Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a power controller for an AC load comprises: a user interface adapted to interact with a user to produce at least one user interface signal; and a control module adapted to electrically couple a line voltage supply, electrically couple the AC load, and provide electrical power to the AC load as a function of the at least one user interface signal by implementing a low-flicker, cycle-skipping control algorithm, the control algorithm comprising a plurality of cycle patterns, the cycle patterns comprising a plurality of main power levels.

Abstract: A simple, low-cost ballast circuit for adjusting the lumen output of a gas lamp. A number of ballast circuits are provided for a gas lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp. Specifically, a variable resistor is provided in each of the ballast circuits. The variable resistor is included in the resonant control circuit to adjust the switching frequency of the ballast circuit, thereby controlling the lumen output or brightness of a gas lamp. Additional components, such as a fixed resistor or an inductor may be added to the ballast circuit to limit the maximum switching frequency.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical cable, the method comprising: bonding a plurality of electrical conductors to respective neighboring ones of the electrical conductors to form a ribbon, the electrical conductors being electrically insulated from the respective neighboring ones; folding the ribbon to form cable assembly, each of the electrical conductors traversing the width of the cable assembly at least twice; optionally bonding the cable assembly; and optionally coiling the cable assembly.

Abstract: A cycle skipping power control apparatus comprising: a power controller adapted for receiving a power command and a switch closure feedback signal and for generating a high resolution pulse command; and a pulse generator adapted for receiving the high resolution pulse command and, optionally, the power command, and generating a compensated enable pulse and the switch closure feedback signal.

Abstract: A cycle skipping power control apparatus comprising: a power controller adapted for receiving a power command and a switch closure feedback signal and for generating a high resolution pulse command; and a pulse generator adapted for receiving the high resolution pulse command and, optionally, the power command, and generating a compensated enable pulse and the switch closure feedback signal.

Abstract: A system and method for limiting the temperature of a burner for a cooking appliance without the use of a temperature sensor. The method includes the step of sensing the conduction state of a thermal switch and feeding back the sensed signal to control the duty-cycle (and thus “on” time) of bang-bang thermal limiting control. The power to the burner is reduced until the sensed duty-cycle (near 100%) cycling is reduced (lower frequency and amplitude) resulting in smoother power and temperature control. Preferably, the control system and method is implemented for controlling power applied to a burner for a glass-ceramic cooktop.

Abstract: A simple, low-cost ballast circuit for adjusting the lumen output of a gas lamp. A number of ballast circuits are provided for a gas lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp. Specifically, a variable resistor is provided in each of the ballast circuits. The variable resistor is included in the resonant control circuit to adjust the switching frequency of the ballast circuit, thereby controlling the lumen output or brightness of a gas lamp. Additional components, such as a fixed resistor or an inductor may be added to the ballast circuit to limit the maximum switching frequency.

Abstract: An induction heating coil with integrated resonant capacitor is provided, along with methods of fabrication thereof, and induction heating systems employing the same. The induction heating coil includes a cable having a first conductor and a second conductor separated by a dielectric. The resonant capacitor is defined by at least a portion of the cable's first conductor and second conductor with the dielectric disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical cable, the method comprising: bonding a plurality of electrical conductors to respective neighboring ones of the electrical conductors to form a ribbon, the electrical conductors being electrically insulated from the respective neighboring ones; folding the ribbon to form cable assembly, each of the electrical conductors traversing the width of the cable assembly at least twice; optionally bonding the cable assembly; and optionally coiling the cable assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for limiting the temperature of a burner for a cooking appliance without the use of a temperature sensor. The method includes the step of sensing the conduction state of a thermal switch and feeding back the sensed signal to control the duty-cycle (and thus “on” time) of bang-bang thermal limiting control. The power to the burner is reduced until the sensed duty-cycle (near 100%) cycling is reduced (lower frequency and amplitude) resulting in smoother power and temperature control. Preferably, the control system and method is implemented for controlling power applied to a burner for a glass-ceramic cooktop.

Abstract: A temperature limiting user interface comprises a potentiometer for providing a reference signal to an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus being adapted to generate heat as a function of the reference signal; and a temperature-sensitive impedance, thermally coupled to the electronic apparatus so as to receive at least a portion of the heat, and electrically coupled to the potentiometer so as to alter the reference signal as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A temperature limiting user interface comprises: a potentiometer for providing a reference signal to an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus being adapted to generate heat as a function of the reference signal; and a temperature-sensitive impedance, thermally coupled to the electronic apparatus so as to receive at least a portion of the heat, and electrically coupled to the potentiometer so as to alter the reference signal as a function of temperature.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a power controller for an AC load comprises: a user interface adapted to interact with a user to produce at least one user interface signal; and a control module adapted to electrically couple a line voltage supply, electrically couple the AC load, and provide electrical power to the AC load as a function of the at least one user interface signal by implementing a low-flicker, cycle-skipping control algorithm, the control algorithm comprising a plurality of cycle patterns, the cycle patterns comprising a plurality of main power levels.

Abstract: A self-oscillating switching power converter has a controllable reactance including an active device connected to a reactive element, wherein the effective reactance of the reactance and the active device is controlled such that the control waveform for the active device is binary digital and is not synchronized with the switching converter output frequency. The active device is turned completely on and off at a frequency that is substantially greater than the maximum frequency imposed on the output terminals of the active device. The effect is to vary the average resistance across the active device output terminals, and thus the effective output reactance, thereby providing converter output control, while maintaining the response speed of the converter.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) or other form of detector detects discharges of an insulated system which can occur when electrical insulation becomes wet, for subsequent analysis and decision processes. Additionally, for RF detection, a frequency selector can be used to select a “quiet” region of the discharge spectrum before demodulation and further analysis and decision. Finally, redundant sets of such filters avoid the need to continuously reconfigure the detection system.

Abstract: A heater controller uses measured power source voltage and either stored data that characterizes an electric resistance heater or current measurements to compute the fraction of time that the heater should be connected to the power source, thereby compensating the electric resistance heater against variations in the AC line voltage such that the heater power remains constant with line voltage variations, even for different nominal line voltages.

Abstract: A cycle-skipping power control algorithm provides control signal patterns based on generating a number of core patterns corresponding to main power levels and alternating between the core patterns to generate finer control levels. Advantageously, such a cycle-skipping control scheme provides fine power control resolution, and perceptible flicker due to pulsating AC line current is minimized, both in visibly radiant loads and in electric illumination devices in close proximity to the load.

Abstract: A cycle-skipping control system uses a pseudorandom number generator with a digital comparator to produce a random binary bit stream having a data rate equal to the frequency of the AC line. The bit stream is used to turn a power control switch coupled to the AC line source on and off such that the desired fraction of full load power is provided to the load. Fine power control resolution is achieved without requiring a long control period. In addition, perceptible flicker due to pulsating AC line current is reduced, both in visibly radiant loads and in electric illumination devices in close proximity to the load.