Abstract: A power converter including a processor, at least one component whose health in the power converter will degrade over time, and at least one alarm is disclosed. The processor is configured for monitoring the health of the component over time, and for activating the alarm when the monitored health of the component reaches a threshold level.

Abstract: A burner assembly including a housing having an air inlet, a burner end having an opening, a longitudinal axis extending generally from the air inlet toward the burner end, a motor, an impeller mounted in the housing and being in fluid communication with the air inlet, operatively connected to the motor and adapted to direct air from the air inlet toward the burner end, a coal tube adapted to convey coal toward the burner end, a coal inlet adapted to convey coal to the coal tube, a first bluff body ring, a second bluff body ring and a third bluff body ring mounted at the burner end, a flame bridge disposed between the first bluff body ring and the second bluff body ring, and an igniter mounted in the burner end and being adapted to ignite the air and fuel mixture in the burner end to produce a main flame.

Abstract: A circuit for use with a power amplifier that amplifies an input signal. The circuit may comprise an amplitude correction circuit and an open-loop switching regulator. The amplitude correction circuit may be configured to generate a corrected envelope signal from an input envelope signal that represents an envelope of the input signal. The open-loop switching regulator may be connected to the amplitude correction circuit and may be for powering the power amplifier based on the corrected envelope signal. According to various embodiments, the corrected envelope signal generated by the amplitude correction circuit is a function of the input envelope signal and an error voltage of the open-loop switching regulator.

Abstract: A switching power converter has at least one electronic power switch. To minimize switching losses and optimize efficiency, the gate drive voltage level used to drive the electronic power switch is optimized. In an aspect, a digital controller generates optimizes the gate drive voltage using efficiency optimization algorithms, which in an aspect are programmed in the digital controller. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the switching power supply has at least two electronic power switches coupled in parallel. Optimization algorithms are used to determine the optimum number of switched electronic power switches that are actively being switched at a given time in order to achieve optimized efficiency for condition changes, such as input voltage variation, load and environmental temperature changes. In an aspect, the algorithms are programmed in a digital controller chip.

Abstract: A power converter including a processor and at least one component whose health in the power converter will degrade over time is disclosed. The processor is configured for monitoring the health of the component over time, and for generating a warning signal when the monitored health of the component reaches a threshold level. A method for monitoring the health of at least one component in a power converter is also disclosed. The method includes monitoring at least one performance characteristic of the power converter. The performance characteristic represents the health of the component. The method further includes comparing the monitored performance characteristic with stored data to determine whether the health of the component has reached a predetermined level, and generating a warning signal after determining the health of the component has reached the predetermined level.

Abstract: A blower unit is configured to have a forward containment portion for housing mechanical equipment for receiving and dispensing material particles as ground cover. A rear containment portion is provided for containing such material particles. A material mover preferably operable in forward and rearward direction will feed material to the mechanical equipment for breakdown and pneumatic disbursement. A rear door design enables convenient unloading of the material with the live floor directionally reversed. Benefits include a more convenient means for servicing of the blower mechanism including e.g. an engine providing a motor source, dispensing hose, rotary air lock feeder and mixing chamber e.g. T injector or dropout (term as used in the industry).

Abstract: A method of producing a thermally conductive cover for an electric circuit assembly having a plurality of heat dissipating components is disclosed. The thermally conductive cover including a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one rib extending downwardly from the bottom surface. The method includes selecting a plurality of dimensions for the thermally conductive cover such that the bottom surface will be spaced above and extend over top sides of the plurality of heat dissipating components when the thermally conductive cover is installed over the electronic circuit assembly. The at least one rib will extend over and be spaced from the plurality of heat dissipating components when the thermally conductive cover is installed over the electronic circuit assembly. The method further includes producing the thermally conductive cover with the selected dimensions. Thermally conductive covers are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a pin for an electrical connector is provided. The pin includes a head that is fixedly mated with a shaft to form the pin.

Abstract: A power converter includes a controller having at least one input for monitoring a rate of change of an operating parameter of the power converter. The controller is configured for comparing the monitored rate of change of the operating parameter with an allowable rate of change for the operating parameter, and for generating a fault signal when the monitored rate of change of the operating parameter deviates from the allowable rate of change for the operating parameter. The operating parameter for which the rate of change is monitored may be, for example, a temperature, a current and/or a voltage in the power converter.

