279results about How to "Energy consumption" patented technology

A “Smart Grid Pricer” enables automated balancing of the supply and demand of energy supply and consumption, such as the generation and consumption of electricity between electricity providers and electricity consumers. The Smart Grid Pricer automatically computes and delivers real-time energy pricing information to consumers on behalf of energy retailers (e.g., electricity utilities) to help drive the balance of demand with supply. In various embodiments, real-time pricing is determined by using various probabilistic models to estimate overall consumer demand as a function of factors such as energy price, time of day, region, weather, etc. to compute a price that will result in an energy demand that is closely balanced to the available supply. On the consumer side, various components of the Smart Grid Pricer automatically respond to such pricing information to optimize energy consumption in accordance with a variety of automated and / or user defined rules and preferences.

A wireless sensor network, a node device thereof and a method for arranging communications therein are presented. A first frequency is used in wireless communication of information between a headnode and subnodes of a first cluster (103) using a time slotted channel access scheme. A headnode of a second cluster (113) known the first frequency and selects a second, different frequency for use in wireless communication of information within said second cluster (113) using a time slotted channel access scheme. The headnode of the first cluster (103) is informed about the second frequency selected for the second cluster (113). Information from the headnode of said first cluster (103) to the headnode of said second cluster (113) is communicated on said second frequency, using the same time slotted channel access scheme as other nodes in said second cluster (113).

A controller for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) light engine. The controller includes a temperature sensor configured to sensor temperature at the LED light engine. A current sensor senses a drive current of the LED light engine. A voltage differential sensor senses a voltage differential across LEDs of the LED light engine. A timer monitors a time of operation of the LED light engine. Further, a control device controls the drive current to the LED light engine based on the sensed temperature, the sensed drive current, the sensed voltage differential, and the monitored time of operation. Further, the control device outputs an indication of intensity degradation of an LED, and if the intensity degradation exceeds a predetermined threshold the control can output an indication of such to a user, so that the user can be apprised that the LED needs to be changed.

A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a diode having a cathode formed on a first surface side of the semiconductor substrate and an anode formed on a second surface side of the semiconductor substrate; and a transistor formed over the semiconductor substrate. The transistor includes a semiconductor layer laminate formed over the semiconductor substrate, a source electrode and a drain electrode that are formed spaced apart from each other over the semiconductor layer laminate, and a gate electrode formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode. The source electrode is electrically connected to the anode, and the drain electrode is electrically connected to the cathode.

An air conditioning apparatus comprises an air-conditioning unit including at least a cooling coil as a heat exchanger, a blower, a chiller, and a coolant pump for conducting air-conditioning, wherein the coolant pump pumps the coolant cooled by the chiller to the cooling coil, the cooling coil cools the air through heat exchange of the coolant and the air, the blower supplies the cooled air into a room. Coolant temperature of the chiller, the coolant flow rate of the coolant pump, and the air flow rate of the blower are calculated in accordance with the set points of the indoor temperature and the indoor humidity, and the chiller, coolant pump, and blower are controlled on the basis of the arithmetic calculation results. Thereby, the indoor temperature and indoor humidity are independently controlled in the central air-conditioning system.

A drum type washing machine in which wash water and laundry contained in a rotating tub are heated by steam supplied into the rotating tub, so as to rapidly increase the temperature of the wash water and laundry, thereby being capable of reducing the total wash time while reducing the amount of wash water to be used, and reducing the consumption of energy caused by heating of the wash water. The washing machine includes a steam generating unit for heating water supplied thereto, thereby generating steam, and a control unit for rotating the rotating tub at a high speed to cause the laundry contained in the rotating tub to be in constant contact with an inner peripheral surface of the rotating tub without falling down, by virtue of a centrifugal force generated during the rotation of the rotating tub, the control unit supplying the steam from the steam generating unit into the rotating tub during the high-speed rotation of the rotating tub, to increase the internal temperature of the rotating tub and the temperature of the laundry.

