SatCon Technology Corp. (Cambridge, MA) recently announced it has received authorization to proceed on a subcontract for General Dynamics Land Systems (Warren, MI). The subcontract, valued at $1.1 million, is to develop a battery power converter for the Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Targeting Vehicle (RST-V) demonstrator.The RST-V is a V22 transportable manned vehicle demonstrator being developed […]
Micrel Semiconductor (San Jose, CA) recently announced that the patent infringement claim by Linear Technology Corp. (Milpitas, CA) has been invalidated. Linear Technology claimed that Micrel had infringed on US Patent Number 4,755,741 which covers design techniques used to increase the efficiency of switching (voltage) regulators.Linear brought the patent infringement suit against Micrel in May […]
Schaefer Inc. (Ashland, MA) recently introduced the QE Series of thyristor-controlled battery chargers and power supplies. The series operates from a standard single-phase input and provides outputs of 100W to 30kW.Outputs are available from 12V to 220Vdc with currents as high as 110A in the standard product line. According to Schaefer, custom solutions have been […]
Alstom (Paris) recently announced it has signed a contract to supply propulsion systems and auxiliary inverters for 30 light-rail vehicles being supplied by Kinki-Sharyo (Japan) to the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (SCVTA), in California.According to Alstom, the 30 vehicles will be fitted with ONIX 800 traction motors and CARA auxiliary converters. The ONIX systems […]
Spire Corp. (Bedford, MA) and Methode Electronics Inc. (Chicago, IL) announced they have entered into a Letter of Intent by which Methode would acquire selected assets of Spire's optoelectronic business segment for approximately $13 million in cash. Methode would also make a $1 million investment in Spire Corp. by purchasing 111,000 shares plus certain rights […]
Vicor Corp. (Andover, MA) recently introduced its 2nd Generation dc/dc converter modules which are designed to give designers more options and increase design flexibility. According to Vicor, the converters offer power densities up to 120W/cu. in., 100 degrees C operating temperature rating, and 3,000Vac isolation (input to output). The converter modules are also designed with […]
Artesyn Technologies (Madison, WI) recently introduced the EXB30 Dual Series of high-efficiency, open-frame, dc/dc converters. Artesyn claims that the EXB30 Dual satisfies the requirements for multiple voltage supply by providing two independent, fully regulated, positive outputs that are separately trimmable. It was designed for systems employing a distributed power architecture, therefore is suited for wireless, […]
Although unit sales will soar, dollar growth in the ac/dc embedded power supply market will be sluggish. Worldwide, merchant ac/dc power supply sales are projected to grow from $9.1 billion in 1999 to approximately $12.2 billion in 2004, a compound annual growth rate of 5.9 percent. These trends are discussed in the new Darnell Group […]
Power Measurement Ltd. (Saanichton, BC) recently announced the introduction of the 7500 ION three-phase digital power meter. According to Power Measurement, the meter features a user-friendly interface, an easy-to-read display, and a full range of built-in communications options. The company also claims the 7500 ION offers a unique combination of power-quality features and high accuracy […]
Ericsson Energy Systems (Sweden) recently launched a new family of dc/dc power modules, the PKN Series. According to Ericsson, the PKN Series utilizes patented techniques with synchronous rectification to achieve more than 90 percent efficiency between 30 percent and 100 percent of full load. The PKN can deliver full power without a heatsink up to […]
The Ninth International Seminar on Double Layer Capacitors and Similar Energy Storage Devices will be held December 6-8, 1999, at the Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach Resort (Deerfield Beach, FL). The seminar will continue the international discussion of the research and development, manufacture, sale and use of double layer capacitors and similar energy storage systems.
Onsite Energy Corp. (Carlsbad, CA), dba Onsite Sycom Energy Corp., recently announced the formation of a preferred partner alliance with GPU Advanced Resources Inc. (Reading, PA) to provide value-added services including energy efficiency and load management services to commercial and industrial customers in the northeast."Customers frequently want us to provide a full array of energy […]
Spectrolab Inc. (Sylmar, CA) recently announced it has reached a production milestone of 25,000 triple-junction galliom-arsenide (GaAs) solar cells, with an average conversion efficiency of 24.5 percent, its highest average efficiency yet.The company also announced it has reached production of a half-million dual junction GaAs solar cells. More than 50kW of these dual-junction cells are […]
Micrel Semiconductor (San Jose, CA) recently announced it has designed a dual-slot PC card power controller with a serial control interface. Manufactured in a 24-pin SSOP and TSSOP packages, the MIC2564A is designed to interface with all popular PC card controllers, including those from O2Micro, Cirrus Logic and Texas Instruments.The MIC2564A is a power controller […]
Three organizations recently announced they are embarking on a major humanitarian effort to deliver solar-powered state-of-the-art digital radio technology to the most remote regions of the world. The venture, called "=access", brings together Solaria Corp. (San Francisco, CA), a solar systems company, WorldSpace Corp. (Washington, DC), a provider of global digital satellite broadcasting, and the […]