Plural Substitute Sources Patents (Class 307/65)
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Patent number: 8643216Abstract: An electrical storage element control system for a vehicle. The control system includes electrical storage elements electrically coupled to each other in parallel, switch devices, and a controller. Each of the electrical storage elements defines a total storage capacity and having a state of charge cooperatively defining a total stored charge, and is adapted to be in electrical communication with an electrical load and a power source. The switch devices are electrically coupled to the electrical storage elements such that each switch device is associated with a corresponding electrical storage element and is operable between connected and disconnected states.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Thermo King CorporationInventor: Robert M. Lattin
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Patent number: 8587929Abstract: High density uninterruptible power supplies are provided including an enclosure and at least one uninterruptible power supply positioned in the enclosure. A battery associated with the at least one uninterruptible power supply is positioned in the enclosure. The at least one uninterruptible power supply and the associated battery are configured to provide at least thirty seconds of backup power to a load connected thereto. Related systems and power distribution units are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Robert William Johnson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130293017Abstract: A set of two or more modular-critical-power-distribution skids are arranged in a redundant power center configuration to supply power to electrical loads in a modular data center facility. The skids are housed in hardened buildings. The uninterruptable power supply is electrically and mechanically connected into the multiple power distribution cabinets, all of which are mounted onto a steel framed support structure, which supports a weight of those uninterruptable power supplies and power distribution cabinets. The environmental control system controls a cooling system for the modular-critical-power-distribution skids. Electrical power from the A-side and B-side connects in a redundant power configuration to electrical loads in the cooling system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Modular Power Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Matthew John Englert, Simon D. Harkins, Christopher J. Crosby, JR., Steven Emert
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Publication number: 20130285454Abstract: A solar power system includes a solar panel for converting solar power into direct current power. The solar power system further includes an electric power detecting device, an elevator mechanism, an electric current control unit and a fixing mechanism. The elevator mechanism mechanically pulls a weight under a direct current motor and drives the direct current motor to rotate to generate electric power when the weigh falls. The electric current control unit outputs the direct current power to the direct current motor when the direct current power is equal to a predetermined value and stops outputting the direct current power when the weight is pulled to a predetermined. The fixing mechanism keeps the weight staying at the predetermined height and enables the weight to fall so that the elevator mechanism driving the direct current motor to rotate to generate electric power.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: HUA-ZHENG ZHANG, YONG-HUI HU, KAI-KUEI WU, KUN-CHIH HSIEH, KUAN-HONG HSIEH
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Patent number: 8569998Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery unit including rechargeable batteries, a sensing board, the sensing board configured to process status information detected from the batteries, and a harness wire, the harness wire connecting the batteries and the sensing board so that the status information can be transmitted to the sensing board.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kyung-Sub Shim
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Publication number: 20130278216Abstract: A power supply including: a power supply circuit for receiving an external power and a battery power, and for outputting a power including at least one of the external power or the battery power to a load; and a battery pack coupled to the power supply circuit, the battery pack including a plurality of batteries, which are arranged into a plurality of battery groups including a first battery group and a second battery group, and configured to provide the battery power. Where, the battery pack is configured to selectively supply a power of the first battery group or a power of the second battery group as the battery power to the power supply circuit according to at least one of a status of the external power, a status of the load, a status of the first battery group, or a status of the second battery group.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Seung-Hyun Son, Chan-Jae Lee, Gon-Jin Chung, Bo-Ra Choi, Sin-Young Park
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Publication number: 20130270911Abstract: Residential system includes photovoltaic power system including solar battery, and electrical storage device including battery. Electric load of residential system is selectively supplied with energy from power supply system, power generator and electrical storage device. Power generator allows energy to flow back to power supply system. Energy surplus judgment part calculates difference between generating energy of power generator and demand power for electric load (excess generating energy). Overall operation controller applies stored energy in electrical storage device to demand energy for electric load when excess generating energy is produced, and charges electrical storage device without applying generating energy of power generator to demand energy when excess generating energy is not produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2011Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Akira Baba, Kiyotaka Takehara, Takeshi Ogawa