Low-energy consumption techniques for locating a movable object using a global satellite navigation system (GNSS) are provided. A mobile station attached to or included in a movable object can communicate bidirectionally with a fixed base station to determine a location of the movable object. The mobile station may communicate an estimated position to the base station and receive from the base station a set of GNSS satellites that are visible to the mobile station. The mobile station can acquire satellite timing information from GNSS signals from the set of satellites and communicate minimally-processed satellite timing information to the base station. The base station can determine the position of the mobile station and communicate the position back to the mobile station. By offloading much of the processing to the base station, energy consumption of the mobile station is reduced.

In a method and device for detecting the intake of food in a subject at least one parameter related to the blood flow and / or perfusion of a blood vessel and / or an organ in the digestive system of a patient is monitored by a sensor attached to, or in, a blood vessel or organ of the digestive system. The value of each monitored parameter is analyzed and may be used to control the activity of a gastric stimulator.

An exercise system includes at least two exercise modules and is arranged to allow multiple users performing exercises on, with or against the modules in different locations while performing at least one preset task defined in a context of a story, a scenery or a video (or computer) game each in turn preferably defined in a virtual environment. The exercise system generally generates the task of the story, scenery or game in images of the virtual environment and simulates the exercising users as simulated user in such images, while allowing the users to manipulate the simulated users for attaining a goal of the task based on features related with the exercises performed by the user or allowing the task to manipulate operations of the modules based on such features. The exercise system includes at least one output module including at least two visual units and audio units to provide the images and sounds for the task to each exercising user.

An apparatus and method are for disinfection and purification of a liquid, gaseous or solid phase, or a mixture thereof. The apparatus includes: a central electrode, a dielectric layer adjacent to the electrode, a first area adjacent to the dielectric layer, and is configured to introduce a first medium into the first area, a second area adjacent to the first area. The apparatus is also configured to introduce a second medium into the second area, and for creating a plasma in the first medium, while the first medium is present in the first area, by applying a voltage between the first electrode and a second electrode. An injector injects the plasma into the second area, in order to be mixed with the second medium.

A controller for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) light engine. The controller includes a temperature sensor configured to sensor temperature at the LED light engine. A current sensor senses a drive current of the LED light engine. A voltage differential sensor senses a voltage differential across LEDs of the LED light engine. A timer monitors a time of operation of the LED light engine. Further, a control device controls the drive current to the LED light engine based on the sensed temperature, the sensed drive current, the sensed voltage differential, and the monitored time of operation. Further, the control device outputs an indication of intensity degradation of an LED, and if the intensity degradation exceeds a predetermined threshold the control can output an indication of such to a user, so that the user can be apprised that the LED needs to be changed.

A chip pretreatment process which comprises conveying the feed material through a compression screw device having an atmosphere of saturated steam at a pressure above about 5 psig, decompressing and discharging the compressed material from the screw device into a decompression region, feeding the decompressed material from the decompression region into a fiberizing device, such as a low intensity disc refiner, where at least about 30 percent of the fiber bundles and fibers are axially separated, without substantial fibrillation of the fibers. Preferably, the fibers are axially separated with less than about 5 percent fibrillation, and subsequently the fiberized material is refined in a high intensity disc refiner until at least about 90 percent of the fibers are fibrillated. In another form the invention combines chip fiberizing with chemical treatments, for improving the pulp property versus energy relationships.

A vehicle, integrated all-wheel propulsion and steering system with plurality of propulsion and steering power sources, designed with enumerate specifications are coupled to, and de-coupled from a final drive of the vehicle propulsion system. A controller receives input-signals from the driver steering-wheel sensor; computes a set of reactions to the plurality of steering-actuators, wherein feedback-mechanism with each wheel-position sensor, the controller secures each wheel in its computed angle. In different speed and load conditions, the controller is programmed to compute a desired power demand then couple to the final drive[s] the propulsion power source[s] that is designed to do-the-job with the least energy consumption. When the vehicle changes speed and load, the controller couples a different power source[s], and de-couples the previous power source[s] to meet the power demand. In turning-modes, whilst positioning every wheel in its computed position, the controller computes the different distances the left and the right wheels of the vehicle have to travel, wherein the controller moves-up the propulsion power sources velocity to the wheels opposite to the turn to make a perfect turn without EPS assistance.

