Abstract: An evaporation device is disclosed for evaporating volatile substances such as insecticides and aromatics of a type having a housing containing a heating block with a heating element, a container for a volatile substance to be evaporated, a wick having a wick end protruding out of the container into a wick opening in the heating block, a switching device for the activation and deactivation of the heating device, and an adjusting device for the adjustment of the degree of evaporation. Preferably, two heating elements with different heating capacity are carried by the heating block. The heating elements are operatively connected to the switching device to adjust the heat output of the heating device and the degree of evaporation of the volatile substance.

Abstract: A power plug device has a power plug, at least one switched power socket at least one socket switch, a embedded controller and a telephone jack. The embedded controller can send and receive network signals across a telephone line through the telephone jack, or across a power line through the power plug of the power plug device. The power plug device may switch on or off its power sockets depending on networking signals that come from the power or telephone lines. The power plug device can also send networking signals out along the telephone or power line. The power plug device also has a networking communications port. Two such power plug devices enable two or more computers to communicate with each other using the existing power and telephone lines within a building.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the electrical power system of the present invention includes a power conditioning unit which is configured to receive the DC electrical output signal to deliver an AC output signal to a grid-connected load. Preferably, the power conditioning unit includes a controller which is configured to monitor the AC output signal so that the power conditioning unit may cease delivering the AC output signal when a characteristic of the AC output signal satisfies an established criterion.

Abstract: The invention provides a new hybrid 4-in-1 power controller chip for a PC mainboard which integrates a synchronous buck switching regulator to supply the CPU core voltage, a standard buck switching regulator for I/O circuits, a linear controller for the GTL bus, and a linear regulator with built-in pass transistor for a clock generator. On this basis, a hybrid power system for a PC mainboard is constructed.

Abstract: To easily and quickly return from a power-off state, as well as reducing power consumption of an electrical apparatus by an automatic power-off, a power supply source connection controller 10 comprises: a power source connecting switch R0-2; a relay R0 for controlling the opening and closing of the switch R0-2; control switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 for sending a signal to a microcomputer 72 to provide instructions for executing a predetermined function, as well as connecting a power supply circuit 74 to the relay R0; a connection holding switch R0-1 for holding a connection between the relay R0 and the circuit 74; and a connection releasing switch SW0 for releasing a connection between the relay R0 and the circuit 74.

Abstract: A powering arrangement for an undersea cable system provides that each branch of the system is supplied with a current equal to half of the current in the trunk. By coupling both branches to the trunk, the current adds at the branching unit. Upon occurrence of a power path fault in any branch, a virtual ground moves to the site of the fault. In addition, an image virtual ground moves to a similar point in the branch that does not have the cable fault. As a result of this implementation, the cable power system is able to tolerate at least one fault in a branch without necessitating repair, and can tolerate some multiple branch faults depending upon their location. In contrast to the operation of existing power-switched branching units, the fault-tolerant branching unit does not require down-powering and re-powering in order in order to change the power configuration, e.g., to allow a virtual ground to be re-located at shunt fault sites that occur in either trunk or branches.

Abstract: A high voltage multiplexer, useful in power supplies for electrophotographic printers, that converts a high voltage DC input into an AC modulated DC signal that is selectively applied to one of a plurality of outputs. The selected output depends on signals applied to a set of control inputs. That multiplexer is useful in a power supply system having a high voltage DC source for producing the DC input and a clock input for setting the AC modulation frequency. That power supply is useful in an electrophotographic printer having a plurality of developers and a controller. The power supply system then selectively powers one of the developers as directed by signals from the controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data protective receptacle with the power saving function to accomplish the power saving by getting a sub-receptacle to be automatically controlled so that it may be on or off by a main receptacle. Since this invention can get the power for driving peripheral appliances automatically to be off when the main power for the computer system gets to be off, it can reduce the consumption current thereof while it stands by. Also, this invention gets both alternating-current (AC) power lines to be off when the main system gets to be off, and thereby, it can cut off any leaking current flowing between one power line and the ground line so that the power consumption may be reduced while the system stands by.

