Abstract: A method in a power inverter system (100) is disclosed, wherein the power inverter system comprises a central unit (130) and a plurality of switching units (110) operable in an inverter mode in which they are individually switched so as to produce a combined output voltage waveform and AC (VOUT) transmitted in a common line (120), and operable in a communication mode in which the switching units are switched so as to produce a communication signal, the communication signal being transmitted in the common line to the central unit. The method comprises operating at least some of the switching units in the inverter mode such that they are switched in response to switching commands of a command signal produced by the central unit, and between two consecutive switching commands of the command signal, operating at least one of the switching units in the communication mode.

Abstract: A bicycle electrical system is provided with a first electric component, a second electric component, and a third electric component. The first electric component includes a first electric power line communication section. The second electric component includes a second electric power line communication section. The third electric component includes a third electric power line communication section. The first and second electric power line communication sections are connected with a first electric power line such that the first and second electric power line communication sections conduct communications via the first electric power line. The second and third electric power line communication sections are connected with a second electric power line such that the second and third electric power line communication sections conduct communications via the second electric power line.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a power system coupled to a power bus, and a power line communication (PLC) gateway coupled in series with the power bus. In other embodiments, a system includes first and second power circuits coupled in series with a power bus, and first and second power-line communication circuits coupled in series with the power bus. In additional embodiments, a system includes a power converter coupled to a power bus and having one or more switching frequencies, and a power-line communication circuit coupled to the power bus and having one or more communication frequencies, where at least one of the switching frequencies is substantially greater than at least one of the communication frequencies.

Abstract: System and method for enabling communications via a power line conveying DC power from multiple DC power sources such as solar panels. Power and communications are provided using a single combined power and communications line. Data communication signals received over the power line are detected and compared against power line voltage for processing received data and generating data for transmission. Remote units are self-powered using power harvesting of the data communication signals.

Abstract: A dc power source for a high voltage power apparatus, the dc power source including one or more strings including a plurality of dc power source units connected in series, and switches configured to connect and disconnect said strings. The switches are solid-state switches distributed among the power source units of each string, and all solid-state switches in the string are arranged so that they are turned on and off simultaneously. Each switch is connected in parallel with a first controllable semiconductor in a first direction and connected in parallel with a second controllable semiconductor in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction, and the dc power source includes a control unit configured to bypass a failed switch by triggering the forward biased of the first or second controllable semiconductor connected to the failed switch in case a fault in the switch is detected.

Abstract: A power line communication device achieving suppression of electric power consumption is provided. Processing performed by a CPU of a PLC adapter includes the steps of sensing that a time to cut off electric power supply has come (S610), generating a message notifying that electric power supply will be cut off (S620), transmitting the message to equipment connected to the PLC adapter (S630), and emitting a command to cut off electric power supply to an RJ45 connector to a power feed circuit (S680) when a confirmation signal with regard to cut-off of electric power supply is received from the equipment (YES in step S640) and when cut-off OK is indicated (YES in step S650).

Abstract: Process variation-tolerant diodes and diode-connected thin film transistors (TFTs), printed or patterned structures (e.g., circuitry) containing such diodes and TFTs, methods of making the same, and applications of the same for identification tags and sensors are disclosed. A patterned structure comprising a complementary pair of diodes or diode-connected TFTs in series can stabilize the threshold voltage (Vt) of a diode manufactured using printing or laser writing techniques. The present invention advantageously utilizes the separation between the Vt of an NMOS TFT (Vtn) and the Vt of a PMOS TFT (Vtp) to establish and/or improve stability of a forward voltage drop across a printed or laser-written diode. Further applications of the present invention relate to reference voltage generators, voltage clamp circuits, methods of controlling voltages on related or differential signal transmission lines, and RFID and EAS tags and sensors.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for regulating or limiting the voltage output from solar modules connected in series such that the voltage on a string bus connecting those solar modules does not exceed regulatory or safety limitations. This can be accomplished via a controller, local management units (for downconverting solar module voltage output), or a combination of the two.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for regulating or limiting the voltage output from solar modules connected in series such that the voltage on a string bus connecting those solar modules does not exceed regulatory or safety limitations. This can be accomplished via a controller, local management units (for downconverting solar module voltage output), or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A power circuit is provided which has a small peak value of a current from a power source even in the case of a load in which a load current repeats periodically and alternately a burst flow in a burst period and a non-burst flow in a non-burst period.

Abstract: An inverter-type electronic fluorescent lamp ballast powers a fluorescent lamp with a sinusoidal current that is modified by insertion of a measured amount of properly phased third harmonic current, thereby attaining a lamp current crest factor that is substantially better than the 1.4 crest factor associated with a purely sinusoidally-shaped current.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a high voltage comprising a high voltage output means operating on a system common voltage, and a floating power supply means operating on the output voltage from the high voltage output means which is at a floating common potential.

Abstract: A grounding system for grounding the neutral conductor of an electrical distribution system. A point of reference potential with respect to true earth ground potential is provided. An amplifier has a first input connected to the reference potential and a second input connected to the grounded neutral conductor. The amplifier provides an output signal indicative of the difference between the undesired stray voltage on the grounded neutral conductor and the reference potential. The amplifier develops the output signal across the secondary winding of an output transformer. One terminal of the output transformer is connected to the grounded neutral conductor of the distribution system. The other output terminal of the transformer is connected to true earth ground by way of an auxiliary ground path having a finite resistance.

Abstract: The current from an external AC power source is rectified to charge a DC battery and conduct current therethrough in series with a load during one-half of each power cycle of the external source. During the other half of each cycle, current is conducted through the load by discharge of the battery through a transistor that is switched to its conductive state by a phase control transformer connected to the power source.