A surgical instrument including a firing drive configured to selectively advance a firing member and/or cutting member relative to an end effector and, in addition, a reversing drive configured to selectively retract the firing member and/or cutting member relative to the end effector. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument can further include a switch including relatively movable first and second portions, wherein the first portion can be configured to operably disengage the firing drive from the firing member and, in addition, operably engage the reversing drive with the firing member. In at least one embodiment, the second portion can include a handle extending therefrom which can be motivated by the surgeon in order to engage the second portion with the first portion and move the first portion into position.

Surgical stapling instrument with a firing member return mechanism

With the recent advances in the field of applications which require a certain power level over a short period of timeand with the air-quality constraints which have become more stringent in the last few decades, the energy storagesystems (ESSs) have come to play a crucial role for the electric grid. Various aspects such as the historical evolutionof ESSs, technical characteristics, and applications for the ESSs are thoroughly addressed. Special emphasis is given tothe interaction between the smart grid (SG) and microcrogrids applications, on the one hand, and the ESSs, on the otherhand. Thus, the main goal of this work is to present the specialist and nonspecialist review of the most important ESSscurrently available on the market.

Energy Storage Technologies: The Past and the Present

Systems and methods are provided for creating and operating a Direct Current (DC) micro-grid. A DC micro-grid may include power generators, energy storage devices, and loads coupled to a common DC bus. Power electronics devices may couple the power generators, energy storage devices, and loads to the common DC bus and provide power transfer.

Dc micro-grid

A renewable energy, utility size electric power system is provided with a high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network connected by a direct current link to a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. The harvesting network includes distributed renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters that control delivery of renewable energy to the grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. A visual immersion monitoring and control system can be provided for a three-dimensional, visually-oriented, virtual reality display, command and control environment.

High voltage energy harvesting and conversion renewable energy utility size electric power systems and visual monitoring and control systems for said systems

A system includes at least one generator coupled to an island grid, at least one energy storage unit and at least one converter coupled to the at least one energy storage unit and configured to be coupled to the island grid. The system further includes a control circuit configured to cause the at least one converter to transfer power between the at least one energy storage unit and the grid responsive to a change in a load on the island grid to maintain operation of the at least one generator at a predetermined operating point. The at least one generator may include a control system configured to match generator output to the load and the control circuit may be configured to maintain the control system of the at least one generator within a predetermined dynamic response capability limit responsive to the change in the load.

Island grid power supply apparatus and methods using energy storage for transient stabilization

A battery charging station receives power from two or more sources and supplies power to charge batteries of electric vehicles and devices.

Electrical vehicle charging using fuel cell system

A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base.

Fuel cell mechanical components

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.

Chad Pearson

Papers

Dc micro-grid

Electrical vehicle charging using fuel cell system

Fuel cell mechanical components

Integrated fuel cell system with auxiliary power delivery

Integrated fuel cell system with auxiliary power delivery and method for providing power to an auxiliary device