C).

Abstract: A semiconductor laser chip is placed in between two Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs), which are used as external cavities for the laser, to stabilize its center wavelength and to reduce its bandwidth. The first FBG is placed at the front facet of the laser chip, while the second FBG is placed on the back facet of the chip. The two FBGs are used to form an external cavity. Both FBGs can have same central wavelengths, different reflectivities and different bandwidths. The distance between the laser chip and the FBGs can varies from few millimeters to several meters. Since the FBGs have a very small wavelength drift with temperature fluctuations, the semiconductor laser has a stable center wavelength output. Another benefit of this setup is that the bandwidth of laser diode is also reduced.

Abstract: A surface-emitting semiconductor laser device includes a substrate and a semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a first semiconductor multilayer film of a first conductivity type, a first spacer layer, an active layer, a second spacer layer, and a second semiconductor multilayer film of a second conductivity type. The first semiconductor multilayer film and the second semiconductor multilayer film form a cavity. A peak of a pattern of a standing wave formed by the cavity and the center of the active layer are located at different positions.

Abstract: A laser apparatus includes an active medium, a first reflection portion, a second reflection portion, a first laser array including a plurality of semiconductor lasers, a third reflection portion configured to reflect at least part of light emitted from the first laser array and transmitted through the active medium, and a fourth reflection portion configured to transmit at least part of light emitted from the first laser array, and to reflect at least part of light reflected by the third reflection portion and transmitted through the active medium. The fourth reflection portion is disposed across the plurality of semiconductor lasers including respective light-emitting regions of the plurality of semiconductor lasers of the first laser array.

Abstract: A spark plug includes a tubular housing, a tubular insulator, a center electrode, a ground electrode, a resistor, and a stem. The insulator is supported inside the housing. The center electrode is supported inside the insulator so as a distal end portion thereof protrudes. The ground electrode forms a spark discharge gap G between the ground electrode and the center electrode. The resistor is supported inside the insulator at a proximal side of the central electrode. The stem is supported inside of the insulator at a proximal side of the resistor. Of an outer peripheral surface of the insulator, and closer to a distal end side than a proximal portion of the resistor is, there is formed a high emissivity surface of which thermal emissivity is at least 0.7 on at least a part of a portion facing an inner circumferential surface of the housing.

Abstract: A restraint assembly is for a switchgear system. The switchgear system includes an enclosure having a number of compartments and a number of electrical apparatus, such as for example, circuit breakers, movable into and out of the compartments. The restraint assembly includes at least one latch assembly comprising a mounting member, a latch pivotably coupled to the mounting member, and a number of biasing elements biasing the latch. The latch moves between a latched position corresponding to the latch locking an electrical apparatus within a corresponding compartment, and an unlatched position corresponding to the electrical apparatus being movable with respect to the compartment. The biasing elements bias the latch toward the latched position.

Abstract: A device to strip the external coating layer off of a coated optical fiber is provided. The optical fiber coating removal device includes a one piece molded body having a first body portion connected to a second body portion by a flexible region and a blade secured in one of the first body portion and the second body portion wherein the blade includes a U-shaped slot having cutting edges on the inside of the slot, wherein the flexible portion allows the first and second body portions to move between an open state and a closed state for stripping an optical fiber.

Abstract: A cable connector is provided for coupling to and mounted within the internal cavity of an electrical box for securing an electrical cable passing through an opening in the electrical box. The cable connector includes a body having a first end positioned next to or adjacent the cable opening in the electrical box and a second end spaced from the first end and the cable opening. At least one and typically two retaining members are spring biased from the first end of the body and extend into a cable passage of the body toward the second end. A front wall is provided at the second end of the body with an opening for receiving the wires and forming a stop member to prevent the armor sheathing from passing through the front wall.

Abstract: Improvements in a universal box mounting adapter and system for mounting 4? and 4 11/16? boxes directly to stud using side tabs. In addition, the UBM features a bendable back support for rigid installations. The novel feature of this product is the integral conduit support flange. This flange features slots and pinholes for use with a wide assortment of conduit supporting accessories. The adapter can be used with a kick bracket for placing junction boxes between studs at desired heights. The kick bracket can be mounted either vertically or horizontally and features pinholes along the length for adjusting the location of the adapter. Along with integral wings for supporting the kick bracket when installed vertically, the adapter and kick bracket make up a system of configurations to meet the needs of an installer. The adapter is configurable for installing multiple boxes between either 16? or 24? studs.

Abstract: Cable management apparatuses and related methods for managing a plurality of cables are provided. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a cable management apparatus having a body with a plurality of grooves. Each groove of the plurality of grooves is for receiving therein a portion of at least one cable. The body also has a plurality of cavities. Each cavity of the plurality of cavities is for receiving a portion of at least one securing member for securing the at least one cable to the body.