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Publication number: 20130264878Abstract: A controller is employed in conjunction with an electrical power distribution system (EPDS). The controller includes at least a first input for receiving DC power from a DC power bus and a power supply circuit connected to the first input to provide operational power to the controller. The controller further includes a power interrupt bridge circuit that monitors the voltage provided of the first input. In response to the monitored voltage being less than a threshold value, the power interrupt bridge circuit supplies power to the power supply circuit from a DC emergency source for a defined time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Paul Swearingen, Robert L. Seagren, Joshua Berg
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Patent number: 8552584Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a UPS includes an input configured to be coupled to an AC power source, a DC power source, an output configured to receive power from at least one of the AC power source and the DC power source, a first switched receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a first electrical load and a second receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a second electrical load. According to some embodiments, the UPS also includes a control unit configurable to provide a first configuration associated with the first switched receptacle outlet, where the first configuration is employed by the control unit to control a connection of the first switched receptacle outlet to the output independent of the second receptacle outlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Schneider Electric IT CorporationInventors: Daniel C. Cohen, David A. Colucci, Mark R. Melanson, James S. Spitaels
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Publication number: 20130257159Abstract: A method and a system provide fast switching between multiple backup power supplies. The method includes building, on the basis of the changing characteristics of the amplitude difference and phase angle difference of a bus voltage, an acceleration model for the changing speed thereof. An optimum backup power supply is selected from the multiple backup power supplies by way of forecasting the changed value thereof. A load on the bus is switched to the optimum backup power supply. The system contains a detecting module, a calculating module, a comparison module, a backup power supply determining module, and a switching module. The method and system are able to ensure the reliable and optimized fast switching of the load on a bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2011Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Long Tian Wang, Shu Yao Zhao
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Patent number: 8547107Abstract: A startup self-diagnostic apparatus for an electrical storage system including an electrical storage device, a charge and discharge switch device disposed to be connected to the electrical storage device, an electrical storage device breaker disposed between the electrical storage device and the charge and discharge switch device, and a load side breaker disposed between the charge and discharge switch device and an external load comprises a state monitoring unit for the electrical storage device breaker, a state monitoring unit for the load side breaker, a converter diagnosing unit, a switching device diagnosing unit, and an electrical storage device monitoring unit, for diagnosing peripheral diagnostic items which may be diagnosed without using the electrical storage device.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayoshi Abe, Takeshi Nakashima, Hayato Ikebe, Hiroki Nakatsu
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Patent number: 8534400Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a traction battery, an auxiliary battery, and a controller. The controller is configured to prevent the traction battery from charging the auxiliary battery while the auxiliary battery has more than a minimum energy. The controller is further configured to, upon the auxiliary battery having the minimum energy, enable the traction battery to charge the auxiliary battery such that the auxiliary battery is maintained at the minimum energy.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Stanek, Christopher Adam Ochocinski
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Publication number: 20130234520Abstract: A modular energy harvesting portal including a housing with a bay, a plurality of inverters, a controller, and an AC bus. A first inverter has a first DC input, a first AC output, and a first power rating. The first inverter converts DC power to AC power and outputs the AC power to an AC bus. A second inverter has a second DC input, a second AC output, and a second power rating. The second inverter converts DC power to AC power and outputs the AC power to the AC bus. The inverters are positioned in the bay. The controller selectively controls a switch to couple the AC bus to an AC grid. The modular energy harvesting portal system has a power rating dependent on the number of inverters and the power rating of each of the inverters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Nicole Dierksheide, Mark E. Siira, Timothy W. White, Thomas M. Austin, Mark L. Panzer, Michael J. Schmitt, Ryan J. Thompson
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Publication number: 20130221750Abstract: Several methods and a system to implement an efficient power supply management are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus of a voltage supply includes a power supply providing a voltage. The apparatus includes an active supply module communicating with a supply voltage to a voltage bus through an ORing element. The apparatus also includes a redundant supply module providing an additional voltage to the voltage bus if the active supply module fails, through an additional ORing element. The redundant supply module may be coupled with the power supply in parallel with the active supply module. Further, the apparatus includes an automatic changeover module detecting a failure of the active supply module disabling the active supply module and enabling the redundant supply module to supply the additional voltage supply to the voltage bus. Further, the apparatus also includes a voltage bus coupled with a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: LSI CorporationInventor: Radhakrishna TOGARE
