Abstract: A method includes detecting high-voltage faults, such as welded contactors or disconnected components, in a vehicle by measuring the total electrical impedance between positive and negative rails of a high-voltage bus and a ground or chassis, comparing the impedance before and after opening the contactors, and executing a maintenance response. The response includes setting an error code when the open impedance level is less than a threshold multiple of the closed impedance level. A vehicle includes a chassis, energy storage system (ESS), motor/generator, and a high-voltage bus conducting electrical current from the ESS to the motor/generator. Contactors are positioned along each of the rails of the bus, a device for measuring a total electrical impedance level between the chassis and each of the rails, and a controller for determining a welded contactor condition of at least one of the contactors based on the measured total electrical impedance level.

Abstract: A method for determining angular position, which removes a systematic error in the angular position determination and requires a low calculating effort, by determining a first factor and a second factor as a function of an angular position, forming a first product from a first signal and the first factor, and a second product of the second signal and the second factor, forming a subtraction result by the subtraction of the second product from the first product, and comparing the subtraction result to a quantity.

Abstract: A device (1) for supplying electric current to the fuel pump (2) of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine (3) comprises a DC/DC converter (13) which increases voltage to a predetermined value in the event of a voltage drop of a direct current source (7). This ensures an adequate voltage supply of the fuel pump (2) even at low voltages of the direct voltage source. When the voltage (15) of the direct voltage source (7) is sufficient, the DC/DC converter (13) is bridged, so that the fuel pump (2) is directly supplied with fuel from the direct voltage source (7). The DC/DC converter is also bridged when the device is faulty.

Abstract: A fan controller includes an input module and an output module. The input module is used for receiving a power supply signal from a power supply which is used for providing power to a fan, and outputting a trigger signal when the power supply signal when the power supply turns off. The output module is used for providing power for the fan when the power supply turns off. The output module includes a timer circuit and an integrator circuit. The timer circuit is coupled to the input module, and is used for receiving the trigger signal, and providing the power for the fan according to the trigger signal for a predetermined amount of time. The integrator circuit is used for providing a threshold voltage for the timer circuit, the threshold voltage tripping termination of the power provided by the timer circuit.

Abstract: A power accumulating unit of a power supply system includes a first switch section configured to achieve a first voltage output state in which an output voltage is substantially equal to a first motor driving voltage and a second switch section configured to achieve a second voltage output state in which the output voltage is substantially equal to a second motor driving voltage that is higher than the first motor driving voltage. A voltage switching control part is configured to perform a voltage switching control to switch between the first motor driving voltage and the second motor driving voltage by alternately operating the first and second switch sections to repeatedly switch between the first voltage output state and the second voltage output state.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting a loss of high-voltage isolation within a hybrid, electric, or fuel cell vehicle. The method includes recording the equivalent resistance between a vehicle chassis and a high-voltage bus, detecting a trend in the measurements, and predicting when the resistance will drop below a threshold value. The method also includes issuing a warning or message to the owner/operator when the predicted remaining number of events drops below a predetermined number and/or when the resistance drops below the threshold. Additionally, an apparatus is provided for predicting a high-voltage isolation fault comprising a controller having an algorithm for predicting the fault, a high-voltage bus and bus components, and a reporting device for reporting the fault and/or predetermined number of remaining events. The controller is configured to initiate the algorithm and record a series of equivalent resistance measurements taken between the vehicle chassis and high-voltage bus.

Abstract: An envelope of a voltage may be extracted using an operator to calculate a position and speed of a rotor. A position and speed sensing method may include supplying voltage to a stator, coupling the voltage into a rotor, extracting an envelope of the voltage using an operator, and calculating a rotor angular position based on the extracted envelope. A position and speed sensing apparatus may include a stator, a rotor and a controller to extract an envelope of a voltage coupled through the rotor into the stator using an operator and to calculate a rotor angular position based on the extracted envelope.

Abstract: A control system for a motor. The control system and the motor receive an external power. The control system comprises a driver and a switch device. The driver is electrically connected to the motor. The switch device is electrically connected between the external power and the driver and turned on or off according to a control signal. The driver drives the motor according to the external power when the switch device is turned on.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor, a first device and a second device. The motor receives a supply of an electric power from a power source externally of the power tool. The first device determines if the electric power supplied from the power source is an AC power or a DC power. The second device permits or interrupts the supply of the electric power to the motor depending on the determination of the first device.

