Abstract: A switch mode power supply (10) including a switch control circuit (26), a switching device (28), and a plurality of transformers (38) and (40) is disclosed. Turns ratios of the transformers (38) and (40) are selected to produce desired output voltages within acceptable tolerances. A voltage from an output (46) is selected as a feedback voltage and is provided through an isolator (76) to the switch control circuit (26) for regulation thereof. The power supply (10) is characterized in that desired output voltages are produced without the use of supplementary voltage regulators. Output voltages from the transformers (38) are combined and rectified, as required, to produce needed derivative voltages.

Abstract: In a power supply apparatus for a load such a toroidal core testing apparatus, an input current is supplied to the load, and an output voltage of the load is obtained. A current corresponding to one part of the output voltage is negatively fed back to the input current.

Abstract: A battery charger charges a discharged battery and can be connected directly to an appliance where it serves as an AC adapter. The output of the battery charger automatically reduces to a trickle maintenance charge as the battery approaches a full charge condition. A Zener diode, used for overcurrent protection automatically turns off the charging function in the event of an overcurrent condition. The circuit automatically resets when the overcurrent condition is removed. A hinged section, when opened out, provides mounting for a battery to be charged. When the hinged section is closed, switches are operated, and electrical connections are made to permit affixing the charger, as an AC adapter, to the normal battery retainer of the appliance.

Abstract: An arrangement for automatically connecting a first battery either in series with or in parallel to a second battery in order to maintain a minimum output terminal voltage including a voltage sensor which detects when the operating voltage of the batteries falls below a first threshold. When this occurs, switching devices are activated to convert the parallel connection of batteries into a series connection, thereby doubling the operating voltage. When the battery voltage rises above a second threshold which is at least twice the first threshold, the switching means are activated to reconnect the batteries in parallel.

Abstract: An electrical energy system including an electric utility having an electricity generating apparatus and distribution lines, a plurality of electric vehicles and electric power storage apparatus receiving electrical power from the electric utility and supplying electrical power to the plurality of electric vehicles and to the electric utility when required.

Abstract: A power supply device for use on a motor vehicle includes a charging power supply such as an alternator or a battery, a plurality of capacitors, chargeable by the charging power supply, for supplying stored electric energy to an electric load such as an engine starter, and a successive charging control circuit arrangement for successively charging the capacitors, one by one, with the charging power supply.

Abstract: A battery cycle counter comprises a rechargeable battery having supply and charger contacts, a circuit for providing an input signal when the rechargeable battery is being charged, and a counter powered by the battery and responsive to the input signal which increments a cycle count. The counter has input and output ports. An analog output circuit coupled to the counter output ports provides a unique analog output signal indicative of said cycle count.

Abstract: An electric power system having line drop compensation includes a controllable electric power source having an output for supplying voltage to a power bus, a local voltage regulator for monitoring the output voltage of the power source and for producing a control signal representative of a desired nominal output voltage of the power source, and a remote voltage regulator for sensing voltage on the power bus at a point of regulation located away from the power source. The remote voltage regulator produces a pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle representative of the voltage at the point of regulation. A pulse width to trim bias converter receives the pulse width modulated signal and produces the trim signal having a magnitude representative of the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting resistance changes in an electrically resistive device is disclosed. The circuit comprises a bridge circuit with first and second MOSFET transistors in adjacent arms of the bridge and the resistive device and a comparison resistor in the other adjacent arms of the bridge. The first MOSFET transistor is connected in series with the resistive device across input terminals of the bridge and the second MOSFET transistor is connected in series with the comparison resistor across the input terminals of the bridge. The drains of the transistors are connected together and the gates of the transistors are connected together. The resistance of the second transistor is higher than the resistance of the first transistor by a predetermined multiple and the resistance or the comparison resistor is greater than the nominal resistance of the resistive device by the same multiple.

Abstract: A battery comprises a housing having at least one rechargeable cell within the housing, wherein the cells have a predetermined characteristic. Magnetized elements within the housing provide information to a charger, wherein the arrangement and number of the magnetized elements is indicative of the predetermined characteristic of the cell or cells.

Abstract: A charging generator output control system for automobiles is disclosed, in which the field current of the generator is controlled by a chopper, an output voltage of the generator is compared with a predetermined target voltage, the difference therebetween is detected, and the duty factor of an output signal of the chopper is controlled in accordance with the difference while at the same time controlling the frequency of an output signal of the chopper in accordance with the duty factor, thus reducing the difference substantially to zero.

Abstract: A remotely controllable power control system wherein the power supplied to a load may be varied locally via an actuator, positionable through a continuous range, on a wall control or from a remote location using a remote control device not electrically wired to the wall control. The load control system includes a transmitter and a wall control/receiver, each having a control actuator for adjusting the power supplied to the load. Control can be obtained by either the transmitter or the wall control/receiver immediately upon manipulation of either control actuator, with the adjustment in power level occurring substantially instantaneously. Communication between the transmitter and the wall control/receiver is by digitally encoded infrared signal.

