Abstract: According to some aspects of the present disclosure, open loop bi-directional converters and corresponding control methods are disclosed. Example open loop bi-directional converters include a transformer, one or more primary switches coupled to a primary side of the transformer, one or more secondary switches coupled to a secondary side of the transformer, an input capacitor coupled to an input terminal, an output capacitor coupled to an output terminal, and a primary side controller operable to control the one or more primary switches in an open loop mode at a fixed frequency and a fixed duty cycle. The open loop bi-directional converter is coupled to provide current from the secondary side of the transformer to the primary side of the transformer automatically when the voltage of the input capacitor is reduced below the voltage of the output capacitor.

Abstract: A single phase redundant power supply system may include a first power supply having an input coupled to a first phase voltage in a polyphase power distribution system and an output coupled to a load for supplying an amount of DC power to the load, and a second power supply having an input for coupling to a second phase voltage in the polyphase power distribution system and an output coupled to the load for supplying an amount of DC power to the load. At least the first power supply is configured to reduce phase current imbalances in the polyphase power distribution system by adjusting the amount of DC power supplied to the load by the first power supply and the amount of DC power supplied to the load by the second power supply.

Abstract: Methods of regulating an output voltage of a switched mode power supply having a variable input voltage and a power switch include adjusting a reference voltage to adjust a duty cycle of a control signal for the power switch. The reference voltage may be adjusted as a function of the duty cycle, in response to the duty cycle of the control signal being outside a defined range and/or in the response to a temperature within the switched mode power supply being above a threshold temperature. Other methods include selecting a reference voltage from a plurality of reference voltages based on a determined input voltage and generating a control signal for the power switch as a function of the selected reference voltage to adjust the duty cycle of the control signal. Switched mode power supplies and control circuits for implementing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of regulating an output voltage of a switched mode power supply having a variable input voltage and a power switch include adjusting a reference voltage to adjust a duty cycle of a control signal for the power switch. The reference voltage may be adjusted as a function of the duty cycle, in response to the duty cycle of the control signal being outside a defined range and/or in the response to a temperature within the switched mode power supply being above a threshold temperature. Other methods include selecting a reference voltage from a plurality of reference voltages based on a determined input voltage and generating a control signal for the power switch as a function of the selected reference voltage to adjust the duty cycle of the control signal. Switched mode power supplies and control circuits for implementing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination of components is provided for use in making asphalt concrete from a plurality of aggregate material streams. The combination includes an indirect dryer for heating aggregate material from a first material stream without directly exposing said first stream material to hot gases of combustion. The combination also includes a mixer for mixing aggregate material from the first material stream, aggregate material that has not been heated in the indirect dryer from a second material stream, and a binder component to produce asphalt concrete.

Abstract: A dryer adapted for use in an asphalt plant. The dryer comprises a drum having an inner wall and a plurality of flights, each of which is disposed on the inner wall of the drum and each of which has a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end. At least one of the plurality of flights comprises a V-shaped notch. A method for drying components of asphalt comprising drying the components of asphalt in the drum of such a dryer.

Abstract: An asphalt mix tracking system having a data collection system adapted to determine at least one characteristic of the asphalt mix, a data control system adapted to receive data from the data collection system, a lot tracking system adapted to track a lot of the asphalt mix, a truck tracking system adapted to track a truck, and a pavement injection system adapted to identify the lot of the asphalt mix. The preferred asphalt mix tracking system is adapted to substantially continuously track the asphalt mix from a mixing site to a paving site. A method for tracking an asphalt mix including determining the at least one characteristic of the asphalt mix, communicating the at least one characteristic of the asphalt mix to the data control system, transporting the asphalt mix from the mixing site to the paving site, and injecting an identification means at the paving site.

Abstract: An input redundant circuit according to the present disclosure may include: a core power supply unit; a first input port connected to a first input voltage; a second input port connected to a second input voltage; a relay unit connected to the first input port and the second input port to supply one of the first input voltage and the second input voltage to the core power supply unit; and a surge current limiting unit coupled to the relay unit, configured to limit a surge current generated when the relay unit is switched between the first input voltage and the second input voltage.

Abstract: A high voltage power converter has first, second, and third switches for receiving an alternating-current input. A control power factor correction (PFC) rail is connected to each of the first, second, and third switches. A slave PFC rail is connected to each of the first, second, and third switches for providing a substantially identical output compared to an output of the control PFC rail. The control PFC rail output and the slave PFC rail output are each connected to an output stage and the output stage is for connection to a load.

Abstract: An exhaust quenching system is provided for use in connection with an asphalt concrete production plant having a dryer for drying aggregate material, an exhaust gas outlet conduit for discharge of exhaust gases from the dryer, and a dust collection assembly that is adapted to receive exhaust gases and entrained dust from the dryer via the exhaust gas outlet conduit. The exhaust quenching system is adapted to effect evaporative cooling of the exhaust gases in the exhaust gas outlet conduit upstream of the dust collection assembly.

