288 results about "Power extraction" patented technology

The present invention discloses power extractor circuit used to capture the power of a solar cell array during its less-than-optimum conditions. Under reduced incident solar radiation, the low power level supplied by the solar cell array normally would not be adequate to operating a load, but with the presence of the power extractor circuit, the low power generated by the solar panel would be accumulated to a high enough level to overcome the energy barrier of the battery or the load. The power extractor circuit preferably comprises a voltage and current booster circuit, and is designed to operated at all power levels of the solar cell array: low power level to provide the booster function during the low power period of the solar cell array, and high power level to prevent component failure during the normal operation of the solar cell array. Many power extractor circuits can also be installed in series to cover a wide range of power level of the solar cell array. The present invention power extractor circuit can also be used in other power sources to utilize the portion of power which normally would have been lost.

A MPPT management method in a receiver used for wireless power transmission may include the monitoring of the power extracted from RF waves at a dedicated antenna element in the receiver; detecting MPPT at an intelligent input boost converter in the receiver; comparing the detected MPPT with MPPT tables stored or calculated within a main system micro-controller in the receiver; adjusting the MPPT at the intelligent boost converter to find a suitable maximum peak that may enable an optimal power extraction from RF waves.

The present invention provides a multi-band, multi-mode RFID tag that uses a single antenna structure and integrated circuit to provide asset location information at any stage of a supply chain. The unified tag design operates at multiple frequencies (or bands) using the antenna structure, for example, 125 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.45 GHz, and preferably operates electrostatically (at lower frequencies) and electromagnetically (ay higher frequencies). An on-chip frequency monitor in the integrated circuit automatically determines which frequency is present and derives a local clock for the tag's integrated circuit, which can vary in accordance with the frequency or which can be constant. Alternatively, a phase locked loop circuit can be used to derive a local clock signal modulated into the interrogation signal. On-chip matching and power extraction circuits derive power for the tag from the interrogation signal, which is preferably passive. Additionally, a receiver can receive data from the interrogation signal.

A method and apparatus for performing far-field power extraction are presented. The method includes receiving an electromagnetic radiation signal, rectifying the signal to produce a direct current (D.C.) voltage and providing the D.C. voltage to a circuit. A far-field power extraction circuit includes an antenna for receiving an electromagnetic radiation signal, a rectifier for rectifying the electromagnetic radiation signal. The circuit may further include a charge pump for amplifying the rectified voltage, an impedance matching network for coupling the antenna to the rectifier and a feedback tuning circuit for optimizing performance of the extraction circuit.

An aft FLADE gas turbine engine includes a fan section drivenly connected to a low pressure turbine section, a core engine located between the fan section and the low pressure turbine section, a fan bypass duct circumscribing the core engine and in fluid communication with the fan section, and a mixer downstream of the low pressure turbine section and in fluid communication with the fan bypass duct, and an aft FLADE turbine downstream of the mixer. At least one row of aft FLADE fan blades disposed radially outwardly of and connected to the aft FLADE turbine and radially extending across a FLADE duct circumscribing the fan bypass duct. The aft FLADE turbine may be a free turbine or connected to and rotatable with the low pressure turbine section. A power extraction apparatus may be disposed within the engine and drivenly connected to the aft FLADE turbine.

Embodiments of the present invention enable robust, reliable control functionality for effectors present on intraluminal, e.g., vascular leads, as well as other types of implantable devices. Embodiments of the invention enable the required functionality for accurate long term control of effectors units, even ones present on multiplex carrier configurations, while provide for low power consumption. Aspects of the invention include implantable integrated circuits that have power extraction; energy storage; communication; and device configuration functional blocks, where these functional blocks are all present in a single integrated circuit on an intraluminal-sized support. Also provided by the invention are effector assemblies that include the integrated circuits, as well as implantable medical devices, e.g., pulse generators that include the same, as well as systems and kits thereof and methods of using the same, e.g., in pacing applications, including cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) applications.

Axial flow devices using rigid spiral band profiled blade catenaries attached variably along and around an axially elongated profiled hub, of axially oriented profile section sequences 75 mapped relative to truncated cones-of-generation. Upon rotation and lubricity-masked progression through axial planes-of-shear, this time-domain sequence travels in 2-dimensional axial-datum-plane-relative path-excursions and ejects frictional adhesions via anguillar reverse vortex street thrust due to an after-body accelerating wave shape-sequence 48. This guides bound vortex pressures at linear path-velocity substantially parallel to the collective plane-of-shear, conferring higher differential pressures through path-vector-addition, improved force-vector orientation, extended laminar flows, lower form drag and tip vorticity. As a wind turbine, path-vectors are added to inflow, ducting an increased mass flow inward for increased power extraction per diameter. As a propeller, path-vector-subtraction guides the wave front flight-path-transverse, allowing higher flight velocities and improving thrust-per-torque through enhanced force vectors and mass flow rates.