Abstract: An arrangement (20) for covering connecting points of electrical lines (2a-2c) in a moisture tight manner is indicated. The electrical conductors (3a-3d) of at least one first electrical line (1) are connected to the electrical conductors (4a-4f) with at least two further electrical lines (2a-2c). The connecting point is surrounded by a prefabricated housing (10) consisting of a mechanically stable synthetic material. The interior of the housing (10) is completely enclosed by a sealing material produced by injection. molding which extends to both sides of the housing (10) up to the lines protruding beyond the housing (1, 2a-2c).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for preventing intrusion into a splice closure. The apparatus includes a pair of end wall plates, a first housing plate and a second housing plate affixed to an outer casing of the splice closure. Each end wall plate includes two or more end wall segments made of a formable metal and having a plurality of finger-shaped extensions that are bendable to conform to the contour of an end wall of the splice closure and around any cable(s) entering or exiting the splice closure. The first housing plate is made of a metal and pre-formed to conform to the contour of a first housing half of the outer casing of the splice closure. The second housing plate is made of a metal and pre-formed to conform to the contour of a second housing half of the outer casing of the splice closure. The first and second housing plates may be separable along a centerline of symmetry for use with an extended-length splice closure.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting an instrument panel circuit from overcurrents includes a differential amplifier that magnifies a voltage drop across at least one power input component. The magnified voltage drop is provided to a hysteresis comparator that compares the voltage drop against a pair of hysteresis thresholds. When the voltage drop exceeds the thresholds, an overcurrent is detected and a default state of a power switching element is changed from closed to open.

Abstract: With an IC including a driver that drives a large current, its characteristics may be deteriorated or the IC may be broken by heat generated by the large current. By providing a plurality of sensors and disposing some of the sensors so as to be close to an output driver that flows a large current, which is a source of heat generation, an increase in the temperature of the IC can be rapidly detected, and the deterioration of the characteristics of the IC can be prevented by accurately actuating an overheating protection function based on a result of detection. Alternatively, breakage of the IC can be prevented by suppressing overheating.

Abstract: A power dissipating arrangement for dissipating power from a generator in a wind turbine is provided. The generator comprises a plurality of output terminals corresponding to a multi-phase output. The power dissipating arrangement comprises a plurality of dissipating units, a plurality of semiconductor switches, a trigger circuit for switching the semiconductor switches and a control unit for controlling the operation of the trigger circuit, thereby controlling the switching of the semiconductor switches.

Abstract: A support assembly is for an electrical system. The electrical system includes a network protector and a number of disconnect switches coupled to the network protector. The support assembly includes: an insulative mounting member coupled to each of the disconnect switches; a number of base assemblies each including a housing assembly and a stand assembly disposed on the housing assembly, the housing assembly being coupled to the insulative mounting member; and a lifting apparatus disposed on each of the base assemblies. The lifting apparatus moves each of the insulative mounting member and the housing assembly in a direction transverse to the stand assembly.

Abstract: Various arrangements for mitigating voltage droop in a direct current circuit configured to power multiple capacitive loads are presented. A voltage source configured to output a direct current voltage to power the multiple capacitive loads may be present. First and second outputs electrically coupled with the voltage source such that the outputs, when electrically coupled with capacitive loads, provide a voltage to the capacitive load may be provided. A transformer module (which may include a transformer and an impedance) electrically coupled with the first output and the second output may also be provided. When the first capacitive load is electrically coupled with the first output, the transformer may be configured to mitigate droop of the first voltage to the first output upon the second capacitive load being connected to the second output and receiving inrush current.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that operates a power supply. During operation, the system disposes a first switching mechanism between a first output of a first power converter and two or more loads. Next, the system obtains two or more error signals for the two or more loads, wherein each error signal from the two or more error signals represents a difference between a load voltage of a load from the two or more loads and a first reference voltage for the load from a first set of reference voltages for driving the two or more loads using the first power converter. The system then uses the first switching mechanism to couple the load with a largest error signal from the two or more error signals to the first output.