Abstract: A power converter includes a controller and at least one output terminal for providing an output voltage and an output current to a load. The controller is configured for monitoring the output voltage and the output current and calculating an efficiency of the power converter based on the monitored output voltage and output current. The controller is also configured to generate a fault signal after detecting a degradation in the power converter efficiency.

Abstract: A method of producing a thermally conductive cover for an electric circuit assembly having a plurality of heat dissipating components is disclosed. The thermally conductive cover including a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one rib extending downwardly from the bottom surface. The method includes selecting a plurality of dimensions for the thermally conductive cover such that the bottom surface will be spaced above and extend over top sides of the plurality of heat dissipating components when the thermally conductive cover is installed over the electronic circuit assembly. The at least one rib will extend over and be spaced from the plurality of heat dissipating components when the thermally conductive cover is installed over the electronic circuit assembly. The method further includes producing the thermally conductive cover with the selected dimensions. Thermally conductive covers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining a source of data received over a two-wire master-slave communication bus includes monitoring with a slave assembly a plurality of clock signals each generated by a master device and determining the source of data received over the two-wire master-slave communication bus based on the monitored clock signals. Examples of suitable slave assemblies and systems for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling an isolated switching power converter that includes a transformer with a primary side and a secondary side, at least one primary switch coupled to the primary side of the transformer and at least one synchronous rectifier coupled to the secondary side of the transformer is disclosed. The method includes turning on the synchronous rectifier a first fixed time after turning on the primary switch and turning off the synchronous rectifier a second fixed time after turning off the primary switch. Power converters for operation according to this method are also disclosed, including power converters without an output inductor.

Abstract: Methods of regulating an output voltage of a multi-output isolated power converter are disclosed. One method includes allowing the output voltage to vary unregulated when the output voltage is below a threshold value and preventing the output voltage from increasing when the output voltage reaches the threshold value. Additional methods and multi-output power supplies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reverse current control system for first power converter having a synchronous rectifier and an output inductance includes a reverse current module. The reverse current module monitors a first voltage that is based on an output voltage of the output inductance and a second voltage that is based on an input voltage of the output inductance. The reverse current module anticipates a reverse current condition based on the first and second voltages. When the reverse current condition exists, the reverse current module prevents current from flowing in reverse through the power converter.

Abstract: A multiphase DC to DC converter includes an input, an output, at least first and second converters, an inductor, an output capacitor, and a drive circuit. The drive circuit is configured for switching the first and second converters with a predetermined phase shift therebetween. The output capacitor is operatively coupled between the first and second converters and the output. The inductor can be placed either at the input side or the output side. When placed at the input side, the inductor is operatively coupled between an input capacitor and the first and second converters. When placed at the output side, the inductor is operatively coupled between the first and second converters and the output capacitor. The multiphase DC to DC converter is capable of achieving lossless switching transitions and negligible ripple current in the output capacitor.

Abstract: A power supply having a control circuit for controlling an output of the power supply, and a voltage monitor circuit for detecting a voltage at a first location and providing the detected voltage to a second location in the control circuit independent of any difference in ground voltage between the first location and the second location. The control circuit is configured to control the output of the power supply in response to the detected voltage provided by the voltage monitor circuit.

Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) circuit includes a coupled split boost choke having at least two windings, at least two boost diodes and at least two power rails. Each power rail includes one of the windings and one of the boost diodes. The PFC circuit further includes a current balancing circuit coupled between the power rails for substantially balancing currents in such power rails.

Abstract: A switched current power converter includes an input power source, an output terminal, and a plurality of current stages. Each of the current stages includes a converter coupled to the input power source for providing a current and a switch circuit that selectively couples the current in such current stage to the output terminal. A control circuit decouples the input power source from the current stage converters upon detection of a low load condition. Optionally, the power converter includes a low load circuit responsive to the control circuit that selectively couples current to the output terminal during the low load condition.

Abstract: A hot mix asphalt plant for producing hot mix asphalt using a high percentage of RAP comprising a first dryer adapted to receive and mix virgin aggregates and RAP fines and a first burner assembly adapted to produce a burner flame and heat and dry the virgin aggregates in the first dryer. The plant also includes a second dryer adapted to receive coarse RAP and a second burner assembly adapted to produce a burner flame and heat and dry the coarse RAP in the second dryer. The plant further comprises a pugmill adapted to receive the virgin aggregates and the RAP fines from the first dryer and the coarse RAP from the second dryer and mix the virgin aggregates, the RAP fines and the coarse RAP to produce hot mix asphalt.