Abstract: This method maintains a direct voltage at the input of a DC/AC voltage converter in order to maintain an asynchronous motor in a magnetised state, the input of the converter being connected to a DC supply bus of an electric vehicle, and comprises, in a free wheel mode during which the vehicle coasts and the bus is disconnected from a catenary: a) a step (76) for magnetising the motor, then b) a step (78) for operating the motor as a generator of alternating voltage, then c) a step (72) for stopping the converter when the direct voltage of the bus reaches an upper threshold, then d) a step (74) for maintaining the converter in the idle state as long as the direct voltage of the bus remains higher than a minimum direct magnetisation voltage of the asynchronous motor.

Abstract: A fan controller includes an input module and an output module. The input module is used for receiving a power supply signal from a power supply which is used for providing power to a fan, and outputting a trigger signal when the power supply signal when the power supply turns off. The output module is used for providing power for the fan when the power supply turns off. The output module includes a timer circuit and an integrator circuit. The timer circuit is coupled to the input module, and is used for receiving the trigger signal, and providing the power for the fan according to the trigger signal for a predetermined amount of time. The integrator circuit is used for providing a threshold voltage for the timer circuit, the threshold voltage tripping termination of the power provided by the timer circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling drive of a motor mounted on a vehicle and formed to have a rotor and a stator equipped with a plurality of phases of coils to be supplied by current in turn, phase by phase, to rotate the rotor. The apparatus comprises a voltage detector, temperature detector, setting block, and current-supply block. Of these, the voltage detector detects a voltage of power to be applied to the motor, while the temperature detector detects a temperature of the motor. The setting block uses the detected temperature and the detected voltage of the power to set a target torque at which the motor should generate a torque. The current-supply block supplies current to the motor so that the motor generates the torque on the target torque set by the setting block.

Abstract: In a method for operating a power tool with an energy accumulator, in particular a rechargeable energy accumulator, which supplies power to an electric drive motor, a clock frequency is generated by an electronic unit, with which a gate of a MOSFET—which supplies operating voltage to the drive motor—is switched on with each cycle, and a switching-off of the MOSFET is carried out within one cycle using different signals, as a function of operating parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining data stored in an electronic module within a power tool over a power line cord of the tool, and without any disassembly of the tool being required. An interface subsystem applies a high frequency, low power AC input signal to the power cord of the tool. A controller within the tool recognizes this signal as an indication that the tool is to be placed in a communications mode. The controller modulates a power switching device used for turning on and off the motor of the tool in such a fashion that current pulses are transmitted over the power line cord back to the interface subsystem. The current pulses correspond to tool usage/performance/identification information stored in the electronic module of the tool. This information is interpreted by a current reader circuit of the interface subsystem as binary information which is then transmitted to an external computing device for analysis and/or recording.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus includes a piezoelectric sensor provided at an edge portion of an opening/closing body for emitting an output voltage which changes corresponding to an external force applied to the edge portion and a detection circuit for receiving the output voltage of the piezoelectric sensor and for judging an entrapment. The detection circuit includes a voltage-measuring circuit for measuring the output voltage of the piezoelectric sensor, a time-measuring circuit for measuring time, and a judging circuit configured to judge the entrapment. The judging circuit judges the entrapment corresponding to the output voltage of the piezoelectric sensor. The judging circuit calculates a changing value of the output voltage after the output voltage of the piezoelectric sensor reaches a predetermined first level. The judging circuit judges that the entrapment has not occurred in a situation where the changing value of the output voltage is larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A control unit for driving a regulating transistor (2) of a fan arrangement, in which the regulating transistor (2) is connected in series with an electronically commutated fan (1), having control means (5, 6, R1, R2) for the analog driving of the regulating transistor (2) with a control signal (Ucontrol) in a manner dependent on a control input voltage (Uin). The control unit comprises compensation means (R3, R4) for influencing the control signal (Ucontrol) in a manner dependent on an AC voltage component (UAC) of an operating voltage (UB) of the fan arrangement, so that the AC voltage component (UAC) of the operating voltage (UB) is completely or partially compensated for in a voltage across the fan (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for correcting references (xref), in the case of flux reduction, used in a speed variator for controlling an electric motor M having a three-phase supply, for example of the synchronous or asynchronous type. This method consists, in particular, of using a dynamic system (MM) representing a model of the motor to be controlled, provided with at least one integrator (Int) and having as input the difference between a limited value of a control voltage (u) to be applied to the motor (M) and the value of a calculated reference voltage (uref).

