Abstract: A household appliance for performing a cycle of operation according to a cycle of operation. The household appliance includes a cabinet defining a treating chamber, a tub located within the cabinet interior and defining a tub interior and having an access opening, a rotatable drum located within the tub interior, a user interface carried by the cabinet and coupled to a controller to provide data communication between the controller and a user, a pedestal for supporting the cabinet and comprising a liquid recirculation system for recirculating liquid to the treating chamber, at least one consumable received in a dock positioned in the pedestal for use in performing the cycle of operation, and, a luminary communication interface physically separated from the user interface and configured to emit at least one of colored light motion or light intensity patterns to illustrate a status of the at least one consumable.

Abstract: A method of regulating usage of an electronic device is provided that includes at least one remote server, a user personal computing (PC) device, an administrator PC device, at least one electronic device, and a computerized regulating adapter. The method begins by monitoring a current date-and-time with the computerized regulating adapter. An electrical plug is then physically secured to the computerized regulating adapter with a locking mechanism of the computerized regulating adapter. The electronic device is then electrically powered with the computerized regulating adapter, if the current date-and-time is any date-and-time from the plurality of available date-and-times. The electronic device is then disabled with the computerized regulating adapter, if the current date-and-time matches an arbitrary blocked date-and-time, wherein the arbitrary blocked date-and-time is any date-and-time from the plurality of blocked date-and-times.

Abstract: An assembly for providing one or two disconnection switches in any of different electrical supply systems includes a printed circuit board having an internally configurable dual switch arrangement. The dual switch arrangement includes first and second switch areas for first and second groups of solid-state devices, first and second driver areas for first and second switch drivers, and busbars and power terminals. The first switch area includes the first group of solid-state devices and the first driver area includes the first switch driver which drives these solid-state devices as either a normally closed (NC) or a normally opened (NO) disconnection switch. First and second ones of the busbars respectively connect ends of the disconnection switch to first and second ones of the power terminals whereby the disconnection switch is provided in the electrical supply system when the electrical supply system is connected to the first and second power terminals.

Abstract: An automatic transfer switch for a power system receiving multiple alternating current sources and delivering multiple alternating current output is described. A transfer switch control circuit can sense a power loss in one or both AC sources. Each power supply can deliver current to drive a load but, if one of the power supplies fails, the other can supply power to drive both loads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking system for a drawer of a drawer dishwasher and a method for unlocking a drawer of a drawer dishwasher. The locking system includes a locking device for locking a drawer of the drawer dishwasher to a chassis or frame of the dishwasher; an opening attempt sensor for detecting an opening attempt of the drawer; and a control unit connected to the opening attempt sensor and the locking device. The control unit is arranged to trigger stop of a dishwasher pump of the dishwasher based on a detected opening attempt, and wherein the control unit is further arranged to trigger the locking device to unlock after the dishwasher pump has been stopped. Thereby, there is provided a reliable and safe way of opening the drawer during a washing program without the risk of hot water splashing out onto the user or onto the floor.

Abstract: Process variation-tolerant diodes and diode-connected thin film transistors (TFTs), printed or patterned structures (e.g., circuitry) containing such diodes and TFTs, methods of making the same, and applications of the same for identification tags and sensors are disclosed. A patterned structure comprising a complementary pair of diodes or diode-connected TFTs in series can stabilize the threshold voltage (Vt) of a diode manufactured using printing or laser writing techniques. The present invention advantageously utilizes the separation between the Vt of an NMOS TFT (Vtn) and the Vt of a PMOS TFT (Vtp) to establish and/or improve stability of a forward voltage drop across a printed or laser-written diode. Further applications of the present invention relate to reference voltage generators, voltage clamp circuits, methods of controlling voltages on related or differential signal transmission lines, and RFID and EAS tags and sensors.

Abstract: A solid-state alternating current (AC) switch provides for the sequential turn-on of the associated solid-state switches to reduce the generation of electromagnetic interference (EMI). The solid-state AC switch includes at least first and second solid-state switches connected in series between an AC input and an AC load. A zero-cross detector circuit monitors the AC input to determine zero-crossings associated with the monitored AC input. A controller turns on the first solid-state switch and the second solid-state switch according to a turn-on sequence in which the first transistor is turned ON during a detected zero-crossing window associated with the first transistor and the second transistor is subsequently turned ON during a detected zero-crossing associated with the second transistor.