Abstract: A driving circuit generates an internal control voltage that controls the driving current supplied to a group of driven elements in a printer or other device. Generation of the control voltage involves the flow of current on one or more static current paths. The driving circuit includes switching elements that open these static current paths in response to a standby command, to reduce standby power consumption of the printer or other device, and to enable quiescent-current testing of the driving circuit. The standby command may be given by a combination of signals that are also used for other purposes.

Abstract: When controlling operation of heaters or coolers provided in a plurality of thermal control objects, the priority for turning on the heaters or the coolers set based on temperature and speed of temperature response of the thermal control objects is used to turn on a heater or cooler with higher priority and turn off a heater or cooler with lower priority, such that the sum of energy required for operating the heaters and the coolers does not exceed a predetermined value. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the peak energy (maximum energy) generated when a plurality of heaters and coolers are simultaneously turned on, thereby decreasing an affect on an energy supply system.

Abstract: Either when a first set time elapses after a circuit signal for turning ON a power supply circuit of a certain disk drive group was outputted or after the disk drive group completed its start, a circuit signal for turning ON a power supply circuit corresponding to a next disk drive group is outputted to start disk drives sequentially at a time interval. When the disk drive group is not started, after the lapse of a second set time shorter than the first set time, the circuit signal for turning ON a power supply circuit corresponding to the next disk drive group is outputted to start the next disk drive group.

Abstract: Noise generated in port circuits of an integrated circuit apparatus is output to the outside through an electric power supply terminal, or external noise received in the electric power supply terminal is input to the port circuits to make the port circuits be erroneously operated. To prevent the adverse influence of the noise and the external noise, a clock interrupting circuit is arranged along an operation clock signal supply line connected with a specific port circuit, which is connected with the electric power supply terminal through a power supply line through which the specific circuit is electrically most-adjacent to the electric power supply terminal among the port circuits, and an operation of the specific port circuit is stopped by the clock interrupting circuit when the specific port circuit is not used. Also, operations of port circuits adjacent to the specific port circuit are stopped by other clock interrupting circuits in case of non-use of the port circuits.

Abstract: A power management system for integrated circuits having several voltage levels shorts two buses together during a voltage ramp period, so that the charge pumps connected to both buses drive both buses. When the lower bus reaches its design voltage, the shorting switch is opened and a set of pumps drives the higher bus to its design voltage. After the ramp, the voltage controls on the pumps and the current path to a bus are switched as needed in order to supply each bus with the required current capacity.

Abstract: A desktop computer includes a main computer module, a power supply module and a connecting unit. The main computer module includes a housing and a plurality of electronic devices mounted in the housing. Each of the electronic devices has a power supply input. The housing is formed with a cable opening. The power supply module is disposed outside the housing of the main computer module, and has a plurality of power supplying outputs. The power supply module is operable so as to provide a plurality of dc operating voltages at the power supply outputs. The connecting unit includes a first cable portion, a second cable portion and a male-and-female electrical connector set. The first cable portion is disposed in the housing, and has a plurality of wires connected respectively to the power supply inputs of the electronic devices. The first cable portion extends outside the housing via the cable opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a plurality of units. Each of the units includes a power supply pad, a function circuit, and a power supply control circuit. The plurality of units each have a first state in which the function circuit is in an operating state by the power supply pad being at a prescribed operating potential and a second state in which the function circuit is in a non-operating state by the power supply pad being at a prescribed non-operating potential. The power supply control circuit includes a switching circuit for connecting the power supply pad to the prescribed non-operating potential. The power supply control circuit in each of the plurality of units closes the switching circuit when at least one of the other units is in the first state and opens the switching circuit otherwise.

Abstract: A field bus arrangement comprising at least one field bus station adapted to be connected with a serial field bus and furthermore at least one load controlled by way of a control output of the field bus station, the load being connected with a power supply line provided in addition to the lines of the field bus. The controlled switch is able to be actuated via the control output of the field bus station. The power circuits are completely decoupled, this meaning for example that the load can be switched off both by way of the field bus station itself and also by switching off the power supply line.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a plurality of electrical devices (6) the system including a central controller (2) for controlling functions of the devices, a network (4) coupled between the central controller (2) and the devices, the network including a plurality of device drivers (10) for providing drive signals to the electrical devices, the number of drivers being less than the number of devices characterized in that the network includes intelligent devices (8) which enable communication through the network from the central controller (2) to the devices (6).