A discharge control system of a electric storage pack has a plurality of electric rechargeable cells connected in series and a discharge line is connected from a electric rechargeable cell to a load driving feeding circuit. The discharge control system includes cell voltage detection units for detecting respective cell voltages of the plurality of cells, a switch group made up of a plurality of switches connected between the plurality of cells, and a control unit which designates a cell having a highest cell voltage in the plurality of electric rechargeable cells possessed by the electric storage pack in accordance with detection results by the cell voltage detection units and on / off controls the switches of the switch group individually so as to form a discharge line from a electric rechargeable cell of the group to the load driving feeding circuit.

Low-energy consumption techniques for locating a movable object using a global satellite navigation system (GNSS) are provided. A mobile station attached to or included in a movable object can communicate bidirectionally with a fixed base station to determine a location of the movable object. The mobile station may communicate an estimated position to the base station and receive from the base station a set of GNSS satellites that are visible to the mobile station. The mobile station can acquire satellite timing information from GNSS signals from the set of satellites and communicate minimally-processed satellite timing information to the base station. The base station can determine the position of the mobile station and communicate the position back to the mobile station. By offloading much of the processing to the base station, energy consumption of the mobile station is reduced.

A system and method for reducing power consumption in a reconfigurable integrated circuit. Some embodiments provide placement and routing programs that reduce the number of bits to be reconfigured. Some embodiments provide placement and routing programs that increase the number of groups of circuits that do not need reconfiguration at some times. Some embodiments include circuits that selectively block reconfiguration.

A pumping mechanism that utilizes wave and tidal energy to operate. The mechanism relies on the depth of the fluid or ocean and the length of the pump cylinder to accommodate shifting wave and tide patterns. Alternatively, the mechanism is imbedded or placed in an excavation in the fluid or ocean bed of sufficient depth and width to accommodate the piston cylinder, its' casing and the shifting wave and tide conditions. The invention relies on a buoy or float for the lift of a weighted piston and the weighted piston, when descending, provides the means of creating pressure on the water entrapped in the cylinder, thus causing a pumping action. The pump may be used individually or in concert with other pumps. The pump is intended to move large or small volumes of water at high or low pressures, singularly or in concert with other pumps.

A system that monitors at least a household electric user (HA1–HA4), in particular a household appliance, includes a monitoring device (MSA) that is connected between a source of electric energy (OUT) and the electric user, the monitoring device (MSA) including a metering means for detecting one or more electric quantities being associated with the operation of said user (HA1–HA4), and further including a control means that is programmed for (i) comparing the electric quantity or quantities being measured through the metering means with reference values of said electric quantity or quantities which are stored within the control means; (ii) generating, in function of the comparison, information being representative of the current operating status or phase of operation of the electric user (HA1–HA4); and (iii) allowing for the reading or transmission of the information to the outside of said device (MSA). The monitoring device also including a communication means, for realizing a transmission and / or reception of data or information on the electric supply line which connects the user (HA1–HA4) to the device (MSA), by means of a modulation of electric power between the user (HA1–HA4) and the device (MSA) and / or vice-versa.

A satellite-based communications system operating at high data rates includes a plurality of satellites each having uplink and downlink antennas for transmitting and receiving a plurality of signals utilizing a plurality of spot beams to and from a plurality of coverage areas at a predetermined range of frequencies. The system can include, or be combined with, other systems to enable increased capacity over high population areas and ubiquitous coverage over lower population areas. A portable antenna assembly can be coupled to a user's portable or mobile electronic device for coupling the electronic device directly to a satellite. A routing switch provides routing and switching on-board the satellite and routes signals according to their desired destination.