Abstract: A safety switch device for switching a power supply for a load on and off, having at least one driveable switching element, in particular a relay, and a safety circuit for checking a switching state of the switching element. The switching element is in the form of a changeover switch in such a manner that a first contact is electrically connected to either a second contact or a third contact by means of a switching operation. A method for operating a safety switch device is also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for implementing a series interlock loop. An example of the interlock system includes a series interlock loop, a data table, and a control module. The series interlock loop has an overall electrical characteristic. The series interlock loop includes first and second safety interlocks electrically coupled in series. Each interlock includes a switch coupled in parallel with an impedance value. The data table is configured to store values corresponding to the impedance values. The control module is communicatively coupled to the data table and configured to receive an indication of the overall electrical characteristic and to compare the overall electrical characteristic to the values in the data table to thereby identify an open one of the first and second safety interlocks.

Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a cylindrical drum shell mounted for rotation on front and rear stationary bulkheads of the dryer. A drive system is configured to rotate the drum in first and second opposite directions. Three rollers are arranged about a lower portion of the drum circumference, on the rear bulkhead, to stably support the rotatable drum during rotation in the first and second directions. The arrangement can also avoid potential flexing and distortion of a cylindrical drum shell of relatively large diameter. In addition, a reversing idler assembly is provided for maintaining proper tension on a drive belt during drum rotation in the two directions. The assembly provides a biased mount for two pulleys on a pair of arms integrally formed with a spring as a single piece, in lieu of separate articulated mounting arms and a separate biasing spring.

Abstract: A signal output device that outputs an output signal according to an input signal expressing a logical value that includes a high-voltage side switching circuit between a first terminal and a second terminal in accordance with a first control signal. The device includes a low-voltage side switching circuit between a first and second terminal for outputting a low-voltage side reference voltage in accordance with a second control signal and a control section. The high-voltage and low-voltage side switching circuits include a plurality of switching devices serially connected between the first terminal and the second terminal and each of which is opened in accordance with a provided control voltage. The control circuit opens the plurality of switching devices substantially in synchronization with each other, where a voltage inputted to the first terminal is outputted from the second terminal by short-circuiting between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for generating low EMI display driver power supply. The methods and apparatus include switching circuits that utilize two groups of parallel circuit traces, each of which is coupled to one end of a switching device. The two groups of traces are configured to be interleaved with each other such that no two traces from either group are next to any other traces from the same group. When the switching device is activated, current flows through the circuit and charges an energy storage element. When the switching device is deactivated, the energy storage element discharges a portion of its energy to a second energy storage element and to the driver circuits. In another embodiment, an additional circuit trace is provided which is only connected on one end and is free floating on the other end to capture the majority of EMI remaining that was generated by the switching circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed herein that includes a housing, wherein the housing has a front and a back, wherein the housing includes first electrical receptacles, a switch, and a timer module. The first electrical receptacles are positioned on the front of the housing and are configured to receive first prongs of an electric plug, and the switch may be responsive to the timer. The apparatus can further include second prongs that correspond to the first electrical receptacles, wherein the second prongs re coupled to the housing and are configured to be received by second electrical receptacles of an outlet socket. The switch, when closed, is operative to electrically couple at least one of the first prongs with at least one of the second electrical receptacles. When open, the switch is operative to prevent electrical coupling of the at least one of the first prongs with the at least one of the second receptacles. The timer is operative to cause the switch to be opened and closed.

Abstract: A switch provided between a first terminal and a second terminal with a varying cross terminal voltage. The switch contains two transistors, with the source terminal of the first transistor being coupled to the first terminal and a drain terminal of the second transistor being coupled to the second terminal. The gate terminal of the first transistor is coupled to the first terminal, the gate terminal of the second transistor is coupled to the second terminal, and the drain terminal of the first transistor is coupled to the source terminal of the second transistor. Due to such a topology, the cross-terminal voltage across the first and second terminals can be substantially higher than the voltage of the control signal indicating whether the switch is to be in on or off state.

Abstract: A load-protection control circuit of a power supply, which applies to the power supply that has a maximum power-limiting function. The power supply includes a power transformation circuit which outputs a direct current to drive loads and a control circuit which can switch the power transformation circuit electrically coupled to a power-protection circuit that has a voltage representing reference power. The direct current voltage driving the load is compared with the voltage representing reference power by the power-protection circuit to output a protection signal to the control circuit for switching the power transformation circuit. The power-protection circuit and the control circuit are electrically connected to a switcher circuit connected to a switch, wherein the switch can switch the switcher circuit to be in open-circuit or close-circuit state in order to determine whether the protection signal is transmitted to the control circuit. Thereby, the objective of load-protection control is accomplished.