Abstract: An electrical power control system is adapted for controlling power and lighting in a building. Switch controls have either relays or triacs, controlled by microprocessors, to switch power on electrical branch circuits. An interface device 122 communicates with the switches 124,126, arranged in a multidrop configuration, with variable length data packets over serial branch circuits or data buses 142. In addition to being controlled by the interface device 122, the switch controls also have local switch actuators. The actuation of the local switch controls can be used by the interface device 122 as a control inputs to initiate other actions. Adaptive polling of switch controls is used to minimize system response time, and both transmit and receive signals are carried between the switch controls and the interface device 122 at different times on the same twisted pair wires. The interface device 122 can also communicate with a home automation system controller.

Abstract: The invention provides a device (11) for switching an electric heater (12) with at least two heating areas (25, 27, 29), which can be variably supplied with electric power by at least one power setter (22) and having control means (19) for the at least one power setter (22, 23) and with functionally separate switching means (14, 16) for operating the at least one power setter. On operating a first switching means (14), a heating area (27) associated therewith can be set by means of a power setter via the control means and on operating a further switching means (16) a heating area (29) associated therewith is settable by means of a power setter. Preferably, precisely one heating area (27, 29) is associated with each switching means (14, 16). The heating areas can be areally extensive heating zones or different power levels of a heater.

Abstract: An engine control unit for a vehicle control unit arrangement is preconfigured to perform a plurality of functions and configures its own range of functions by activating selected preconfigured functions as well as a method for the manipulation-proof configuration of the engine control unit. To activate a preconfigured function, the engine control unit issues a signal for detecting the presence of component control units connected to it. It then requests an item of information for activating a function preconfigured in the control unit from a component control unit that was detected. After receiving an item of activation information, it activates the corresponding preconfigured function.

Abstract: A power station (10) includes a generator (13) which is driven by a turbine (11). The power station produces electrical power and outputs the electrical power to a network (17) via a generator switch (14). An electrical standby load (18) is also provided. When a network fault occurs, the generator is disconnected from the network by the generator switch and connected to the electrical standby load. The electrical standby load emulates the real load of the network that was present prior to the network fault, so that the voltage of the generator is stabilized at a constant phase difference or phase angle with respect to the voltage of the network that was present prior to the network fault. Alternatively, the value of the electrical standby load is adjusted during isolation of the generator from the network, to track the network while the generator is disconnected from the network and match the voltage phase angle of the generator to the network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing variations in a supply voltage signal. The voltage signal which powers a circuit is regulated by adding or removing a series of redundant loads to the circuit. The redundant loads are normally not connected to the circuit. However, when one of the loads of the circuit is switched out of the circuit, one or more of the redundant loads are switched into the circuit, and then removed gradually from the circuit. When one of the loads of the circuit is to be switched into the circuit, one or more of the redundant loads are switched into the circuit first, then switched out of the circuit when the load is switched in. Thus, the voltage supply sees almost the same load during a turn-on and turn-off transition period, and variations in the voltage signal are reduced.

Abstract: An electronic appliance, in addition to being of the type that is connected to another electronic appliance by way of a signal line and that permits the other electronic appliance to recognize establishment of connection between them on the basis of the voltage level on the signal line, allows this voltage level to be varied with the signal line kept connected. A signal terminal for connecting the signal line and a supplied-power line for supplying a voltage having a predetermined level are connected through a pull-up resistor and a transistor connected in series. The transistor is controlled by a controller so that, even after the electronic appliance starts receiving electric power, the transistor will be kept in a non-conducting state and thus the voltage on the supplied-power line will not be supplied to the signal terminal until the operation of various portions of the electronic appliance has been stabilized. The transistor may be controlled by being fed with a control signal from the outside.

Abstract: A power distribution apparatus which utilizes relay devices to control the flow of power along power paths from an input terminal to one or more output terminals electrically coupled to the power paths. For each power path provided in the power distribution apparatus, the power distribution apparatus comprises one relay device and one or more output terminals associated with each power path. In operation, the relay device associated with each power path controls the flow of current from the input terminal to the output terminals electrically coupled to the power path. A switching assembly is electrically coupled to the power distribution apparatus for controlling the relay devices. When the switching assembly is activated, the relay devices are switched on and current is allowed to flow from the input terminal to the output terminals. When the switching assembly is deactivated, the relay devices are switched off and current is prevented from flowing from the input terminal to the output terminals.

