Abstract: In order to prevent discharge of the battery (3) of a motor vehicle during operation of heavy current consumption devices, a circuit configuration is to be prepared which comprises essentially a rotary current generator (1), a vehicle battery (3), one or more current consuming devices (4), and a controllable voltage converter (2). The voltage converter (2) supplies an output voltage which varies as a function of the control signal of a control unit (10) of the current generator (1) and which supplies the current consuming device (4). In the event of overloading of the rotary current generator (1) the output voltage of the voltage converter (2) is lowered in order to reduce the current consumption of the device (4) and prevent overloading of the rotary current generator (1) and discharge of the vehicle battery (3).

Abstract: A crash detection apparatus of a vehicle includes acceleration sensors mounted on different positions of a vehicle, each for detecting an acceleration at its position. A crash mode identifying section identifies a crash mode of the vehicle in accordance with a time difference between timings at which integral values obtained by integrating the individual acceleration signals supplied from the acceleration detectors exceed a threshold value. In accordance with the crash mode, a reference threshold value of a comparator for making a crash decision is determined. This makes it possible to implement a crash detection apparatus of a vehicle capable of making a responsive crash decision even in an asymmetric crash in which only one side of the vehicle is deformed and the occurrence of a large acceleration signal is delayed.

Abstract: A lock assembly is described for a personal computer. The assembly comprises a lock member movable between a locked position and an unlocked position and a shape memory wire arranged to move the lock member between the lock position and the unlocked position in response to one or more electrical signals that generate currents therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, upon an electrostatic chuck within a semiconductor wafer processing system. Specifically, the apparatus contains high voltage, DC power supply that is capable of both sourcing and sinking current at any polarity of output voltage level. This power supply is coupled to at least one electrode of an electrostatic chuck. Consequently, the power supply can be used to dynamically control the chucking voltage to apply a negative potential difference between said wafer and chuck.

Abstract: An electric coupling device for connecting, disconnecting or limiting the current in an electric circuit. The electric coupling device includes a variable resistor. This resistance is variable between a very low value corresponding to a conducting state and a very high value corresponding to a substantially insulating state. Switching between the states takes place continually and in a very short time. The invention relates to an electric circuit provided with such an electric coupling device and a method performed in accordance with the function of the electric coupling device.

Abstract: In a key switch device 3, a guide member 10 constructed of a first and a second links 14 and 15, which guides a vertical movement of a key top 9, is movably mounted on a support plate 2 with a mounting member 6 provided with a rotatably supporting portion 7 which rotatably supports a rotatable shaft 18 formed at a lower end of the first link 14 and a slidably supporting portion 8 which slidably supports a slidable shaft 20 formed at a lower end of the second link 15. The mounting member 6 is fixed on the support plate 2 with a first, second, and third adhesive layers 24, 25, and 26.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting differential signals and methods of operating the same result in a low cost passive multiport differential signal switcher.

Abstract: The power meter, required in most utility grid connectged applications to measure load consumption, is utilized to provide a feedback to an associated turbogenerator power controller, providing a control system for peak shaving, load following, reactive power control, reverse flow protection and load analysis for scheduled turbogenerator operation. This control system operates with simple discrete signals for peak shaving operation, to more complex pulse signals for load following, to load profile analysis and scheduled operation based on a microprocessor based serial input from a digital power meter.

Abstract: An electrical device such as a pressure guide wire (700) which has a resistive pressure sensor, such as a piezoresistive sensor (208), uses a precision interconnect in order to provide proper pressure measurement readings. The precision interconnect helps avoid the effects of contact and line resistance on the measurement of the pressure sensor's resistors (402 and 404). The precision interconnect uses high input impedance device's such as differential operational amplifiers (902, 904) in order to overcome the effect of any changes in the contact resistance. Further, an interface switch (1110) which is responsive to a control signal (1106) automatically determines what type of pressure guide wire (10 or 700) is attached to the interface circuit (1200).

Abstract: A security system for a vehicle includes a keyboard including a start key and a washout key and adapted to receive a user code. A processor is operably coupled to the keyboard for receiving signals indicative of entry of the user code actuation of the washout key and, wherein the processor provides an output signal if the user code is entered and is followed by actuation of the start key. The processor also provides the output signal if the start key has been entered during an adjustable time period after the vehicle has been turned off. However, if the washout key is actuated, the processor does not provide the output signal upon actuation of the start key during the time period after the vehicle is turned off. A controlled device is operably connected to the processor and controls a component of the vehicle to allow the vehicle to start when the output signal from the processor is received.

Abstract: An electric device having a main power supply switch 14-1 and a stand-by switch 7 is configured so that a second switch 14-2 having the same polarity as that of the switch 14-1 is provided so as to operate in an interlocked manner with the main power supply switch 14-1 which turns ON/OFF the commercial power source. When the main power supply switch 14-1 is turned off, a microcomputer 8A detects and stores the turning off of the second switch 14-2 while the output voltage Vcc of the stand-by power supply circuit 10 for the microcomputer falls slowly with a time constant. Consequently, no matter when the main power supply switch 14-1 is turned off, either in the operation status or in the stand-by status, the microcomputer 8A is able to put an electric device into the operation status without fail when the main power supply switch 14-1 is turned on again.

