Altor Limited Lc

Altor Corporation

Data General Corporation

Exelis Inc.

Altos Limited Lc

Jonathan R Wood

Timothy Trudeau

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a device for generating electrical energy using a thermal cycle of a working gas. The device comprises at least one piston movably mounted in a container to form a working chamber between the at least one piston and the container, the working chamber containing the working gas performing the thermal cycle. An electrical circuit is mounted stationary relative to the container, the electrical circuit being electromagnetically coupled to provide a motive force to the at least one piston. An electronic power converter is electrically connected to the electrical circuit and to an electrical bus, and an electrical storage device is electrically connected to the electrical bus. The at least one piston is movably mounted such that its motion electromagnetically induces current in the electrical circuit. An electronic controller is electronically connected to the electronic power converter to control motion of the at least one piston to perform, in the thermal cycle, at least one of: (i) expanding the working gas beyond the volume at which compression of the working gas is begun within the thermal cycle or (ii) exhausting the working gas to a remaining volume less than the smallest volume of compressed gas within the thermal cycle. The electronic controller further controls flow of electrical energy to and from the electrical bus to effect a net positive average power transfer from the working gas to the electrical bus over the course of the thermal cycle.

System and method for electrically-coupled heat engine and thermal cycle

An electrically-coupled thermal cycle is used to create an electrically-powered heat pump. Energy stored in electrical circuitry is cycled in and out of a working cylinder via windings so that the piston head performs a heat pump cycle. Such a heat pump may be used to extract heat energy from ambient air, and to deliver that heat to an external heat sink by way of the cylinder head.

In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a method for generating electrical energy using a thermal cycle of a working gas. The method comprises using the motion of a piston in a cylinder, containing the working gas performing the thermal cycle, to electromagnetically induce current in an electrical circuit coupled to the cylinder; using the electrical circuit to store the electrical energy, produced by the current induced in the electrical circuit, in an electrical storage device; and using the electrical energy stored in the electrical storage device to electromagnetically provide a motive force to the piston. Cyclically using the electrical circuit to store the electrical energy and using the stored energy to provide a motive force to the piston effect a net positive average power transfer into the electrical storage device over the course of the thermal cycle.

System and method for electrically-coupled thermal cycle

A buck regulator for converting an input DC voltage, V, into an output DC voltage level includes a coupled inductor for outputting the DC voltage level, and an error amplifier for sensing an error in the outputted DC voltage level and a pulse width modulator (PWM) providing a pulse waveform having a duty cycle responsive to the error. Also, included are a Vvoltage driver for outputting the Vvoltage level responsive to the pulse waveform, and a super voltage driver for outputting a super voltage level, Vss, responsive to the pulsed waveform, wherein the super voltage level is higher than the Vvoltage level. The outputted super voltage level is complementary to the outputted Vvoltage level. Also included are dual MOSFETs, which have gates for, respectively, receiving the super voltage level and the Vvoltage level. The dual MOSFETs drive the coupled inductor for outputting the DC voltage level. Furthermore, a pulse shaper is coupled between the PWM and the voltage drivers for forming a sharp pulse having a rise time that is faster than a rise time of the pulse waveform. The sharp pulse is provided as a control signal for activating the voltage drivers.

Low voltage power supply

A leak detector pad comprising a circuit board having a bottom surface and a top surface, spaced first and second electrically conductive traces located on the bottom surface, and an electronic circuit mounted on the top surface. The circuit includes a first segment adapted to create an alternating current (AC) voltage waveform, a second segment adapted to apply the AC voltage waveform between the traces on the bottom surface of the circuit board, a third segment adapted to create a measure of a capacitance between the traces based upon an AC current flowing between the traces as a result of the AC voltage waveform, and a fourth segment adapted to create a direct current (DC) voltage alarm signal if the measure of capacitance provided by the third segment indicates the presence of fluid.

Leak detector pad

The present invention includes a circuit for use with a booster module of a DC-DC converter that typically includes both a driver module and one or more booster modules. The present invention includes associated feedback control circuitry that allows the booster module to operate in the manner of a driver module. In a preferred embodiment, the feedback control circuitry contains a voltage reference device, a differential amplifier, and an optocoupler. In this preferred embodiment, the photodiode portion of the optocoupler electrically connects to an output circuit for the booster module, and the phototransistor portion of the optocoupler connects to an input circuit for the booster module.

Circuit for use in a DC-DC converter having a booster module

In a power supply for use with electronic equipment, the power supply includes a dynamic transformer having a single rotary element with permanent magnets attached, magnetic bearings to support the rotary element during operation, primary and secondary windings linking the flux of the magnets, circuit means to drive the primary windings, and means of using the secondary AC output to provide DC power at the point of use.

Dynamic transformer power supply

A pulse width modulator circuit for use with DC power converters. The circuit contains an oscillator having a nonlinear output, a first comparator for comparing the output of the oscillator with an input voltage, and a second comparator for selecting portions of the output waveform of the first comparator for supplying to the output of the modulator.

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Sudbury, MA, United States of America

Jonathan R Wood