Abstract: A test system having an improved physical layout and electrical design allows the 1/f noise of metal interconnects to be measured at levels close to that of Johnson or thermal noise. A detailed description of examples of operation of the test system provides evidence of the effectiveness of the test system in minimizing system noise to a level significantly lower than Johnson noise. This permits quantitative measurment of the noise contribution attributable to variations in cross-sectional area of connections for various applications and for qualitative prediction of electromigration lifetimes of metal films, particularly aluminum, having different microstructures. The test system includes an enclosure which includes several nested groups of housings including a sample oven within a device under test box which is, in turn, contained within the system enclosure.

Abstract: Proximity switches and circumferentially movable stator windings allow a motor-generator to simultaneously sense and switch from a synchronous motor position to a synchronous generator position. This mechanism replaces the conventional separate sensing and switching of motor-generator functions. Automatic rotational repositioning of the stator maintains constant voltage and prevents the generation of transient voltages or harmonics. The stator flux leads the rotor magnetic flux slightly in an import power or motor position, creating a torque on the rotor and a counter torque on the stator reacted by the fixed casing of the apparatus. As the stator field weakens due to a failure of the normal power supply, the counter torque also weakens and the stator windings are biased to begin to turn with the rotor until the rotor and stator fields are in step, i.e., when virtually no current is generated or consumed or until a full export power or generator position is reached.

Abstract: In an overhang type starter motor, an inner periphery of a front portion of a pinion 5 is engaged with a spline serration 2a formed at a front part of a pinion shaft 2; a spring 8 is disposed at a shoulder portion of an intermediate portion of the pinion 5 so as to urge the pinion 5 toward a pinion stopper 6; and the inner periphery of the rear part 5a of the pinion 5 is in slide contact with an outer diameter portion 2b of the pinion shaft so that the pinion does not incline when it comes to engagement with a ring gear of an engine.

Abstract: A switching means is provided in a power source line for supplying the A.C. power source of a main power source circuit. A lock switch is separately provided. In the normal state, the lock switch is in a locked off state, thereby controlling the on-off operation of the switching means by the automatic on-off function based on a power source operating switch and timer etc. By turning the lock switch off, the switching means is locked, thereby overriding the automatic on-off function and the power source operating switch.

Abstract: A power supply for use in electronic apparatuses is disclosed, and the power supply is provided with a switching control circuit for controlling the switching operations of a switching device of a rectifying portion, thereby making the switching device more efficiently operate. In the case where an over-voltage is supplied, the switching device is prevented from being damaged. There is added a tertiary coil in the transformer for inducement of a voltage, and a switching circuit is added to it, so that the switching control circuit should be switched in synchronization with a main MOS transistor which is connected to a primary coil of the main transformer. Thus, the switching operations of the switching device is made more efficient, and the switching device is protected, as well as making it possible to carry out a high density design. Therefore the power supply can be applied to all kinds of electronic apparatuses.

Abstract: A plurality of inflation devices are linked to one another to form a loop that is movably restrained so that a segment of the loop is disposed at a lower reference location at the given depth in a first body of water, another segment of the loop is disposed at an upper reference location situated above the lower reference location, another segment of the loop extends along a first path that extends generally upward from the lower reference location to the upper reference location, and another segment of the loop extends along a second path that extends generally parallel to the first path and upward from the lower reference location to the upper reference location. At least a majority of the inflation devices occupying the first path are inflated with gas and at least a majority of the inflation devices occupying the second path are deflated so that inflation devices in the first path move upward and inflation devices in the second path move downward.

Abstract: A power supply circuit limits the voltage on a filter capacitor driven by rectified half-cycles of an input AC waveform. A FET switch in series with the current charging the filter capacitor is opened as soon as the charge on the filter capacitor is adequate. A voltage triggered latch circuit is responsive to the rectified AC input applied through a decoupling diode to the filter capacitor, and supplies a control signal to the FET switch. A further sensing circuit can monitor the current charging the filter capacitor, and can trigger the latch to open the FET switch as needed to limit initial in-rush current during the initial application of AC power. The decoupling diode decouples the rectified peaks provided by the rectifiers from the voltage on the filter capacitor.

Abstract: A movable and adjustable dam including a waterwheel for generating power in rivers, creeks, streams and other flowing bodies of water in which the use of a permanent dam would be impractical or undesirable. The preferred dam includes floatable wall members that can be anchored in position in a body of water to form a water channel there between. The wall members can be unanchored when it is desirable to move the dam. The dam also includes a water wheel mounted between the wall members. The water wheel generates power as it is rotated by water flowing through the channel. Further, the preferred dam includes an adjustable floor comprising a combination of interconnected plates mounted between the wall members. The combination of interconnected plates may be raised or lowered to control the level and flow of water in the water channel and to allow the water wheel to generate power in a mode that is most efficient in response to available water quantity and flow.

Abstract: A device for protecting an integrated circuit (IC) against electrostatic discharge (ESD) includes a self-triggered silicon controlled rectifier (STSCR) coupled across the internal supply potentials of the integrated circuit. The STSCR exhibits a snap-back in its current versus voltage characteristic which is triggered at a predetermined voltage during an ESD event. As large voltages build up across the chip capacitance, the predetermined voltage of the SCR is triggered at a potential which is sufficiently low to protect the internal junctions of the IC from destructive reverse breakdown. The STSCR comprises a pnpn semiconductor structure which includes a n-well disposed in a p-substrate. A first n+ region and a p-type region are both disposed in the n-well. The n+ and p-type regions are spaced apart and electrically connected to form the anode of the SCR.