Abstract: A high output level is maintained in power supplies having multiple cells in each leg. Failed cells in any leg are bypassed to provide a current path through the respective leg. All of the unfailed cells are utilized while maintaining equal magnitude between phases and a balance phase relationship in the line-to-line output voltage. The invention may be utilized in conjunction with a peak voltage reduction circuit, and a by-pass switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contactless safety switch for detecting the shut position of a shutting part in relation to a closeable part, with a switch unit, supplied with current by an electrical supply source on one of the parts and with a trip arranged on the other part and comprising a magnet. In this case, the switch unit comprises a transmission circuit with a clock-signal generator and with a transmission coil, a receiver circuit connected to an evaluation unit and having at least one receiver coil and also a Hall sensor responding to the magnet, and the trip comprises a trip coil which is capable, in the shut position, of being excited inductively by the transmission coil and exciting the receiver coil, while, in the shut position, the evaluation unit triggers a clearance path when the Hall sensor is activated via the magnet.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an uninterrupted supply of power to a critical load includes at least two uninterruptible power supply UPS modules that receive power from separate utility sources. A controller controls the UPS modules so that the output power from one UPS module is substantially in-phase with the output power from the other UPS module. As a result, the output powers from the UPS modules can be combined with one another to provide a sufficient source of uninterruptible power to the critical load regardless of the phase difference in the power provided by the separate utility sources.

Abstract: An improved interface for releasably connecting a power control module or battery pack to an electrical appliance or tool. The power control module includes a power control trigger and provides electrical power to a motor of the appliance. The power control switch is located on the appliance, and is actuated by a portion of the trigger extending through the interface. The interface includes a pair of dovetail connections with interlocking flanges, requiring a two-motion procedure for assembly and disassembly. A latch release assembly interacts with the trigger to avoid powering the motor during assembly, and to prevent disassembly with the trigger pulled.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed for overcoming the voltage attenuation and ground shifts normally associated with providing DC power to distributed loads from a DC power supply without the need for excessively large conductors, the need to distribute the DC power supply or the need to provide converters at or near each load. Reasonably accurate voltage regulation at each load is provided according to the invention while using low but not insignificant resistance power conductors by providing similarly low resistance voltage sense conductors. The loads are connected between the sense conductors in a distributed fashion. Current approximating that drawn by each load is injected from the power conductors to the sense conductors at or near each load. Dynamic current requirements are supplied by capacitors connected across each load, usually mounted on the load circuit boards.

Abstract: In a power-electronic circuit arrangement for compensating for mains system voltage reductions and mains system disturbances, a second auxiliary voltage source is provided, whose voltage is chosen to be less than that of the first auxiliary voltage source. The second auxiliary voltage source can be coupled to the feeder converter with the aid of a switch. The circuit according to the invention can thus operate in two different modes: when the first auxiliary voltage source is coupled to the feeder converter, the available voltage is sufficiently high to compensate for mains system failures or mains system voltage reductions. However, when less severe disturbances occur, the second, lower auxiliary voltage source is coupled to the feeder converter, and mains system disturbances can in consequence be compensated for without any major switching losses.

Abstract: A power supplying adapter which is connected to an AC power source and generates a predetermined DC voltage is constructed by a power supplying unit in which a small power mode to output a small electric power and a large power mode to output a large electric power can be switched; a current detecting unit for detecting a current outputted from the power supplying unit; a signal receiving unit for receiving a signal transmitted from electronic equipment; and for control means for making the power supplying unit operative in the small power mode and making the signal receiving unit means operative when the current detected by the current detecting unit is equal to or smaller than a reference value. The electronic equipment is constructed by a signal transmitting unit for transmitting a signal to the power supplying adapter; a second control unit for controlling the signal transmitting unit; and a switching unit for switching a power source which is supplied from the power supplying adapter.

Abstract: A patch cord and method for installing new hardware in a remote terminal of a telecommunications system. Hardware installed inside remote terminal cabinets require lightning protection systems to prevent damage from sudden power surges. The patch cord and method allow new hardware to be installed in the remote terminal using existing lightning protection systems.

Abstract: A power supply that receives an input voltage and provides output power is described. A method for selecting one of a plurality of input voltages by moving first and second links is also described. The power supply includes a housing and the links are inside the housing. The links configure the power supply to receive a selected input voltage from a number of input voltages, depending upon the position they are in. The links depend on one another. Indicators are connected to the links, and show for what input voltage the links are connected. The indicators are visible from outside the housing. The housing includes one or more windows through which the indicators are visible. The indicators are alpha-numeric characters or drawings. The links includes a circuit board with the indicators mounted thereon and a plug or a set of copper bars that are placed in either the first or second position.