2513 results about "Energy converter" patented technology

A monolithic, multi-bandgap, tandem solar photovoltaic converter has at least one, and preferably at least two, subcells grown lattice-matched on a substrate with a bandgap in medium to high energy portions of the solar spectrum and at least one subcell grown lattice-mismatched to the substrate with a bandgap in the low energy portion of the solar spectrum, for example, about 1 eV.

Methods, apparatus, media and signals for controlling power drawn from an energy converter to supply a load, where the energy converter is operable to convert energy from a physical source into electrical energy. Power drawn from the energy converter is changed when a supply voltage of the energy converter meets a criterion. The criterion and the change in the amount of power drawn from the energy converter are dependent upon a present amount of power supplied to the load. The methods, apparatus, media and signals described herein may provide improvements to DC to AC maximum power point tracking in an energy conversion system such as a photovoltaic power generation system.

Embodiments include apparatus and methods of fluid energy conversion. One embodiment relates to a tube for a fluid energy converter. The tube may include a generally cylindrical and hollow body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis. Another embodiment includes a fluid energy converter having a longitudinal axis and a rotatable tube coaxial about the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the rotatable tube converts kinetic energy in a fluid into rotating mechanical energy, or converts rotating mechanical energy into kinetic energy in a fluid.

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to manage the generation and use of hybrid electric power. A monitoring module receives signals from one or more sensors. The signals comprise power level information of an electric energy storage device, power level information of one or more energy converters, and power level information of an electric load. A determination module compares the signals to determine whether electric power from the energy converters satisfies the electric load. A regulation module adjusts the electric power from the energy converters in response to a determination by the determination module that the electric power from the energy converters does not satisfy an electric load threshold.

Methods, apparatus, media and signals for controlling power drawn from an energy converter to supply a load, where the energy converter is operable to convert energy from a physical source into electrical energy. Power drawn from the energy converter is changed when a supply voltage of the energy converter meets a criterion. The criterion and the change in the amount of power drawn from the energy converter are dependent upon a present amount of power supplied to the load. The methods, apparatus, media and signals described herein may provide improvements to DC to AC maximum power point tracking in an energy conversion system such as a photovoltaic power generation system.

A control system for an energy storage system located behind a utility meter uses a unique, feedback-based, communication and control method to reliably and efficiently maximize economic return of the energy storage system. Operating parameters for the energy storage system are calculated at an external, centralized data center, and are selected to prevent electrical power demand of an electric load location from exceeding a specified set-point by discharging energy storage devices, such as DC batteries, through a bidirectional energy converter during peak demand events. The control system can operate autonomously in the case of a communications failure.

A method of creating a friction-ridge image is disclosed. An energy transducer is aimed at a body part having skin. The transducer is used to obtain information about the papillae beneath an outer surface of the skin. The information about the papillae is used to obtain information about valleys between the papillae, and a friction-ridge image having friction-ridge valleys that correspond with the valleys between the papillae is created.

A bio-implantable energy capture and storage assembly, including an acoustic energy transmitter for contact with the skin, and an acoustic energy receiver—converter for converting acoustic energy to electrical energy; and a battery or capacitor connected to the energy converter. The acoustic energy receiver / converter is contained within a biocompatible implant.

A device that includes a combustion engine with a piston that is mechanically freely movable in a housing. The device permits combustion of a fuel mixture to produce a pushing force to the piston. The device includes an electromagnetic energy transducer and an external current circuit, which is connected to the energy transducer for exchange of effect in a direction to or from the energy transducer. A control unit controls the direction of the effect, which is exchanged between the energy transducer and the external current circuit, during operation of the device. Such a device can be used to generate electrical energy, and can be employed in a vehicle.

An ocean wave energy device uses large gas filled and surface vented or evacuated flexible containers having rigid movable ends and rigid fixed depth ends connected by flexible bellows, suitably reinforced against external hydrostatic pressure, submerged to a depth below anticipated wave troughs. One or more containers compress and expand as waves and troughs, respectively, pass overhead driving hydraulic or pneumatic, pumping means producing pressurized fluid flow for a common sea bed motor-generator or for other uses or on-board direct drive generators. Mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic means re-expand said containers when a wave trough is overhead. Power output is augmented by mechanically connecting said rigid moving surfaces to surface floats, which may also provide said surface vent such that as waves lift and troughs lower said floats, said containers are further compressed and re-expanded, respectively. Depth fixing and adjustment means for tides and sea-states are provided.

An electrical generator including a magnetic field generator and at least one energy converter for converting energy present in fluid flows into vibrations or oscillations. The converter includes a flexible membrane having at least two fixed ends. The membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow. One of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane. The vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow causes a relative movement between the electrical conductor and the applied magnetic field. The relative movement causes a change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor, and the change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor induces a current flowing in the conductor.

