Abstract: An isolation and positive shut-off system for a fuel dispensing facility having a plurality of dispensers and at least one fuel storage tank in electrical communication with one or more of the dispensers is provided comprising a power source for supplying a power signal to the dispensers and fuel storage tanks, a plurality of relays connected between the dispensers and the storage tanks and power source for selectively interrupting the electrical communications and power signals to each of the dispensers, a control signal for the relays, and a plurality of switches for independently and selectively controlling transmission of the control signal to the relays in order to trigger the relays to separately interrupt transmission of the power signal and electrical communications to each of the dispensers.

Abstract: A power control device includes a power control circuit connected to a power supply and a supervisory power monitor unit for outputting a control pulse to the power control circuit for approximately one second. The power control circuit switches the power supplied at the power control circuit input to an output of the power control circuit when the control pulse is deasserted. A reset output logic device receives the power supplied from the output of the power control circuit when the control pulse is deasserted and outputs the power to reset outputs in a distributed power system.

Abstract: A DC power distribution system can be configured to utilize a variable number of AC power distribution units. Installation of a converter unit in place of a PDU and resetting of associated switches permits inexpensive and rapid reconfiguration of the system without interrupting power supply to current receiving units. Techniques such as mechanical keying and sense switches minimize the possibility of human error in the reconfiguring operation.

Abstract: A power supply controller is capable of regulating the amount of electrical power supplied to semiconductor fabrication facilities to amounts in accordance with processing conditions of each facility. The apparatus includes a plurality of process status detectors corresponding to the facilities, each status detector detecting an operation mode of each of the facilities and generating a mode detection signal. A plurality of unit controllers are provided, corresponding to the process status detectors, each unit controller generating a power control signal in response to the mode detection signal. A plurality of power supply units are provided, corresponding to the unit controllers, each power supply unit controlling and providing an amount of electrical power from the main power supply to the facilities in response to the power control signal corresponding the operation mode of each facility.

Abstract: A method for providing an uninterruptible power supply to a load both at ordinary times and in an emergency. At ordinary times, commercial AC input power is modulated into high-frequency AC power, which is then applied to a primary winding of a high-frequency transformer having the primary winding, a secondary winding and a tertiary winding. High-frequency AC power induced in the secondary winding from the primary winding is demodulated into AC output power, which is then supplied to the load. High-frequency AC power induced in the tertiary winding from the primary winding is rectified into DC power, with which a storage battery is charged. In an emergency, DC power from the storage battery is converted into high-frequency AC power, which is then applied to the tertiary winding. High-frequency AC power induced in the secondary winding from the tertiary winding is averaged, thereby producing AC output power, then the AC output power is supplied to the load.

Abstract: An aircraft electrical supply bus supplementing arrangement in which electrical energy is stored in a large capacitor and energy flow between the capacitor and the bus is controlled by a bi-directional electrical converter circuit of the switched inductance type. The varying terminal voltage of the energy storing capacitor, a super capacitor, is coupled to the relatively fixed voltage of the aircraft supply bus by way of the voltage changing capability of the converter circuit switched inductance. Current flow levels in this inductance are controlled with a negative feedback regulator circuit. Energy storage efficiency in the converter is enhanced with respect to weight and physical size of the capacitor element by ability of the converter circuit to accept a widely varying input voltage while generating a relatively constant output voltage.

Abstract: An electrical interface is comprised of permanent electrical facilities and a temporary electrical facility. The permanent electrical facilities provide electrical power to a residential neighborhood. The temporary electrical facility electrically is connected to the permanent electrical facilities and provides electrical utilities to construction sites. The temporary electrical facility is comprised of a first housing, at least one electrical breaker, and at least one electrical plug. The electrical breaker and the electrical plug are positioned in and enclosed within the first housing is such a manner that the at least one electrical breaker and the at least one electrical plug can be accessed from a position exterior to the first housing. The at least one electrical breaker electrically is coupled to the permanent electrical facilities and to the at least one electrical plug in such a manner as to selectively switch power to and from the at least one electrical plug.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery package includes circuitry with a switching device which disconnects the exterior terminals of the battery package from one or more batteries therein. The circuit also includes a device having a diode function which allows the battery or batteries to be charged regardless of the state of the switching device. A power MOS-FET having a diode characteristic is used for the switching device and diode device. The gate of the power MOS-FET controls the disconnections of the batteries within the battery package. The gate is connected to a switch such as a reed relay contained within the battery package which is triggered by a magnet within a portable computer. Alternatively, a control terminal may be provided on the exterior of the battery package which is connected to the gate of the power MOS-FET.

Abstract: A maximum demand power control apparatus is provided which can be easily wired up even when a large number of loads are to be controlled, and wherein the burden related to control does not fall on one device. In the construction, a sensor node 2 estimates the consumption power amount for a whole facility on the basis of the pulses outputted from an integrating wattmeter 1, and outputs power warnings information to a transmission line 5 based on the estimation. Control nodes 3a to 3c respectively control the consumption power of power loads 4a to 4c corresponding to the respective control nodes, according to power warning information received via the transmission line 5.

