Abstract: A battery component replacement circuit for use in a model railroad application is disclosed. The circuit according to an embodiment of the invention has a series of capacitors connected between positive and negative terminals which supply power for charging the capacitors and which are connected to a load, namely a sound driver and associated processor. A series of diodes is connected in parallel with the series of capacitors also across the terminals. In an alternate embodiment the series of diodes is replaced with a series of resistors.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment may include providing a redundant feedback circuit. The method of this embodiment may also include coupling the redundant feedback circuit to a feedback control loop and decoupling a feedback circuit from the feedback control loop. The method of this embodiment may also include calibrating the feedback circuit. The method of this embodiment may also include recoupling the feedback circuit to the feedback control loop and decoupling the redundant feedback circuit from the feedback control loop. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter has a linear voltage regulator for reducing or eliminating the output ripple of the converter with a minimum loss of efficiency. The converter comprises a converter stage with a supply voltage input, a converted voltage output and a control input, a regulator stage having an input connected to the converted voltage output of the converter stage and an output connected to a load, and a tracking circuit with inputs for a voltage at the converted voltage output of the converter stage, a voltage at the output of the regulator stage and a load sense current, and an output connected to the control input of the converter stage. The tracking circuit controls the converter stage so as to increase the converted voltage with an increasing load sense current and vice versa. The output voltage of the converter is always just sufficient to eliminate the ripple without having to operate the regulator's pass transistor in its linear range.

Abstract: In a power supply device including a PWM-controlled DC/DC converter which changes an output voltage on the basis of a setting signal, and a control unit, the DC/DC converter includes a circuit for changing a dead-time control voltage in accordance with a control signal. A dead-time control circuit is arranged, which sets the ON duty of a PWM main switching element at a predetermined time constant in accordance with the dead-time control voltage. The control unit outputs the setting signal and control signal. In this arrangement, an input rush current generated in changing the output voltage during operation can be reduced, and the time required for causing the output voltage to reach the setting value can also be shortened.

Abstract: A method for balancing cells or groups of cells connected in parallel and in series for a battery pack by providing a continuously balanced state of charge while in a discharge phase, a charge phase, a quiescent phase, a storage phase, or combinations of these phases.

Abstract: In a method and system for providing isolated power, a flyback controller includes a transformer operable to receive a primary voltage input and generate a secondary voltage output. A switch electrically coupled in series with a primary side of the transformer receives a control signal for controlling a duty cycle of the primary voltage. A controller is operable to generate the control signal responsive to receiving a plurality of inputs from the primary side. The controller regulates the secondary voltage output without receiving feedback input from a secondary side of the transformer by computing the secondary voltage as a predefined function of the plurality of the inputs when the switch is open.

Abstract: A protection method for preventing battery cells from over-discharging and being overcharged, a control circuit, and a battery unit are provided. In the protection method, when a set signal “1” is supplied to a set terminal, a flip-flop outputs “1”. The gate of a discharge control FET then becomes “1”, so that the discharge control FET is OFF regardless of a discharge control signal supplied from a voltage monitor circuit. When a reset signal “1” is supplied to a reset terminal, the flip-flop outputs “0”. The discharge control FET is then switched on and off in accordance with the output of a discharge control circuit of the voltage monitor circuit. In this manner, battery cells connected to an electronic device do not over-discharge, even when they are left unused for a long period of time. Thus, the battery unit can be prevented from deteriorating and shortening the life thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relates to systems powered by energy stored in capacitors. The capacitors may be charged using any desired power source. The system does not require batteries, which increases the reliability and life span of the system. In one example, an automatic feeder system uses the combination of solar panels and a capacitive network to power the feeder system indefinitely with minimal required maintenance.

Abstract: A charging circuit for a secondary battery includes a constant-voltage circuit part outputting one of a plurality of predetermined constant voltages and charges the secondary battery by applying the constant voltage thereto, a detection circuit part detecting a battery voltage of the secondary battery, and a control circuit part controlling the selection of the constant-voltage in response to the detected battery voltage.

Abstract: A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to control output power from a switching power supply. For example, a switching regulator according to aspects of the present invention includes a switch to be coupled to an energy transfer element of a power supply. A controller is coupled to the switch to control a switching of the switch to regulate an output voltage and an output current at an output of power supply output. A feedback circuit is coupled to the controller. The feedback circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal from the output of the power supply. Combinations of the output voltage and the output current correspond to output regions. There is at least one regulated output region and one unregulated output region. At least one unregulated output region is a self protection auto-restart region. Within at least one unregulated output region, the switching regulator provides continuous output power at substantially the maximum output power of the switching regulator.