A power generating system comprises a bluff (non-streamlined) body placed in a fluid stream at ninety degrees to the flow direction for creating a von Karman vortex street behind the body. In the process, feedback forces are generated that excite the bluff body into oscillation. The bluff body oscillatory movements are coupled to and energize a power generator. An impedance matching system is employed for electrically varying the natural frequency characteristics of the bluff body such that, over a relatively wide range of fluid flow velocities, the bluff body oscillates at a resonant frequency of the body for maximum energy transfer from the fluid stream to the bluff body.

Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.

A power generating system comprising a bluff (non-streamlined) body placed in a fluid stream at ninety degrees to the flow direction creates a von Karman vortex street behind the body. In the process, feedback forces are generated that excite the bluff body into oscillation. The bluff body oscillatory movements are coupled to and energize a power generator. Means are employed for electrically varying the natural frequency characteristics of the bluff body such that, over a relatively wide range of fluid flow velocities, the bluff body oscillates at a resonant frequency of the body for maximum energy transfer from the fluid stream to the bluff body.

Energy converters are monitored to ensure that they are operating at acceptable levels. An expected output is predicted using mathematical modeling and compared to the actual output generated by the energy converter. When the difference is above a predetermined threshold, the level of underperformance, along with other parameters, are used to determine a possible cause of underperformance and actions that can be taken to increase the output to acceptable levels. The cause and actions are transmitted to personnel, who are dispatched to service the underperforming energy converter. By centrally locating the mathematical modeling, monitoring, and dispatching, multiple PV modules can be managed from a remote location. When monitoring photovoltaic modules, an irradiation sensor employs multiple photosensors oriented to detect not only the normal components of sunlight but also directional, diffused components of sunlight, thereby increasing the accuracy of the mathematical modeling.

The invention provides a bidirectional converter that operates under an AC generation mode or a charge mode. The bidirectional converter may be a single component or circuit, which may include a DC-DC conversion stage using a unique “Smith 2 Stage conversion” technique and a DC-AC conversion stage or AC-DC conversion stage using a switchable filter depending on the mode. During the charge mode, the converter may be able to control the voltage and current of the DC output using a software algorithm, to match the battery being charged, or the DC receiver. This may enable the converter to control the nature of the DC output so it can be adapted to any energy storage technology. The controllable output voltage and synchronizable frequency may allow the converter to be used in series combinations to achieve a variety of high voltage outputs from simpler building blocks.

A device includes a wirelessly enabled energy harvesting device, an energy storage component, a DC-DC converter, and a functional circuit. The energy storage component is electrically coupled to the wirelessly enabled energy harvesting device for storing energy harvested by the wirelessly enabled energy harvesting device from a wireless transmitting device positioned adjacent to the device. The DC-DC converter is electrically coupled to the energy storage component for receiving a voltage output from the energy storage component and converting the received voltage output to a second voltage level to provide power to one or more components of the device. The functional circuit is for measuring a concentration of a substance in a fluid sample. The functional circuit is coupled to the DC-DC converter such that the functional circuit obtains at least a portion of the power provided by the DC-DC converter.

Method and arrangement for providing an energy converter that includes a combustion system ( 1 ) including at least one piston ( 2, 3 ), at least one combustion chamber ( 6, 7 ) having at least one inlet ( 11, 13 ) and at least one outlet ( 10, 12 ) with inlet and outlet valves ( 14, 15, 16, 17 ). At least one controllable inlet valve and at least one outlet valve is also provided. A fuel supply is provided ( 18, 19 ) for supplying fuel and a medium containing oxygen is provided for induction into the combustion chamber ( 6, 7 ). An electric machine ( 9 ) is arranged to interact directly or indirectly with the piston ( 2, 3 ) in an electromagnetic manner such that it produces electrical energy from the piston movements, as well as uses electrical energy to affect the piston movement. A control unit ( 30 ) controls the combustion system ( 1 ) and the electric machine ( 9 ). The energy converter is arranged to adapt its power output depending on the required load of the energy converter. The invention also relates to a method for for starting an energy converter.

Tunneling-effect converters of thermal energy to electricity with an emitter and a collector separated from each other by a distance that is comparable to atomic dimensions and where tunneling effect plays an important role in the charge movement from the emitter to the collector across the gap separating such emitter and collector. At least one of the emitter and collector structures includes a flexible structure. Tunneling-effect converters include devices that convert thermal energy to electrical energy and devices that provide refrigeration when electric power is supplied to such devices.