The present invention provides a multi-band, multi-mode RFID tag that uses a single antenna structure and integrated circuit to provide asset location information at any stage of a supply chain. The unified tag design operates at multiple frequencies (or bands) using the antenna structure, for example, 125 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.45 GHz, and preferably operates electrostatically (at lower frequencies) and electromagnetically (ay higher frequencies). An on-chip frequency monitor in the integrated circuit automatically determines which frequency is present and derives a local clock for the tag's integrated circuit, which can vary in accordance with the frequency or which can be constant. Alternatively, a phase locked loop circuit can be used to derive a local clock signal modulated into the interrogation signal. On-chip matching and power extraction circuits derive power for the tag from the interrogation signal, which is preferably passive. Additionally, a receiver can receive data from the interrogation signal.

A network interface device includes a first interface, a power extractor, a transceiver, and a second interface. The first interface receives a signal that includes both power and packetized information. The power extractor extracts the power from the signal and powers the transceiver. The transceiver extracts the packetized information from the signal and communicates the information to a user device using the second interface.

A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors for receiving a plurality of HVAC control wires corresponding to an HVAC system. The thermostat also includes a thermostat processing and control circuit configured to at least partially control the operation of the HVAC system and a powering circuit coupled to the HVAC wire connectors and configured to provide an electrical load power to the thermostat processing and control circuit. The powering circuit has a power extraction circuit configured to extract electrical power from one or more of the plurality of received HVAC control wires up to a first level of electrical power, a rechargeable battery, and a power control circuit coupled to the power extraction circuit, the rechargeable battery, and the thermostat processing and control circuit. The power control circuit is configured to provide the electrical load power using power from the power extraction circuit and the rechargeable battery.

In one aspect, the invention is a far-field power extraction circuit which includes an integrated antenna and impedance matching portion and a rectifier portion. The antenna and impedance matching portion includes an antenna configured to be responsive to a propagating electromagnetic signal and which provides a resonant response at a resonant frequency. In response to the electromagnetic signal, the antenna provides an electromagnetic output signal at an antenna port. The antenna and impedance matching portion is configured to match an antenna impedance with a remainder of the far-field power extraction circuit including the rectifier portion of the power extraction circuit coupled to the antenna and impedance matching portion. The rectifier is configured to rectify the electromagnetic output signal provided by the antenna to produce a direct current (DC) voltage at an output of the rectifier.

A direct current brushless electric machine is described that comprises a sequence of permanent magnets where the N and S magnetic poles being alternately arranged adjacent to each other, each exerting a magnetic field; phase coils are composed of a group of conductors, each conductor being laid essentially in parallel with each other, each coil being displaced by a full range of a single magnetic pole of the permanent magnet, such that each phase coil is alternately disposed adjacent to each other; and magnetic field or every other coil is in the same orientation to form an armature positioned opposite to the permanent magnet movable with respect to the armature with a predetermined amount of air gap provided between the phase coils and the permanent magnets. The electric machine operates as a generator when the power is flowing from a prime mover, such as the turbine blade extracting energy from the wind or water. The electric machine operates as a motor when the current is applied to the coils in a sequence to move the rotor when the turbine blades move the wind or water.Also described is an aerodynamic system comprising inner and outer annulus disposed driving fans, with a pressure differential flow enhancing aerodynamic housing, able to concentrate and make laminar rough and turbulent intake air molecule flows, creating a smooth rotationally organized downstream vortex field, with maximum power extraction from building structure directed velocity flow enhancements.

A method for coordinating engine operation with electrical power extraction in a more electric vehicle provided. The method includes: receiving, by an engine control (120), a command for power output reduction of an engine (140); waiting until a predetermined event occurs to request, by the engine control (120), the power output reduction of the engine (140); reducing or completely switching off, by an electrical energy management system (110), at least one load (180) applied to a high-speed spool generator (146) connected to a high-speed spool (142) of the engine (140); reducing the power output reduction of the engine (140); and shifting power extraction from the high-speed spool generator (146) to a low-speed spool generator (148) connected to a low-speed spool (144) of the engine (140).

A power extraction system for a gas turbine engine comprises a low spool generator, a high spool generator and a power controller. The low spool generator extracts power from a low spool of the gas turbine engine, and the high spool generator extracts power from a high spool of the gas turbine engine. The power controller receives power extracted by the low spool generator and the high spool generator and distributes the received power to provide an uninterrupted steady state power supply and a transient power supply larger than what is available individually from the low and high spool generators. In another embodiment of the invention, the power extraction system includes an engine controller that operates in conjunction with the power controller to increase inertia energy of the low spool and high spool to increase electric power supply, while engine excursion is reduced and consistent engine thrust is maintained.

