Abstract: The present invention provides a series shunt wound direct-current (DC) motor driving device and electrical equipment. The series shunt wound DC motor driving device provided by the present invention includes a series shunt wound DC motor, a DC power supply and a chopper.

Abstract: Electric heating having at least one first resistance heating device and a second resistance heating device, at least one pulse width modulation device, which is capable of a pulse width modulated operation of the first resistance heating device and/or the second resistance heating device, as well as at least one switching device. For a heating operation, the switching device can be capable of selectively switching the first resistance heating device and the second resistance heating device between a first heating mode in which the first resistance heating device and the second resistance heating device are electrically connected in series, and a second heating mode in which the first resistance heating device and the second resistance heating device are electrically connected in parallel. A vehicle having electric heating as well as to a method for controlling electric heating is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining signals received from a direct broadcast satellite system with signals received from a wireless network, includes a satellite antenna for receiving the signals from the direct broadcast satellite system; and a wireless network antenna, co-located with the satellite antenna, for receiving the signals from the wireless network. The wireless network antenna includes an antenna assembly that is rotated by a controller based on characteristics of the signals received from the wireless network. The controller energizes and de-energizes a motor to mechanically rotate the antenna assembly to properly align the wireless network antenna to communicate with the wireless network. The wireless network antenna comprises a closed cylinder, wherein the antenna assembly is rotatably mounted within the closed cylinder, such that, upon command from the controller, the motor engages the antenna assembly to mechanically rotate the antenna assembly about a central axis of the closed cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a universal transmitter. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting activation of at least one button of the universal transmitter, by a controller, for a predetermined time, outputting at least one set of signals to a first set of terminals of a switch of the universal transmitter, detecting output on a second set of terminals of the switch and determining position of a switch, by the controller, based, at least in part, on the output detected on the second set of terminals, wherein position of the switch relates to a transmission type. The method can further include detecting activation of a first button to be programmed and programming the first button based on the transmission type.

Abstract: The controller changes the low vehicle speed region set volume according to an operational input to the volume control switch within a first volume setting range set up in advance when the volume control switch is operated in the low vehicle speed region, and changes the high vehicle speed region set volume according to an operational input to the volume control switch within a second volume setting range set up in advance when the volume control switch is operated in the high vehicle speed region. A lower limit of the second volume setting range is set higher than an upper limit of the first volume setting range. Thus, it is possible to accurately control the volume of the audio system and improve feeling of volume change.

Abstract: A preventive maintenance tapping technique includes noting a tap position of a load tap changer and noting a duration that the tap position has been held. The duration that the tap position has been held is compared to a threshold value, and the tap position is changed if the tap position has been held for longer than the threshold value. Similarly, a duty cycle monitoring technique for monitoring life of load tap changer contacts includes detecting an arcing event. Arcing surfaces involved in the arcing event are identified and the effects of the arcing event on the arcing surfaces are calculated. Estimates of the erosion on the arcing surfaces are updated, and the estimates are compared to a threshold value. A signal for maintenance is generated when the estimate exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: An appliance controller includes a plurality of LEDs that are configured annularly about a control knob of the appliance controller. The LEDs are operated so as to indicate status of the operation of the appliance when the appliance is in a run mode. In one form, the appliance controller illuminates one of the LEDs to indicate at what point the appliance is in its cycle of operation. When the appliance is in a stop mode, the LEDs are operated to indicate where the control knob is positioned when a user is selecting a particular operation with the appliance controller. In one form, as a user rotates the control knob, the appliance controller determines the rotational or angular location of the knob, particularly via a selection indicator of the knob, and illuminates a corresponding LED.

Abstract: A solid state appliance controller includes circuitry formed on a circuit board, the circuitry defining a voltage trace in communication with a voltage source, a first state trace, and a second state trace. The first and second state traces are in communication with a processor. A user selection knob is operative to allow a user to select an operating mode of the appliance by rotating the user selection knob. A wiper assembly is coupled to the user selection knob for rotation therewith. The wiper assembly has a voltage finger operative to be in contact with the voltage trace so as to continuously receive a voltage therefrom during rotation of the selection knob. A first finger is operative to intermittently contact the first trace in accordance with a first pattern thereof wherein contact provides the voltage to the first trace during rotation of the selection knob.

Abstract: A power control apparatus includes a latch relay interposed between a power source and electronic control units, and a control section changed into an operative state when connected to the power source upon closure of a first switch, and supplies a drive current to a reset coil of the latch relay, thereby disconnecting power supply from the power source to the control units, when second switches are operated in a predetermined operation pattern.

Abstract: A rotating terminal (16) has a circumferential outer peripheral surface (21a, 24a) having its center disposed at an axis (13, 21b) of rotation of the rotating terminal, and has electrically conductive areas and non-electrically conductive areas alternately arranged on the outer peripheral surface in the circumferential direction. At least one pair of fixed terminals (17, 18) are fixed and disposed outwardly of a path of rotation of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating terminal. In accordance with a rotating position of the rotating terminal, the pair of fixed terminals can be switched between an electrically-conducting condition, in which the pair of fixed terminals are electrically connected together through the rotating terminal, and an interrupting condition in which the pair of fixed terminals are not electrically connected together through the rotating terminal.

Abstract: A wiper motor suitably applied to the wiper apparatus possible to solve a difference in the wiping range caused by the difference in the operation speed of the wiper blade by the wiper linkage used with an eccentric mechanism, which is provided with a semi-ringshaped high-potential plate connected with the power source, a semi-ringshaped low-potential plate grounded and disposed oppositely to the high-potential plate, and a common plate disposed in the center between the high and low-potential plates and electrically connected with the movable contact to rotate slidingly on the high and low-potential plates together with an output shaft of the wiper motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetically transferring control information from a rotary knob with a knob mounted in a manner which facilitates rotation, a magnetic material about the circumference of the knob with alternating field lines perpendicular to the direction of knob rotation, a magnetic detector, an electronic circuit for decoding the detected magnetic variations corresponding to knob rotation, and a frame upon which the knob and magnetic sensor are mounted. In a preferred embodiment, the knob is designed in such a manner as to provide an environmental seal between the front and rear side of the frame to which it is mounted.