Showing papers on "Electric power published in 1980"

Method and apparatus for power load shedding

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the control of power consumption in individual space-conditioning loads fed by an electric power network utilizes a commandable, programmable temperature control device which gradually, substantially continually changes the control setpoint in response to an external signal to reduce power consumption such that temperature changes go relatively unnoticed by the occupants. A radio receiver or the like is utilized to receive a signal from the power utility company and, in response to the signal, the setpoint function of the thermostat associated with the load becomes an electronically simulated function in accordance with the invention and the user-control setpoint is removed from the control loop. The effective load shedding is also greatly enhanced by the provision of an integral reset function in addition to the conventional proportional control within the temperature control system. The use of a plurality of such systems enables the power utility to control electric power network peak load with a minimum impact on the comfort of individuals in the conditioned spaces.

Apparatus for controlling electrical power consumption

Abstract: In an electrical power distribution system, a consumer has a control unit comprising a plurality of solid state switches in supply leads to a plurality of separate load circuits, a microprocessor responsive to the magnitude of the total current drawn by the consumer from the supply and arranged to control the various switches so as to limit the total current or power in accordance with a priority program set into the microprocessor. The consumer can thus control the manner of use of the supplied power within a maximum demand limit. This overall maximum demand limit may be predetermined in accordance with an agreed supply tariff or may be remotely controlled by the utility. Preferably two microprocessors with associated control switches are employed, one being controlled by the utility and being associated with or forming part of the energy consumption metering unit and serving to limit the maximum demand and the other being programmed by the consumer to control priority of supplies to individual load sub-circuits.

Method of rewriting data in non-volatile memory, and system therefor

Abstract: A method and system for rewriting data in a non-volatile memory in which the rewriting of one access unit of stored data is executed by erase and write cycles, the stored data being protected in the event of an interruption in electric power. In rewriting into second data the first data which is stored in a data storage area of the non-volatile memory, either the first or the second data is stored in a save area of the non-volatile memory, after which the first data in the data storage area is erased, followed by the writing of the second data in the data storage region to complete the rewrite operation.

Peak power generation

Abstract: Electric power is provided during periods of peak demand, employing a turbine generator facility activated by the expansion of compressed air, withdrawn from an underground air storage reservoir, in a substantially isothermal system. A generator system, which may comprise a steam boiler or a fuel gasifier, is employed for isothermal compression of air into reservoir storage during periods of low power demand.

Reserve power supply for computers

Abstract: A reserve power supply for providing backup power to a computer system includes a first battery and a second battery which are switchably interconnected in series or parallel by a switch means. When the batteries are connected in parallel they may be charged by a primary power supply which normally drives the computer system. When the batteries are connected in series they provide power to the computer when the primary power supply fails. This association with the primary power supply and the computer system is effected by a coupling circuit of the reserve power supply. The reserve power supply further includes an indicator circuit which visually and audibly signals when the batteries are providing power to the computer system. The reserve power supply further includes an electrical circuit which connects the voltage from one of the batteries to a second voltage output of the primary power supply and a second voltage input of the computer system. This electrical circuit also converts the voltage from the one battery into a plurality of other voltages for use by the computer system.

Totally enclosed air cooled electrical machines

Abstract: A totally enclosed electrical machine, particularly a high power electric motor, is provided with a plate-type, crossflow, air-to-air heat exchanger which is seated on the frame of the electrical machine. Adjacent plates of the heat exchanger are modular units which define an array of ducts through which the internal air heated by the machine flows in a direction away from the machine. The ducts at opposite ends of the array provide passages for the bi-directional flow of air, such that air which is cooled in the heat exchanger is returned to the opposite ends of the machine. The heat exchanger is provided with a plenum in which air is returned to the end ducts. A baffle in the plenum distributes the air in different amounts, which vary progressively but in opposite senses, to the return ducts which communicate with the opposite ends of the machine thereby equalizing the temperature of the return air supplied to the opposite ends of the machine and providing uniform cooling of the machine. External air is directed through channels between adjacent plates of the heat exchanger, the opposite sides of which define the ducts for the internal machine air. The entire unit can readily be assembled at low cost.

Electric meter consumption and demand communicator

Abstract: An electric power consumption communicator system which includes a non-contact electric utility meter monitoring device which converts meter wheel revolutions into electronic digital pulses. An encoder device converts the digital pulses to coded electronic oscillations which are coupled onto existing power lines at the meter location. The existing power lines provide the medium for communicating coded meter intelligence to all existing power outlets in a residence or building. One or more signal decoders located at any power outlet decouple and reconstruct the coded meter intelligence into a digital format conducive to further processing.