Abstract: The driving voltage of the motor is incremented a quantity proportional to the speed of the motor according to a proportionality factor that is adjusted to compensate the back electromotive force. A method includes open-loop voltage control of a DC motor having a certain design speed constant, through a driving signal that is determined for imparting a certain acceleration to the motor and by generating a driving voltage of an output power stage to which the winding of the motor is connected as a function of the driving signal.

Abstract: An actuator control device includes an electrical control unit for detecting the present positions of output shafts of servo motors, and communicating with control circuits for driving the output shafts of the servo motors to target stop positions on the basis of the present positions thus detected. When it is judged that a present position of one of the output shafts thus receives is abnormal, the electrical control unit corrects the present position and transmits the corrected present position to the appropriate control circuit.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for producing a sufficiently boosted voltage even when a supply voltage becomes high includes an inverter that drives switching elements and converts a DC voltage into an AC voltage, and booster means which boosts a DC voltage that is input into a voltage to lie within a voltage range in which a voltage necessary for driving the switching elements is a lower-limit value and a maximum boosted voltage is an upper-limit value, and outputs the boosted voltage to the inverter.

Abstract: A control unit stores a count value, which is used to detect an operational position of a roof glass, in a RAM. The control unit determines whether the count value is properly stored in the RAM when a voltage of a power supply falls below a predetermined voltage and thereafter returns to the predetermined voltage. Even in a case where the control unit determines that the count value is properly stored in the RAM, the control unit determines there is a possibility of having a deviation between an actual operational position of the roof glass and the count value. Thereafter, the control unit resets a reference point of the roof glass.

Abstract: Available torque output from a battery-powered traction motor system in a vehicle is estimated, wherein the system includes a high-voltage battery coupled to a traction motor by an inverter, wherein the inverter is controlled in response to a torque/speed command within an inverter controller, and wherein the system further includes a DC-to-DC converter coupled to the high-voltage battery to provide a reduced voltage to charge a low-voltage battery. Battery operating conditions of the high-voltage battery are determined including available battery power and battery voltage. Traction motor operating conditions including a flux linkage and other electrical parameters are determined. The battery information including voltage, current, and internal resistance is transformed into synchronous coordinates. An available quadrature current corresponding to the maximum available torque is determined in response to the traction motor operating conditions and the battery voltage in the synchronous coordinates.

Abstract: A motor stopping circuit is activated when a motor control circuit is stopped by a reset signal outputted from a reset circuit. This maintains an overrun angle small. As a result, a difference between a rotation angles measured when the motor control circuit is turned off and measured when the motor control circuit is turned on are small. Therefore, frequent origin setting operation is not required. This reduces sizes and manufacturing costs of a stopper and an actuator.

Abstract: A period adjustment circuit of disconnection and restart IC comprises a second capacitor, which is connected to a resistor and a transistor connected in parallel. One end of the resistor is connected between the disconnection and restart IC and the first capacitor. When lockup of a fan motor occurs, in addition that an IC current source charges the first capacitor, the second capacitor also charges the first capacitor via the resistor until the voltage of the first capacitor reaches a disconnection voltage. The IC then enters into the disconnection state, and the voltages of the two capacitors are equal so that the second capacitor no longer charges the first capacitor. Next, the IC current source simultaneously charges the first and second capacitors until the voltage of the first capacitor reaches a system reset voltage. The first capacitor is then discharged to a restart voltage by the IC.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method, the apparatus comprising a controlled element (10), such as a robotic manipulator, and a dynamically updatable control system (11). The control system (11) uses a control system equation (eq. (1)) to determine control signals (dq/dt) for controlling the controlled element (1) given any required inputs (q, V) to the control system equation (eq. (1)). The control system (11) is dynamically updatable in that in response to a script file indicating a code structure (11d) preferably having linked nodes (12a 13a-c) and representing at least some components (W,F,&agr;,&bgr;) of the control system equation (eq. (1)), the control system (11) creates the code structure (11d), at run-time, and does so such that the nodes (12a 13a-c) can be queried (i.e. are executable logic) to provide values for at least some components (W,F,&agr;,&bgr;) of the control system equation (eq. (1)).

