Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for predicting the failure of an elementary relay having a switch for switching a load contact of a load circuit and an excitation coil for actuating the switch. The method may include exciting the excitation coil in order to switch on the load contact; detecting a time characteristic of a contact voltage at the load contact when switching on the load contact; extracting a characteristic feature from the time characteristic of the contact voltage; and monitoring the characteristic feature during operation of the elementary relay.

Abstract: A coil drive device energizes an operation coil to close an electromagnetic contactor. A rectifier outputs, to a power supply line, an input voltage obtained by full-wave rectification of an AC voltage supplied from a main power source. A controller controls on and off of a switching element connected to a power supply line in series with the operation coil. The controller controls a duty ratio that is an on period ratio of the switching element in each switching period in accordance with a value of a parameter calculated from a detected value of the input voltage, in at least a partial period after start of energization of the operation coil in response to a close command for the electromagnetic contactor.

Abstract: An injection control device for a fuel injection valve includes: a current detection unit, a current area correction control unit, a storage unit, and a reference current value correction unit. The current area correction control unit corrects, based on an energization current profile, an area correction amount of an energization time to equalize the integrated current value of the energization current profile and an integrated current value of the detected current, and obtains the integrated current value of the current based on an attainment time from a start of energization of the fuel injection valve to an attainment of each of plural reference current values. The storage unit stores a reference attainment time. The reference current value correction unit corrects each reference current value based on a difference between the reference attainment time and a detected attainment time at a time of actual drive.

Abstract: In a first series circuit of a power supply control device, a first switch and a first resistor are connected in series. In a second series circuit, a second switch and a second resistor are connected in series. The second series circuit is connected in parallel to the first series circuit. An electric current detection circuit detects an electric current value of an electric current flowing through the first resistor. In a case where specific data is stored in a storage unit, a control unit (open failure detection unit) detects an open failure of the first switch or the second switch on the basis of the electric current value detected by the electric current detection circuit. In a case where the storage unit does not store the specific data, the control unit does not detect the open failure.

Abstract: A relay abnormality diagnosis system and method capable of diagnosing an abnormality of a relay by directly connecting a diagnosis resistor to a current measurement unit and by using a current input to the current measurement unit from the diagnosis resistor and a current flowing on an electric circuit measured by the current measurement unit, in the relay abnormality diagnosis system that diagnoses the abnormality of the relay using the diagnosis resistor.

Abstract: A current control device brings, after a target current has been changed to an upper side, a solenoid into a full-on state at a first timing that arrives in a predetermined control transition cycle shorter than an on-off cycle, determines whether an excitation current has become equal to or larger than a full-on threshold larger than the target current, brings the solenoid into a full-off state at a first timing that arrives in a predetermined energization switching cycle shorter than the on-off cycle after the excitation current has become equal to or larger than the full-on threshold, determines whether the excitation current has become equal to or smaller than a full-off threshold smaller than the target current, and causes a transition to a steady control at a first timing that arrives in the control transition cycle after the excitation current has become equal to or smaller than the full-off threshold.

Abstract: The invention concerns a brake control apparatus and a method of controlling an elevator brake. The brake control apparatus comprises a first switch and a second switch connected in series with each other for selectively supplying current from a power source to an electrically operated actuator of an elevator brake. The control pole of the first switch and the control pole of the second switch are associated with an elevator safety circuit. The brake control apparatus further comprises a first monitoring circuit configured to indicate operation of the first switch and a second monitoring circuit configured to indicate operation of the second switch.

Abstract: A device for the command and control of the electric power supply of windings of an electromagnetic actuator, comprising a plurality of electronic means configured to receive at the input either a direct current feeding voltage or alternatively an alternating current feeding voltage and to generate at the output a first digital command signal triggering an activation phase of the electromagnetic actuator in which at least one of the windings is powered, for a first predefined and adjustable time interval, with an activation current, a second digital command signal triggering a maintenance phase of the electromagnetic actuator in which the windings are powered with a maintenance current having an intensity lower than the activation current, and a third digital command signal triggering a third phase of deactivation of the electromagnetic actuator in which the power supply of the windings is interrupted for a second predefined and adjustable time interval.