Abstract: A self-shutdown system for a circuit card when removed from the connector of a primary system, where the circuit card includes a local power source for providing power when primary power is not available. A dedicated sense pin on the connector of the card is grounded to the remaining ground pins when the card is plugged in but floats or is otherwise disconnected when the card is unplugged from the primary system. A ground switch circuit connected to the sense pin and the remaining ground pins asserts a shutdown signal for disabling the circuitry on the card when the ground sense pin is floating or deasserts the shutdown signal when the ground sense pin is grounded. In one embodiment, the disable mechanism is a switch circuit for disconnecting the main circuitry of the card from the local power source. In the preferred embodiment, however, a DC/DC converter receives the shutdown signal and disables the remaining circuitry when the shutdown signal is asserted.

Abstract: A priority control system is disclosed for controlling multiple secondary load devices, and one priority load device. The secondary load devices can be randomly controlled at any time, except when the priority load device is activated, in which case, all secondary load devices are deactivated. The priority control system has a first relay which relays power to a plurality of secondary relays corresponding to the secondary load devices. The first relay is biased such that it normally provides power to the secondary relays. The first relay also has a priority position which is the non-biased position, for providing power to the priority load device. The first relay is activated by a priority control device which switches system power from the secondary relays to the priority load device. A priority timer circuit is provided to limit the time the first relay is in the priority position, regardless of a possible malfunction in the priority control device.

Abstract: A computer system is powered by a battery pack, the battery pack including either nickel-based batteries or lithium-ion based batteries. Either of the two battery packs can be interchanged without modification to the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching an inductive load includes a MOSFET switch and provides for limiting a voltage across the load during switching-off of the latter. One or two clamping circuits are used without zener diodes and with different, temperature-independent clamping voltages for the purpose of rapid demagnetization of the load in a constant demagnetization time.

Abstract: A fail-safe circuit (10) comprises a storage battery (11) for electrical charges as well as a first charge path (12) which optionally connects the storage battery (11) to a first potential (UL). A second charge path (14) and a third charge path (15) optionally connect the storage battery (11) with a second or third potential (UE1, UE2). The first and second switching devices (16, 17), which operate as function of the first and second switching events (TA, TB), each comprise a first and second switching contact (A1, B1) in the first charge path (12) and a second switching contact (A2, B2) in the second and third charge path (14, 15). The actuation coils (LC, LD) of the third and fourth switching devices (18, 19) are in the second and third charge path (14, 15) and each have a first switching contact (C1, D1) in the first charging path (12) and a second contact (C2, C2', D2, D2').

Abstract: A safety device for a passage closure, such as a garage door, having a drive, a maximum permissible load value which can be set, and a control device by which the drive can be switched off, switch-off occurring when the maximum permissible load value has been reached and a signal S.sub.2 is sent to the control device at a time T.sub.2. A sensor is disposed in the area of the leading edge of the closure. When the sensor encounters an obstacle, it emits a signal S.sub.1 to the control device at a time T.sub.1. Upon reaching the maximum permissible load, the control device determines a .DELTA.T based on T.sub.2 -T.sub.1, compares it to a preset value and if the preset value is exceeded, changes the direction of movement of the closure.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is provided which permits system configuration to be freely changed even after electronic circuit boards are mounted to a shelf. The apparatus is a combination of an open rack and a shelf mounted on the rack, office cables for interconnecting external electronic devices are guided toward the rear of the apparatus and connected directly to external connectors of the electronic circuit boards, and a back wiring board is arranged on the rear surface of the shelf and has sheet connectors to which power supply connectors of the electronic circuit boards are connected.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing alternate current paths to a junction through different sets of gate controlled SCRs coupled to the junction. The method starts with the step of initiating a switch from an active set of SCRs to an inactive set by removing a gate signal from two parallel connected, opposite sense current carrying SCRs which in combination carry AC current in either direction. Removal of the gating signal is often initiated, for example, in response to an indication that one alternating current source is faulty so that a switch to a second source is initiated. Current is then sensed through the two SCRs of the active set to determine a current carrying state for each of those two SCRs. After the state of the current carrying SCRs is determined the current carrying state of the SCRs is confirmed during a delay time period.

Abstract: A low voltage power inverter utilizes reed switches to control a number of display tubes. The reed switches are controlled by magnetic coils or permanent magnets. The magnetic coils receive a control signal from a control circuit. The control circuit is powered by a capacitor coupled around a power lead and a capacitor coupled around a return lead. The permanent magnet is coupled to a mechanical actuator.

Abstract: A switching unit includes a plurality of operation switches and terminal loads corresponding to each of the operation switches. A switch is connected to a load by way of a controlling circuit unit. Each of the operation switches includes a recognition signal generator for generating individually different switch signals when each switch is turned on. The controlling circuit unit includes a switch discriminator that generates an output signal for activating a predetermined terminal load on receiving each of the switch signals from the recognition signal generating means. By replacing an operation switch with another which contains a different recognition signal generator, the unit can cope with a change of the grade of a vehicle, change of required function and so on, making possible a reduction in the number of terms to be used, making it possible to reduce the total production cost.

Abstract: A circuit used in combination with a redundant power supply system to electrically disconnect its failed power supplies. The circuit comprises a power FET, a rectifier and filter circuit, a start-up circuit and a shut-down circuit. The rectifier and filter circuit rectifies an input AC waveform and subsequently filters a resultant DC voltage which is subsequently used to supply an output voltage at an output terminal connected to the power FET. In parallel with the rectifier and filter circuit, the start-up circuit is coupled to a gate of the power FET to ramp the voltage supplied to that gate slowly turning on the power FET. Coupled in parallel with the start-up circuit, the shut-down circuit conducts voltage from the gate thereby turning-off the power FET to preclude current from other power supplies of the redundant power supply system to pass current to its failed power supply.