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Patent number: 8513833Abstract: A first electrical path has a terminal, and a second electrical path has a terminal. First photovoltaic (PV) dies are electrically connected within the first electrical path. Each first PV die is adapted to convert light having a first wavelength range to electrical energy. Second PV dies are electrically connected within the second electrical path. Each second PV die is adapted to convert light having a second wavelength range different than the first wavelength range to electrical energy. A circuit is electrically connected between the terminals of the first and the second electrical paths to limit an absolute voltage difference between the terminals to no greater than a threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Andrew L. Van Brocklin, Stephan R. Clark
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Publication number: 20130207473Abstract: Method, apparatus and system for converting or redirecting use of any inverter or uninterruptable power supply (UPS) with the help of the proposed Solar Management Unit (SMU) into a standalone or off-grid solar system of equivalent capacity solar power. The SMU simplifies the system design to utilize existing investment in an inverter and other equipment and reduces solar system installation time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventor: Babu Jain
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Publication number: 20130193763Abstract: An intrinsically safe supply for supplying back-up power during a power-out event incorporates one or more rechargeable fuel cells. The power supply is provided with switching circuitry operable to provide an output back-up current from the fuel cells upon a power-out event. The fuel cells are housed within a sealed metal housing immersed within an electricity insulating potting material chosen to arrest spark formation and/or electrically insulate any created sparks. The fuel cells comprise sealed lithium iron based fuel cells for supplying back-up electrical current. A charging circuit electrically connects the fuel cells with an external power source for providing a charging current during normal power-on conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2010Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: Conspec Controls LimitedInventors: Jian Zhao, Clive Brooks
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Publication number: 20130187468Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”) units for systems requiring back up power. The UPS units include driving circuitry for controlling charging and allowing discharging of a battery. The driving circuitry includes a controller as well as a pair of switches. The MOSFETs includes a charging and a discharging MOSFET in series with the battery operating as a bidirectional switch. When the UPS unit is connected to an AC power supply, the controller regulates the current through the charging MOSFET switch based on feedback from a feedback device in order to charge the battery. If AC power is lost, the controller goes into saturation, switching the discharging MOSFET to a on condition and allowing the battery to discharge. The transitions from AC to battery power and vice versa are automatically achieved via the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Sangsun Kim, Cornelius Benedict O'Sullivan, Shane R. Nay
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Publication number: 20130181528Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for redundant control of parallel inverter installations. In one example, a parallel uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system may include several inverter feed paths and several UPS controllers. The inverter feed paths may supply double-conversion power to a load. The UPS controllers may be communicatively coupled to one another via at least two redundant data busses. The UPS controllers may operate in conjunction with one another to control the plurality of feed paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Silvio Colombi, Lorenzo Giuntini, Andrea Delmue, Ivan Saporiti
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Publication number: 20130169050Abstract: A power supply system of a wireless communication device includes a switch, a charging integrated circuit, a solar charging module, a rechargeable battery, and a microprocessor. The switch is electrically connected to the charging integrated circuit when the voltage provided by the solar charging module is higher than or equal to a predetermined value, and at the same time, the solar charging module provides a voltage for the wireless communication device through the charging integrated circuit. The microprocessor is operable to determine whether the voltage provided by the external power source or the PoE is higher than the voltage provided by the rechargeable battery for use in deciding which one of the external power source, the PoE, and the rechargeable battery provides a voltage for the wireless communication device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: PEGATRON CORPORATIONInventor: PEGATRON CORPORATION
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Publication number: 20130154376Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes a rectifier, a converter, a first auxiliary power source, and a power distribution unit (PDU). The rectifier receives an alternating current (AC) voltage from an AC power source and converts this to a rectified direct current (DC) voltage which is outputted to the converter. The converter converts the rectified DC voltage to a working voltage and outputs the working voltage to a power supply unit (PSU) through the PDU. The first auxiliary power source outputs a DC voltage to the PSU through the PDU when the AC power source is down.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: HSIAO-PING HSUEH, YU-CHI TSAI
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Publication number: 20130154377Abstract: An uninterruptible power system includes a plurality of uninterruptible power units connected in parallel to input power. One uninterruptible power unit includes a rechargeable battery, a charging circuit that supplies a charging current to the rechargeable battery, and an output circuit that outputs power supplied from the rechargeable battery as output power. The uninterruptible power system includes a path switching unit in which switching of a path for power received among the charging circuit, the rechargeable battery and the output circuit in the plurality of uninterruptible power units is performed, and a control unit that controls the path switching unit so that switching of the path is performed according to states of the uninterruptible power units.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: NEC CORPORATIONInventor: NEC Corporation
