The performance of a battery-ultracapacitor hybrid power source under pulsed load conditions is analytically described using simplified models. We show that peak power can be greatly enhanced, internal losses can be considerably reduced, and that discharge life of the battery is extended. Greatest benefits are seen when the load pulse rate is higher than the system eigenfrequency and when the pulse duty is small. Actual benefits are substantial; adding a 23 F ultracapacitor bank (3 /spl times/ 7 PC10 ultracapacitors) in parallel with a typical Li-ion battery of 7.2 V and 1.35 A hr capacity can boost the peak power capacity by 5 times and reduce the power loss by 74%, while minimally impacting system volume and weight, for pulsed loads of 5 A, 1 Hz repetition rate, and 10% duty.

Power and life extension of battery-ultracapacitor hybrids

A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Distributed Power Harvesting Systems Using DC Power Sources

Considering the increase of urban population and traffic congestion, smart parking is always a strategic issue to work on, not only in the research field, but also from economic interests. Thanks to information and communication technology evolution, drivers can more efficiently find satisfying parking spaces with smart parking services. The existing and ongoing works on smart parking are complicated and transdisciplinary. While deploying a smart parking system, cities, as well as urban engineers, need to spend a very long time to survey and inspect all the possibilities. Moreover, many varied works involve multiple disciplines, which are closely linked and inseparable. To give a clear overview, we introduce a smart parking ecosystem and propose a comprehensive and thoughtful classification by identifying their functionalities and problematic focuses. We go through the literature over the period of 2000–2016 on parking solutions as they were applied to smart parking development and evolution, and propose three macro-themes: information collection, system deployment, and service dissemination. In each macro-theme, we explain and synthesize the main methodologies used in the existing works and summarize their common goals and visions to solve current parking difficulties. Finally, we give our engineering insights and show some challenges and open issues. Our survey gives an exhaustive study and a prospect in a multidisciplinary approach. Besides, the main findings of the current state-of-the-art throw out recommendations for future research on smart cities and the Internet architecture.

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A Survey of Smart Parking Solutions

Review of proton exchange membrane fuel cell models

A monitoring system and method for monitoring performance of individual powers sources in a distributed power source system A monitoring module is coupled to each of the power sources, or to each string of serially connected power sources, to monitor and collect data regarding current, voltage, temperature and other environmental factors at the power source The collected data is transmitted over a power line to a central analysis station for analysis Data collected from each source indicates malfunction or degradation at the source Comparison of data collected from adjacent sources filters for environmental factors impacting neighboring sources such as cloudy days for a solar panel Comparison of data collected from the same source at different times indicates soiling or degradation of the source with time or periodic events such as a moving shade from an adjacent building

Monitoring of Distributed Power Harvesting Systems Using DC Power Sources

Man portable power needs of the 21st century: I. Applications for the dismounted soldier. II. Enhanced capabilities through the use of hybrid power sources

The battery has two legs of equal voltage (expressed as Volts DC or VDC) and equal electrochemical capacity (expressed as Ampere-Hours or AH). Each leg has one or more hinged and electrically connected modules. Both legs are hinged to each other but are not electrically connected. The modules of the battery can be folded into four basic prismatic shapes and an infinite number of non-prismatic shapes. Each shape is basically two batteries because the equal voltage legs can be connected to the load equipment in electrical series or electrical parallel. An adapter can be connected to the battery to provide additional battery footprints.

Dual voltage multiple configuration battery and adapter

The invention is an electric generator comprising a portable electric generator and a thermal electric co-generator. The co-generator converts heat produced by the portable electric generator into electricity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the portable electric generator is a microturbine. In another embodiment, the portable electric generator is a fuel cell. In a further embodiment, the thermal electric generator comprises a hot thermocouple and a cold thermocouple.

Portable electric generator with thermal electric co-generator

A programmable parking meter and integrated paging transmitter is provided to warn the parking patron with a pre-violation notice that the parking time is about to expire. The programmable parking meter and integrated paging transmitter includes a rechargeable battery, a flat display that provides programming options and status of parking information to the parking patron, coin slots for use as a conventional coin operated parking meter, an automated teller machine (ATM) style keyboard to activate and program the paging apparatus, and a paging transmitter to interface with existing digital relays and infrastructure for personal communications devices. The invention also includes a method for notifying a remote parking patron that a programmable parking meter and integrated paging transmitter is scheduled to expire.

Programmable parking meter and integrated paging transmitter

A close combat butt stock apparatus for an assault weapon is provided with a slideable cover for a close combat butt stock assembly that is positioned behind a first pistol grip and a first trigger of the assault weapon. The close butt stock assembly has an interior opening that defines a close combat handle and a hand shield. A second trigger is also built into the interior opening. With the close combat butt stock apparatus, the military and law enforcement user can now safely and efficiently hold the assault weapon in the bayonet and close quarter combat position with the firing hand holding the close quarter combat handle so that the firing hand is much closer to a second trigger. Maintaining the bayonet and close quarter combat position with the firing hand next to the second trigger permits the user to fire the weapon much more quickly than before, which will optimize the handling of the assault weapon during bayonet and close quarter fighting, protect the firing hand during bayonet and close quarter fighting, provide the user the means to fire the weapon during bayonet and close quarter fighting and extend the striking range of the rifle butt stock during close quarter fighting. Other embodiments include an assault weapon, an assault rifle, an assault weapon equipped with a close combat butt stock assembly and a method for rapidly engaging a second trigger of a close combat butt stock assembly of an assault weapon.

Fee Chan Leung

Papers

Man portable power needs of the 21st century: I. Applications for the dismounted soldier. II. Enhanced capabilities through the use of hybrid power sources

Dual voltage multiple configuration battery and adapter

Portable electric generator with thermal electric co-generator

Programmable parking meter and integrated paging transmitter

Close combat butt stock for assault weapons