Abstract: A variable speed drive (VSD) having a rectifier, an inverter, an inverter modulator, an inverter controller, and a control loop, for controlling a motor load, wherein the control loop reduces an amount of power transferred to the inverter during a voltage sag. The control loop may include a reference generator, a filter, a regulator, and a ride-through corrective algorithm. A method for controlling a VSD to improve voltage sag ride-through by monitoring a voltage applied to the VSD, generating a control signal representative of losses in a motor load when a voltage sag is detected in the voltage applied to the VSD and applying less power to the load of the inverter.

Abstract: A motor stopping circuit is activated when a motor control circuit is stopped by a reset signal outputted from a reset circuit. This maintains an overrun angle small. As a result, a difference between a rotation angles measured when the motor control circuit is turned off and measured when the motor control circuit is turned on are small. Therefore, frequent origin setting operation is not required. This reduces sizes and manufacturing costs of a stopper and an actuator.

Abstract: A power control circuit having an input for receiving power from a power source and an output for driving a bicycle electromotive unit comprises a storage unit; a first switching element disposed between the storage unit and the output; a voltage sensor that senses a voltage associated with the storage unit; and a switch control circuit operatively coupled to the voltage sensor and to the first switching element to disable the communication of power to the output when the voltage associated with the storage unit is less than a first reference voltage and to enable the communication of power to the output when the voltage associated with the storage unit is greater than the first reference voltage. After the switch control circuit enables the communication of power to the output, the switch control circuit may maintain the communication of power to the output when the voltage associated with the storage unit falls below the first reference voltage and is above a second reference voltage.

Abstract: A power driver for driving a signal on a load using voltage-mode driver. A system processor generates commands indicating a programmed drive signal desired from the voltage-mode driver. A lead compensator determines a compensated command to compensate for an admittance function of the load. The compensated commands are coupled to the voltage-mode driver, such that the voltage-mode driver generates a voltage output based upon the compensated command.

Abstract: In an arrangement for detecting obstacles, particularly during the automatic closing of convertible tops, motor-vehicle windows or the like, a capacitive sensor device is provided, made up of an electrically conductive transmitter area on the one side and an electrically conductive sensor wire and at least one essentially potential-free metal area on the other side of an insulator, the transmitter area and the sensor wire being linked to an evaluation circuit.

Abstract: An object detection system includes a sensor in communication with a controller which identifies contact with the sensor. In a preferred embodiment the sensor is a piezo film which generates a signal when an object applies a predetermined force to the edge of the moveable glass member. This signal is identifiable by the controller in communication with the piezo film. Another embodiment of the sensor provides a pair of substantially parallel segments of conductive material applied along the edge of the window. When an object is in contact with both segments of conductive material an electrical signal is conducted and identified by the controller. When the controller determines an object is in contact with the sensor and therefore the moveable glass member, the controller halts or reverses the movement of the moveable glass member to prevent trapping the object between the closing moveable glass member and the frame.

Abstract: A method to operate an electronically commutated DC motor driving a centrifugal pump and comprising a stator fitted with at least one winding and a rotor fitted with permanent magnets, said method including a monitored stepping operation within which one full revolution of the rotor is constituted by a sequence of distinct individual steps, the rotor being accelerated by applying a stator field and being decelerated to a stop before the stator field is commutated.

Abstract: In an electronic apparatus which includes a power generator and a storage device for storing electric energy obtained thereby, it is detected whether a motor driven by the stored electric energy is rotating by comparing the rotation detecting voltage, which is proportional to the induction voltage generated in the motor caused by the rotation of the motor, with a rotation reference voltage. The generation state of the power generator or the charging state of the storage device is detected. The level of the rotation detecting voltage or the level of the rotation reference voltage is shifted by a predetermined amount based on the detected generation state of the power generator or the detected charging state of the storage device so that the voltage difference between the rotation detecting voltage and the rotation reference voltage is increased during the no-rotation period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trapping protector capable of detecting the presence of an object in a sensing region when connected with a device for creating input signals and evaluating output signals. Said trapping protector comprises a body portion, at least one ground electrode, at least one sensor electrode arranged spaced apart from said ground electrode and embedded in said body portion, and a zone of reduced rigidity between said at least one ground electrode and said at least one sensor electrode. Said zone reduces the force required for triggering said trapping protector.

