Abstract: A physiological sensor has light emitting sources, each activated by addressing at least one row and at least one column of an electrical grid. The light emitting sources are capable of transmitting light of multiple wavelengths and a detector is responsive to the transmitted light after attenuation by body tissue.

Abstract: An irrigation system comprises an irrigation controller that receives user input and provides a power signal and command and message data to an encoder. The encoder encodes the command and message data onto the power signal to provide a data encoded power waveform that is sent over a two-wire path. The irrigation system further comprises one or more decoders in communication with the two-wire path to receive the data encoded power waveform and one or more irrigation valves in communication with the one or more decoders. The data encoded power waveform provides power to the decoders and the decoders decode the command and message data from the data encoded power waveform to control the irrigation valves according to the user input.

Abstract: A desktop USB device has power-wire(s) or storage-wire arrangement. The device has more than one separated distance away USB-Unit(s) by branch-wire(s) and have wire storage arrangement for at least one of an USB jump-wire, an AC power-wire, USB-charger wire or another charging related wire(s). The USB device and separated USB-Unit(s) to be installed on a desktop or floor at a hand-reachable distance from people, and install or attach anywhere by attachment so that there is no need for people to bend body or knee to get the USB-port(s) to charge i-phone or Tablet(s). The current invention use shortest #14 gauge AC wire for power strips and use long length of #18 gauge to supply DC power to USB ports built-in separated USB-unit(s) the charger.

Abstract: A power transmission system is provided. In the power transmission system, a plurality of power supply voltages are switched alternately and periodically, and is sent from an upstream module unit toward a downstream control unit as one system of output voltage. In the downstream control unit, a plurality of voltages from the inputted voltage is separated and supplied to loads, and the voltage is monitored so as to determine switching timing. Further, the downstream control unit is equipped with capacitors for each system of voltages, and thereby the voltages are maintained even during a time period when no power is supplied from the upstream module unit. A low voltage required by a CPU of the downstream control unit is generated by a voltage regulator of the downstream control unit. The power loss that is caused in generating power to be consumed by low-voltage loads can be reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a micro light-emitting-diode (mLED) cell that includes a mLED and a controller. The controller receives a brightness data signal and generates a driving signal corresponding to the brightness data signal. The controller is coupled to the mLED for providing the driving signal that turns on the mLED for first times and turns off the mLED for second times for a duration of a cycle. The driving signal causes a current density in mLED to be above a threshold value when the mLED is turned on.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a charging method thereof are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a transmission port, a battery module, an apparatus circuit, a power conversion circuit, a switching circuit, and a control circuit. The transmission port is coupled to an external power apparatus to receive an input power. The apparatus circuit and the battery module are connected to each other in parallel and are coupled to a power bus. Each of the power conversion circuit and the switching circuit is coupled between the transmission port and the power bus. When the external power apparatus is a programmable power supplier and a battery voltage is lower than a reference voltage, the control circuit disables the power conversion circuit, enables the switching circuit to transmit the input power to the power bus, and regulates a voltage value and a current value of the input power dynamically.

Abstract: A method for controlling a modular multi-level converter comprises the steps of: collecting control input variables from the converter; transmitting the control input variables to a controller of the converter via a first communication medium; determining, in the controller, and actual state of the converter and at least one control output variable based on a model of the converter; and transmitting the control output variable to the converter for controlling the converter via a second communication medium. The model of the converter accounts for the first and/or the second communication medium.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to predicting an amount of electrical power that is to be generated by a power system at a future point in time, wherein the power system utilizes a renewable energy resource to generate electrical power. A camera is positioned to capture an image of sky over a geographic region of interest. The image is analyzed to predict an amount of solar radiation that is to be received by the power source at a future point in time. The predicted solar radiation is used to predict an amount of electrical power that will be output by the power system at the future point in time. A computational resource of a data center that is powered by way of the power source is managed as a function of the predicted amount of power.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel wind power charging circuit with three-phase, single-stage and bridgeless framework. This novel wind power charging circuit is developed based on an isolated single-ended primary-inductance converter (SEPIC) having buck-boost converting function, and can be applied in a wind turbine system for increasing the operation scope of the input voltage provided by a wind turbine of the wind turbine system, so as to facilitate the wind turbine system include wide-range operation scope under different wind speeds, such that the electric energy production and the electromechanical conversion efficiency of the wind turbine system are able to be effectively enhanced. In addition, because this novel wind power charging circuit does not include any bridgeless PFC circuits and bridge-type diode rectifiers, the low conducting loss as well as the whole circuit volume and assembly cost of the wind turbine system can be simultaneously reduced.