An internal combustion engine having a reciprocating multi cylinder internal combustion engine with multiple valves. At least a pair of exhaust valves are provided and each supply a separate power extraction device. The first exhaust valves connect to a power turbine used to provide additional power to the engine either mechanically or electrically. The flow path from these exhaust valves is smaller in area and volume than a second flow path which is used to deliver products of combustion to a turbocharger turbine. The timing of the exhaust valve events is controlled to produce a higher grade of energy to the power turbine and enhance the ability to extract power from the combustion process.

An aft FLADE gas turbine engine includes a fan section drivenly connected to a low pressure turbine section, a core engine located between the fan section and the low pressure turbine section, a fan bypass duct circumscribing the core engine and in fluid communication with the fan section, and a mixer downstream of the low pressure turbine section and in fluid communication with the fan bypass duct, and an aft FLADE turbine downstream of the mixer. At least one row of aft FLADE fan blades disposed radially outwardly of and connected to the aft FLADE turbine and radially extending across a FLADE duct circumscribing the fan bypass duct. The aft FLADE turbine may be a free turbine or connected to and rotatable with the low pressure turbine section. A power extraction apparatus may be disposed within the engine and drivenly connected to the aft FLADE turbine.

An aircraft power system includes an aircraft engine having a plurality of engine spools, a plurality of AC generators driven by at least one spool, wherein each AC generator is independently operational to supply AC power to a respective AC power bus or a respective power electronics module, and at least one generator driven by a different engine spool, wherein the at least one generator is operational to supply additional AC power to each AC power bus in synchronization with each respective AC generator, or to supply additional AC power to each power electronics module in parallel with the AC power delivered to each power electronics module by the plurality of AC generators. The power electronics module(s) are operational to selectively provide either AC or DC power to desired distribution buses. Each AC generator and the at least one generator may be responsive to commands from an electrical power extraction (EPX) controller. At least one generator may be directly driven to provide variable frequency power.

An aircraft power system includes an aircraft engine having a plurality of engine spools, a plurality of AC generators driven by at least one spool, wherein each AC generator is independently operational to supply AC power to a respective AC power bus or a respective power electronics module, and at least one generator driven by a different engine spool, wherein the at least one generator is operational to supply additional AC power to each AC power bus in synchronization with each respective AC generator, or to supply additional AC power to each power electronics module in parallel with the AC power delivered to each power electronics module by the plurality of AC generators. The power electronics module(s) are operational to selectively provide either AC or DC power to desired distribution buses. Each AC generator and the at least one generator may be responsive to commands from an electrical power extraction (EPX) controller. At least one generator may be directly driven to provide variable frequency power.

An electric or hybrid-electric vehicle is provided with vehicle-mounted solar cells capable of generating electrical power. The power from the array is directed to vehicle systems according to a pre-determined algorithm intended to most effectively extend the vehicle range when operated under electric power. Power from the solar cells is directed by a controller, and may be applied to directly charge the batteries or to power electric power receiving devices, for example, to control cabin temperatures, depending on factors including the state of charge of the batteries, whether or not, the vehicle is parked and the current cabin temperature. The controller is also capable of controlling and managing the operating voltage of the solar cells to ensure optimal power extraction from the cells.

A power extraction system and method for a gas turbine engine of a vehicle are provided. The system has an HP spool tower shaft coupled between an HP spool of the gas turbine engine and an accessory gearbox assembly coupled to the gas turbine engine. The HP spool tower shaft extracts mechanical power from the HP spool. The system has an LP spool tower shaft coupled between an LP spool of the gas turbine engine and the accessory gearbox assembly. The LP spool tower shaft extracts mechanical power from the LP spool. The system further has the accessory gearbox assembly having an accessory drive combining the mechanical power from both the HP spool and LP spool, having a planetary gear train coupled to the accessory drive, and having one or more engine-driven accessories coupled to the planetary gear train and driven by a planetary gear train output to generate power.

The present invention relates to a wave energy conversion device (1), for use in relatively shallow water, which has a base portion (2) for anchoring to the bed of a body of water (6) and an upstanding flap portion (8) pivotally connected (12) to the base portion. The flap portion is biased to the vertical and oscillates, backwards and forwards about the vertical in response to wave motion acting on its faces. Power extraction means extract energy from the movement of the flap portion. When the base portion (2) is anchored to the bed of a body of water (6) with the flap portion (8) facing the wave motion, the base portion (2) and the flap portion (8) extend vertically through at least the entire depth of the water, to present a substantially continuous surface to the wave motion throughout the full depth of water from the wave crest to the sea bed. A plurality of devices can be interconnected to form one system. The distance between the plurality of flaps is dependent on the wavelength.

