Abstract: A pulse generator comprises a pulse forming line having a helical core winding surrounded by an outer winding, and a transformer having primary and secondary windings. The secondary winding is arranged about the core winding and the primary winding is arranged to co-act with the secondary winding such that the primary winding energizes the secondary winding when a suitable voltage is applied to the primary winding by a charging circuit connected to either end of the winding. The secondary winding through transformer action charges the pulse forming line. The pulse forming line has a load and a switch connected between the core winding and the outer winding. At the appropriate time the switch is closed such that energy stored in the line is discharged to the load as a pulse.

Abstract: A back-up power accessory is described for storing back-up power for a computer and for providing the computer with the back-up power for a limited period of time upon failure of an AC power supply to the computer, the accessory being electrically connectable to the computer and including a first detection mechanism for detecting AC power failure of said computer; a second detection mechanism for receiving a suspend signal from the computer which signal indicates that the computer is in a power consuming sleep state; a third detection mechanism for receiving an on/off signal from the computer which on/off signal indicates that the computer requires full power; and a shutdown mechanism that cooperates with said first, second and third detection mechanisms upon AC power failure and detection of either the suspend signal or the on/off signal to send a fail signal to the computer for causing the computer to perform a safe shut-down.

Abstract: An energy transmission device allows several consumers to be supplied with energy independent of one another and provides contactless transmission of energy from a primary current line, through which alternating current flows, to a number of secondary, resident load circuits with at least one coil, each of which draws energy from the electromagnetic field of the current lead. An auxiliary line runs parallel to the current lead and it is connected with the current lead via several connecting points in order to conduct current from a first connecting point via the auxiliary line to a second connecting point. In at least one section of the line, between two connecting points, an adjustable impedance is provided in the auxiliary line which is controlled by a monitoring device in order to prevent blocking of the line by a disconnected consumer.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for a direct-voltage power pack of an electronically controlled switching device, particularly of a small programmable control system, which is externally supplied with voltage, having an arithmetic-logic unit, signal inputs and signal outputs. This circuit has a back-up supplier for the backup supply of the supply voltage and a detector for detecting the input voltage which is not backed up, the detector interacting with the arithmetic-logic unit in such a way that, in response to any voltage failure, the signal inputs are reliably prevented from being read in.

Abstract: A method for reducing particles from an electrostatic chuck, having the steps of: setting a wafer onto an attracting face of an electrostatic chuck, attracting the wafer onto the attracting face by applying a voltage to the electrostatic chuck, releasing stress due to a difference in heat expansion between the wafer and the electrostatic chuck by sliding the wafer relative to the attracting face before the wafer's temperature arrives at a saturated temperature, and increasing the wafer's temperature to a saturated temperature from its lower temperature than that of the attracting face.

Abstract: A passive processing circuit for processing a ground side switch closure to a CMOS input (20) of an MCU, particularly useful in a D.C. electrical system where ground offsets may occur, such as in an automotive vehicle. Three resistors (R1, R2, R3) are connected between supply and ground potentials of a D.C. power supply voltage (10). The junction of two (R1, R2) connects to an output (16) of a grounded input switch (12). The junction of two (R2, R3) connects to the CMOS input (20). A fourth resistor (R4) connects between the bi-directional input/output (22) of the MCU and the junction of the second and third resistors. The MCU executes an algorithm that selectively allows and disallows the resistor (R4) to coact with the second and third resistors. The circuit provides a cost-efficient solution for extending the range of supply line voltage over which a CMOS input can correctly read a switch closure.

Abstract: Disclosed is structure and method for supplying and cutting off power to a removable card component of an electrical device, without interfering with supply of power to other components of the device (including other card components), so that the single card component can be serviced (removed/replaced/added) without interfering with supply of electrical power to other components of the electrical device. The structure includes a slider member on the frame of the device, which slides on the frame between first and second positions on the frame, and a switch actuated by the slider member.

Abstract: A sensing circuit is useful with a power outlet and a power tool having power supplied thereto via the power outlet. The sensing circuit includes a generator, a transmitter, and a detector. A first signal having a high frequency is developed by the generator and supplied to a first terminal of the power outlet by the transmitter. The detector is coupled to the second terminal of the power outlet and tuned in accordance with the high frequency to develop a second signal indicative of whether the power tool is coupled to the power outlet. The sensing circuit may be used in conjunction with a regulating circuit and a two-position switch useful for controlling the electrical energy supplied to the power tool and a vacuum cleaner having the power outlet disposed thereon.

Abstract: A method and system for the arrangement of a power supply with an expansion card which can be connected to an electronic device and comprises at least a first and a second circuit. The power supply is arranged in at least two stages, wherein at the first stage, at least one operating voltage (Vcc) is connected to the first circuit, and at the second stage, the at least one operating voltage (Vcc) is connected to the second circuit.

Abstract: An automatic transfer switch apparatus for use with a stand-alone generator, for supplying emergency power to a residence or small business. The automatic transfer switch apparatus is configured to sense a utility line failure, start up and stabilize the generator, and switch over the household circuits from the utility to the generator, and switch back when the utility recovers. A load-shedding feature is provided for shedding and restoring different circuits within the residence, that represent loads of different priority, with loads being shed and restored, according to their priority.