Abstract: A horizontal electrical power strip device including a built in power plug, one master power outlet and triple slave power outlets controlled independently and simultaneously from each other through a master outlet. A power-sensing device (relay element) is coupled to a switch that allows the slave power outlets to be automatically turned on or off (controlled by the master outlet drawing sufficient current) and having different states simultaneously. Thus when current is being drawn from the master outlet the first slave is switched to an on (closed circuit) state, the second slave is switched to an off (open circuit) state while the third slave stays uninterrupted in an indefinite on (closed circuit) state. Having both simultaneously similar and opposite states of that to the master, the slave outlets offer a wide range of uses from power tools to home appliances including sharing of the same electrical power circuit.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) device includes a control circuit configured to apply a non-uniform output power pulse shape to increase illumination intensity in at least a part of the pulse without consuming additional power. Different intensity levels may be provided in series in the non-uniform output power pulse shape. The non-uniform output power pulse shape improves lighting while maintaining the same power consumption as a reference light pulse having a uniform shape.

Abstract: A power strip apparatus for powering a plurality of electric devices. The apparatus includes a main body having a plurality of outlets for receiving electric plugs. Each outlet provides power to an electric device attached by an electric plug of the electric device to the outlet. The apparatus also includes a power cable for powering the apparatus from an electric supply and a control board having a programming mechanism for independently controlling power to each outlet of the control board using a plurality of relays. Each relay is associated with a specific outlet to control power to the outlet and attached electric device.

Abstract: An electrical appliance having at least one electrical load, and a digital control system managing flows of electric current of supply of the at least one electrical load, wherein the digital control system of the electrical appliance transmits information to an external control device, wherein said information comprises first information regarding authorization or non-authorization for an interruption of the supply of electric voltage to the electrical appliance by the external control device, the digital control system of the electrical appliance generating the first information of its own operating state.

Abstract: A power strip having two or more powers strips daisy chained together where each of the two or more power strips include a sequence control module operable to sequentially activate and/or deactivate the outlets, thereby powering up or powering down each outlet separately across the two or more power strips. A pre-determined time delay, that can be set by a user, occurs between the activation and/or deactivation of the outlets. The sequence control module of each power strip is operatively coupled to the sequence control module of the subsequent next power strip so that one power strip can be used to trigger activation of the next power strip.

Abstract: There is provided a wearable or portable lighting device for playing out, together with a plurality of other wearable or portable lighting devices, a predetermined time-varying lighting pattern over a space occupied by said device and the other devices; said device comprising: at least one light source; memory for storing a representation of the time-varying lighting pattern; and at least one controller configured to determine a current location of said device, to receive a timing signal for determining a current stage of the time-varying lighting pattern in synchronization with the other devices, and based on said determination and said timing signal, with reference to the representation in memory, to select a portion of the time-varying lighting pattern corresponding to the current location and stage and to cause the at least one light source to play-out said portion.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution unit can include a power distribution unit enclosure, a power input associated with the power distribution unit enclosure, and a plurality of power outputs associated with the power distribution unit enclosure. At least certain power outputs can be connectable to one or more electrical loads external to the power distribution unit enclosure and to the power input. In some embodiments, an intelligent power section can communicate with at least one of the power outputs and can connect to a communications network external to the power distribution unit enclosure.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a plurality of storage compartments, a plurality of cooling units to cool the plurality of storage compartments, a temperature sensing unit to sense temperatures of the plurality of storage compartments, a drive unit to drive the plurality of cooling units, and a controller to control the drive unit to drive the cooling unit that satisfies a predetermined driving condition. If at least one cooling unit among the plurality of cooling units is being driven, the controller delays driving the other cooling unit even if the other cooling unit satisfies the driving condition. The refrigerator minimizes simultaneous driving a plurality of compressors, which may prevent generation of noise and vibration, as well as excessive power consumption, due to driving the plurality of compressors.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for controlling power delivered to a power-consuming device. The device can receive a control signal from a thermostat, where the control signal activates the device. The device can then determine when a control event is to occur. At such time, the device terminates power delivered to the power-consuming device and continues to withhold the power until the control event expires. When the control event has ended, the device allows power to flow to the power-consuming device. The device uses a timer and a communication component to send and receives signals associated with a control event to a user.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrical quantity adjusting apparatus connected to an electrical facility includes a memory unit that stores a target level which is a target electrical quantity, a presenting level deciding unit that decides a presenting level to an exterior, the presenting level being an electrical quantity relating to the electrical facility and corresponding to at least a part at the target level, a presenting level output unit that outputs the presenting level decided by the presenting level deciding unit to the exterior via a communication network, a presenting level receiving unit that receives a presenting level from the exterior via the communication network, and an adjusting unit that adjusts the electrical quantity relating to the electrical facility based on the target level, the presenting level decided by the presenting level deciding unit, and the presenting level received by the presenting level receiving unit.