A display device is provided that includes a plurality of pixels, where each pixel includes a single subpixel. In a first aspect, a single subpixel is able to sequentially generate a plurality of (e.g., at least three) primary colors. As a result of the single subpixel, the display is able to supply a gamut of colors including at least 3 primaries colors. For example, the sequential generation of the 3 primary colors may involve operating the subpixel in a time division multiplex (TDM) mode, and a primary combination color is supplied in response to the subpixel generating 2 primary colors in respective TDM subframes. When the pixel includes at least two neighboring subpixels, the pixel may additionally be operated in a spatial division multiple (SDM) mode or in the TDM mode.

A electrolytic process for continuous production of lithium metal from lithium carbonate or other lithium salts by use of an aqueous acid electrolyte and a lithium producing cell structure which includes: a cell body with a cathode within the cell body; an electrolyte aqueous solution within the cell body, the solution containing lithium ion and an anion; and a composite layer intercalated between the cathode and the electrolyte aqueous solution, the composite layer comprising a lithium ion conductive glass ceramic (LI-GC) and a lithium ion conductive barrier film (LI-BF) that isolates cathode-forming lithium from the electrolyte aqueous solution.

A particle sensor is disclosed capable of sensing airborne particles larger than about 10 nm in an airflow passing through a passage inside the sensor. The sensor comprises a high-voltage discharge electrode for generating airborne unipolar ions that charge the airborne particles in the airflow. The generated ions are furthermore used to set-up an ionic wind between the discharge electrode and a counter electrode inside the sensor. The ionic wind is the driving force for maintaining the airflow through the sensor and allows sensor operation to occur free of audible noise. The presence of charged particles in the airflow is measured by an electrical current meter in the particle sensing section which measures the particle-bound charge that precipitates per unit time on the surface of a precipitation electrode after all airborne ions have been removed from air by a separate screening electrode positioned upstream of the particle sensing section.

A chip pretreatment process which comprises conveying the feed material through a compression screw device having an atmosphere of saturated steam at a pressure above about 5 psig, decompressing and discharging the compressed material from the screw device into a decompression region, feeding the decompressed material from the decompression region into a fiberizing device, such as a low intensity disc refiner, where at least about 30 percent of the fiber bundles and fibers are axially separated, without substantial fibrillation of the fibers. In a more specific form the invention is directed to a process for producing mechanical pulp, including the steps of fiberizing wood chip feed material in a low intensity disc refiner until at least about 30 percent of the fibers are axially separated with less than about 5 percent fibrillation, and subsequently refining the fiberized material in a high intensity disc refiner until at least about 90 percent of the fibers are fibrillated. In another form the invention combines chip fiberizing with chemical treatments, for improving the pulp property versus energy relationships.

The analyte concentration, such as glucose, in a human or animal body is measured with an implantable sensor that generates measurement signals. The measurement signals are compressed through statistical techniques to produced compressed measurement data that can is easier to process and communicate. A base station carries the implantable sensor along with a signal processor, memory, and a transmitter. A display device is also disclosed that can receive the compressed measurement data from the base station for further processing and display.

An elevator moving along an elevator shaft in a building, comprises a car for transport, a worm driving part moving together with the car, a rotating axis of which is parallel to a moving path of the car, and a worm support part including supporting teeth installed in the elevator shaft along the moving path of the car in accordance with worm teeth of the worm driving part. Using the worm driving part and the worm support part mutually interacting, the elevator can go up and down, and the worm driving part and the worm support part keep low frictional resistance to improve an efficiency of lifting.

A programmable device operates at high speed while reducing power consumption. The programmable device includes a plurality of processing tiles each including a configuration memory and a core logic unit, a configuration control unit for programming them, and a power control unit for cutting off a power supply depending on an operating state. The power supply of the core logic unit is cut off after saving the internal state of the core logic unit in the configuration memory, and power is supplied again to the core logic unit before the internal state is restored from the configuration memory to the core logic unit, thus saving power while maintaining the internal state.