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Patent number: 8456036Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”) includes an input module having a plurality of inputs, and at least one jumper element configured to selectively couple at least one input of the plurality of inputs to at least one other input of the plurality of inputs. The plurality of inputs and the at least one jumper element may be constructed and arranged to selectively achieve the following configurations: single power feed, single phase input and single phase output; dual power feed, single phase input and single phase output; single power feed, three phase input and single phase output; dual power feed, three phase input and single phase output; single power feed, three phase input and three phase output; and dual power feed, three phase input and three phase output. Other embodiments and methods of selectively achieving multiple power configurations are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Schneider Electric IT CorporationInventors: Edward Kotlyar, Mirza A. Beg, Marcel B. Grenier, Venkatraman Chennakesavan
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Patent number: 8456806Abstract: An electrical panelboard enclosure includes an enclosure housing with an interior equipment chamber accessible by way of a service entrance door. A service panel is adapted for connection to a main power source in order to receive main power therefrom. A power supply is operatively connected to receive main power from the service panel and deliver it to a load. The power supply is also adapted for connection to a backup power source in order to receive backup power therefrom and deliver it to the load in the event of a main power cutoff. A load disconnector is operatively connected between the power supply and the load. The load disconnector is manually operable to disconnect the load from the power supply to prevent the power supply from delivering either main or backup power to the load.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Diversified Control, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Cosley, Aron J. King, David H. Halik
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Patent number: 8446039Abstract: A method of installing a power distribution system in a facility includes acts of: obtaining a power distribution unit including at least one rack mounted power distribution unit, the power distribution unit including an electrical connection having an electrical bus configured to directly connect to a riser of a power busway; installing the power busway from a terminus located at the output of the UPS to the electrical connection at the power distribution unit; and directly connecting the power busway to the output of the UPS with a busbar-to-busbar connection between the output of the UPS and the terminus of the busway.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Schneider Electric IT CorporationInventor: William Ziegler
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Patent number: 8446041Abstract: A method of controlling a power system provides at least two alternative sources of power delivering power to a power bus. Switches are provided between each of the at least two sources of power and the power bus. The bus is powered by a first of the at least two sources of power. A characteristic of the power supplied by the sources of power is monitored. Switching from the first source of power to a second source of power occurs by opening a switch associated with the first source of power, and closing the switch associated with the second source of power. The timing for performing the switching is selected such that one or more characteristics of the power supplied by the first and second sources of power are close to each other to minimize the apparent break in the power. A power system incorporate controls for effecting the method.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Josef Maier
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Publication number: 20130093245Abstract: A method of maintaining a power supply voltage during a brownout is disclosed. The method includes the step of storing a charge in a charge reservoir (608) and storing a charge on a power supply capacitor (832). A charge from the charge reservoir is applied to the power supply capacitor in response to a power supply fail signal (BROWNOUT).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Sudhir K. Madan
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Patent number: 8422256Abstract: A control system for parallel connected inverter legs energized by a power source and configured for servicing a load is disclosed. The invention facilitates the number of running inverter legs to adaptively react to changes in the load by dynamically switching various inverter legs “on” or “off” in response to variations in load demand, while continuing magnetization of an output transformer connected with an “off” inverter leg via a back-feed from another output transformer of an “on” inverter leg, greatly improving the dynamic response to load changes. This design enables a fast reaction to load changes with “off” inverter legs transitioning to on-line operation instantaneously.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lorenzo Giuntini, Silvio Colombi
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Patent number: 8421270Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for a microgrid module. The microgrid module can receive power from either AC or DC sources and output either AC or DC power as needed. The microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a control software module installed on a microgrid computer. The control software module receives information from sensors installed in the microgrid module and sends commands to controllable elements installed in the microgrid module for the purpose of controlling the power through the microgrid in a manner consistent with power requirements of various loads and the power available from multiple and diverse sources and internal and/or external energy storage devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Science Applications International CorporationInventors: Landon Cabell Garland Miller, David Michael Barrett