Abstract: A battery charger which senses the percent of charge in a battery, selects automatically on a continuous basis a constant output charging voltage by switching between two different taps of a transformer, limiting the output voltage not to exceed 17.5 volts to protect the electronic components of the vehicle having the battery therein, against the adverse effects resulting from overcharging and compensating for changes in temperature to maintain a constant level of voltage in continuously charging a battery to the point of being fully charged.

Abstract: A mobile power tool and appliance operating system includes a portable lead-acid battery pack having a high current capacity socket compatible with existing low current plugs used with appliances intended to operate from automotive cigarette lighter sockets. Matable high current capacity plugs are attached to power tools and appliances through retractable cords. The battery pack is receivable in a 120 VAC powered charging base having a self-contained charging circuit including a transformer and a voltage regulator. The high current socket housing prevents inadvertent operation with an automotive cigarette lighter plug, and the high current plug housing prevents electrical contact in a automotive cigarette lighter socket, for safety reasons. In another embodiment, the battery pack is provided with two sockets for delivering different power outputs at each respective socket. Recharging of the battery pack can also be accomplished via connection made to one of the sockets.

Abstract: The charging station includes a circular magazine which is pivotable about a central axis. Above or beneath the circular magazine, which forms a first disk-shaped partial region of the charging station, there is arranged a second partial region, and specifically a device carrier or support. The latter carries the charging and control devices. In the circular magazine there are a plurality of deposit positions or places for energy storage devices where discharged energy storage devices of transport vehicles are again recharged. A transport carriage with gripper devices serves to displace the energy storage devices from the transport vehicle into the circular magazine and is arranged at the region between the central axis and the periphery of the circular magazine. The exchange and charging apparatus is very compact and space-saving in construction and affords the direct and automatic transfer of energy storage devices between transport vehicles and the charging station.

Abstract: A battery charger capable of keeping the effective value of the charging current constant regardless of the supply voltage. The effective value of the charging current is measured by the shunt resistance connected in series with the battery, and the conduction angle of the charging current is controlled according to the measured effective value.

Abstract: A vehicle AC generator control device includes an AC generator including a field coil; a rectifier for rectifying an AC output of the AC generator; a battery connected to an output terminal of the rectifier; a voltage regulator including a switching element series-connected to the field coil, the voltage regulator detecting a terminal voltage of the rectifier or battery to operate the switching element to control a field current of the field coil to adjust an output voltage of the generator to a predetermined value; a dummy load unit including a dummy load balanced with an output capacity of the AC generator; and an overvoltage limiter which detects when the output voltage of the AC generator exceeds a set value, to energize the dummy load unit, so that the dummy load unit is connected to an output terminal of the rectifier, to thereby suppress any abnormal rise of the output voltage.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for purging hot air from the cabin of vehicles when parked under hot sun conditions. The system employs a solar panel of relatively smaller size suited for incorporation with a sun roof or rear window of the vehicle. A power transfer regulator is utilized which is responsive to the peak voltage chacteristic of the solar panel to cause the panel to substantially continuously to perform at its peak power output capability. As such, an equivalent power at lower voltage and enhanced current levels is submitted to the electric drive motor of an air purging fan within the vehicle. Switching controls are provided which monitor the state of the vehicle's internal combustion engine through its ignition switch and which provide turn-on of the purging system at such time as vehicle cabin temperatures reach predetermined levels. When the air circulation system is disabled, the solar panel is employed for charging the battery of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery charging unit for a medical appliance, preferably an inhalator, includes a transformer having a high-voltage side to be connected to a mains voltage and having a low-voltage side. A rectifier is connected to the low-voltage side of the transformer. A charge current circuit is connected to the rectifier for charging a battery. A timing control is connected to the charge current circuit for switching a charge current to a value being safe for long-term charging after a predetermined period of time at an initially higher value. A test key is connected to the charge current circuit for interrupting charging of the battery and loading the battery with a given maximum current requirement for a given period of time. The voltage of the battery under load is measured and compared with a predetermined reference voltage after the test key is actuated. A control light signals if the reference voltage is exceeded.

Abstract: A variable impedance circuit for use in an external circuit is disclosed. The impedance value is selected by an external circuit. The variable impedance is generated between two terminals which are accessible for connection to external circuitry. The impedance provided between these terminals is determined by a control circuit responsive to electrical signals coupled to the control circuit. An internal register in the control circuit stores a value which specifies the impedance between the two terminals. The stored value is copied into a programmable nonvolatile read-only memory in response to a first predetermined electrical signal. Similarly, the value stored in the read-only memory is selectively copied into the internal control circuit register in response to a second predetermined electrical signal.