Abstract: A pair of capacitors are provided at a window sash or a window glass edge. Each capacitor is connected to two variable phase delay generators in parallel. Selectors are inserted between the capacitors and variable phase delay generators. Each selector alternates the connection between the capacitor and two variable phase delay generators. Upon insertion of human bodies, two variable phase delay generators reverse relative phase delays of the output signal from the two variable phase delay generators. If one of the relative phase delays is reversed, the human bodies are detected to be inserted into the window opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing winding failures in electric machines resulting from the application of high frequency or high dV/dt voltage pulses or voltage signals to the phase windings of the machine in which an inductive element is provided between the source of the high-frequency or high dV/dt pulses and the phase winding to absorb a portion of the voltage stresses on the phase windings that result from the application of the high-frequency or high dV/dt pulses to the machine.

Abstract: A motor operator is configured to provide local and remote operation of a power line phase switch. The motor operator has its components individually enclosed in a component enclosure and further enclosed in a main enclosure, allowing isolation and protection of the components from the environment and operators. A gear box includes a worm gear reducer submersed in oil providing a no maintenance gear train that makes continuous braking unnecessary by virtue of the inherently self-locking nature of the worm gear. The motor operator also includes a plurality of limit and auxiliary switches providing local and remote indication of switch position. The switches are each independently adjustable using cam adjustment collars. The overall configuration of the motor operator provides safe, reliable and cost effective phase switch operation.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for ride-through of an adjustable speed drive for voltage sags is provided. The system comprises an adjustable speed drive including a three phase electric utility, a diode rectifier, a dc-link, an inverter, and a motor. Coupled to the adjustable speed drive is a ride-through circuit which includes a controller having a first input and a second input, the first input operable to receive the voltage from each phase of the three phase electric utility and determine the magnitude and phase of the voltage sag, and the second input operable to receive the dc-link voltage to ensure that the rated dc-link voltage is not exceeded. Also included is an IGBT coupled to an output of the controller and operable to switch on and off rapidly based on the amount of voltage sag. An inductor associated with the IGBT and operable to store energy when the IGBT is switched on and to transfer energy to the dc-link when the IGBT is off is also included.

Abstract: A new vehicular electric window safety switch for stopping the closing of an electric powered window of a vehicle when an obstruction, such as a finger or a hand, is detected between the glass of the window and the window frame. The inventive device includes an elongate member having a base portion, and a lip portion. The base portion has opposite first and second sides and is resiliently compressible between the first and second sides of the base portion. The lip portion is extended from the first side of the base portion. The elongate member is designed for attachment to a window frame of a electric powered window such that the lip portion and the first side of the base portion are adapted for abutting against the window frame of the electric powered window. The base portion has an interior space extending between the ends of the elongate member. A pair of elongate electrically conductive strips are provided in the interior space of the base portion. The strips are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: In an integrated circuit for use in controlling a flexible disk drive for driving a flexible disk loaded therein, a power on reset circuit produces a reset signal after a predetermined time duration elapses where a power supply voltage is stable from a time when a power supply is applied. The power on reset circuit comprises a voltage detecting circuit for detecting a power supply voltage to produce a voltage detected signal and a delay circuit for producing, responsive to the voltage detected signal, the reset signal after the predetermined time duration elapses. Disposed between a selectable function circuit and a logic circuit, an output holding circuit holds output signals of the selectable function circuit as held signals and supplies the held signals to the logic circuit. The output holding circuit consists of two D-type flip-flops which are disposed in correspondence with two output signal lines of a logical circuit.

Abstract: An electronic brake system for a vehicle which has control modules for adjusting the braking force at the wheels of the vehicle, a control module which determines at least the driver's braking command, and at least one communications system which connects the modules to each other, where, to supply the elements with energy, at least two independent vehicle electrical systems (E.sub.1, E.sub.2) are provided, at least one of the elements being connected to an electrical system different from that to which the other elements are connected.

Abstract: A spindle motor of a disk drive is controlled in a switched voltage mode. A power bus supplies a voltage to the spindle motor. The power bus voltage is subject to variations while the spindle motor is being driven. An uncompensated motor voltage signal is modified to provide a compensated signal having a modified duty cycle. The modified duty cycle is inversely proportional to the variations in the power bus voltage. Commutation logic uses the compensated signal to generate commutation commands, which cause a power driver stage to energize the windings of the spindle motor.

