Interconnected For Energy Transfer Patents (Class 307/19)
  • Patent number: 7573152
    Abstract: The present invention provides a self-contained power management device, such as a power management IC or an IC including power management functions, which allow sequenced start up of power supplies without the need for an external sequencer and with a simple user configurable arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Wolfson Microelectronics plc
    Inventors: Mark Jacob, John Pennock, David Dearn
  • Publication number: 20090147549
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power converter that can be used to interface a generator (4) that provides variable voltage at variable frequency to a supply network operating at nominally fixed voltage and nominally fixed frequency and including features that allow the power converter to remain connected to the supply network and retain control during supply network fault and transient conditions. The power converter includes a generator bridge (10) electrically connected to the stator of the generator (4) and a network bridge (14). A dc link (12) is connected between the generator bridge (10) and the network bridge (14). A filter (16) having network terminals is connected between the network bridge (14) and the supply network. A first controller (18) is provided for controlling the operation of the semiconductor power switching devices of the generator bridge (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Rodney Jones, Paul Brian Brogan, Erik Grondahl, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 7545053
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a power line for supplying power from a distributed power source to a load upon interruption of electric service from a power system, the load being supplied with power from the power system at normal times; a first switch for connecting the load with the power system at normal times and disconnecting them upon interruption of electric service; and a second switch for connecting the load with the power line upon interruption of electric service and disconnecting them at normal times. Thus, upon interruption of the service, it is possible to use the distributed power source and stably supply power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yoshikawa, Yasuo Satou
  • Patent number: 7545055
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for transmitting over non-adjacent multiple conducting pairs and aggregating powers from the conducting pairs to power remote electronic devices at an end station include, at a line termination (LT), a plurality of power transmitting circuits configured to transmit power over the multiple conducting pairs, and a microcontroller coupled to the plurality of power transmitting circuits and configured to receive a current sense signal from a power receiving circuit at the remote electronic device, and further include, at a network termination (NT), one or more current limiters coupled to multiple conducting pairs and operable to limit the power from the conducting pairs based on power demand information of the end station, and a load controller coupled to the one or more current limiters and configured to selectively activate the one or more current limiters based on a determination by the microcontroller that the end station is allowed to receive a full power demand, the determination being
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh Barrass
  • Patent number: 7541690
    Abstract: A signal transmission method for transmitting a signal between a regulated power supply unit that operates and controls a high intensity discharge lamp and a setting unit that gives various kinds of commands to the regulated power supply unit is provided. The method includes providing the regulated power supply unit with a first communication controller; providing the setting unit with a second communication controller; providing a pair of signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kobayashi, Hitoshi Akiho, Yoshimasa Kitta
  • Patent number: 7521820
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus system includes a depilator (first electrical apparatus) that depilates body hair, a cleaning apparatus (second electrical apparatus) that cleans the depilatory and an AC adapter that supplies DC electric power to the depilator or the cleaning apparatus. Electric power can be supplied between both the electrical apparatuses by bringing a back surface terminal provided in the depilator and a connection terminal provided in the cleaning apparatus into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7518262
    Abstract: A power supply system for supplying power to a plurality of loads includes a plurality of fuel cells for generating and supplying power to be supplied to the respectively corresponding loads, wherein the fuel cells are provided to correspond to the plurality of loads, a power network for receiving surplus power, which is generated by the fuel cells except power to be supplied to the loads corresponding to the fuel cells, and supplying the surplus power to the loads short of power, wherein the power network is coupled to the plurality of fuel cells, and a control unit for stopping power generation of a first fuel cell among the fuel cells corresponding to a first load among the loads and controlling a second fuel cell among the fuel cells to generate power to be supplied to the first load as the surplus power if an amount of power to be supplied to the first load is less than a predetermined first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: The Japan Research Insitute, Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ikuma, Makoto Inoue
