Abstract: For the purpose of preventing generation of burning or disconnection of an inrush current preventing resistor (3) when making and breaking of an AC power supply are frequently repeated, energy to be charged to a smoothing capacitor (4) at the time of making the power supply is calculated from the capacitance of the smoothing capacitor (4) of a capacitor-input type rectifying circuit and value of a rectifying smoothing DC voltage, and a mean power is calculated from the energy and the number of times of power making and breaking within a predetermined period of time. If the mean power exceeds an allowable power of the inrush current preventing resistor (3) for preventing an inrush current at the time of making the power supply, warning by an alarm display or an alarm output and power non-making interlock are carried out, and driving of a load-side device is stopped.

Abstract: A shunt trip and switch breaker used to shut off electrical power to an electrical panel such as used to control the operation of electrical equipment for dispensing gasoline in a station. In order to insure that the breaker is not prematurely opened, for whatever reason, the power being supplied to operate the electrical panel is also continuously at the same time being supplied to the shunt trip. When a remote emergency button (E-button) connected to the shunt trip is actuated by depression, the shunt trip moves in unison with a connected circuit breaker to shut down power to all of the elements including those operated by the electrical panel. The switch breaker may have two movable handle elements that are operatively tied together to move in unison with similar elements on the shunt trip. The handle elements are controlled by the remotely generated input signal applied to terminal port on the trip shunt when the E-button is actuated.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system that provides a modular arrangement for power and signal distribution in a motor vehicle includes a power distribution circuit board connected to a power supply and to at least one electrical load, switch and control circuit boards electrically connected with the power distribution board via fuses or circuit breakers, and signal distribution devices mounted on the switch and control boards for transmitting control signals between the switch and control boards. The power distribution board includes switching devices for electrically coupling the power supply to the electrical load, the control board has a processor for controlling the operation of the switching devices based on signals received via an external connector.

Abstract: Output-motor assembly comprising output elements assembled side by side on at least one socket (S), each element comprising switching devices (1, 3, 40) connected to corresponding connectors (50, 51, 52) on a printed circuit placed in the socket, the said connectors being connected to an input side connector (6) in the circuit fitted with groups of connection pins (D1-D8, C1-C8, R1-R8). The input side connector (6) comprises pins used for switching devices of socket (S) connected in a pin order corresponding to the order of the locations of elements on the socket, and pins useable for switching devices in at least one adjacent socket (S). The printed circuit (C) comprises an output side connector (7) with groups of connection pins identical to the groups on the input side connector (6), the useable pins on the input side connector (6) being connected to the same number of the first connection pins on the output side connector (7), in the same order.

Abstract: A power share distribution system and method. Included are: a plurality of power supplies; an isolator provided for each power supply of the plurality of power supplies for selectively blocking/passing an output power from the power supply; and a controller controlling each isolator for passing an output power of each power supply for a predetermined time, such that different groups (including groups of 1) of the plurality of power supplies supply output power to a load at different times. In a preferred embodiment, the power supplies are more particularly current supplies. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the controller more specifically passes an output current of each current supply such that each current supply supplies current to the load for mutually exclusive times.

Abstract: To provide for fast switching at high powers while relieving stress on a mechanical switch, an electric switching device comprising a mechanical electric switch and an irradiation source and at least one switching element sensitive to irradiation is adapted to create an electrically well conducting current path by-passing the mechanical switch upon irradiation of the switching element by the irradiation source. The switching element assumes an electrically insulating state in the absence of irradiation thereof. The switching element includes rectifiers adapted to be reverse biased when not irradiated and conducting as a consequence of generation of free charge carriers therein through irradiation by the irradiation source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for supplying power to multiple devices using a single voltage regulator. The present invention includes a comparator that compares the voltage identification codes from multiple devices in a system. If all the devices have the same value for the voltage identification code, then the comparator forwards the code to a voltage identification input of a programmable voltage regulator, which then outputs a power supply voltage at a level corresponding to the voltage identification code value of the devices. If any device present in the system has a different value for its voltage identification code, then the comparator outputs a predetermined value to the programmable voltage regulator that prevents the voltage regulator from outputting a power supply voltage.