The invention discloses a longitudinal torsion composite supersonic vibration machining device. The longitudinal torsion composite supersonic vibration machining device comprises a longitudinal supersonic vibration energy converter and an ultrasonic amplitude transformer arranged at the front end of the longitudinal supersonic vibration energy converter and integrally connected with the longitudinal supersonic vibration energy converter. The longitudinal supersonic vibration energy converter comprises a back cover plate, a piezoelectric ceramic piece, an electrode plate, a front cover plate, an insulating sleeve and a pre-tightening bolt for connecting the back cover plate, the piezoelectric ceramic piece, the electrode plate, the front cover plate and the insulating sleeve. The ultrasonic amplitude transformer comprises an amplitude transformer index section and an amplitude transformer cylindrical section, the amplitude transformer index section and the front cover plate are designed into a whole, the amplitude transformer cylindrical section is used for being connected with a machining tool, the surface of the amplitude transformer index section is provided with four same spiral grooves, part of longitudinal vibration generated by the longitudinal supersonic vibration energy converter can be converted into torsion vibration through the spiral grooves, and therefore the longitudinal torsion composite supersonic vibration can be generated one the end face of the amplitude transformer cylindrical section. The longitudinal torsion composite supersonic vibration machining device has the advantages of being simple in structure, large in torsion component, high in converting efficiency and the like.

The invention relates to an alternate current / direct current (AC / DC) energy converter, and aims to provide a high-efficiency AC / DC combined convertor with a wide output voltage range. The convertor of the invention comprises a filter, a rectifier bridge B1, a Buck PFC circuit, an uncontrollable DC / DC circuit, an output filter capacitor Co and a parallel AC / DC circuit, wherein the filter is connected with the rectifier bridge B1; a control terminal of a switching tube S1 in the Buck PFC circuit is connected with the output of a Buck PFC control circuit; the Buck PFC control circuit is connected with the output of a feedback control circuit; the feedback control circuit comprises an error amplifier and a signal isolating circuit; and the output side of the output filter capacitor Co is sequentially connected with an output signal sampling circuit, the error amplifier and the signal isolating circuit. The invention acquires high efficiency and high power factors when isolation and the wide output voltage range are realized, improves the efficiency of the AC / DC convertor connected with the Buck PFC circuit in parallel, can solve the problem of too high starting up surge current of a boost power-factor correction (Boost) circuit, and does not need a surge current suppressing circuit, thus improving the efficiency.

An electro-mechanical energy conversion system coupled between an energy source and an energy load comprising an energy converter device including a permanent magnet induction machine coupled between the energy source and the energy load to convert the energy from the energy source and to transfer the converted energy to the energy load and an energy transfer multiplexer to control the flow of power or energy through the permanent magnetic induction machine.

A spherical lens is used to focus and direct light into an optical fiber for transmitting the focused light to an energy converter, a lighting or heating system, or a lighting or heating apparatus. The collected light may be converted to electricity by powering a steam turbine generator, thermal photo-voltaic cells, or the like. The collect light may also be supplied as a centralized light source to reflective lighting fixtures connected by fiber optics.

An electrical generator including a magnetic field generator and at least one energy converter for converting energy present in fluid flows into vibrations or oscillations. The converter includes a flexible membrane having at least two fixed ends. The membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow. One of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane. The vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow causes a relative movement between the electrical conductor and the applied magnetic field. The relative movement causes a change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor, and the change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor induces a current flowing in the conductor.

Hybrid aircraft propulsion systems are disclosed comprising an electrically driven ducted fan, a peripheral duct or enclosure, a combustion-produced source of radiant energy, radiant energy receivers or cold mirrors, and thermophotovoltaic or thermoelectric cell energy converters. An electric motor drives a partially or completely duct enclosed fan. Downstream and within the duct enclosure, radiant energy emitters irradiated receiver fins and thermophotovoltaic cells or thermoelectric cells. The receiver fins heat and expand the fan air, and the thermophotovoltaic cells or thermoelectric cells convert the radiant energy into electrical energy which is available to charge batteries and energize the fan motor. Thrust is provided via the acceleration of air by the fan and by the acceleration of air due to heat driven expansion.

Systems, methods, and devices used to treat eyelids, meibomian glands, ducts, and surrounding tissue are described herein. In some embodiments, an eye treatment device is disclosed, which includes a scleral shield positionable proximate an inner surface of an eyelid, the scleral shield being made of, or coated with, an energy-absorbing material activated by a light energy, and an energy transducer positionable outside of the eyelid, the energy transducer configured to provide light energy at one or more wavelengths, including a first wavelength selected to heat the energy-absorbing material. Wherein, when the eyelid is positioned between the energy transducer and the scleral shield, the light energy from the energy transducer and the heated energy-absorbing material of the scleral shield conductively heats a target tissue region sufficiently to melt meibum within meibomian glands located within or adjacent to the target tissue region.