Abstract: An electrical power converter system adjusts a wakeup voltage periodically, to permit earlier connection and/or operation, to increase performance. The electrical power converter system selects between a mathematically adjusted wakeup voltage based on at least one previous period, and a table derived wakeup voltage that takes into account historical information. The electrical power converter system is particularly suited to applications with periodicity such as solar based photovoltaic power generation.

Abstract: A sense amplifier adapted to amplify a voltage signal representative of a charging current provided to a rechargeable battery. The sense amplifier may include a p-type input sense amplifier and an n-type input sense amplifier, The p-type input sense amplifier may be enabled and the n-type input sense amplifier may be disabled if a battery voltage level of the rechargeable battery is less than an under voltage threshold level. The p-type input sense amplifier may be disabled and the n-type input sense amplifier may be enabled if the battery voltage level is greater than or equal to the under voltage threshold level. A related method and an electronic device having a sense amplifier consistent with an embodiment are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement (10) for controlling an electrically operated charger (1), which essentially prevent a sudden drop in voltage with the run-up of the electric charger. A drive signal (AS) is formed, which drives the electric charger (1). The rate of change of speed for an increase of the rpm of the electric charger (1) is pregiven in dependence upon the instantaneous supply voltage (UV).

Abstract: Tips of the lug portions of a board touch the bottom of the opening between projecting portions and step portions, when the upper mold and the lower mold are fit together with a battery and board inserted. Thus the board is retained in position in the molds certainly. After the molds are fit together, polyamide resin is injected into a molding space from a resin-material-injecting orifice provided in the upper mold.

Abstract: A charger unit for an electronic device that includes a housing, a plurality of charging contacts provided on the housing, and a recess provided in the housing, preferably on a rear face thereof. A plug having a plurality of prongs may be selectively attached to and detached from the housing for electrically connecting the charger unit to a source of charging current. When attached to the housing, one or more of the prongs of the plug are electrically connected to a respective one of the charging contacts. In addition, a plurality of storage sockets are provided in the housing within the recess. Each of the storage sockets are adapted to receive and hold therein a respective one of the prongs of the plug to enable the plug to be safely and securely stored when not in use.

Abstract: A method for automatically cutting off power in case of a low battery voltage in a mobile electronic unit is provided. The method comprises (a) cutting off the power of the mobile electronic unit when a battery voltage is detected in a first check section during a booting period of the mobile electronic unit that is not in a normal state, and (b) cutting off the power of the mobile electronic unit when the battery voltage detected with respect to the first check section is in the normal state and when a battery voltage is detected in a second check section during a period after booting of the mobile electronic unit is completed that is not in the normal state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-phase power regulator that accurately senses current at a load in a lossless manner and adjusts the power supplied to the load based on the sensed current. Also disclosed is a method of calibrating a multiphase voltage regulator by applying a known calibration current at the load and determining actual current values by the difference in measured values between when the known calibration current is applied and when it is not applied. The accurate current is determined at a known temperature and accurate temperature compensation is provided by a non-linear digital technique. Each phase of the multi-phase power regulator is individually calibrated so that balanced channels provide accurate power to the load. Also disclosed is a calibration method with minimal noise generation.

Abstract: A control device receives an output voltage of a voltage-up converter from a voltage sensor, and calculates a feedback preliminary voltage control value determined by the difference between a voltage control value and the output voltage. The control device corrects the calculated feedback preliminary voltage control value in accordance with the output voltage to calculate a feedback voltage control value where the follow-up property of the output voltage with respect to the voltage control value is equal to a reference property. The control device controls the voltage-up converter using a feedback voltage control value. The voltage-up converter converts a direct current voltage from a DC power supply into the output voltage maintaining the follow-up property of the output voltage with respect to the voltage control value at the reference property.

Abstract: A solar powered mobile, comprising a drive housing fitting within a case, a solar cell panel fitted within the top of the drive housing, a clear cover over the solar cell panel, a removable DC motor with speed control driven by the solar cell panel, gears connecting the motor to a bearing which provides fastening of a spinner or other device for display.