Abstract: The electric apparatus using electric power of the present invention includes a communication unit for receiving power information including electric rate information or power demand information on each of time zones from an outside of the electric apparatus, a timer for determining a user unused time period in which a user does not use the electric apparatus during operation of the electric apparatus, and a control unit for shifting the electric apparatus to a power saving mode with reference to the power information received through the communication unit, and the user unused time period determined by the timer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for two-way communication with a downhole tool string are provided. In one example, a method may include placing a downhole tool string into a pressure riser of a well while at least one component of the downhole tool string is not activated. Thereafter, a wireless control signal may be issued through the pressure riser to the downhole tool to cause the downhole tool string to activate the component. The wireless control signal may involve an acoustic signal, an optical signal, and/or an electromagnetic signal such as electrical dipole coupling or magnetic dipole coupling.

Abstract: A domestic appliance (1) with a bus (2) is disclosed. A plurality of modules (3) are connected to the bus, each controlling an operational component (4). Initial programming of the modules may take place from a single connection point (61). The modules may be configured to control the domestic appliance jointly and non-hierarchically. Suitably, all modules are identical up to content of a data memory provided therein.

Abstract: An intelligent wall plug for use in a location. The location may be associated with a power outlet providing power and a network manager configured to communicate using a first communication protocol. The intelligent wall plug may comprise a plug removably connectable to the power outlet, a device outlet, an interface port configured to receive a second device operable to communicate using a second communication protocol and a processor coupled to the device outlet. The device outlet may be configured to receive a first device for receiving power from said power outlet in response to the first device having been plugged into said power outlet. The interface port may be configured to i) communicate with said network manager via said first communication protocol, ii) determine if a second device has been plugged into said interface port, and, iii) translate the first communication protocol into the second communication protocol.

Abstract: A subsea electrical subsystem and a power distribution utilizing the same. The electrical substation located subsea is electrically connected to AC power provided by a power generator located topside. The electrical substation comprises a plurality of circuit breakers and a circuit breaker operating system associated with each circuit breaker. The circuit breaker operating system is constructed and arranged to operate the associated circuit breaker and is operatively connected to at least one control module. The control modules are electrically connected to a DC power supply located topside.

Abstract: A system and method of synchronization protocol for fire alarm strobe systems which has the ability to synchronize the strobe light devices from different manufactures simultaneously.

Abstract: The placement of fully available prime movers having a DC output at a location inside or adjacent to an inverter-based intermittently available renewable energy site is disclosed. The fully available prime movers add reliability to an unreliable energy asset that is reaching its maximum penetration within the grid due to its unpredictability and the requirement for additional spinning reserves in other parts of the grid. The present invention can provide a portion or all of the power to an intermittently available renewable power generating facility so that the power output to the power grid is dispatchable power. In particular, a method and means are disclosed to utilize high-efficiency engines operated on various fuels some of which may be non-fossil fuels to maintain a constant power output from an otherwise intermittent power generating facility.

Abstract: A turbine farm comprises a plurality of individual turbines each having an auxiliary component circuit. The farm further comprises; a master transformer arranged to be coupled between each of the plurality of individual turbines and an electrical grid and an auxiliary transformer coupled between the sub-station transformer and the auxiliary component circuit in each of the individual turbines. When in use power is transmitted from the sub-station transformer back to each auxiliary component circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of power source redundancy in a power supply for a rack mounted computing device. The power supply includes a plurality of AC power converters configured to receive power from corresponding power sources. A first AC power converter provides DC power to a common DC bus of the power supply. A second AC power converter provides DC power to the common DC bus in response to a change in the voltage level provided by the first AC power converter.

Abstract: An electrical system includes at least one power port and at least one monitoring and control device that is coupled to the power port. The monitoring and control device includes a load control module configured to control an amount of electrical power transmitted to at least one electrical load. The load control module is further configured to receive a power control command from a power system and to transmit a power control acknowledgement to the power system.