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Patent number: 8410634Abstract: A grid-connected power storage system for coupling a power generation system to a grid, including: a main battery for discharging stored power to the load system; at least one additional battery coupled to the main battery for discharging stored power to the load system; a bidirectional converter coupled to the main and additional batteries, and including a plurality of switches for performing a conversion between a DC link voltage, between the power generation system and the grid, and a battery voltage, a first switch of the plurality of switches corresponding to the main battery and a second switch of the plurality of switches corresponding to the additional battery, wherein the first and second switches are connected to each other in parallel; and an integrated controller for selectively controlling operations of the first switch and the second switch based on an amount of power used by the load system.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jong-Ho Park
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Publication number: 20130069433Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for managing battery circuits in systems such as wireless communications service base stations are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a battery circuit having multiple strings of one or more serially connected batteries. The apparatus may be configured to rotate between battery strings such that one or more strings are maintained at or near an upper threshold while other string(s) are disconnected from the maintained string(s). The apparatus may also be configured to charge the battery circuit, to test the battery circuit, and to handle power failures.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventor: Steve Fischer
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Patent number: 8400014Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving power efficiency in battery-charging DC power control systems when a power source input voltage is fluctuating. Power is received from the power sources in the form of AC or DC electrical energy and is controlled and regulated by the DC power control systems into DC voltages for charging batteries and/or for driving output loads. Input voltage from the power sources may fluctuate and may drop below a voltage level required to charge the batteries, resulting in a loss in power conversion efficiency. Embodiments of the present disclosure detect low input voltage, boost the low input voltage to a sufficient voltage level for charging the batteries, and manage the distribution of the battery power and input power to the loads to increase power efficiency while meeting load power demands.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: American Reliance, Inc.Inventors: Fu Yu Li, Kalvin Chen
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Patent number: 8395518Abstract: A mobile terminal, a control method, a program and a recording medium which can advise the user about a charge or a change to a charged battery is provided. There are provided: a control means for erasing a screen of a display device automatically and showing a reason of the erasing and/or a coping process to a user; and a detection means for detecting a battery exchange or attachment/detachment of an external power supply.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Hiroyuki Toba
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Publication number: 20130049472Abstract: An energy storage device for a power compensator including a battery stack including a plurality of battery units connected in series, each of the battery units including one or more parallel-connected battery modules including a plurality of battery cells, where each battery unit further includes a bypass switch connected in parallel with the battery modules and the energy storage device comprises a control unit which is operatively connected to the bypass switches and adapted to receive information on a failure in any of the battery modules and to close the bypass switch in order to bypass the battery unit in case of a failure in any of the battery modules of the battery unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Fredrik Tinglow, Falah Hosini, Tomas Larsson
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Publication number: 20130049471Abstract: The Electric Power Converter has the qualifications for an uninterruptable power supply, battery management, energy conversion, micro-grid formation, Power Factor Correction including Total Harmonic Distortion correction in real time. Uninterruptable power supply's use is for always-on, real-time, all-time, reduced distortion with functions of load reduction and management during peak load events. The Electric Power Converter as well has the ability to provide maintenance for most types of batteries including charging and discharge regiments to increase the overall lifetime of a battery, the maintenance, incorporating restorative functions that can refurbish dead batteries or can further increase the overall efficiency and useful function of weaker/aged/defective batteries. Energy conversion capabilities allow for the conversion of AC or DC to AC or DC with high efficiency and ability to actively vary the frequency in accordance to the required parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Vladislav Oleynik, Gennady Albul
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Patent number: 8384340Abstract: An electrical appliance (20) that accepts multiple different self-contained power sources (24, 33). As an example, an electrical appliance may receive a rechargeable battery pack (24) or a power cartridge (33) that is designed to receive disposable batteries (40). If the user does not have sufficient power left in a battery pack (24), the power cartridge (33) may be filled with disposable dry cell batteries (40), and may be inserted in the electrical appliance (20) to provide power. Another self contained power cartridge (44) may include a fuel cell. The fuel cell power cartridge (44) may include removable fuel cell cartridges (48), for example, each having a fuel therein, such as hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.Inventor: Kevin J. Tarter