Abstract: An electronic switching arrangement for controlling a coil includes a capacitor for energizing the coil by momentarily passing a current therethrough so as to generate a required attractive force for movement of the armature. After movement of the armature, only a lower holding current is supplied. Arranged parallel to the coil is a voltage divider which cooperates with a transistor to detect and evaluate an unintentional movement of the armature.

Abstract: A current driver has a short circuit protection circuit which monitors the magnitude of the current driver's output voltage. The protection circuit looks for the failure of the output voltage to either change to a prescribed non short-circuit representative value within a prescribed time window after the onset of a voltage transition at the input node, or to maintain that value as dictated by the input signal. If either of these conditions occurs, the protection circuit takes action to reduce the driver's output current to a relatively small `short circuit` current.

Abstract: A microprocessor based switch such as a circuit breaker generates digital rms representations of analog load currents from n samples of the analog currents per cycle synchronized to the line frequency, where n is an odd integer equal to a selected highest order harmonic to be detected plus 2. A routine determines whether the power system is 50 or 60 Hz, and automatically sets the sampling interval to provide exactly n samples per cycle for the connected source. Terminals for rapidly resetting an analog memory for calibration and field testing of a long delay trip are hidden behind a removable rating plug.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device for a connector associated with an integrated circuit chip, particularly one associated with a thermal ink-jet printhead. A MOS field effect device extends along at least one edge of the connector on the chip. A bipolar transistor, parasitic to the field effect device, conducts current from the connector to ground in response to a voltage between the connector and ground in excess of a predetermined threshold. A zone of a predetermined electrical resistance is operatively disposed between the bipolar transistor and ground. The zone may substantially encircle the bonding pad of the connector to evenly distribute local incidences of high voltage. The invention enables integrated circuits to pass ESD requirements of office products, which is 15 kV by Human Body Model testing.

Abstract: An electric power generator apparatus that generates electrical power from the tidal movements of a body of water by employing multiple energy producing systems. Those energy producing systems include: (1) a moveable tank system associated with hydraulic cylinders in which the upward and downward movements of the tank relative to the tide are used to generate electrical power; (2) an enclosure system in which the controlled inflow and outflow of water between the enclosure and the surrounding body of water is used to generate electrical power; (3) a bellows system in which the effects of the tidal movements are used to force water from the bellows tank through a generator thereby producing electrical power; and (4) a buoyant mass-actuated piston system in which the movement of floating objects (such as docked ships) relative to the tide is used to generate electrical power.

Abstract: A wave power generator is substantially continuously driven by a pair of floats connected to a common drive shaft and positioned side by side along a line perpendicular to the direction of wave motion, one float being specifically designed to efficiently drive the shaft during the rising portion of a wave, the other to efficiently drive the shaft during the falling portion of a wave. The generator's flywheel is maintained at a constant speed by an automatic load control throughout a range of wave patterns sufficient to encompass over 70% of the statistically expected wave patterns at the generator location. An inclined-bottom float is used for the rising wave drive, and a bottom-weighted float is disclosed for the falling wave drive. The floats may be disposed one above the other and may have mating conical surfaces for cushioning occasional contact between the floats.

Abstract: An intelligent power switching system for controlling the electrical connection of a power source to each of a plurality of outputs, such as personal computer components or electronic entertainment equipment. Switch circuitry is coupled to relay circuitry for generating signals responsive to user commands to select an "on" or "off" state with respect to each output. A processor receives switching signals and generates control signals to effect actuation of the relays. Responsive to user programming commands, the processor stores the switching signals, their sequence and the time delay between their generation. Responsive to a subsequent abbreviated user "power-on" command, the processor generates control signals by reading the stored switching signals, their sequence and time delay, and automatically actuates the relays with respect to each output in the same order and with the same time delay as defined by the user programming commands.

Abstract: A device for triggering a passive safety system in a vehicle upon detection of an impact. At least two acceleration sensors, the sensitivity axes of which are aligned for detecting an angle of a frontal impact, are each assigned to a signal channel which, in series with the respective impact sensor, comprises an evaluation circuit, particularly an integrator circuit for its output signals, and a threshold value circuit. During the formation of the speed integral, the physical signal course and the course of the signal edges is evaluated by several logic units in a logical unit (LOG) in order to obtain factors which influence the integration constant of integrators (by multiplication and reduction) to enlarge the area that can be evaluated.

Abstract: An improved resonant forward dc-to-dc converter circuit includes control circuitry for achieving an optimal power cycle in which the transistor is either supplying current to the load or recovering in a sinusoidal manner, for limiting power loss by controlling the switch turn on time to the time when the switch collector voltage at recovery is at a mimimum, for maintaining an approximately constant turn off time and for providing pulse by pulse current mode control for high loop stability and superior transient response.

Abstract: A control device and method of making the same are provided, the control device comprising a rotary switch carried on the component mounting side of a printed circuit board of the control device and having opposed sides with a central opening passing through the opposed sides thereof, and an actuator shaft having a portion thereof disposed in the central opening for operating the rotary switch upon rotation of the shaft, the shaft having structure snap fitting the portion thereof in the central opening of the rotary switch when the portion of the shaft is initially inserted into the central opening by being axially moved from the solder side of the board to the component mounting side of the board.

Abstract: A drive circuit for the interior, and one or more of the exterior, mirrors in a vehicle mirror system provides a drive signal to each of the mirrors to establish the reflectance level of that mirror. Circuit protection is provided to sense a fault condition on one of the electrical conductors extending to the exterior mirrors and to take corrective action in response to a fault condition. The circuit protection may also respond to a fault condition in the electrical supply of the drive circuit and take suitable corrective action. In certain embodiments, each mirror in the mirror system is responsive to one of a plurality of output amplifiers, which is responsive to a distinct desired reflectance signal level in order to color that mirror to a reflectance level that is distinct from that of the other mirrors.