  • Patent number: 7518266
    Abstract: An electric power transmission system that isolates a local AC transmission network from a surrounding AC system includes a local AC load center having a plurality of local AC loads, and a distribution feeder serving the plurality of local AC loads and at least one distant electric power generating station or other power source for supplying AC power to the local AC load center. A complete or partial DC transmission ring is interposed between the local AC load center and the distant electric power generating station for isolating the AC power received from the distant electric power generating station from the local AC load center by converting the AC power to DC power. The DC power is re-converted into AC power based on load requirements and the distribution feeder supplies the AC power while all local AC loads are isolated from the distant electric power generating station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Wallace Eckroad
  • Patent number: 7498689
    Abstract: A power supply device for vehicles is disclosed, which device includes a backup unit to the power supply as an auxiliary power supply employing a capacitor unit formed of plural capacitors. The auxiliary power supply includes a power supply section allowing the capacitor unit to power an electronic controller, and a compulsory operating section for operating the power supply section. An operating status of the power supply section is monitored even when a battery operates normally, so that the power supply device for vehicles with higher reliability and improved safety is obtainable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Mitani, Toshihiko Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7495355
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for providing auxiliary power to an integrated anesthesia delivery and patient monitoring system. When AC main power is unavailable or inadequate to power a patient monitoring device of the integrated system, DC power from a battery in an anesthesia machine of the integrated system provides power to the patient monitoring device through a DC power connection. Distribution of the battery power is controlled by a first, normally closed solid state switch in the anesthesia machine and a second, normally open solid state switch in the patient monitoring device. The battery is also configured to provide DC power to the anesthesia machine when AC mains power is unavailable to the anesthesia machine. The method and system utilizes required DC auxiliary power from the anesthesia machine to provide DC auxiliary power to the other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: The General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Oberle, John C. Probert, Larry E. Alm
  • Patent number: 7489051
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system using a power protector, such as an uninterruptible power supply (power protector) or a power line conditioner. An input of the power protector can be coupled to an output of one or more of circuit breakers using electrical buss bars for unique modularity and easy installation and replacement. Further, an input of a second set of circuit breakers can be coupled to an output of the power protector to backfeed the power through the second set of circuit breakers and out through the buss bar to one or more electrical loads. Additional power protectors can be used for capacity and/or redundancy. A stacked buss bar system can be used that consolidates the system into a compact assembly heretofore unknown in the industry. In at least some embodiments, the system can be compatible with standard panelboards having circuit breakers disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Fuchik, James K. Martin, Russell E. Shetler, Jr., William A. Barcus, Peter A. Panfil
  • Publication number: 20090015063
    Abstract: Systems and methods perform power conversion and distribution. A system for power conversion and distribution, according to one embodiment comprises: a first generator substation (70) receiving power from a first electrical generator (10); a first main substation (100) for distributing converted power to at least one load, said load being local to the first main substation (100); a ring bus including ring bus feeders (1000, 2000); and at least one satellite substation (700) for powering a remote load, wherein the ring bus feeders (1000, 2000) connect the first generator substation (70) and the first main substation (100) in a ring arrangement, and the at least one satellite substation (700) receives power from the ring bus through a branch substation (500).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Rodney G. Michalko
  • Publication number: 20080269729
    Abstract: The invention concerns an uninterruptible power supply that is used in particular with a refractive laser. A rechargeable battery is provided, whereby prior to beginning the treatment the capacity of the battery is tested to assure that it is sufficient to safely complete the treatment in the event the voltage supply is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventor: Juergen Ledermann
  • Publication number: 20080265673
    Abstract: A power load center comprises a first terminal block adapted to receive multiple high voltage DC power feeder pairs under normal operating conditions and a protector block adapted to receive the multiple high voltage DC power pairs from the first terminal block and to aggregate them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Kermit L. Ross
  • Publication number: 20080265672