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Patent number: 8384244Abstract: A rack power unit is configured to be inserted into a device rack of a data center. The rack power unit includes one or more power supplies and one or more battery packs. The one or more power supplies are each configured to receive power (e.g., AC power) when the apparatus is in the device rack, and convert the received power to a DC power. The one or more power supplies are further configured to output the DC power to a DC power bus of the device rack. The one or more battery packs are each configured to provide, in response to an interruption in the received power, DC power to the DC power bus of the device rack.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Darren A. Shakib, Sompong Paul Olarig, Frank J. Wirtz
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Publication number: 20130043729Abstract: An uninterruptible power-supply apparatus has a storage battery including a first electrode and a second electrode, an output cable configured to output a discharge current of the storage battery to an external power line to be a backup target, and a first connection portion configured to externally take out a voltage of the first electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: Fujitsu Limited
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Patent number: 8378521Abstract: Different types of energy storage systems are described, in particular hydro-pneumatic storage systems. In one, energy is stored by compressing gas in a chamber (44,45,54,55) with a liquid piston and released by gas expansion. A spray head or grid at the top of the chamber (44,45,54,55) supplies liquid as a shower through the gas being compressed or expanding in the cylinder (11,12) to maintain an isothermal condition. In another, energy is stored from an array of solar cells connected to an array of supercapacitors forming an auxiliary storage, and a main energy storage device such as a hydro-pneumatic storage system, for supply to an AC or DC network. The efficiency is improved by connecting the solar cells via the array of supercapacitors to the AC or DC network.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanna (EPFL)Inventors: Alfred Rufer, Daniel Favrat, Philippe Barrade, Sylvain Lemofouet
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Publication number: 20130026822Abstract: Disclosed herein is an energy storage system and related method. According to one embodiment, such a system comprises a power management system and a plurality of energy banks coupled to the power management system, wherein each of the plurality of energy banks is capable of being independently discharged through the power management system. The power management system is configured to select at least one of the plurality of energy banks to transfer energy between the energy storage system and a machine powered using the energy storage system. According to one embodiment, the method comprises determining an energy transfer requirement of the machine powered by the energy storage system, selecting at least one of the plurality of energy banks for responding to the energy transfer requirement, and transferring energy between the selected energy bank(s) and the machine according to the energy transfer requirement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER CORPORATIONInventors: Emil Yuming Chao, Charles Chang, Oleg Khaykin
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Publication number: 20130020873Abstract: Uninterruptible power supplies, solar power kits for uninterruptible power supplies and related methods are described. According to one aspect, an uninterruptible power supply includes a power bus, mains circuitry configured to rectify electrical energy received from a mains supply system into rectified electrical energy and to provide the rectified electrical energy to a power bus of the uninterruptible power supply, photovoltaic circuitry configured to convert solar energy into converted electrical energy and to provide the converted electrical energy to the power bus, a battery system configured to receive electrical energy from the power bus to charge a battery of the battery system and to discharge electrical energy to the power bus, an inverter configured to provide electrical energy from the power bus to the load, and a controller configured to monitor the photovoltaic circuitry and to implement at least one operation of the uninterruptible power supply using the monitoring.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventors: Paul Regis Barlock, Matthew Kenneth Donnelly
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Publication number: 20130009481Abstract: A method of providing electrical power using a split bus configuration includes receiving a first direct current at a positive bus of a split bus, where the first direct current originates from a first fuel cell segment. A second direct current is received at a negative bus of the split bus, where the second direct current originates from a second fuel cell segment. A third direct current is also received at the split bus such that a combined direct current is formed including the first direct current, the second direct current, and the third direct current. The third direct current originates from an alternative direct current (DC) source. The combined direct current is provided to an inverter such that an alternating current is generated for a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Arne Watson Ballantine, Ramesh Srinivasan, Stuart Aaron, Peter Light, Josh Richman, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Chad Pearson