Abstract: A method, device and circuit which applies an electrostatic repulsion pushing force to a MEM switch armature during an opening process. The repulsive force adds to the spring restoration force on the armature, increasing the opening speed of the switch and aids in overcoming stiction effects. The inventive switch includes a contact electrically connected to a first terminal of the switch. A throw is electrically connected to a second terminal of the switch. Finally, a mechanism is provided for opening the switch by electrostatically causing the throw to disengage the contact. In the illustrative implementation, the mechanism for opening the switch includes a first charge storage structure mounted on the throw and a second charge storage structure mounted in proximity to the first charge storage structure. When charges are applied between the first and the second charge storage structures, a force of repulsion is created or a force of attraction is created depending on the polarity of the potential.

Abstract: An automatic power cut-off device for emergency situations which is capable of immediately sensing occurrence of an emergency situation such as an accident of a vehicle striking against an obstacle during its running at a high speed, and automatically cutting off electric power flowing through the vehicle, thereby protecting a driver or other passengers in the vehicle from fire or explosion. The automatic power cut-off device includes an impact sensing device having an impact sensor adapted to sense an impact, thereby generating an impact sensing signal, and a solenoid driving circuit for activating a solenoid in response to the impact sensing signal. A return knob is also provided which rotates between a first position, in which connecting terminals respectively coupled to an electric power source and a load are electrically connected to each other, and a second position, in which the connecting terminals are disconnected from each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing and treating tissue transmit an electrical energy pulse that temporarily stuns a zone of tissue, temporarily rendering it electrically unresponsive. The systems and methods sense an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse. The systems and methods alter an electrophysiological property of tissue in or near the zone based, at least in part, upon the sensed electrophysiological effect. The alteration of the electrophysiological property can be accomplished, for example, by tissue ablation or by the administration of medication. In a preferred implementation, radio frequency energy is used to both temporarily stun tissue and to ablate tissue through a common electrode.

Abstract: A UPS device of universal application provides a pair of backfeed relays, which are mandated by certain countries outside the United States, controlled by an overall control circuit to perform in conjunction with the connection of neutral to system ground to avoid damage to a load, UPS and power utility. The control circuit is responsive to an anomaly in the power supply of a power utility to enter a backup mode wherein power is supplied by a battery power supply through an inverter to the load. Entry into backup mode occurs with a delay-based switching logic which governs the control circuit's operation of the backfeed relays and formation of the neutral to system ground connection.

Abstract: A circuit switches a capacitive value in an exclusive manner to a selected integrated amplifier among a plurality of integrated amplifiers. The circuit includes a first current generator connected between a first supply node and a first node of the circuit, and a second current generator connected between a second supply node and a second node of the circuit. The second current generator is electrically in parallel with the capacitor. An array of switches equal in number to the integrated amplifiers are exclusively switched ON for connecting a directly biased diode between the first node and the second node. Each integrated amplifier has a supply node coupled to a connecting node between a respective diode and a respective connecting switch of the array of switches.

Abstract: A central control panel (P) and accessory control components (U2, U3) are selected in correspondence with the type of vehicle, and are electrically and mechanically integrally connected to each other together with a signal control component (U1). The control components (U1-U3) are stored in an opening portion (2) of an instrument panel (1), and the opening portion is covered by the central control panel (P). Upon operation of a given switch (7) on the central control panel (P), a switch signal is output to the signal control component (U1), which outputs an activation signal representing the activation condition corresponding to the switch signal to the accessory control components (U2, U3), and the accessory control components (U2, U3) output display control signals according to the activation signal to the central control panel (P).

Abstract: One embodiment of an engine has an electrical system generally comprising a charge circuit and an ignition circuit. A primary power supply circuit connects the charge circuit and the ignition circuit through a non-contact switch circuit. The non-contact switch is adapted to connect the primary power supply circuit to the ignition circuit when the engine is started. A secondary power supply circuit is coupled to at least one electrical component and to the ignition circuit. The secondary power supply circuit has a main switch and a fuse arranged upstream of the main switch. Upon closing the main switch, the engine is started and the primary power supply circuit and the associated non-contact switch are closed. Another embodiment of the engine has an electrical system which adds control of a fuel injector circuit. The fuel injector circuit is in electrical communication with the ignition circuit and a switching circuit which controls the ignition circuit and the fuel injector circuit.