    Abstract: A system comprises a first power supply, a second power supply, and a load coupled to the first and second power supplies via separate power connectors. The load receives separate operating power from each of the first and second power supplies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel HONG
  • Publication number: 20080157592
    Abstract: An electric power system includes a variable speed generator driven by an engine and an electrical energy storage device. The generator and the storage device are coupled to a variable voltage DC bus. An inverter converts DC electricity from the DC bus to AC electricity for one or more electrical loads. A detector is included to monitor electric current provided to the DC bus by the storage device and provide a corresponding signal. Control circuitry is responsive to this signal to regulate power output from the storage device to the DC bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Randall L. Bax, Mitchell E. Peterson, Mark Naden
  • Publication number: 20080157593
    Abstract: In one technique of the present invention, DC electric power from a DC bus is inverted to provide AC electricity to one or more electrical loads, and AC power from a variable speed generator is rectified to provide a first variable amount of electric power to the DC bus. This technique also includes determining power applied to the electrical loads, and dynamically controlling the amount of power supplied from the generator and an electrical energy storage device in response to the power applied to the loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Randall Bax, Mitchell E. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7394167
    Abstract: A power load center comprises a first terminal block adapted to receive multiple high voltage DC power feeder pairs, a protector block adapted to receive the multiple high voltage DC power pairs from the first terminal block and to aggregate them, a DC to DC voltage converter adapted to receive the aggregate feeder pairs and convert them to ?48V DC, and a power tap bus or second terminal block adapted to receive the ?48V DC power and to output it as multiple ?48V DC power taps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Infratel Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Kermit L. Ross
  • Patent number: 7394169
    Abstract: A power distribution system and method may include a first power domain having a first plurality of power rails, a second power domain having a second plurality of power rails, where the first power domain is electrically independent of the second power domain, and a plurality of modules coupled to the first power domain and the second power domain, where each of the plurality of modules is coupled to one of the first plurality of power rails and one of the second plurality of power rails. The system may also include a plurality of mated pairs, where each of the plurality of modules is in only one of the plurality of mated pairs, and where each of the plurality of mated pairs is coupled to two separate of the first and second plurality of power rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Network Power - Embedded Computing, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Lanus, Bruce A. Hanahan, Wolfgang Poschenrieder
  • Patent number: 7388303
    Abstract: An electrical power system that can be used to interconnect a plurality of generators to a plurality to loads while being rated at less than a total power consumed. The system is preferably used to distribute power for a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility. The system broadly comprises a primary bus connected between the generators and the loads, such as electrical compressor motors used in the LNG facility. The generators and the loads are arranged along the primary bus in order to distribute the power from the generators to the loads, without overloading the primary bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventor: John R. Seiver
  • Publication number: 20080093926
    Abstract: A power device of the present invention makes a plurality of DC/DC converters redundant, and supplies power individually to a plurality of disk drives. Each first DC/DC converter is respectively made correspondent to a subgroup. One first DC/DC converter is connected to the disk drives respectively inside one subgroup, and the other first DC/DC converter is connected to the disk drives inside the other subgroup. A second DC/DC converter is made correspondent to all of the subgroups. Second DC/DC converters respectively supply direct-current power to any one disk drive of the disk drives in the subgroups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Tetsuya Inoue, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7362005
    Abstract: An isolated dual power source system for isolating a first power source of a vehicle, connected to an engine starter, from a second power source of the vehicle which has an electrical circuit for distributing electrical power among the consumers, includes first and second switches for selectively connecting the first and second power sources to the electrical circuit, respectively. The system may include a controller that independently and operatively connects to the first and second switches to control operation thereof for selective and respective isolation from the electrical circuit. A third switch connecting the second power source to the starter may be used to selectively provide power thereto and bypass the first power source to start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Red Tech Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Leblanc
  • Publication number: 20080024007