Abstract: A control circuit is provided for controlling two power converters in a master-slave current sharing relationship. The control circuit is adapted to detect a presence of a dynamic load condition, control the two power converters in a default master-slave current sharing mode based on a current sharing correction function, and in response to detecting the presence of the dynamic load condition, disable the current sharing correction function so that the two power converters are controlled in a modified master-slave current sharing mode to substantially prevent oscillation between output currents of the two power converters. The control circuit may be one or more components of the power supply including the two power converters. Other example power supplies, control circuits and control methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An emitter switched bipolar transistor circuit includes a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) having a collector coupled to an output terminal, a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) coupled to an emitter of the BJT, a bias voltage supply coupled to the base of the BJT, a buffer coupled to the base of the BJT, and a comparator. The comparator includes a first input coupled to the collector of the BJT, a second input coupled to a voltage reference, and an output coupled to an input of the buffer. The comparator is configured to receive a collector voltage of the BJT at the first input of the comparator, compare the received collector voltage with the voltage reference, and cause the buffer to inject a current pulse to the base of the BJT until the collector voltage is less than the voltage reference, indicating the BJT is substantially saturated.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a small-hole electrical discharge machining device to discharge the machining debris efficiently and to drill a small hole by electrical discharge machining at a high speed.

Abstract: A flail assembly for use in debarking logs moving in a processing direction includes a debarking assembly having a shaft that is mounted for rotation above the logs moving in the processing direction. A flail having a fixed end is attached to the shaft. The flail has a length that defines an arc of rotation of the free end of the flail as the shaft is rotated. A housing is positioned adjacent the flail. The housing has a center line that is generally aligned with the processing direction, and a deflector vane which extends inwardly towards the arc of rotation of the free end of the flail. The deflector vane serves to direct bark chips that are cast upwardly by the flail away from the center line of the housing.

Abstract: A bulk material storage container assembly for storing and unloading particulate material includes a storage vessel adapted to hold particulate material. A discharge port is in fluid communication with the storage vessel and with a discharge port outlet. The discharge port is also sized and shaped to facilitate bridging of particulate material. A shaft is mounted within the storage vessel adjacent to the discharge port and adapted for reciprocal movement with respect to the discharge port. A rake is mounted on said shaft and adapted to disaggregate particulate material that has bridged proximate the discharge port as the shaft is reciprocated with respect to the discharge port.

Abstract: A burner nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle body having a body inlet end, a body outlet end spaced apart from the body inlet end, a body air inlet adapted to convey a quantity of air, and a body fuel inlet adapted to convey a quantity of fuel, a nozzle mixer having a mixer inlet end, a mixer outlet end spaced apart from the mixer inlet end, a mixer air inlet adapted to convey the quantity of air, a mixer fuel inlet adapted to convey the quantity of fuel, and a mixing zone, a nozzle cap which is disposed adjacent to the body outlet end and the nozzle mixer, and a pintle which is partially disposed in the nozzle mixer. The mixer air inlet forms a substantially conical shape. A method for producing a burner flame.

Abstract: A system includes first and second pluralities of single phase AC/DC power supplies each having an input for coupling to first and second phase voltages, respectively, in a polyphase power distribution system. The outputs of the power supplies are electrically connected in parallel for supplying DC current to a load at a substantially constant voltage. The system further includes a controller coupled to at least the first plurality of power supplies and configured to increase the DC current supplied to the load by at least one of the first plurality of power supplies in response to another one of the first plurality of power supplies shutting down. Various other systems, power supplies, controllers and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Example switching power converters and methods for reducing voltage changes at an output of a power converter are generally disclosed. According to one aspect, a switching power converter includes an input, an output for providing an output voltage, at least one switch capable of causing a voltage overshoot of the output voltage when the switch is turned on, and a controller. The controller is configured to sense the output voltage, compare the sensed output voltage to a voltage reference, and adjust operation of the power converter based on the comparison of the sensed output voltage and the voltage reference to maintain the output voltage. The controller is further configured to decrease the voltage reference from a normal operation value to an overshoot reduction value before turning on the switch to decrease the output voltage and reduce an overshoot of the output voltage in response to turning on the switch.

Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly includes a first electrically conductive sheet, a second electrically conductive sheet electrically isolated from the first electrically conductive sheet, a non-conductive material disposed between the first and second electrically conductive sheets, an electrical trace disposed on the non-conductive material and electrically isolated from the first and second electrically conductive sheets, and an integrated circuit having at least one lead directly connected to the first electrically conductive sheet, at least one lead directly connected to the second electrically conductive sheet, and at least one lead electrically connected to the electrical trace. Other integrated circuit assemblies and method for making integrated circuit assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Control circuits are provided for regulating an output voltage of a switched mode power supply having a variable input voltage and at least one power switch. The control circuits are operable to generate a comparison voltage based on the output voltage of the switched mode power supply and a duty cycle of a control signal provided to the at least one power switch, determine a reference voltage based on whether the generated comparison voltage falls within one of a plurality of voltage ranges, and adjust the duty cycle of the control signal provided to the at least one power switch of the switched mode power supply as a function of the determined reference voltage and the output voltage. Each voltage range is associated with a different reference voltage. Switched mode power supplies including the control circuits and methods implemented by the control circuits are also disclosed.