Abstract: Programmability for on-chip passive components such as resistors, capacitors and inductors is achieved by forming a first passive component such as a resistor, capacitor or inductor, and at least one additional passive component (again, such as resistor, capacitor or inductor), and at least one means for selectively switching selected ones of the at least two additional passive components in series or in parallel with the first passive component are provided on an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The series/parallel connected first passive component and additional passive components are connected between two terminals of the IC chip whereat it is desired to establish a passive component value (e.g., resistance, capacitance or inductance). In this manner, one of a plurality of possible total (overall) values may be established.

Abstract: A multiplexing system is provided for controlling and monitoring all the electrical functions of a vehicle. The system includes a switch control unit which receives inputs from various sources and converts the inputs into digital signals which are decoded in a microprocessor. The decoded signals are then sent to a power distribution unit, which sends out, shuts off, increases or decreases the power to different parts of the vehicle as needed.

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: The Power Bar with Remote Control allows a user to control from a distance the power of each outlet contained in the attached Power Bar. A master switch also allows the power to all outlets to be turned on or off in unison. Therefore, a user can selectively turn on or off electrical devices attached to the Power Bar. For example, while sitting at a desk a person could use the Remote Control to turn on their personal computer, monitor, speakers, external modem, printer and desk lamp. Also, by integrating the Power Bar with a USB (or Firewire) hub, only a single composite cable, with either integrated AC power/USB plugs or separate AC power and USB plugs at each end is required to supply both power and data to a PC or peripheral device. Also, by integrating an under-the-monitor type power box with a USB (or Firewire) hub, only a single composite cable, with either integrated AC power/USB plugs or separate AC power and USB plugs at each end is required to supply both power and data to a PC or peripheral device.

Abstract: A customer side power management system including at least one auxiliary fuel cell(s) source is provided. When the power derived from the electric utility reaches a predetermined threshold level, all remaining power needed to supply the customer's loads is obtained from the at least one hydrocarbon powered fuel cell which is/are located within the customer's facility. In such a manner, high peak demand utility charges are avoided by the customer, and the simple cost effective power generation from the fuel cell is provided.

Abstract: A new and improved outdoor lighting control system for an outdoor lighting system network for automatically sensing, conveying, and recording data relevant to the operation of the lighting system network so that both control and maintenance can be performed more efficiently. At each of plural lamp locations in the network, there is a controller module that receives electric power input and that supplies electric power to the remaining lamp locations. Each controller module has a first relay to deliver current to one or more outdoor illumination lamps at the controller module's location, and a second relay for switching electric power on to a succeeding lamp location. A first current sensor monitors current to the lamps at each lamp location, and a second current sensor monitors current to the remaining locations. The network's power lines form portions of a bi-directional data link via which data is transmitted from each controller module to a command station, and vice versa.

Abstract: An external universal battery charging apparatus which can include external universal battery charger circuitry having at least one universal battery charger circuitry input and at least one universal battery charger circuitry output. The universal battery charger circuitry output can include at least one battery charger output, which itself can include at least one universal battery connector and at least one universal battery charger cable. The at least one universal battery charger circuitry output can include at least one adapter pass through output, which itself can include at least one connector adapted to operably connect to an electronic device. The external universal battery charger circuitry can include at least one battery recognition and parameter adjustment circuit, battery current parameter adjustment circuit, charged voltage parameter adjustment circuit, and maximum power draw parameter adjustment circuit.