Abstract: An intelligent electric grid management system and method includes at least one feeder line controller, which is arranged between a secondary power transforming station and at least one power supply feeder line to receive high voltage power and a control instruction from the secondary power transforming station and to store and set, in advance, digital code data of each power supply feeder line, an smart meter of a user end, appliance loads, and priority cutoff levels, a plurality of smart meters, which is each connected between the distribution line of each user end and at least one power feeder line, wherein the smart meter and the feeder line controller transmit therebetween a user end load ON/OFF control signal and a load state detection feedback signal through the power supply feeder line by means of the power line communication protocol; and a plurality of intelligent load receptacles, which is connected to the receptacle power line of the distribution line of the user end and the household appliance lo

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention produce and define a relationship between local voltage and power measurements at a node of an electrical network and system conditions on a remote branch of the network. These local measurements are used to determine an optimal voltage set point at the node that, if realised by a reactive power resource, would affect the flow of reactive power or line current at one or more particular remote branches of the power system in a manner captured by the derived relationship. The change in reactive power required to obtain this voltage set point is also calculated based on local measurements.

Abstract: A power distribution system is dynamically and adaptively configured in real-time to improve energy efficiency, reliability and power quality, particularly if the system includes renewable sources and storages. An optimal multi-objective scheduling and partitioning method is provided to partition the system into self-sufficient sections (SSS) through optimally combination of adjacent basic switching sections (BSS). The SSSs enable system operating at a lower cost, with less power losses, more energy efficiency, improved power quality, and sufficient transient security. The method uses two storage based transient security indices, storage compensation power margin (SCPM) and storage compensation energy margin (SCEM) evaluate the transient stability margin of distribution system. A minimal stability margin is used to ensure that the system remains stable when subject to large unexpected load deviations.

Abstract: A power system for providing a grid service to a power grid, said power system comprising: an energy resource controller (ERC) adapted to monitor a state of charge (SOC) of at least one energy storage device (ESD), wherein said energy resource controller (ERC) adjusts in a normal operation mode (NM) a power supplied by the energy storage device (ESD) to said power grid (PG) or a power received by the energy storage device (ESD) from said power grid (PG) in response to grid parameters or remotely generated control signals to stabilize said power grid (PG), wherein if the monitored state of charge (SOC) of said energy storage device (ESD) exceeds an upper state of charge limit (SOC-H) the energy resource controller (ERC) connects in a power absorption mode (PAM) a power absorbing load (PAL) to said power grid as long as the grid parameters or remotely generated control signals indicate that power is to be removed from said power grid (PG).

Abstract: An energy generating device for generating electric energy from an energy source, in particular a regenerative energy source, and for feeding the generated electric energy into a grid, in particular a power supply grid, comprises: a power converter for converting energy at its input into a grid compatible energy at its output, at least one electric line for electrically connecting the output of the power converter to the grid, a separation device for a potential separation of the power converter from the grid, a noise filter device for discharging high-frequency interference signals against a reference point, a measuring device for capturing discharge currents flowing over the noise filter element and for delivering a discharge current signal characterizing a respective discharge current, and a control device for controlling the switch elements of the separation device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact omnidirectional energy harvesting system consisting of a semi-spherical (geodesic dome) shaped photovoltaic collector- and vertical-axis wind turbine, equipped with a power management system to convert, optimize and store the resulting solar, wind and auxiliary energy into electrical energy. The present invention has auxiliary energy capture ports to harvest ambient energies such as thermoelectric, piezoelectric, electromechanical, hydroelectric, rectifying antenna, electrostatic and electrochemical through plug-in modules. The resulting combined electrical energy, from all potential sources, is stored in rechargeable batteries or capacitors for eventual consumption to power lights, sensors, beacons, transmitters, cameras, wireless communications, or to provide a power supply in remote locations.

Abstract: A hub device controls an electrical energy state of one or more appliances, and controls an alternative electricity supply such as a solar generation installation whose output is non-constant such that sometimes the electrical energy available from the alternative electrical supply is greater than the electrical energy demand from the appliances, and at other times the electrical energy available from the alternative electrical supply is less than the electrical energy demand from the appliances. The hub device may control the alternative electricity supply and/or the appliances such that the electrical energy available from the alternative electrical supply is matched to the electrical energy demand from the appliances.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for extracting a medium DC voltage from a plurality of PV modules arranged in an array and supplying the medium DC voltage to inverters located outside the array near a point of interconnection with a utility grid.

Abstract: In a circuit arrangement for in-line supply of voltage to an electrical or electronic apparatus located in the region of a DC line, a parallel circuit of two diodes oriented in anti-parallel is arranged in the line. When a direct current is flowing between terminals of the circuit arrangement, the anti-parallel diodes permit a small voltage drop between the terminals, irrespective of the direction of flow of the current, which voltage drop is limited to the forward voltage of the diode that is currently forward biased. The voltage drop across the anti-parallel diodes is tapped by a supply subcircuit. A semiconductor switch can be connected in parallel with the anti-parallel diodes, which switch is controlled by a voltage-reduction subcircuit to minimize the power dissipation of the circuit arrangement.