Plural Substitute Sources Patents (Class 307/65)
  • Patent number: 8643216
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Lattin
  • Patent number: 8587929
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert William Johnson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130293017
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Modular Power Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew John Englert, Simon D. Harkins, Christopher J. Crosby, JR., Steven Emert
  • Publication number: 20130285454
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: HUA-ZHENG ZHANG, YONG-HUI HU, KAI-KUEI WU, KUN-CHIH HSIEH, KUAN-HONG HSIEH
  • Patent number: 8569998
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-Sub Shim
  • Publication number: 20130278216
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Seung-Hyun Son, Chan-Jae Lee, Gon-Jin Chung, Bo-Ra Choi, Sin-Young Park
  • Publication number: 20130270911
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Baba, Kiyotaka Takehara, Takeshi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20130264878
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Swearingen, Robert L. Seagren, Joshua Berg
  • Patent number: 8552584
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cohen, David A. Colucci, Mark R. Melanson, James S. Spitaels
  • Publication number: 20130257159
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Long Tian Wang, Shu Yao Zhao
  • Patent number: 8547107
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Abe, Takeshi Nakashima, Hayato Ikebe, Hiroki Nakatsu
  • Patent number: 8534400
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Stanek, Christopher Adam Ochocinski
  • Publication number: 20130234520
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Nicole Dierksheide, Mark E. Siira, Timothy W. White, Thomas M. Austin, Mark L. Panzer, Michael J. Schmitt, Ryan J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20130221750
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: LSI Corporation
    Inventor: Radhakrishna TOGARE
  • Patent number: 8513833
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Van Brocklin, Stephan R. Clark
  • Publication number: 20130207473
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Babu Jain
  • Publication number: 20130193763
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Conspec Controls Limited
    Inventors: Jian Zhao, Clive Brooks
  • Publication number: 20130187468
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Sangsun Kim, Cornelius Benedict O'Sullivan, Shane R. Nay
  • Publication number: 20130181528
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Silvio Colombi, Lorenzo Giuntini, Andrea Delmue, Ivan Saporiti
  • Publication number: 20130169050
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: PEGATRON CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130154376
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HSIAO-PING HSUEH, YU-CHI TSAI
  • Publication number: 20130154377
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: NEC Corporation
  • Patent number: 8456036
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Kotlyar, Mirza A. Beg, Marcel B. Grenier, Venkatraman Chennakesavan
  • Patent number: 8456806
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Diversified Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Cosley, Aron J. King, David H. Halik
  • Patent number: 8446039
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation
    Inventor: William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8446041
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Josef Maier
  • Publication number: 20130093245
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Sudhir K. Madan
  • Patent number: 8422256
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lorenzo Giuntini, Silvio Colombi
  • Patent number: 8421270
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Landon Cabell Garland Miller, David Michael Barrett
  • Patent number: 8410634
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Ho Park
  • Publication number: 20130069433
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Steve Fischer
  • Patent number: 8400014
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: American Reliance, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu Yu Li, Kalvin Chen
  • Patent number: 8395518
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Toba
  • Publication number: 20130049472
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Fredrik Tinglow, Falah Hosini, Tomas Larsson
  • Publication number: 20130049471
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Vladislav Oleynik, Gennady Albul
  • Patent number: 8384340
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. Tarter
  • Patent number: 8384244
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Darren A. Shakib, Sompong Paul Olarig, Frank J. Wirtz
  • Publication number: 20130043729
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Fujitsu Limited
  • Patent number: 8378521
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanna (EPFL)
    Inventors: Alfred Rufer, Daniel Favrat, Philippe Barrade, Sylvain Lemofouet
  • Publication number: 20130026822
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emil Yuming Chao, Charles Chang, Oleg Khaykin
  • Publication number: 20130020873
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Regis Barlock, Matthew Kenneth Donnelly
  • Publication number: 20130009481
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Watson Ballantine, Ramesh Srinivasan, Stuart Aaron, Peter Light, Josh Richman, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Chad Pearson
  • Patent number: 8350412
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Intelligent Power and Engineering Research Corporation (IPERC)
    Inventors: Darrell D. Massie, Michael A. Miller, Peter S. Curtiss
  • Publication number: 20130002026
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mami Mizutani, Kunio Nakamura, Kikuo Takagi, Yasuji Sakata, Masahiro Tohara
  • Publication number: 20120326504
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Muralidhara Ramakrishna Shyamavadhani, Chad Pearson, William Thayer, KR Sridhar
  • Patent number: 8338985
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Anton/Bauer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Murtha, Mark Ross, James Markland, William Frederick, Carl Hultman, Michael Accardi
  • Publication number: 20120319486
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: James Allen Polasek
  • Publication number: 20120313437
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew V. Latham
  • Patent number: 8330297
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aviem Systems Ltd
    Inventor: Avi Pines
  • Patent number: 8324758
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Encell Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Ogg