    Abstract: A supply-load multiplexer has multiple power inputs for coupling to multiple power supplies and multiple power outputs for coupling to multiple loads. The multiplexer selectively couples the power inputs to the power outputs. A controller is coupled to the supply-load multiplexer and controls the selective coupling of power inputs to power outputs as a function of load power requirements and/or power supply characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Ramakrishna S. Budampati, Anoop K. Mathur, Hai D. Pham
  • Patent number: 7301309
    Abstract: A method and a device for providing the supply voltage for the loads of a vehicle on-board electrical system, using a plurality of generators. A regulator unit having at least one output stage transistor is allocated to each of the generators. The output stage transistor is controlled by means of a pulse-width-modulated control signal. The control signal generated in one of the regulator units, or a control signal derived therefrom that describes the pulse-duty factor of the pulse-width-modulated signal, is also supplied to the regulator units of the additional generators, and is also used there to control the output stage transistors. This procedure may bring into agreement the degree of loading of the generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Labitzke, Helmut Suelzle
  • Patent number: 7287389
    Abstract: The invention relates to feeding a gas terminal with energy from a ship transporting liquefied gas while said liquefied gas is being transferred between a tank of the ship and a tank of the gas terminal, wherein a portion of the energy produced by the propulsion system of the ship is delivered to the gas terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventor: Damien Feger
  • Patent number: 7285873
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device that combines the functionality of an inverter and a bi-directional converter. The device provides, on a number of identical channels, transformation of a DC voltage source of a given level to a filtered DC voltage of another level. The inverter and bi-directional converter of the present invention also has the capability to invert a DC power input to thereby supply, on an AC output, AC power to an AC load, such a fluorescent light. The DC voltage sources at the inputs of inverter and bi-directional converter may act as sources of DC power or sinks of DC power depending on the voltage level of each input and a winding ratio between the channels. Passing from being a source to a sink of DC power is performed smoothly and without interference with the operation of the AC load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Pierre Brault
  • Patent number: 7276811
    Abstract: A submarine power feeding branching device comprises a constant current-constant current converter which isolates an input side for a trunk submarine cable from an output side for a branch submarine cable. The converter receives a first constant current and produces a second constant current by using the first constant current. The second constant current is supplied to the output side while the first constant current is returned to the input side. Because the input side and the output side are isolated, it is easy to add/remove the device to/from a submarine power feeding system. Intensity of the second constant current can be controlled by controlling duty ratios of switches included in the converter. Thus, it is possible that the intensity of the second constant current is equal to that of the first constant current. Therefore, a submarine repeater can be provided along either the trunk cable or the branch cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, Independent Administrative Intitiution, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jun Muramatsu, Kenichi Asakawa, Katsuyoshi Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20070205663
    Abstract: An apparatus for distributing electrical power from a plurality of power sources among a plurality of electrical conductors includes: (a) A plurality of power supply bus structures. Each respective power supply bus structure is coupled with at least one respective power source and presents a respective plurality of first electrical connection structures arranged in a respective first spaced array. (b) Each respective electrical conductor presents a respective plurality of second electrical connection structures arranged in a respective second spaced array. (c) At least one electrical bridging unit coupling a respective first electrical connection structure and a respective second electrical connection structure to establish electrical connection between a selected respective power supply bus structure and a selected respective electrical conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Vincent Mark Byrne
  • Patent number: 7259474
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aggregating power from multiple sources generates a single direct current regulated voltage. The apparatus comprises a plurality of slave voltage converters and a master pulse width modulator circuit. Providing a plurality of direct current power sources, current is drawn through a plurality of lines connected to the plurality of direct current power sources. An open circuit voltage for each direct current power source is unknown. Each line of the plurality of lines has a line resistance. The line resistance of at least some of the plurality of lines may be unknown. The line resistance of at least some of the plurality of lines is large. The single direct current regulated voltage is generated from the drawn current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: UTStarcom, Inc.