Abstract: A mobile X-ray machine includes an improved Marx generator. The capacitors sed in the Marx generator are disc capacitors each having opposed side surfaces having electrodes formed thereon and each including a insulative coating provided on the peripheral edge thereof. The capacitors are mounted in slots in a support structure and are supported by spring contact members located within the slots. The spring contact members include spring arms which engage the electrodes on the opposed side surfaces of the associated capacitor. The spring contact members also include support elements from which are suspended the spherical electrodes of spark-gap switches individually associated with each of the capacitors.

Abstract: A deadman switch mechanism and a teaching operation panel equipped with the deadman switch mechanism, in which possibility of losing a safety function is low even if failure happens in a contact or other elements of a circuit. When an operator grips at least one of grip levers (GL1; GL2) with normal force, the grip levers turn around axes (AX4; AX5), shoulder portions (SD1; SD2) abut on slave levers (SL1; SL2) and turns the slave levers connected by a link (LK) around an axis (AX3) in the direction denoted by an arrow B, simultaneously, so that switches (SW1; SW2) are turned into an ON-state, simultaneously. Then, two circuits including those switches, respectively, output ON-signals independently and these signals are subjected to AND process, to allow the robot to operate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide redundant power by connecting power supplies in a segment or ring. In a first embodiment, a redundant power supply is provided at the "top" of a redundant power segment, with one or more computer devices coupled "beneath" the redundant power supply. If the power supply of any device fails, that device "borrows" power from the device immediately upstream in the redundant power segment. If the power supply of the device immediately upstream in the redundant power segment no longer has sufficient capacity to power its own circuits, that device borrows power form the device immediately upstream from it. This process may continue until the power requirements of all devices are met by the excess capacities of all power supplies in devices upstream from the device with the failing power supply, or until the redundant power supply is reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit layout for a serial transmission and reception interface, in particular for a vehicle occupant protection system, as well as a procedure for controlling the same. Existing central units, in particular vehicle occupant protection systems, featured in most cases separate serial transmission and reception interfaces for the various modules to be connected, causing costs to increase whenever an additional diagnosis module is to be connected. By means of a switchable circuit layout for the interface, this will be connected either to a communication module or to the diagnosis module. The circuit layout is particularly simple and space-saving, being set up by means of diode switches, and preferably features a potential tapping point for automatic switchover into diagnosis mode.

Abstract: The electrical switchgear apparatus comprises a fixed part (1) and a removable part (2) designed to be connected to the fixed part to be connected to a power distribution system (4) and to a communication network (6). The removable part (2) comprises a communication circuit (23) and a first addressing device (24) connected to a first address input of the communication circuit (23). The fixed part (1) comprises a second addressing device (18) designed to be connected to a second addressing input of the communication circuit (23). To communicate, the communication circuit chooses in priority the address supplied by the second addressing device. If this address is not valid, it then chooses the address supplied by the first addressing device.

Abstract: When an operation of an internal circuit is initiated, a current is supplied from an external power supply node to a sub-power source line for a predetermined period. A semiconductor device having a hierarchical power source structure is provided, which can have a voltage variation in the sub-power source line reduced and which can recover the varied voltage speedily to a predetermined voltage level in an operating state of the internal circuit.

Abstract: A method of detecting a condition requiring connection of a user apparatus with a feeder line comprises the steps of low-voltage power supplying the user apparatus through a detection impedance (17, 17a); detecting the waveform at the ends of the detection impedance; operating connection of the user apparatus with the feeder line when the waveform at the ends of the detection impedance is distorted in a manner that has been pre-established to be caused by actuation of a command in the user apparatus and requiring full powering of same. A device in accordance with the method comprises an analysis circuit (19, 37) detecting (by comparison with sample waveforms stored in a memory (20), for example) distortion of the waveform at the ends of the impedance (17, 17a) and consequently operating powering of the user apparatus.

Abstract: A switching device insertable between an electric outlet and a load closes and breaks a circuit between the outlet and the load at certain points of time or in accordance with other predetermined conditions. The switching device is built up from a circuit board or a similar device which supports a substantial part or all circuits of the device. First connectors for connection to an outlet which provides a supply voltage are arranged perpendicular out from one side of the circuit board. Second connectors for outputting the supply voltage are arranged perpendicular out from an opposite side of the circuit board. The first and second connectors are centered about a same axis and are mounted at locations about the axis by substantially right angles in relation to each other, whereby input and output parts under tension on the board are located at maximum distance from each other with smallest possible board size.

Abstract: A train set includes a plurality of cars each having a flat designed to receive storage units equipped electrically-powered equipment. The train set includes: a connector for connecting the set to an electricity source which delivers electrical power at a high voltage greater than the rated operating voltage of the equipment; transfer apparatus for transferring electrical power at a high voltage to each car; a voltage step-down circuit connected to the transfer apparatus and from which electrical power is delivered at a low voltage in the vicinity of the rated operating voltage of the equipment; and a distributor for distributing the low-voltage electrical power to each item of electrically-powered equipment. It is also possible to provide a stand-alone generator providing, in particular, redundancy for the electrical power supply for the distributor. The train set is particularly applicable to transporting liquid or solid perishable goods, as well as chemicals, under controlled temperature.

Abstract: A siren disrupter, for use in a vehicle having a siren, having a parking brake, and having a gear selector having park and neutral positions. A parking brake switch is activated when the parking brake is engaged. A neutral switch is activated when the gear selector is place in one of the park and neutral positions. A siren control relay has a siren control relay switch and a siren control relay coil for controlling the siren control relay switch. The siren is supplied power through the siren control relay switch. When either the neutral switch or parking brake switch is activated, the siren control relay coil is energized to disconnect power to the siren and thereby deactivate the siren.