Abstract: What is disclosed are systems and methods of compensation of images produced by active matrix light emitting diode device (AMOLED) and other emissive displays. The electrical output of a pixel is compared with a reference value to adjust an input for the pixel. In some embodiments an integrator is used to integrate a pixel current and a reference current using controlled integration times to generate values for comparison.

Abstract: Provided is an electromagnetic switch control device capable of stabilizing a contact pressure by predicting a near-future value of an operation coil current and performing control such that the near-future value does not fall below a holding current threshold value by a control unit. An electromagnetic switch control device 1 opens and closes 13 by an electromagnetic force corresponding to energization of operation coils 16 and 17, and includes PWM control units 21 to 23 that perform PWM pulse width modulation control of a current value A flowing through the operation coils 16 and 17. The PWM control units 21 to 23 estimate the near-future predicted current value flowing through the operation coils 16 and 17 by using a terminal voltage V of the operation coils 16 and 17, and perform PWM control based on the estimated current value. The predicted current value Y is estimated by using an impedance Z of the operation coils 16 and 17.

Abstract: An electromagnet device moves two moving contacts from one of a closed position or an open position to the other position when an electric current flows through a coil. A regenerative current coming from the coil flows through a regeneration unit when the coil makes a transition from an energized state where the coil is supplied with an electric current from a power supply to a non-energized state where the coil is supplied with no electric current from the power supply. The control unit causes the regenerative current to flow through a load by controlling a switch when the coil makes the transition from the energized state to the non-energized state.

Abstract: A transducer structure is disclosed. The transducer structure may include a substrate with a MEMS structure located on a first side of the substrate and a lid coupled to the first side of the substrate and covering the MEMS structure. The substrate may include an electric contact which is laterally displaced from the lid on the first side of the substrate and electrically coupled to the MEMS structure.

Abstract: Melting fuse with a melting wire arranged between a first and a second terminal, characterized in that a connecting pin is arranged on each of the first and second terminals, a printed circuit board is placed on the connection pin, and at least one integrated circuit is arranged on the printed circuit board on the side facing away from the melting wire.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling current flow to an associated inductive load is provided. The circuit includes a switching element having an open state and a closed state that intermittently connects an associated power supply to the inductive load when the switching element is in the closed state, a switch driver that generates a switch drive signal provided to a control element of the switch that controls the state of the switch to be the open state or the close state based on a desired load current set point and a feedback signal, a current sensor that measures a current flowing through the switching element and the load and generates a sensed current signal, and a summing circuit that adds a representation of the sensed current signal and a supplemental signal comprising a representation of the switch drive signal to generate the feedback signal.

Abstract: What is disclosed are systems and methods of compensation of images produced by active matrix light emitting diode device (AMOLED) and other emissive displays. The electrical output of a pixel is compared with a reference value to adjust an input for the pixel. In some embodiments an integrator is used to integrate a pixel current and a reference current using controlled integration times to generate values for comparison.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a controller and contactor arranged to close responsive to current magnitude through a coil thereof exceeding a first threshold. The controller, following a request to open the contactor, applies current to the coil at a magnitude less than the first threshold for a duration, and responsive to peak current through the contactor during the duration being less than a second threshold, prevents start of the vehicle.