    Inventor: James Joseph Blanc
  • Patent number: 7194338
    Abstract: An analysis method for an electrical power system whereby the plurality of buses are grouped into agents, family lines of agents and families of agents based on the reactive reserves depleted when the buses are loaded. Contingencies are then applied to the electrical power system. The reactive reserves are monitored, and an exhaustion factor is determined for one or more family lines in one or more families. A boundary case solution is used to assess where, why, and how the contingency causes voltage instability, voltage collapse and/or local blackout. Based on this information, the design of voltage rescheduling, active rescheduling, unit commitment, load shedding, etc., is determined that can be used as preventive, corrective or emergency controls in applications such as system design and planning, operation planning, reactive and voltage management, real time control and Special Protection System Control. Based on this information, solutions can then be applied to the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Intellicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Schlueter, Benjamin Ashton Minshall, Ryan Joseph Hunt
  • Patent number: 7183667
    Abstract: A control circuit synchronizes an ac power inverter to the mains voltage of an electrical grid by matching the fundamental phasor components of the inverter's output voltage to the fundamental phasor components of the mains voltage. Once such matching meets an acceptable voltage error threshold, the control circuit initiates contactor closure, verifies contactor closure, and then initiates a changeover from voltage-mode control used in synchronization operations to a current-mode control of the inverter's output. The control circuit provides corresponding disconnection control when disconnection from the grid is desired, wherein the regulated power of the inverter is ramped down in controlled fashion until it reaches a lower threshold whereupon contactor opening is initiated. Once contactor opening is verified, regulation control reverts to stand-alone voltage mode control or to shut down, as needed or desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Roy Stephen Colby, Mark John Kocher, Gerald Benjamin Carson
  • Patent number: 7154722
    Abstract: The invention contemplates a technique for providing loop control on a faulted overhead or underground loop system, while preventing restored current from being fed or back fed into the fault. In particular, the invention provides a method, device, and system for restoring power to a faulted loop distribution system. The inventive method includes detecting a fault on the loop distribution system, interrupting current on the faulted part of the loop distribution system, isolating the faulted part of the loop distribution system from an unfaulted part of the loop distribution system, restoring current to the unfaulted part of the loop distribution system, and preventing the current from flowing to the faulted part of the loop distribution system. The method may further include providing the current to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: James D. Stoupis, Marina V. Graham, Gregory J. Grote
  • Patent number: 7151326
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical system and method for providing power to a truck's cab while the truck's engine is turned off. An already available primary power supply of the truck and a secondary power supply generally located on a trailer being hauled by the truck, are used to charge auxiliary power storage units. The secondary power supply is further used to maintain charge of the auxiliary power storage units while the truck's engine is off. The system may provide power to electrical devices within the truck as DC, or as AC by means of an inverter. The system may further include thermostatic controls to protect the secondary power supply when high-voltage electrical devices such as space heaters are being used. Separate operating circuits are employed that include switching means to enable an operator to, or to automatically, control operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Idle Free Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert Howard Jordan
  • Patent number: 7105946
    Abstract: A plurality of distributed power generation systems are connected via the Internet to a managing apparatus in a managing company. A power company communicates with the managing apparatus via another line. At peak times of power consumption in the midsummer and so forth, the power company requests the managing company to supply the power. The managing company controls to remotely set generation capacity of the distributed generation systems at maximum so as to reverse surplus power therefrom to a power system. A normal power rate is discounted for a user of the distributed generation system for his/her cooperation with the power company. The managing company charges the power company based on the surplus electric energy supplied to the power company.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinori Akiyama, Masatoshi Ueda, Nobuyoshi Nishizawa, Kazuhiro Tajima, Masataka Kadowaki, Osamu Tajima, Takeshi Kanai
  • Patent number: 7053501
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transmitting power over non-adjacent multiple conducting pairs and aggregating power from the conducting pairs to power a remote electronic device. In an embodiment, the apparatus and method comprises a wiring closet which has power supplying capabilities for providing power to a plurality of conducting pairs. A remote termination is adapted to aggregate power provided to and transmitted by two or more non-adjacent conducting pairs. The aggregated power is supplied to a remote electronic device. Preferably, a plurality of power circuits provide power to the conducting pairs. Preferably one or more rectifier circuits aggregate power from the non-adjacent pairs to the remote electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh Barrass
  • Patent number: 6900556