Abstract: An integrated occupant protection system (10) for a vehicle comprises a vehicle seat (12), which may be mounted in the vehicle. The seat (12) has a lower seat portion (14) and a seat back portion (16). An electrical communications bus (26) is mounted to the vehicle seat (12). A crash sensor (44) also is mounted to the vehicle seat (12) and electrically coupled to the communications bus (26). The crash sensor (44) senses a crash event and provides a signal indicative thereof to the communications bus (26). An actuatable occupant protection device (46, 48, 50 or 64) is mounted to the vehicle seat (12) and electrically coupled to the communications bus (26). When the protection device (46, 48, 50 or 64) is actuated, it helps to protect a vehicle occupant. The occupant protection device (46, 48, 50 or 64) is controlled over the communications bus (26) by a controller (47, 34).

Abstract: A modular peripheral unit, which monitoring a technical process, includes a base module to which at least one expansion module can be attached in series, the modules each having a module upper part and a module lower part, as well as having at least one profile permitting serial attachments. The module lower parts have a multiplicity of essentially U-shaped contact elements in the region of the profile with which they can be attached in series. One limb of the contact elements extends into the interior of the module lower part, such that the multiplicity of these limbs form an internal male contact strip and the multiplicity of remaining limbs of the contact elements form an external male contact strip. When an expansion module is attached in series, the external male contact strip engages in the expansion module such that the external male contact strip is opposite the internal male contact strip of the expansion module which is attached in series.

Abstract: A control circuit (200) mounted on a printed-circuit board comprises a control element (100) having a plurality of inputs (110.sub.i). Operating switches (Si) are connected with respective inputs (110.sub.i) by print tracks (12.sub.i, 30.sub.i). A signal source (10) generates a plurality of mutually different signals (.phi..sub.i) which are passed to the various switches (Si) and whose characteristic is priorly known. In case of, for instance, a short-circuit, a signal of a switch may end up at an input of the control element that does not correspond with that switch, but the control element can recognize this error situation because the received signal then has a wrong characteristic. The control element can then ignore the operating instruction, and/or generate an alarm signal. Thus the risk of incorrect operation by short-circuiting between adjacent print tracks is reduced, and the print tracks can be arranged closer to each other on the printed-circuit board.

Abstract: A power window device which uses a driving source such as a motor and the like for opening and closing a window, and a controlling device used for the same, have a submersion detecting element for detecting intrusion of water in the event that the automobile is submerged in water and a switching device (including a first switch for manually instructing the opening operation of the window, a second switch for manually instructing the closing operation of the window, a first driving unit comprised of a relay and the like for connecting the power source to the driving source such that the driving source is driven in the direction of opening the window, based on the operation of the first switch, a second driving unit comprised of a relay and the like for connecting the power source to the driving source such that the driving source is driven in the direction of closing the window, based on the operation of the second switch, and a control unit), so that the control unit can execute control for realizing opening

Abstract: A fast changeover from one power system to another in the event of an irregularity in the power source system substantially reduces operating costs by minimizing a power loss in switches during conduction, dispenses with a cooling device for cooling a thyristor switch, and implements the thyristor switch in a compact and low-cost design. The power supply system for a load includes one switching apparatus for connecting a load to one power source system, and another switching apparatus for connecting the load to another power source system. Each of the switching apparatus includes a pair of thyristors connected in anti-parallel and a mechanical switch connected in parallel with the thyristor pair. The thyristor pairs and the mechanical switches are controlled so that the mechanical switches conduct a load current when the load is supplied with power from the one power source system in a steady power supply state.

Abstract: A low voltage yard decoration system uses a power supply and cable, previously intended only for lighting systems, to improve safety, facilitate installation, and increase utility of various decoration designs. The low voltage decorations are an alternative to decorations requiring direct connection to an AC outlet. Where decorations contain lamps, a switch in each decoration allows on-off control of lamps from within the decoration itself. Decorations may also contain electric motors, and these too may be switched from within the decoration. Decoration units attach to the low voltage cable using connectors containing contacts which pierce the insulation of the cable. No tools are required for installation. Decorations may be added to existing low voltage lighting systems or installed as a standalone system. A timer may be present in each decoration, to initiate switching on or off of lamps or motors within the decoration.