Abstract: The object is to provide a technique for adjusting a turn-on operation and a turn-off operation of a transistor independently from each other in simulation for evaluating characteristics of the transistor. A simulation circuit for simulation for evaluating characteristics of a transistor includes a gate power supply configured to apply a voltage to a gate terminal of the transistor, a first diode connected between the gate terminal and the gate power supply, and a second diode connected in antiparallel with the first diode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a 3-phase undervoltage trip device capable of automatically tripping a circuit breaker based on an under-voltage of a 3-phase line voltage, including lines to which a 3-phase power is applied. The undervoltage trip device is connected to lines to which a 3-phase power is applied and configured to operate to automatically trip a circuit breaker when an open phase condition occurs on any one of three phases of the power. As the undervoltage trip device automatically trips the circuit breaker when the open phase condition occurs on any one of three phase, occurrence of the open phase condition due to disconnection or an accident on the line may be easily detected.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling electric load(s) includes two smart switches connected in a three-way circuit configuration. Each of the two smart switches includes a first and second input terminals configured to receive an AC power. The switch also includes a first and second output terminals configured to provide the AC power to an electric load, and further includes a relay configured to selectively couple the first input terminal to the first output terminal or the second output terminal, and a controller configured to control the coupling of the relay. The switch includes a first AC/DC converter and a second AC/DC converter. The first and second AC/DC converters are configured to selectively receive the AC power from the corresponding first or second output terminal that is selectively coupled with the first input terminal and to provide a DC power to the controller.

Abstract: The present application relates to a coil actuator for low and medium voltage applications, which comprises a electromagnet operatively associated with a movable plunger, a power & control unit electrically connected with the electromagnet and first and second input terminals (T1, T2) operatively connected with the power & control unit, wherein an input voltage (VIN) is applied between said first and second input terminals during the operation of the coil actuator. The coil actuator further comprise a third input terminal (T3) operatively connected with the power & control unit, the third input, terminal being adapted to be in a first operating connection (A), which correspondences to normal control conditions (NDC) for the operation of the electromagnet, or in a second operating condition (B), which corresponds to overriding control conditions (ODC) for the operation of said electromagnet.

Abstract: What is disclosed are systems and methods of compensation of images produced by active matrix light emitting diode device (AMOLED) and other emissive displays. The electrical output of a pixel is compared with a reference value to adjust an input for the pixel. In some embodiments an integrator is used to integrate a pixel current and a reference current using controlled integration times to generate values for comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator circuit for actuating a circuit breaker controller, the circuit being characterized in that it comprises two branches in parallel between two terminals and in that the first branch includes only a first coil; the second branch includes a second coil having impedance that is lower than the first, in series with a switch controlled by a switch circuit.

Abstract: What is disclosed are systems and methods of compensation of images produced by active matrix light emitting diode device (AMOLED) and other emissive displays. The electrical output of a pixel is compared with a reference value to adjust an input for the pixel. In some embodiments an integrator is used to integrate a pixel current and a reference current using controlled integration times to generate values for comparison.

Abstract: A power supply system with automatic switchover voltage for vehicle control unit is proposed. The system comprises a supply communication module configured to communicate with a vehicle control unit, the supply communication module comprising a power supply module to provide power for a vehicle control unit; and a communication device coupled to the supply communication module for showing power supply status; wherein the supply communication module provides a first direct voltage and communicates with the vehicle control unit before supplying power, and if the supply communication module does not receive any message from the vehicle control unit within a first time interval, the supply communication module automatically switches to a second direct voltage from the first direct voltage or automatically increases the first direct voltage within a second time interval, and supplies power to the vehicle control unit; and wherein the second direct voltage is greater than the first direct voltage.

Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes an x-ray tube with a vacuum envelope in which an emitter and an anode are arranged. The emitter is configured to be heated by an external coil emitter heating current supply. The emitter is configured as a flat emitter and an adaptation circuit is arranged between the flat emitter and the coil emitter heating current supply. A coil-emitter-based x-ray tube assembly may be replaced by a flat emitter-based x-ray tube assembly without constructional changes.