    Abstract: A large-scale, capacitor-based electrical energy storage and distribution system capable of effectuating load-leveling during periods of peak demand on a utility, and of effectuating a cost savings associated with the purchase of electrical energy. A capacitor or multitude of capacitors may be charged with electrical energy produced by the utility, such as during periods of low demand or low cost, and discharged during periods of high electrical energy consumption or high electrical energy cost. One or more capacitors may be located at a consumer's residence or business. Alternatively, a farm of capacitors may be provided at or near a utility, or at or near a location experiencing high demand. In another embodiment, one or more capacitors may be located in or on a vehicle, such as an automobile, a truck, or a train of a light rail system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: American Electric Power Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Provanzana, John M. Schneider, Ali Nourai, Warren W. Walborn, Brendan J. Ware
  • Patent number: 6849962
    Abstract: A ground-based aircraft electrical power generation system for regulating the electrical power to an aircraft being serviced on the ground. The aircraft electrical power generation system may include a ground power cart, a power source located on the ground power cart and having an output terminal, and a power cable having a proximate end coupled to the output terminal of the power source and a distal end configured to be coupled to the aircraft. The aircraft electrical power generation system further may include a voltage regulator having a plurality of inputs and an output coupled to the power source. The voltage regulator monitors the voltage at the plurality of inputs representing the voltage sensed at multiple points of regulation. A contactor also may be coupled in series between the proximate end of the power cable and the distal end of the power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley A. McCool
  • Patent number: 6754835
    Abstract: A method and system for providing computer system for use in a network having a plurality of computer systems linked in a chain is disclosed. The method and system include providing a power supply, at least one input and at least one output for the computer system. The at least one input is for receiving power from a first portion of the plurality of computer systems and for providing power from the power supply to the first portion of the plurality of computer systems. The at least one output is for providing power from the power supply to a second portion of the plurality of computer systems and for receiving power from the second portion of the plurality of computer systems. In one aspect, the first portion of the plurality computer systems includes an upstream computer system and the second portion of the plurality computer systems includes a downstream computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Potok Bandholz, Matthew S. Michaels
  • Patent number: 6750851
    Abstract: A multi-purpose radio transmission/reception (T/R) system includes a radio peripheral (PH200) and a multi-purpose transmission/reception device (H100) for executing one-way radio reception or two-way radio transmission/reception by infrared or RF or ultrasonic. The characteristic of this system is that the radio peripheral (PH200) and multi-purpose transmission/reception device (H100), as required, can be converted to a wired mouse, track ball or touch panel, and may function as a wired mouse, track ball or touch panel in case of insufficient power, power failure, channel interference or radio transmission/reception failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20030218384
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter operation control circuit determines whether or not a signal outputted from a CPU corresponds to a low power consumption mode. If the signal shows the low power consumption mode, the DC/DC converter operation control circuit outputs a signal representing an intermittent or stop operation so that the operation of a DC/DC converter can be operated in an intermittent mode or stopped. On the other hand, if the signal outputted from a CPU shows a normal mode, the DC/DC converter operation control circuit outputs a signal representing a continuous mode or a start operation to supply additional power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Yoneda
  • Patent number: 6639331
    Abstract: A system for connecting one of a plurality of parallel connected generator sets to a common bus. The system includes a separate module associated with each of the plurality of generator sets. When a control module receives a ready-to-load signal from the generator set, each of the control modules performs a similar connection method which determines which of the modules will send a first-start command to its associated generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventor: Mark H. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20030160511
    Abstract: A device for supplying voltage to an electrical machine, in particular a papering processing machine, having a plurality of electric drives (11, 12, 21, 22, 32), electric drives (11, 12) of the same supply voltage being combined into one voltage level (14, 23, 33). The voltage supply device is characterized in that provision is made for a first DC voltage level (14) having electric drives (11, 12) as well as an electrical component (1, 13) for dissipating surplus electric energy, and provision is made for at least one second DC voltage level (23) which is connected to the first voltage level (14) via a bidirectional voltage transformer (2) and has further electric drives (21, 22), and one of the voltage levels (14, 23) is connected to the mains supply (4) via a voltage transformer (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Dieter Kleibaumhueter, Helmut Meyer
  • Patent number: 6597978
    Abstract: A method is proposed for controlling an automatic transmission driven by a prime mover in which a shift from a first transmission ratio to a second transmission ratio occurs in the form of a pull upshift or push downshift or a pull downshift or push upshift by a first clutch opening and a second clutch closing and an electronic transmission control device controls, via electromagnetic valves, the pressure curve of the first and of the second clutch during the shifting operation. The shifting operation is divided into various shifting phases, an engine intervention taking place in the load-transfer (LÜ) of the gradient-setting phase (GE), the sliding phase (GL), the gradient-reduction phase (GA) and the closing phase (S), an engine torque and/or a characteristic value that determines the engine torque being transferred from the transmission control device to an engine control device of the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Dreibholz, Hans-Jörg Domian