Abstract: A system (10) conveys energy and communication between a master (16) and a plurality of slaves (18, 20), via a bus (14). A power/voltage transmitter (44) of the master (16) provides electrical energy, having a voltage, onto the bus (14) to power the slaves (18, 20). The power/voltage transmitter (44) adjusts voltage past a predetermined threshold to provide a message frame and modulating voltage during the message frame to convey messages to the slaves (18,20). Voltage receivers (58, 64), at each slave (18, 20), detect the voltage modulations to discern messages from the master (16) during the message frame. Current transmitters (56, 62), at each slave (18, 20), modulate current during the message frame to convey messages to the master (16). The current transmitters (18, 20) utilize the modulation of voltage of the electrical energy to clock modulation of current. A current receiver (48) of the master (16) detects current modulations to discern messages from the slaves (18, 20).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and arrangement for disconnecting consumers who are connected to a voltage source, specially a direct voltage source. For the purposes of the present invention direct voltage systems are, for instance, the well-known mobile equipment driven by solar cells, primary or secondary batteries. The present invention is based on the knowledge that several consumers are often present in a voltage system, apart of which can be disconnected immediately when one or several conditions for disconnection are fulfilled, while another part of the consumers should be gradually disconnected due to technical safety reasons or psychological aspects. According to the invention consumers connected to a voltage source can be disconnected in two steps, that is, the power passing through the consumers is reduced, for which a slow regulation is offered, and later the power passing through the rest of the users is disconnected.

Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary apparatus for controlling at least one electrically operated functional device (3), which is designed to replace a main unit (5) for controlling the said at least one functional device (3), and which can be plugged into terminals (7, 9, 11) for connecting the latter that are provided for this purpose. The said apparatus (1) comprises, for each functional device (3), a manually operated switch (12) interposed between a line (14) for delivering an electric control potential, this line being intended to be connected to an associated supply terminal (9), and an associated line (16) for transmitting the electric control potential to the said at least one functional device (3).

Abstract: A cable branching unit which enables the exchange of signals through normal cables without suspending the power supply even when a short mode fault is caused in a cable branching from the cable branching unit. The cable branching unit branches a first cable into a second and a third cable and comprises a band pass filter for extracting a control signal multiplexed among signals transmitted from the first land station through the first cable, and a relay short circuits, to a ground, one or both of the cable connected to the second land station and the cable connected to the third land station, according to the control signal extracted by the band pass filter.

Abstract: A master-slave programmable controller arrangement is disclosed for implementing control schemes in various control system topologies. The arrangement employs a modular design which allows a master unit to set operational modes for one or more instances of the same generic slave unit. The master unit and the slave unit communicate via a communications interface. Each slave unit is configured by the master unit to monitor/control one or more components or stages of, for example, a power supply.

Abstract: A switching configuration for electrical control devices, in particular for use in control devices of an electrical system of power-driven vehicles is disclosed. The switching configuration includes a busline with a defined thermal conductivity and a defined heat capacity, which is connected with a first predefined power supply potential. The switching configuration has a plurality of switching devices for switching on and off at least one associated load of a respective switching device, for each of which a first current-conducting connection of the switching device is connected with the busline with a defined thermal conductivity and a heat capacity. Whereby each load of a respective switching device is connected between a second current-conducting connection of the switching devices and a second predefined power supply potential.

Abstract: A vehicular use power distribution apparatus includes a battery mounted in a vehicle; a main control means connected directly to the battery; a first switch means connected to the battery; a power feed line for loads connected to the first switch means and supplying power to loads mounted in the vehicle; a second switch means connected to the battery; a power feed line for control means connected to the second switch means and controlling the loads; and a sub control means connected to the power feed line for control means. In a first state, the main control means sets the first switch means and the second switch means to a connection state so as to supply power from the battery to the power feed line for loads and the power feed line for control means.

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: A power transfer system for applying backup electrical power to electrical systems is described which applies backup power automatically without power interruption and which is straightforward to implement and inexpensive to manufacture. The power transfer system has a direct current (DC) power bus as a common supply point for protected electrical equipment, thereby making prior art systems which provide power transfer between alternating current (AC) power sources and typically provide an AC power bus in common with the protected equipment no longer necessary.

Abstract: A customer side power management system including at least one auxiliary fuel cell(s) source is provided. When the power derived from the electric utility reaches a predetermined threshold level, all remaining power needed to supply the customer's loads is obtained from the at least one hydrocarbon powered fuel cell which is/are located within the customer's facility. In such a manner, high peak demand utility charges are avoided by the customer, and the simple cost effective power generation from the fuel cell is provided.