Abstract: A system for managing distribution of electrical power includes a power management circuit, power control units, a first keyline and a second keyline. The power management circuit includes a device configured to measure power consumed by an electrical load, and a comparator comparing the measured power with a power limit. Each power control unit includes an outlet for delivering power to a load; a timing control circuit coupled to each outlet and configured to deliver an enabling signal to each outlet individually with a time delay; a signal input; and a signal output. The first keyline connects the power management circuit with the signal input of one power control unit; the second keyline connects the signal output of that power control unit with the signal input of another power control unit. Each power control unit is configured to propagate a signal to another power control signal via the second keyline.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of outlet systems receivable in respective electrical boxes in a building and connected via electrical wires to an electric power supply. The plurality of outlet systems include at least one electrical receptacle connectable to an electrical appliance, a computing unit operable to monitor the electrical appliance, a switch for interrupting electrical power to the electrical appliance in response to the computing unit. The at least one electrical receptacle, the computing unit, and the switch are configured to be receivable within and connectable to the electrical box and covered by a cover plate having at least one opening for accessing the at least one electrical receptacle. A network device is operable for communicating with the plurality of outlet systems and for communicating with a global communications network.

Abstract: A method and system for managing electrical loads on a standby generator. The method includes utilizing a transfer switch control to selectively shed loads each associated with one of a series of priority circuits. Priority values are initially assigned to each of the electric loads based upon the initial hard-wired connection of the electric loads to a main breaker panel during set up. The control unit of a transfer switch allows the user to reassign priority values to each of the electric loads based upon a user preference. The control unit includes one or more predefined priority assignment programs that can be selected to modify the priority values assigned to the electric loads.

Abstract: A Low Voltage, “LV”, network automation system is provided which enables utilities to remotely identify location of LV faults on their networks, isolate these faults and re-energising the healthy LV circuit by remote control. The hardware for this system is designed to be retrofitted into existing LV switchgears and panels which enables the network changeover to be done cost effectively and with minimum interruption to the network. The system also enables utilities to monitor load flows on the LV networks and identify circuits which are overloaded and gives control room operator options for redistribution of network load where possible.

Abstract: A ballast control unit for controlling at least one light output of at least one dimmable ballast is disclosed, in which the dimmable ballast powers one or more light sources via the light output(s). The ballast control unit includes a wireless interface provisioned to receive messages from a mesh network, and to retransmit the received messages not destined for the ballast control unit. The ballast control unit further includes a control module provisioned to control the dimmable ballast(s) and the light output(s) according to commands in the received messages destined for the ballast control unit, where the commands correspond to the dimmable ballast(s) and/or the light output(s).

Abstract: A method and system for managing loads powered by a standby generator. The method includes utilizing a transfer switch control unit to selectively shed loads each associated with one of a series of priority circuits. The loads are shed in a sequential order based upon the priority circuit to which the load is applied. Once a required load has been shed, the control unit determines whether any of the lower priority loads can be reconnected to the generator without exceeding the rating of the generator while one of the higher priority circuits remains open.

Abstract: A method and system for managing electrical loads on a standby generator. The method includes utilizing a transfer switch control to selectively shed loads each associated with one of a series of priority circuits. Priority values are initially assigned to each of the electric loads based upon the initial hard-wired connection of the electric loads to a main breaker panel during set up. The control unit of a transfer switch allows the user to reassign priority values to each of the electric loads based upon a user preference. The control unit includes one or more predefined priority assignment programs that can be selected to modify the priority values assigned to the electric loads.

Abstract: A refrigerator module connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source. The feature module connection system includes a utility source that has a connection capable of removably engaging the feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device, such as a reed switch, a DIP switch, or a comparator circuit, that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the utility source. One or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source.

Abstract: A self-programmable control system for an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may comprise a ceiling fan and associated light fixtures, wherein the ceiling fan is manufactured to be coupled with an AC power source, and includes a motor with associated connection wires for rotating fan blades. Such ceiling fan system may further include at least one lower light fixture, and one upper light fixture, with associated connection wires for adjusting light intensity. The control system may utilize a plurality of wireless or hard-wired controllers, wherein each controller contains a transmitter configured to encode and transmit a control signal from the controller to a receiver. The control system further includes a receiver adapted to receive the encoded control signals, decode the instruction, and provide the decoded instruction to a component of the electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method of synchronization protocol for fire alarm strobe systems which has the ability to synchronize the strobe light devices from different manufactures simultaneously.