Abstract: In an electromagnetically controlled inlet valve actuator provided to a high pressure fuel pump, an impinging sound which is generated at the time of operating the mechanism is reduced. In a high pressure fuel pump provided with an electromagnetically controlled inlet valve (operated by way of a plunger rod), a current supply period includes a 1st current supply period for performing an operation of attracting the plunger rod in a valve closing direction, a 2nd current supply period for alleviating a speed at which the plunger rod moves in a valve opening direction, and a limited current supply period disposed between the 1st current supply period and the 2nd current supply period in the form of spanning a pump top dead center.

Abstract: A circuit includes a switching module, a control module, and a driving module. The driving module is electrically coupled between the control module and the switching module for generating a driving signal. The driving module includes a normal driving unit and a fault protection unit. The normal driving unit is for turning on and off the switching module according to a first command signal from the control module. The fault protection unit is for lowering the driving signal from a driving value to a protection value according to a second command signal from the control module during a fault protection period after the control module receives a fault signal.

Abstract: A switch assembly, for instance adapted to wall-side installations, for supply arrangements of a load via multiple activation points (for example in the form of “double switching”), comprises a pair of traveler contacts alternatively connectable to a power supply, as well as a switch having an output contact, alternatively connectable to one or the other of the traveler contacts, respectively, on the basis of the current position of switch. Switch is an electronic switch which is connected, for example through an electronic circuit which optionally also performs a driving function on switch, to a respective power line. Powering elements are provided, for example in the form of a pair of diodes, controlled electronic switches or diode bridges, which connect said respective power line to the one of traveler contacts which is currently connected to power supply, therefore ensuring a steady supply irrespective of the switch position.

Abstract: A system for driving an analog gauge that displays an indication of a condition of a vehicle has a microcontroller that receives signals representing a voltage at a sender terminal of the analog gauge and the condition of the vehicle. The microcontroller determines a desired resistance based on the condition of the vehicle and a current command signal based on the desired resistance and the voltage at the sender terminal. The microcontroller sends the current command signal to a current driver circuit to command a flow of current. The current driver circuit is coupled to the sender terminal and has a virtual resistance simulated by the flow of current through the current driver circuit and the voltage at the sender terminal. The analog gauge is driven according to the virtual resistance of the current driver circuit and displays the indication of the condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for controlling power delivered to a power-consuming device. The device can harvest power from a conductor carrying a high voltage using a power harvesting device. The device can include a power storage device to power a hardware processor and a communication component when there is no voltage flowing through the conductor. The device can determine when a control event is to occur. At such time, the device terminates control power delivered to the power-consuming device and continues to withhold the control power until the control event expires. When the control event has ended, the device allows control power to flow to the power-consuming device. The device uses a timer and the communication component to send and receives signals associated with a control event to a user. The device can also operate in a limited mode to conserve power when the device is not in use.

Abstract: A control apparatus configured to control communication between an on-vehicle device and a device coupled to the on-vehicle device via a cable, the control apparatus including a cable length detecting part configured to detect a length of the cable and a power supply voltage controlling part configured to control, based on the length of the cable detected by the cable length detecting part, a power supply voltage in a connector connected to the device by changing a power supply voltage applied to a power supply line of the cable.

Abstract: A configurable, connectorized method and apparatus for driving a solenoid coil reduces energy consumption and heating of the solenoid coil, allows detection of the solenoid state, and simplifies connections to the solenoid.

Abstract: A system and method for driving a relay circuit involves driving a relay circuit using a first driver circuit if a voltage of a battery supply for the relay circuit is lower than a voltage threshold and driving the relay circuit using a second driver circuit if the voltage of the battery supply for the relay circuit is higher than the voltage threshold.

Abstract: A method for detecting a closing moment of a valve having a coil drive includes impressing an electrical voltage in the exciter coil to generate an exciter current through the coil, which attracts the movable armature and lifts the valve element off its valve seat. After the exciter current decays to zero, the voltage profile at the exciter coil is sampled and read out over time in the form of time value/voltage value pairs. The detected voltage values and time valves are transformed by the formation of a logarithm to form a transformed function. The transformed function is subsequently derived numerically with the formation of a derivation function. A transformed time value corresponding to the valve closing moment is detected based on the derivation function of a predetermined threshold value S being undershot, and the closing moment is calculated therefrom by inverse transformation.