Abstract: An electrically powered water heater includes a plurality of heating elements for substantially instantaneous heating of fluid passing through the heater. A controller for powering the plurality of heating elements is responsive to a temperature sensor in fluid communication with the heated fluid. The temperature sensor activates each of the plurality of heating elements for a predetermined period of time that is preferably no more than 32 half cycles. The controller activates a second heating element after a delay of preferably no more than 8 half cycles after activating a first heating element. The predetermined period of time for activating each of the plurality of heating elements may be substantially equal, such that each heating element contributes substantially equally to the heating of fluid. In one embodiment, the heater housing is provided with a plurality of chambers, and a heating element is provided within each of the plurality of chambers.

Abstract: The present invention provides two or more output voltages from one input voltage and one inductor. Each output voltage is formed by a switch controlling the charge delivered to each of the corresponding output capacitors. Preferably, a diode is placed in series with each switch that controls the charging of the output capacitors to prevent any extraneous stray current from escaping while the switch is closed. The controller utilizes pulse width modulation to deliver the correct amount of energy to each load and to synchronize the order of energy delivery to each load. The use of one input voltage and one inductor for charging multiple output voltages simplifies the complexity of the circuit of the present invention and eliminates the need for a single inductor dedicated to each load. Further, the predetermined output voltage level for each load can be changed without modifying the passive elements in the circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer system having a backplane with a plurality of subsystems which can be individually switched on or off. The computer system comprises a backplane having a plurality of power zones, a power control circuit installed in the backplane for each of the power zones for controlling electric power supplied to the power zone from a power supply, and a subsystem installed in each of the power zones, each of the subsystems comprising an I/O (input/output) bus, at least one I/O slot connected to the I/O bus for connecting an I/O device, and a processor connected to the I/O bus for controlling operations of the subsystem. Each of the subsystems can be switched on or off by using the power control circuit of the power zone of the subsystem.

Abstract: A power distribution system that provides electric power to an electrical device and to an energy storage device. The system includes a rectifier connected to an alternating current mains network to provide a rectified sinusoidal voltage via power leads connected to a charging device that provides DC voltage to the energy storage device. In addition, the electrical device(s) are connected to the power leads and include a plurality of converters, each one being connected to at least one load. Each converter is connected to the power leads in order to supply a DC voltage to its respective load.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus reduces an instantaneous maximum power consumption at turn-on. Power receiving parts of a plurality of processing units are connected to one end of a turn-on switch respectively through switches. The other end of the turn-on switch is connected to an external power source through a breaker. Timer values are set in advance in the timers, respectively. When the turn-on switch is turned on, the timers turn on the associated switches respectively after times which are defined by the timer values, whereby the processing units are provided with electric power, each with a delay of a constant time.

Abstract: A steering wheel control system (10) that employs a method for passing push-button commands from a steering wheel to a vehicle system, wherein the method is not dependant upon the contact resistance of a sliding contact (32) located in the steering wheel column. The control system (10) includes a constant current source circuit (20) that generates a unique constant current corresponding to each command. The sliding contact (32) passes the constant current between the steering wheel and the vehicle system, and a calibrated resistance circuit (40) converts the unique constant current into a discrete voltage. The discrete voltage is also converted into a digital signal for use by a microcontroller (60) to activate the vehicle systems. The use of constant currents therefore avoids operational problems associated with decreases in the overall system noise margin due to large voltage drops across the sliding contact (32).

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of managing and distributing power from a supply of limited power is described. A plurality of outlets are connect to a plurality of power units. As additional outlets are used, the invention measures the amount of power drawn by the outlets. Outlets are enabled if the amount of measured power is less than a maximum amount of power available. Additional outlets not currently in use are disabled if the amount of measured power is greater than the maximum amount of power available.

Abstract: A switch selectively connects an airbag inflator or a load resistor to a crash sensing module to enable or disable an airbag. A transistor circuit across the load resistor detects whether deployment current is flowing in that resistor. Another transistor activated by the first transistor passes current to a fuse to open the fuse, permanently indicating a deployment event when the airbag was disabled. A latch circuit holds the second transistor on to assure sufficient time to open the fuse by melting.

Abstract: The invention consists of an electrical circuit for a vehicle headlight system whereby the conventional parallel circuit connection of headlights is automatically converted into a series circuit connection under conditions appropriate for daytime running lights, whereby the light output of the headlights is reduced as compared to that in conventional headlight circuit mode, and a method for interconnecting such circuit with conventional headlight systems.