Electric strength of some gases and gas mixtures

Abstract: Sulphurhexafluoride accounts for a significant fraction of the total cost of compressed gas insulated transmission (CGIT) lines. There is, therefore, a considerable incentive to find alternative gases which may be superior to SF 6 in practical equipment. This paper will report the results of experimental determinations of the 60 Hz electric strength in quasi-uniform fields of approximately thirty gases at 0.15 MPa. In service, the maximum strength achievable with a gas is limited, among other factors, by the maximum tolerable pressure (bursting strength of the equipment) and by low vapor pressure at low temperatures. A method of comparing the maximum usable electric strengths of various gases over specified operating temperature and pressure ranges taking into account the above limitation will be discussed using the experimental data. This paper will also report the results of experimental determinations of the 60 Hz electric strength of binary mixtures of these gases with SF 6 , in most cases over the range of zero to 100% SF 6 . This work is sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute under Contract 847-1 with the Westinghouse Research and Development Center.

Electrical facial massage apparatus

Abstract: An exercising device for a person's face, a front side of the device including a spoon shaped bowl for massaging against the face, an electric coil behind the bowl connected to a transformer for heating up the bowl surface, wiring from the transformer to a control switch on the handle and to an electric power source, while a rear side of the device includes a reservoir for oil or cream, and a sponge on which the oil or cream is dispensed.

Stand-by heating/power supply system for a motor vehicle

Abstract: A stand-by heating/power supply system for an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance, has an auxiliary electric heater and pump connected in the conventional heater coolant line adjacent the upstream side of the rear heat exchanger normally employed in such a vehicle. A control unit is connected to supply operating power to this heater and pump and also to operate the heater fan independently of the standard fan control provided in the vehicle. The control unit, in turn, is supplied with operating power upon connection with a conventional residential alternating current power source and includes timer circuits and electronic switches to delay the turning on of the heater pump unit and the fan and other auxiliary electrical power supplies for a predetermined time period after the connection with the alternating power source is made. The time delays for turning on different ones of the utilization devices within the vehicle also is varied, so that no sudden power surge takes place.

Superconductors in electric-power technology

Abstract: The development of electric power technology and of super conductor devices since the discovery in 1911 of superconductivity is reviewed in detail with information on superconductor theory, materials development, helium and hydrogen refrigeration, the design and performance of superconducting devices built in the US, Europe, and Japan, potential applications of superconducting magnets and coils in the electric power system, and the benefits of improving the efficiency of power transmission by the use of still-to-be-developed superconductors which can withstand high current densities and strong magnetic fields. (LCL)

Converting solar power to electric power

Abstract: Solar energy is collected by collector means supported in space by geostationary satellite and directed to an air buoyant intermediate platform at a position within the upper atmosphere. The laser energy is there converted to microwave energy and beamed down to earth.

Power frequency electric field induces biological changes in successive generations of mice

Abstract: Electromagnetic fields arising from the electrical power system are pervasively present in the environment. To help evaluate their public-health risk we raised 3 successive generations of mice in a low-strength, 60-Hz electric field. We found that the field caused an increased mortality in each generation, and, altered body weights in the 3rd generation.

Solar power station

Abstract: Solar power station with semiconductor solar cells for generating electric power, wherein the semiconductor solar cells are provided on a member such as a balloon or a kite which carries the solar cells into the air. The function of the balloon or kite can also be fulfilled by a glider or airship. The solar power station can be operated by allowing the system to ascend at sunrise and descend at sunset or when the wind is going to be too strong in order to avoid any demage.

Multi-fuel rotary power plants using gas pistons, elliptic compressors, internally cooled thermodynamic cycles and slurry type colloidal fuel from coal and charcoal

Abstract: A multi-fuel rotary power plant using novel internal cooling and energy saving thermodynamic cycles, gas pistons, the unique rotary centers of the ellipse in a novel compressor and a slurry type fuel made out of colloidal carbon, hydrocarbon and other solvents. These rotary power plants are designed for universal application such as engines for large industrial compressors, cars, electrical power plants, marine and jet propulsion engines. These multi-purpose engines do not require design changes other than sizing for each application and an exhaust pipe change for the case of jet propulsion applications.

Sequence control system for numerically controlled machine tool

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool is equipped with a programmable sequence controller having a first storage area capable of storing operation commands, and a second storage area capable of storing a duplicate of the data planted in the first storage area without erasing the planted data. An operation command, when sent from a numerical control device to the machine tool, is stored in the first storage area and then, when the machine tool has completed the instructed operation, is read out from the first storage area and stored in the second storage area, this operation being repeated as each new command is issued. When electric power is connected to the machine tool, the data stored in the first and second storage areas is compared, an alarm being generated when the two sets of data do not agree.