Abstract: A method of energizing a coil of a solenoid of a directional control valve, wherein an armature of the solenoid moves between a first position in which the solenoid is operating and a second position in which the solenoid is not operating, the method comprising energizing the coil with a voltage, controlling the voltage, detecting a current in the coil at which the armature of the solenoid moves between the first position and the second position, and using the current at which the armature of the solenoid moves between the first position and the second position increased by a margin as an operating current for energizing the coil of the solenoid.

Abstract: A solenoid control device executes feedback control such that a drive current for a solenoid follows a target current, by driving, through PWM, a MOSFET provided on a power supply line to the solenoid. An overcurrent detection circuit that outputs an overcurrent detection signal when the drive current for the solenoid reaches an overcurrent determination current value is provided, and it is determined whether an overcurrent is generated. Whether a short-circuit occurs between both terminals of the solenoid is determined by monitoring whether the overcurrent detection circuit is repeating an output of the overcurrent detection signal and a stop of the output of the overcurrent detection signal.

Abstract: A relay drive unit drives a relay by supplying a power source voltage from a battery. The relay drive unit includes a power source voltage detector, a drive signal generator, and a relay drive circuit. The power source voltage detector detects the power source voltage. The drive signal generator generates a PWM signal as a drive signal for maintaining the relay in an ON state. The PWM signal has a preset duty ratio according to a magnitude of the power source voltage detected by the power source voltage detector. The relay drive circuit turns a supply of the power source voltage from the battery on/off based on a duty ratio of the drive signal generated by the drive signal generator.

Abstract: A relay fault detection and correction system includes a signal detector structured to measure primary and secondary signals, and generates a fault output signal if the signals appear to be unterminated due to a relay not connecting the signals to the loads. A cycle circuit is structured to cause a relay controller to cycle a potentially under-performing relay between its states a number of times after the signal detector generates the fault output.

Abstract: A smart plug for coupling an electric vehicle to a power supply includes a relay including contacts, the relay configured to operate in a closed state to enable power to be supplied to the electric vehicle and an open state to prohibit power from being supplied to the electric vehicle. The smart plug also includes a microcontroller (MCU) coupled to the relay, the microcontroller outputting a control signal to operate the relay in the closed state. The smart plug further includes a zero crossing detector (ZCD) coupled to the relay, the ZCD outputting a close signal to the relay when a voltage of the power is substantially zero and outputting an open signal to the relay when a current of the power is substantially zero.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of limiting a current idc supplied by a DC power supply, the method comprising: interposing a switching stage between the power supply and a load, the switching stage including a controllable switch in series with a freewheel diode; and periodically controlling the switch so that for each period of duration T, the following averaged quantity 1 T ? ? o t ? i _ · ? t is calculated in which i is a current that is an image of the power supply current idc, the averaged quantity being reset to zero at the beginning of each period, with the switch being caused to be closed so long as said averaged quantity remains below a predetermined current threshold ithresh, and with the switch being caused to be open, otherwise.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide irrigation controllers comprising: a housing; a control unit including a first microcontroller configured to execute irrigation programs and a first set of code; and a removable plug-in device that removably mates with a portion of the irrigation controller and communicationally couples to the first microcontroller, wherein the plug-in device comprises a memory storing a second set of code to replace at least a portion of the first set of code, wherein the plug-in device is configured to re-flash at least a portion of the first set of code allowing a copy of the second set of code to overwrite at least the portion of the first set of code; wherein the first set of code comprises a bootloader that writes the copy of the second set of code over the first set of code with the exception of the bootloader that is not written over.