  • Publication number: 20030102716
    Abstract: A system for connecting one of a plurality of parallel connected generator sets to a common bus. The system includes a separate module associated with each of the plurality of generator sets. When a control module receives a ready-to-load signal from the generator set, each of the control modules performs a similar connection method which determines which of the modules will send a first-start command to its associated generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Mark H. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6355990
    Abstract: A power distribution system and method, including a direct-current current source which is commutated among a number of distribution circuits which function as independent and modular power sources. Each distribution circuit includes a capacitor which is connected to the direct-current current source through a switch. The load is connected in parallel with the capacitor. The capacitor is charged to a predetermined level, generally matching the required load voltage, and periodically checked and recharged as necessary. There may be a plurality of distribution circuits to provide power to separate circuits or specific portions of a larger circuit. By varying the switch timing and logic, the output voltage of each distribution circuit may be varied, allowing a centralized power supply to provide power to a variety of electrical components with varying voltage requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel M. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20020000757
    Abstract: A power transfer device having various electrical components adapted for interconnection with the electrical system of a building includes a cabinet having a face plate provided with a socket opening which normally accommodates a power input receptacle adapted to receive a plug connector electrically connected to a generator. The power transfer device includes an internal compartment defined by the cabinet, and a set of connections corresponding to the electrical components located within the internal compartment. A cover plate terminal assembly is removably connected to the face plate for covering the socket opening to prevent access to the internal compartment and for providing a direct, permanently wired power input arrangement rather than a plug-type power input via a power input receptacle. The cover plate terminal assembly is also electrically interconnected with the electrical component connections in the internal compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: DAVID D. FLEGEL
  • Patent number: 6329725
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering excess electric power to an electric power grid from a marine transportation vessel while said marine transportation vessel is at port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Woodall, Philip J. Grossweiler
  • Patent number: 6313693
    Abstract: An electronics module (FIG. 1, 30) requires two distinct voltage inputs (V1, V2) and can be damaged when the difference between the two voltages exceeds a maximum value during power up. Additionally the electronics module (30) can be damaged during a power down transition when the difference between the two voltages exceeds a maximum negative value. A voltage ratio control circuit (FIG. 8) which includes at least one diode (D1), a capacitor (C1) whose value is proportional to the product of the value of the second voltage source (V2) and the value of the sum of any decoupling capacitances (C2) divided by the difference between the two input voltages is used to reduce the difference between the two voltages. This prevents damage to the electronic module (FIG. 1, 30) during power up and power down transitions caused by excessive voltage differences in the two voltage inputs (V1 and V2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Sigurd Arnulf Kelm
  • Patent number: 6208038
    Abstract: A control system for a vessel utilizes a first and second power source to supply a first and second electrical load on the vessel. Each of the power sources is connected to its particular load and motorized switches are provided to allow operation of both the loads with a single power source, conveniently a generator, and to allow connection of each individual load to its own power source and to isolate the two loads and two power sources if both power sources are being used simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ocean Electro Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: David J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6150736
    Abstract: A system for distributing continuous, uninterrupted power to one or more critical, interdependent electrically powered devices comprising at least one power source; and at least first and second independent power distribution paths from the power source to the critical device or devices where power is consumed. This invention allows the protected electrical load(s) to continue functioning without interruption despite a power interruption or disturbance in a single power source and/or in a single power distribution path. The invention also allows one power source and/or one power distribution path to be taken out of service for maintenance or modification without causing a power interruption to the critical loads being served.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Brill
  • Patent number: 4944916
    Abstract: Corrosion of metals such as silver and copper by sulfur and chlorine containing entities are substantially prevented by surrounding these materials with a suitable polymeric structure. The structure should be a polymer containing a material such as copper or aluminum that reacts readily with corrosive gases. In one advantageous embodiment a polymer bag containing approximately 35 weight percent of dispersed, powdered copper is employed to enclose a metal containing structure such as a printed circuit board. Use of this expedient substantially reduces corrosion of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: John P. Franey