Abstract: A polarity detector is configured to detect whether a polarity of one of the secondary direct current terminals is reversed in polarity consistent with an improper connection of a removable load or the removable direct current energy source to the secondary direct current terminals. A protection module or transient clamp comprises a protection semiconductor switch with protection switched terminals and a protection control terminal. A controller is configured to control a plurality of switches of the circuit breaker and the protection module via a driver. Further, the controller is configured to open or activate the circuit breaker responsive to a signal or data message of the polarity detector detecting the improper connection.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a system includes a plurality of inverters configured to operate in at least one of a charging mode or a drive mode, a plurality of motors and at least one controller configured to selectively couple the plurality of inverters to the plurality of motors during a drive mode, and selectively couple at least one of the inverters to an alternating current (AC) source during the charging mode and decouple the at least one of the inverters from the plurality of motors during the charging mode.

Abstract: A metallic island is disposed between a first metallic bus and a second metallic bus. The first metallic strip is isolated from the metallic island by a first dielectric barrier. At least a parallel portion of the first metallic strip is generally parallel to the first metallic bus, the second metallic strip isolated from the second metallic bus by a second dielectric barrier. Each first semiconductor terminals that are coupled to the first metallic bus and to the metallic island. Each second semiconductor has terminals coupled to the metallic island and to the second metallic bus.

Abstract: A metallic island is disposed between a first metallic bus and a second metallic bus. The first metallic strip is isolated from the metallic island by a first dielectric barrier. At least a parallel portion of the first metallic strip is generally parallel to the first metallic bus, the second metallic strip isolated from the second metallic bus by a second dielectric barrier. Each first semiconductor terminals that are coupled to the first metallic bus and to the metallic island. Each second semiconductor has terminals coupled to the metallic island and to the second metallic bus.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a mechanical joint supporting a printed circuit board and a solder joint of power module terminals to a printed circuit board, as well as a mechanical joint for facilitating a thermal interface between a power module and a heat sink or cold plate is disclosed. The system provides for both mechanical joints through a common mechanical support including a plurality of standoffs mounted to studs projecting from a heat sink or cold plate, wherein the assembly also provides for an insulating spacer to be clamped to the standoffs via a wing nut or similar fastener to support the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finely adjusting the dwell period for an intermittent windshield wiper. A multi-position switch establishes a maximum delay and a delay request. A processor reads the switch setting and senses the timing of a positioning movement relative to the timing of the next preceding wiper blade stroke. When the elapsed time between those events is intermediate the maximum delay and the delay request, the dwell period is set equal to the elapsed time. Otherwise the dwell period is set equal to the maximum delay.

Abstract: A feedback control circuit limits current being supplied to an electric drive motor. The motor drives a load cyclically along a path, and the load closes a switch when it passes a predetermined position. This activates a timing circuit which times out after a predetermined delay. If the load does not return to the predetermined position at the end of the prescribed delay time, then an oscillator circuit is triggered into operation to periodically terminate current flow to the motor. This provides cooling periods and enables the motor to exert repeated, temporary high torque efforts to restore normal operation.

Abstract: A pair of wiper blades on a vehicle window are oscillated in opposing movement from an overlapping inner wipe arrangement, with upper and lower overlapped blades, outward to separated outer wipe positions and inward to the overlapping inner wipe arrangement with the positions of the blades reversed. Since the upper blade on the way out becomes the lower blade on the way back, it does not need to pause in its outer wipe position and it thus does not need to be subjected to a large acceleration in maintaining fast wipe cycles on large vehicle windshields. This reduces stress on the arm and blade and blade end whip.

Abstract: A pair of wiper blades on a vehicle window are oscillated in opposing movement between an overlapping inner wipe arrangement, in which one of the blades overlaps the other, and separated outer wiper positions. In dynamic symmetrical overlap (DSOL) operation, the first blade during each cycle to reach its outer wipe position is brought back first to be overlapped by the other for the start of the next cycle. This will normally produce alternating symmetrical overlap (ASOL) operation with its advantages of lower maximum blade acceleration and stress, since the overlapping blade precedes the other on the way out. However, if the leading blade is occasionally slowed, the other blade will not be forced to wait in its outer wipe position; and the cycle time will be minimized.

Abstract: A vehicle window wiper control activates an electric motor to drive the wiper through repeating cycles of a wipe pattern on a vehicle window. In the pause mode, a first wiper position responsive switch provides a pause at both inner and outer wipe positions, one at each end of the wipe pattern. In the off mode, however, the final wipe cycle is completed through a second wiper position responsive switch which is open only in the inner wipe position and is connected in parallel with the first wiper position responsive switch to shunt it at the outer wipe position, so that the wiper is parked only in the inner wipe position. The wiper position responsive switches are multiple stationary contacts tracing circular paths of differing radii on a conducting plate with non-conducting portions which rotates with wiper movement. The division of total pause time into two pauses per wipe cycle allows a halving of the RC time constant in the pause timer, with cost and/or reliability benefits.

Abstract: Power antenna control apparatus is disclosed for a vehicle having an ignition switch with off, run and start positions, engine start means responsive to the ignition switch in its start position, a radio receiver effective to generate an extend signal when activated and a retract signal when deactivated and means effective to deactivate the radio receiver with the ignition switch in its off and start positions. The control comprises control means responsive to the extend and retract signals to activate the drive means toward, respectively, fully extended and retracted antenna positions and further comprises control means responsive to the ignition switch in its start position to deactivate the drive means at least in the extend direction and for at least a predetermined period of time deemed sufficient for engine starting, whereby reversal of antenna extension during engine starting is prevented.

Abstract: A power antenna control for a motor vehicle comprises a Hall effect device responsive to motor armature rotation to generate pulses for equal predetermined increments of antenna travel. These pulses are applied to both position and stall counters. In extension, the antenna drive is stopped when the position counter reaches a number corresponding to a predetermined extended position, which may be full extension or some lesser extension. In retraction, the stall counter is used with a clock to indicate stall which, when detected, causes the antenna drive to be stopped. Automatic current limiting for drive torque limitation during stall is activated only when the position counter indicates a limited position range near full retraction. Further during retraction, if the antenna is stopped within a small position range of full rectraction, it is reset to a count indicating full retraction. The system eliminates the need for hard stall sensing reaction switches and thus reduces antenna drive cable fatigue.