Abstract: A relay failure detecting device includes: an opening-closing unit that is driven by a coil for opening and closing a current pathway; a detecting unit that detects a current value of a current flowing in the coil; an opening-closing instructing unit that outputs an instruction signal to instruct opening and closing of the opening-closing unit; and a failure detecting unit that detects a failure in the opening-closing unit by using the current value output by the detecting unit within a predetermined period of time starting from when the instruction signal is output.

Abstract: An intake/exhaust valve control device for an internal combustion engine including a cylinder having an intake valve and an exhaust valve includes: solenoids for driving at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve; a battery for supplying an electric current to the solenoids, a battery state predicting unit for predicting the voltage state of the battery; and an energization start timing setting unit for setting the current carrying start timing of the battery with respect to the solenoids based on the result of the prediction by the battery state predicting unit. According to the intake/exhaust valve control device, since it is possible to obtain the amount of energization necessary for driving the solenoids at an appropriate timing, it is possible to secure the responsiveness of the solenoids.

Abstract: The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the stored electrical energy independent of another power source. In another aspect, a device includes a control system comprising a computer having a programmed irrigation schedule which operates at least one irrigation device, a photovoltaic power module, and a capacitive module connected to said photovoltaic power module to store the electrical energy provided by the photovoltaic power module, where the capacitive module provides power for the control system to operate the at least one irrigation device independent of another power source.

Abstract: Circuitry, systems and methods that address the need to coordinate relay switching with another event, such as a zero crossing of an alternating current (AC) voltage waveform are described. In some embodiments, the systems and methods continuously or periodically calibrate the timing of control signals to a relay, such that the switching of the relay in response to some (e.g., second or subsequent) control signals occurs closer in time to a zero crossing of an AC line voltage than the switching of the relay in response to other (e.g., initial or first) control signals.

Abstract: A solenoid current monitoring circuit of a solenoid actuator includes a solenoid drive board configured to receive a control signal, a sensing resistor configured to detect a current signal of a solenoid coil of the actuator resulting from the control signal, and a differentiator configured to differentiate the current signal. The solenoid current monitoring circuit detects the movement of the solenoid actuator based on a change in the differentiated current signal caused by a change in inductance of the solenoid coil.

Abstract: A solenoid control device executes feedback control such that a drive current for a solenoid follows a target current, by driving, through PWM, a MOSFET provided on a power supply line to the solenoid. An overcurrent detection circuit that outputs an overcurrent detection signal when the drive current for the solenoid reaches an overcurrent determination current value is provided, and it is determined whether an overcurrent is generated. Whether a short-circuit occurs between both terminals of the solenoid is determined by monitoring whether the overcurrent detection circuit is repeating an output of the overcurrent detection signal and a stop of the output of the overcurrent detection signal.

Abstract: An earth leakage circuit breaker includes a level discriminator operable to compare an output level of a zero-phase-sequence current transformer placed in an electric circuit with each of a plurality of reference levels set in advance and output a plurality of pulses each indicating a time period during which the output level of the zero-phase-sequence current transformer has exceeded one of the plurality of reference levels; a duration counting portion operable to count a time period during which each of the plurality of pulses is being continuously outputted from the level discriminator; a circuit interruption determiner having a plurality of circuit-breaking levels associated with respective reference levels and operable to output a signal to break the electric circuit when the time period obtained from the duration counting portion has exceeded each of the circuit-breaking levels; and a relay coil-driving circuit operable to drive the coil of a circuit cutout relay in response to the signal outputted from

Abstract: A relay drive unit drives a relay by supplying a power source voltage from a battery. The relay drive unit includes a power source voltage detector, a drive signal generator, and a relay drive circuit. The power source voltage detector detects the power source voltage. The drive signal generator generates a PWM signal as a drive signal for maintaining the relay in an ON state. The PWM signal has a preset duty ratio according to a magnitude of the power source voltage detected by the power source voltage detector. The relay drive circuit turns a supply of the power source voltage from the battery on/off based on a duty ratio of the drive signal generated by the drive signal generator.