Abstract: An approach is provided where a smart socket receives a request over a power line and generates a request based on the received request. The second request is transmitted over a power cord connecting the smart power socket to a device. A response is received from the device and a power setting is identified therefrom. The smart socket regulates electrical current flowing from the smart power socket to the device using the identified setting. In a related approach, the device receives a power down request over a power cord from a smart power socket. The device determines whether power is still needed at the device in order to perform one or more device operations. The device then returns a response to the smart power socket, with the response indicating whether power is still needed at the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an energy management system (EMS) and a method using the same, wherein the EMS comprises, a communication module receiving a channel information of a high voltage direct current (HVDC) system via a network; a circuit realization unit obtaining a connection information among constituent elements symbolizing the constituent elements among each node in electrical symbols by sequentially following pre-set nodes of the HVDC system, and forming the HVDC system by connecting the symbolized constituent elements using electrical lines by using the channel information of HVDC system received by the communication module; a system analyzing unit analyzing an operation mode of the HVDC system through the connection information among the constituent elements of the HVDC system obtained by the circuit realization unit; and a controller managing and controlling the HVDC system by giving an energy management command in response to the operation mode analyzed by the system analyzing unit.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely controlling power to an electrically powered device in a simple and efficient manner is disclosed herein. The system preferably comprises an apparatus, an electrically-powered device and a controller. The apparatus preferably comprises a cord, an alternating current outlet socket, an alternating current input plug, a latching relay, a processor and a transceiver. The system preferably uses a WiFi communication signal to transmit commands from the remote controller to the apparatus.

Abstract: An electric receptacle module is disclosed. The receptacle module includes a remote control device and a power outlet device. The remote control device has a signal transmission unit and an adjusting key. The signal transmission unit launches a timing signal when the adjusting key is pressed, and the adjusting key comprises a plus key and a minus key. The power outlet device has a signal receiving unit, a counting unit, a full-time power output interface and a timed power output interface. The power outlet device is configured to receive a power, the counting unit starts to count a predetermined time when the signal receiving unit receives the timing signal, the full-time power output interface supplies the power at all times, the timed power output interface supplies the power during the predetermined time.

Abstract: An electrical system includes at least one power port and at least one monitoring and control device that is coupled to the power port. The monitoring and control device includes a load control module configured to control an amount of electrical power transmitted to at least one electrical load. The load control module is further configured to receive a power control command from a power system and to transmit a power control acknowledgement to the power system.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus described enable automatic configuration, or commissioning, of controller devices and load control devices through a low voltage communication network controlled by one or more controller devices. These methods and apparatus further enable expansion of the load control system by connection of additional loads and or load control devices and or controller devices which will reinitialize the low voltage communication network and automatically reconfigure the controller devices and load control devices connected to the network.

Abstract: The switching device comprises an electronic switch (111) embedded within a downhole tool (100) and an activator (20) for remote switching of the electronic switch (111). The activator (20) may be a handheld unit that is used at the surface of the wellbore by an operator or may be a wireline run unit. The activator (20) permits wireless and contactless activation of the electronic switch (111) without the need for mechanical switches which could provide a point of failure for the downhole tool (100). The electronic switch (111) comprises an electronics module and a power source such as one or more batteries (126) wherein in the active configuration, the switch (111) can allow electrical connection between the electronics module and the power source (126) and in the inactive configuration, the switch (111) prevents electrical connection between the electronics module and the power source (126).

Abstract: A power strip device includes a power plug, a master power outlet, multiple slave power outlets and a control circuit. The control circuit includes an inductor, a reed switch and a switching circuit. Under the control of the control circuit, the power strip device allows the slave power outlets to be automatically turned on or off simultaneous with the master power outlet being turned on or off.

Abstract: The invention regards a system and method for using a handheld programming device to configure a lighting control system wirelessly. In one embodiment, at least one device configured with a processing section is installed in the lighting control system. A communications receiver that is operable to receive a signal from the handheld programming device is also installed in the lighting control system, wherein the signal includes an instruction for configuring the lighting control system. Further, the signal is wirelessly sent from the handheld programming device to the communications receiver, and the instruction is transmitted from the communications receiver to a device in the system. The instruction functions to configure the lighting control system.

Abstract: An outlet apparatus with power classification management which receives a control signal from a far end remote controller, and comprises at least one socket, a communication module, and a microprocessor. Wherein the sockets may be classified into a plurality of socket groups, which include at least one uncontrollable socket group and at least one controllable socket group. The communication module receives the control signal, and the microprocessor is coupled with the communication module and the socket groups for respectively controlling the controllable socket groups with respect to providing power or not according to the control signal.

Abstract: A system and method that minimizes network traffic consumption in a power flow management system is described. A minimization system may include a network to communicate device information and power flow information between the power flow management system and the devices. The power flow management system reduces consumption of the traffic traversing the network via a network traffic consumption reduction technique. In addition, this application discloses a system and method for communications protocol translation in a power flow management system that includes networks which connect electric devices and electric power supplies. One network utilizes a communications protocol that is different from the communications protocol utilized by another network. A communications protocol translation device communicates with the networks, and formulates messages from one communications protocol to the other communications protocol. The reformulated messages pass from one network to another network.