Abstract: A motor operator is configured to provide local and remote operation of a power line phase switch. The motor operator has its components individually enclosed in a component enclosure and further enclosed in a main enclosure, allowing isolation and protection of the components from the environment and operators. A gear box includes a worm gear reducer submersed in oil providing a no maintenance gear train that makes continuous braking unnecessary by virtue of the inherently self-locking nature of the worm gear. The motor operator also includes a plurality of limit and auxiliary switches providing local and remote indication of switch position. The switches are each independently adjustable using cam adjustment collars. The overall configuration of the motor operator provides safe, reliable and cost effective phase switch operation.

Abstract: To effect failure detection and communication between the modules in a modular control system for an electrically driven vehicle in which modules are interconnected by a serial data bus, one line of the serial bus may be biased high or low by modules of the system when a fault is detected. This is detected by a kill system of the modules to which disable safety related functions of each module are applicable. Modules other than the remote control module can include wake up circuitry which supplies power to the modules at start up, or deactivated modules, when the data line is biased high. The modules preferably operate as finite state machines with each module storing in its memory network variables required for the operation of that module. The network variables include the state of other modules, external demand signals, and measured variables of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an AC motor are described wherein a frequency generator is configured to generate a signal representative of the stator electrical frequency and to estimate the rotor electrical frequency of the motor during operation. The generator operates on torque and flux current reference signals and on d-axis voltage reference and feedback signals to determine the electrical frequencies. The generator ramps up gain values applied to the torque current reference signals and to a voltage error signals representative of the difference between the d-axis voltage reference and feedback signals during a startup phase of operation to enhance performance and stability of the drive during this phase. The generator includes feedforward and feedback portions that contribute components of the final stator frequency signal. The components are filtered differently during startup and running phases of operation to provide the desired frequency signals.

Abstract: A window glass in a motor vehicle body is slidable in a vertical direction within a window frame by means of an electric motor controlled by "up" and "down" switches. The window glass slides with reference to a window guide channel. The window guide channel incorporates a metal carrier or other electrical conductor which receives the output from electrical oscillating means. If a human hand, or other part of the human body, is present within the frame of the window, when the window is open, and within a predetermined distance from the window guide channel, the resultant capacitive effect will change the output of the oscillator. This output change is detected by a detecting unit and opens a switch. This switch is connected in series with the "up" switch for the window drive motor and thus either stops the motor, if it is driving the window glass upwards, or prevents the window glass from being so driven.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool may be attached to the control panel of a piece of machinery within a plant or factory which includes an electric motor. The diagnostic tool includes indicators for providing information to an operator of the equipment for which the control panel provides power. These indicators inform the operator of various modes of operation of the control circuitry within the control panel which regulate the power going to the motor. In this manner, the operator may determine if the machinery is ready to run, and if not, if it is necessary to call a technician.

Abstract: A control unit of a direct-current motor used in a magnetic recording and reproducing device or the like, which generates a digital error signal by processing a rotational frequency signal (a rotational frequency signal and a rotational phase signal when necessary) detected from a motor to be controlled, and furthermore, obtains a digital correction signal by processing the value of the power source voltage and corrects the digital error signal using the correction signal to compensate power source voltage fluctuation.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to offer a headlamp cleaning device which is always capable of attaining a constant cleaning capacity by keeping the ejected quantity of the cleaning fluid constant for a single cleaning operation without any regard to the fluctuations in the voltage of the electric power in the power source.The headlamp cleaning device according to the present invention is provided with an electric power source voltage monitoring means which monitors the power source voltage as applied to a cleaning device motor. This device furnishes the power source voltage to the electric power supply time setting means. When a cleaning device switch 9 is turned ON, the electric power supply time setting means 10-2 sets the driving time T to a longer time period when the value of the electric power source voltage is low, but sets the driving time T to a shorter period when the value of the electric power source voltage is high.

Abstract: Force responsive sensors and circuitry which detect the present and absence of a meterial within a storage bin or hopper and activates a motor to maintain the level of the material within preset limits. The sealed sensors are state-of-the-art force sensing resistive types and the circuitry is all solid-state with no relays or other mechanical devices used. The ON/OFF condition of the motor is controlled by a triac switch whose gate is optically isolated from the control circuitry with the use of a zero-crossing turn on triac optical coupler. The low voltage and low power required to operate the logic and control circuitry is derived from a pair of bridge rectifiers that receive their AC inputs from the voltage across the triac when it is not conducting and from the secondary of a current monitor transformer when the triac is conducting.