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Patent number: 8350412Abstract: A technique is provided for automatically controlling configuration of a power grid, which includes one or more stand-alone sub-grids. Each stand-alone sub-grid includes a power generator, and a load is associated with the stand-alone sub-grid(s). The technique includes: monitoring the power grid by monitoring power demand of a load associated with the stand-alone sub-grid(s) and the power generated by the power generator within each stand-alone sub-grid; automatically determining that a grid configuration change is required for the power grid based on the monitoring; and dynamically reconfiguring the power grid by automatically modifying a number of stand-alone sub-grids in the power grid without interrupting power to the load associated with the stand-alone sub-grid(s) of the power grid. In one implementation, the power grid is a mobile power grid, and the power generator of each stand-alone sub-grid is a portable power generator.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Intelligent Power and Engineering Research Corporation (IPERC)Inventors: Darrell D. Massie, Michael A. Miller, Peter S. Curtiss
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Publication number: 20130002026Abstract: According to one embodiment, an energy storage apparatus includes a DC/DC convertor including a discharge terminal and a charge terminal, the DC/DC convertor which sets up a voltage of a DC power supplied from the discharge terminal and outputs the DC power from the charge terminal, switches which switch connections between a rechargeable batteries and a first connection terminal electrically connected to an external device, a second connection terminal electrically connected to the discharge terminal, and a third connection terminal electrically connected to the charge terminal, and a controller which controls the DC/DC convertor to perform charge and discharge between a rechargeable battery connected to the discharge terminal via the switches and a rechargeable battery connected to the charge terminal via the switches,Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Mami Mizutani, Kunio Nakamura, Kikuo Takagi, Yasuji Sakata, Masahiro Tohara
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Publication number: 20120326504Abstract: A method of providing power to a load, such as an IT load, includes generating an output power using at least one power module comprising at least one fuel cell segment, providing a first portion of the output power through a grid to an A-side power feed of the load, and providing a second portion of the output power to a B-side power feed of the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Arne Ballantine, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Muralidhara Ramakrishna Shyamavadhani, Chad Pearson, William Thayer, KR Sridhar
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Patent number: 8338985Abstract: An intelligent battery system for powering a mobile workstation includes a mounting block having a first battery interface bracket for the releasable attachment of a first battery, a second battery interface bracket for the releasable attachment of a second battery and a third battery interface bracket for the releasable attachment of a backup battery, and a power control circuit functionally integrated with the mounting block and being capable of detecting a change in status of at least one of the first and second batteries and routing the flow of electrical power from the first, second and backup batteries in dependence thereon.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Anton/Bauer, Inc.Inventors: Joseph G. Murtha, Mark Ross, James Markland, William Frederick, Carl Hultman, Michael Accardi
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Publication number: 20120319486Abstract: The invention is related to a battery backup system comprising a power cell array, a controller, and a power inverter. The power cell array may include power cells and a charger to provide electrical power to the power cells. The power cells may include a battery for storing and discharging electrical power, a control input, and a feedback output connected to the controller. The controller may control the operational state of the power cells between a charge state and a power state. The controller may also include a feedback input, and a control output connected to the power cells. The power inverter may convert electrical power discharged from the power cell array to drive the charger and a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventor: James Allen Polasek
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Publication number: 20120313437Abstract: A method for increasing workable power output and run time duration of a battery backup system is disclosed. A plurality of battery groups is provided. A microprocessor electrically connects the power output of a first battery group and a second battery group to a UPS. The microprocessor monitors the output voltage of the first and second battery groups. When the monitored output voltage of the first and second battery group falls below a predetermined level, the microprocessor electrically disconnects from the UPS the first battery group and electrically connects to the UPS the power output of another of the plurality of battery groups. The first battery group is configured to be re-connectable to the UPS after a time period equal to or greater than necessary to permit the output voltage of the first battery group to recover to about its nominal voltage rating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventor: Andrew V. Latham
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Patent number: 8330297Abstract: There is provided a system for supplying power to a site having a load. The system comprises a number n of power source units, the value of n being greater than or equal to 3. The system further comprises a number t?tmax of loads groups, each load group having a number i of inputs. The value of i is greater than or equal to 2 and less than the value of n. Each load group receives power from i power source units, such that each load group is connected to a unique combination of i power source units. tmax is such that every possible combination of i power source units is connected to a unique load group.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Aviem Systems LtdInventor: Avi Pines
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Patent number: 8324758Abstract: System and methods of supplying power to a load are provided. A module monitors electrical grid power. When the grid power fails the module initially provides power from a performance battery. When a bulk energy power system has warmed-up/activated, the module switches the power to the load from the performance battery to the bulk energy power system.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Encell Technology, Inc.Inventor: Randy Ogg