Aircraft providing variable and constant electric power

Abstract: The invention is a two-level power system for electrically powered aircraft sub-systems. An aircraft engine (2) drives a three phase generator (30) at a variable speed. The output of generator (30) is primary variable-voltage/variable-frequency (VV-VF) power which is utilized by various aircraft subsystems. A portion of the primary VV-VF power is converted to constant voltage-constant frequency (CV-CF) power by an inverter (31) which includes front end rectification. The CV-CF power is then available to selected aircraft subsystems while portions of the CV-CF power are converted by rectifier (32) and transformer-rectifier (33) into 270 vdc and 28 vdc power, respectively, which power is also then available to aircraft sub-systems.

Fluid turbine system

Abstract: A dual solar phenomena exploiting system comprises two main elements; one represents direct solar heat into electric power converting media, and the other indirect using air or aquatic currents in an efficient manner. Both can operate separately, independently or conjunctively.

Method and apparatus for generating energy

Abstract: This is a new method and apparatus for providing electrical or mechanical power output from the energy in low cost fuels in which a mechanism is mounted for rotation with one or more jet propulsion means secured to the mechanism to provide the rotation. The mechanism is suitable for generating electrical power from the rotation or for direct mechanical power takeoff. Friction reducing means are provided by the use of magnetic or pneumatic lifting of the mechanism during rotation.

Electric power steering device

Abstract: PURPOSE:To provide a steering device for having excellent properties, by adopting an electric motor to a power steering device. CONSTITUTION:An electric motor 4 is mounted at a steering gear 3, a steering torque being applied. A handle torque detector 2 is located between a steering handle 1 and the gear 3, a detecting value thereof being input to a differential amplifier 9 vdia an amplifying circuit 8 equipped with a differentiation circuit 6. Output of a steering angle detector 13 corrected by a car speed detector 11 is also input to the differential amplifier 9, the output thereof being added to an electric power amplifier 10 togetherwith signals from an output torque detector 16 of the gear 3. The electric motor 4 is regulated through the working of the amplifier 10. The adoption of the electric motor being excellent in a torque characteristic as a power source for steering leads to obtain a power steering device being excellent in properties, such as a steering reaction force, a car speed dependence, a restoring quality, a kick-back, a wheel-turning delay sense, etc.

Power Sources for Implant Telemetry and Stimulation Systems

Abstract: A discussion on various possible power supplies will be given. This includes: (1) mercury, silver oxide, and lithium batteries; (2) nuclear batteries; (3) rechargeable batteries; (4) RF and magnetic induction powering; (5) body fluid galvanic cells; (6) body fluid fuel cells; (7) mechanical convertors; (8) other body energy to electrical power convertors; and (9) combinations of these techniques. The RF powering is the choice for longterm implant telemetry. Either separate frequencies can be used for power in and signal out or a single frequency can be used for power and signal transmission on a time sharing basis. The design of the two frequencies and single frequency RF powering systems will be discussed. The telemetry systems employing each of these schemes will be presented with evaluation data in animals.

Energy utilization circuit and method

Abstract: An energy utilization circuit and method energizes a.c. loads with a.c. power of conventional voltage and frequency characteristics. A coverter responsive to an energy source, typically a wind or solar driven generator, converts the energy to d.c. electrical power. An inverter alters the d.c. power to a.c. power. An a.c. wave generator, such as an alternator, is connected to the output of the inverter. The alternator is operated to impress its voltage and frequency on the output of the inverter so as to lend conventional characteristics to this output. Excess power from the inverter maintains the operation of the alternator.

Prospects for the Electric Vehicle: A Historical Perspective

Abstract: The commercial failure of the electric vehicle in the first decades of this century was due to a number of factors, but one which has not yet been remarked upon by historians was the lack of interest of most electric utility companies in the vehicle charging business. Electric vehicle needed careful maintenance to presive their expensive and not very durable batteries, and in those businesses which were too small to use more than a few vehicles and which could not afford to operate charging and maintenance facilities, this was a serious drawback to their ability to use electric vehicles. In a few big cities in the period 1905-1920, a few utility companies aided the electric vehicle industry by setting up garages, giving specil chaging rates, making available technical serve, etc., but this was an uncommon phenomenon. Therefore, the use of commercial electric vehicles was usally restricted to those few large busineses which operated sizable fleets and their own prages. It is suggested that such lack of utility company support of the early electric vehicle may point up a lesson for the future acceptance of the electric vehicle in our own time.

Electric power generating system

Abstract: An electric power generating system adapted for use in a vehicle including at least one electric generator and one battery; and at least one energy converter for receiving superfluous movement of the vehicle and producing pressure fluid flow from such movement, and a power transmitting means for receiving and changing the fluid flow into rotational power. The power transmitting means transmits rotational power to the electric generator only when stored rotational power reaches a predetermined level. Therefore, the generator is operated by superfluous movement of the vehicle to generate electricity.