An aircraft architecture may be designed to create an optimal balance between electric power and bleed power in order to match or improve current more electric architecture (MEA) performance while simplifying power extraction from the engines as well as simplifying the electrical system. Conventional aircraft architectures may use electric only ECS and cabin pressurization systems (so-called “no bleed” systems). Alternatively, older conventional aircraft may use strictly engine bleed air to provide power for ECS and cabin pressurization systems. The present invention, on the other hand, provides an architecture which may optimize the use of both engine bleed air and MEA designs to provide a system that may be simpler and potentially more reliable and available as compared to conventional aircraft architectures.

A system for transferring mechanical torque variably between a plurality of rotating machines in a turbofan engine. Two devices are used, where the first device relies upon magnetic properties of a planetary magnetic gearbox to couple the magnetic machines. The second device is used to variably control the torque transfer between the magnetic machines. The system couples rotating shafts rotating at differing speeds within a turbofan engine for controllably transferring power. To transfer power in the system, a fixed gear ratio is obtained by coupling the relatively high- and low-speed engine shafts to an epicyclic magnetic gearbox.

Disclosed is a solar cell which is provided with: a semiconductor substrate having a light-receiving surface and a non-light-receiving surface; a PN junction section formed on the semiconductor substrate; a passivation layer formed on the light-receiving surface and / or the non-light-receiving surface; and power extraction electrodes formed on the light-receiving surface and the non-light-receiving surface. The solar cell is characterized in that the passivation layer includes an aluminum oxide film having a thickness off 40 nm or less. As a result of forming a aluminum oxide film having a predetermined thickness on the surface of the substrate, it is possible to achieve excellent passivation performance and excellent electrical contact between silicon and the electrode by merely firing the conductive paste, which is conventional technology. Furthermore, an annealing step, which has been necessary to achieve the passivation effects of the aluminum oxide film in the past, can be eliminated, thus dramatically reducing costs.

A quasi free piston engine uses, a small, lightweight crankshaft to connect the piston assemblies of the free piston engine with a flywheel. While most of the power output from the combustion pistons is extracted by pumping pistons as hydraulic power, the small crankshaft and flywheel ensure exact TDC position of the combustion pistons in operation, and provide a rotating means to drive combustion cylinder intake and exhaust valves. Flywheel speed may be monitored to provide feedback on power extraction for further control of the system. In addition, a hydraulic push-rod system for efficient valve actuation is provided.

The field of the invention relates to minimization of resistive loss of solar panels in order to achieve maximum solar energy conversion efficiency, extracting more electricity power from available solar irradiance. Schemes are designed to take advantage of the geometrical and mechanical configurations of back contact solar cells to make better electrical contacts and connections so as to achieve maximum solar energy conversion efficiency and better power extraction.

A positive displacement power extraction compensation device is used to start and control the operation of engines. The device includes a positive displacement fixed vane compressor having a rotor connected with a drive shaft, a combustor connected with the compressor and a positive displacement power extraction device also having a rotor connected with a drive shaft. The compressor and power extraction devices are configured to displace unequal volumes of air at a given speed, so that combustion gases from the combustor exert less force on the compressor drive shaft as on the power extraction device drive shaft.

A miniaturized in-body electronic device is provided. One or more antennas (e.g., 32) may be galvanically coupled to receive an alternating current (AC) signal through the body of a subject where the in-body electronic device is located. Power extraction circuitry (e.g., 36) is configured to extract electrical power from the AC signal received by the antenna. The extracted electrical power is used for electrically powering one or more components of the electronic device. A transmitter (e.g., 48) is coupled to receive power from the power extraction circuitry. A controller (e.g., 46) is coupled to the transmitter. The controller is configured to activate the transmitter to generate a sequence of intermittent transmission bursts for transmitting an uplink signal. A transmission burst may have a higher instantaneous power level than an instantaneous power level of the AC signal received by the antenna.

An electricity generator having variable capacitors that each includes a repeatedly stretched and relaxed sheet (20, FIG. 3) of SM (stretchable material) and electrodes (22, 24) lying against opposite faces of the sheet, which includes a power extraction unit (110, FIG. 9) coupled to the electrodes of at least a pair of capacitors that are activated out of phase with each other. The unit directs an electrical charge (current) from a first pair of electrodes that have a higher voltage, to one or more second pairs of electrodes that have a lower voltage, to recharge the second pairs of electrodes. During the current flow electrical power is extracted by the drop in voltage of current passing through the unit. The power extraction unit can be provided with a control unit that has voltage detectors (54) and that selectively connect capacitors, based on their voltages, for maximum efficiency in generating power output.