Abstract: A solid state relay coupleable to first and second phase busses of an AC power source for switching power from the first and second phase busses to a load including a reactive component comprises: first and second power semiconductor switches connected in a series circuit configuration and coupleable to the first and second phase busses for switching power from the first and second phase busses to the load, each of the first and second power semiconductor switches controllably operative in conductive and non-conductive states; first and second power diodes coupled respectively across the first and second power semiconductor switches; and a control circuit for monitoring a voltage across the first and second phase busses and a current of the load, and for controlling the first and second switches to a conductive state based on the monitored voltage and to a non-conductive state based on the monitored load current. A counterpart method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid state relay coupleable to first and second phase busses of an AC power source for switching power from the first and second phase busses to a load comprises: first and second power semiconductor switches connected in a series circuit configuration and coupleable to the first and second phase busses for switching power from the first and second phase busses to the load, each of the first and second power semiconductor switches controllably operative in conductive and non-conductive states; first and second power diodes coupled respectively across the first and second power semiconductor switches; and a control circuit for monitoring a polarity relationship of the first and second phase busses and controlling the first and second switches between conductive and non-conductive states based on the monitored polarity relationship. A method of operating the solid state relay is further disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator unit includes a base actuator and an additional actuator, via which a useful circuit can be opened and closed. Given proper functioning, the base actuator can be activated by supplying electric energy and deactivated by not supplying electric energy. The additional actuator can be deactivated by supplying electric energy and can be activated via manual operation. A control unit deactivates the additional actuator only when an actual activation state of the base actuator differs from a desired activation state of the base actuator.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for various actuators includes control lines associated with the actuators that receive power from a single voltage increasing circuit. The power supply circuit supplies power to the control lines by splitting or dividing power from a voltage increasing circuit, which is configured to increase an on-board power source voltage. Power is supplied to loads by driving circuits. The loads are individually driven by activating switches. An auxiliary control line is connected to one of the control lines so that auxiliary voltage is able to be supplied or applied. A voltage-holding circuit is provided in connection with the other control line to eliminate influence associated with the activation of one control line with respect to the other control line.

Abstract: An electric switching device for alternating current comprises two branches (2, 3) connected in parallel in a current path and having each at least two contact members (4–7) connected in series. A semiconductor device (8) is adapted to interconnect the midpoints between the two contact members of each branch. When opening the current path a first contact member (5) of one, first branch located before said midpoint as seen in the current direction existing is controlled to open and a second contact member (6) of the second branch located after the midpoint as seen in the current direction is controlled to open for transferring the current to a temporary current path through the semiconductor device. The current path through the switching device is then broken when the semiconductor device is in a blocking state by opening a contact member (4, 7) of the switching device arranged in the temporary current path.

Abstract: A solenoid control circuit that includes two switching networks that are selectively opened and closed in a current limit cycle to control the magnitude of the current flowing through the solenoid. The configuration of the switching networks is such that current flows through an energy dissipating resistor only when the solenoid is commanded off by the solenoid control circuit, and not during the current limit cycle. Thus, the energy dissipated by this resistor is reduced relative to other solenoid control circuits, making it more efficient, and reducing EMI emissions from the circuit while providing for a fast solenoid response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety switching apparatus having a first and a second input switch, whose respective switch settings define an input-side manipulated variable redundantly with respect to one another. The safety switching apparatus furthermore has at least one output switching element which is arranged in an output circuit. In addition, an evaluation and control unit is provided, which drives the at least one output switching element as a function of the defined manipulated variable. Switching contacts of the first and of the second input switch are coupled with one another, in terms of their switch positions, via a common actuating member. According to one aspect of the invention, the switching contacts of the first and of the second input switch are spatially arranged in one plane.

Abstract: An electronic control, with a floating ac power supply, that compares the digital signals produced by connections between ac circuit nodes and digital nodes to determine whether path(s) in ac circuits containing the ac nodes are intact or open. The connections are made through passive components which limit the current between nodes to levels the digital devices can safely handle. An open path indicates to the control that a switching device is open, a connection has failed, or a that a load component has failed or is missing. An intact path indicates a closed switch or a present and presumably functional load component. Proper connections enable the control to detect the state of multiple paths while still being able to detect zero crossings. The method can determine the state of ac paths even if hot and neutral connections are inadvertently reversed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety switching device for connecting and safely disconnecting an electrical load, in particular an electrically driven machine. The safety switching device includes first and second electromechanical switching elements whose operating contacts are arranged in series with one another between a first input terminal and an output terminal of the switching device. Furthermore, the switching device has a second input terminal for receiving a switching signal. The switching signal acts on the switch position of the operating contacts of the two switching elements. According to a preferred embodiment, the first switching element has a lower nominal switching capacity than the second switching element.