Abstract: A protecting apparatus protects an electronic device which is provided on a vehicle having a storage battery and a solar battery and which inputs output voltages of the storage battery and the solar battery to the electronic device. The protecting apparatus includes a voltage determining unit for determining whether or not the output voltage of the storage battery is normal, an interruption unit for interrupting a path from the solar battery to the electronic device, and a control unit for controlling the interruption unit and thereby interrupting the path when the voltage determination unit determines that the voltage of the storage battery is not normal.

Abstract: In a device for suppressing voltage drops in apparatuses which can be connected with a battery via at least two lines, one line serves to supply voltage permanently and the other line can be switched on or off via a switch. To prevent voltage drops which can occur on the permanent voltage supply side from negatively affecting the voltage supply to the apparatus, the permanent voltage supply is taken over by the other connected line via a circuit arrangement situated between the two lines when voltage drops occur while the switch is closed.

Abstract: A phase detecting actuator for a steering system having a rotatable steering shaft and a rotatable output shaft coupled to the steering shaft so that the output shaft is rotatable relative to the steering shaft includes a cylindrical magnet attached to and rotatable with one of the steering shaft and the output shaft of the steering system. An electromagnetic system includes a magnetic coil and first and second cylindrical poles having opposite polarities and communicating with the magnetic coil, the first and second poles attached to and rotatable with the other of the steering shaft and the output shaft of the steering system.

Abstract: In switched-mode power supply circuits the switch is rendered conducting for a longer period (or more frequently), dependent on the load connected to the power supply circuit, so as to ensure that the transformer can transfer enough energy to the secondary side for charging the output capacitor to a sufficient extent. To ensure that the transformer can always supply all energy stored in the transformer to the secondary side, a demagnetizing detection circuit detects the demagnetization of the transformer. If the load decreases (for example, in standby operation) the on-time of the switch is reduced. However, this on-time may achieve a minimum value so that the power supply circuit no longer functions properly. To obtain an efficiently operating power supply circuit, both in normal operation and in a low-load state, the control circuit of the power supply circuit has at least two modes, i.e.

Abstract: Controller 40 receives accelerator opening and brake depressing amounts, and the output of an ammeter 30 and voltmeter 32 as inputs. In response to the state of these input signals, the controller 40 determines the timing to detect the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 10 and detects the SOC of the battery 10. That is, it is first judged that the SOC is not more than a predetermined value if the voltage of the battery 10 is not more than a predetermined value when the accelerator opening is not more than a predetermined value. It is next judged that the SOC is not more than a predetermined value if the voltage of the battery 10 is not more than a predetermined value when the brake is depressed beyond a certain degree. In these cases, the engine 24 is driven to cause a generator 22 to perform generation of electricity to charge the battery 10.

Abstract: In a switch device, suitable for use as active sensor in an automotive vehicle, wherein current through a load can be switched as a function of a physical variable acting on the switch device, two terminals of the switch device can be connected together via a semiconductor switch. They also form the input of a current supply circuit. A sensor produces an electric signal which represents the physical variable and which can be fed to a threshold circuit. The semiconductor switch is controllable in pulsating manner as a function of the output signal of the threshold circuit.

Abstract: A modular wall panel assembly having a concealed prewired electrical system associated therewith comprising a multiwire powerway defining at least one, and preferably multiple power circuits, with the powerway coupled to at least one power protector disposed in interiorly in the wall panel member and providing power protection to a power circuit thereof, wherein the power protector comprises power surge protector (USP) and/or uninterruptable power supply (UPS). A multiwire multicircuit powerway is described comprising at least two power circuits having associated therewith power circuit receptacle terminals constructed so as to allow a compatible receptacle element to be selectively positioned on the powerway in power delivery relationship with any selected one of the multiple power circuits.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling the acceleration of a turbine-generator or limiting the load of the turbine-generator if a cooling regulator which regulates the cooling of the turbine-generator or auxiliary components is determined to be off-line.

Abstract: A tool eye/setter comprising a sealed housing formed from a single piece. Sensor heads are mounted on the four faces of the upper portion of the housing. A shaft connects each sensor head with the inside of the housing. The shaft rests against a rod contact, which in turn rests against a knife contact. Pressure upon the sensor head causes inward motion on the shaft, which in turn pushes the rod contact away from the knife contact, breaking an electrical connection between the two. Rubber seals cover the shaft-and portions of the sensor head that extend into the housing to prevent gas and fluid communication between the inside and outside of the housing. The absence of gas and fluid communication helps to prevent contaminants from getting into the housing and allows the housing to optionally hold an inert gas to prevent corrosion to the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A gas isolated disconnecting switch is provided which performs a sufficient restriking surge suppressing function, induces no adverse effect on the operation of a circuit breaker disposed within the system and always enables the circuit breaker to surely interrupt a fault current. Under the closed condition of the gas isolated disconnecting switch, a main stationary member 6 engages with a main movable member 16 and an auxiliary movable member 17 with an auxiliary stationary member 8 respectively. Accordingly the portion of an auxiliary conductor 7 which passes through a cylindrical magnetic body 9 is short-circuited via the main stationary member 6 and the main movable member 16, and no influence is induced on the operation of the circuit breaker disposed in the system. During the opening operation of the disconnecting switch, the auxiliary movable member 17 disengages with a time delay.

Abstract: A relay output circuit is provided which enables a relay coil to be connected to a possibly variable input DC voltage without requiring relatively high power components to be used. The relay coil is provided with sufficient current to actuate it and then the actuating current is decreased to a lesser magnitude which is sufficient to maintain the relay in an actuated position. In order to accomplish this, the relay output circuit first provides current to the coil through a single resistor and then effectively connects an additional resistor in series with the initial resistor to decrease the current flowing through the coil. The second resistor is effectively added to the circuit by turning off a field effect transistor that provides a shorting across the second resistor when it is in a conductive state. The conductive state of the field effect transistor is controlled by a capacitor which charges for a preselected period of time following a change of state of an input circuit point.

Abstract: An inverter device includes an input power-factor improving circuit which causes part of a high frequency output of an inverter circuit to feedback, through an impedance element forming at least part of two oscillatory systems, to a rectified output end of a rectifier, and a high-frequency current supply to the rectifier to be made substantially over entire range of an AC source voltage, and a control means operates the inverter circuit at a fixed frequency for attaining the two oscillatory systems in which the output supplied to a load is substantially equalized, whereby ripple component giving ill influence on the load can be remarkably reduced.

Abstract: A voltage-type self-commutated conversion system including a voltage-type self-commutated power converter with a plurality of anti-parallel circuits of a self-turn-off device and a diode. DC terminals of the power converter are connected to DC bus lines of the voltage-type self-commutated conversion system. The voltage-type self-commutated conversion system further includes a DC capacitor connected between the DC bus lines, a transformer connected between an AC system and AC terminals of the power converter and a control circuit for controlling the power converter.

Abstract: An electronic control system (10) for use in controllably unlocking a locked drawer. Portions of the system (10) are located in the vicinity (12) of the locked drawer and portions are located in a remote location ( 11 ). The system (10) includes an operator accessible switch (14) located in the remote location (11), which switch enables two separate, parallel, redundant unlocking mechanism paths. Each path includes a time delay unit (17) that delays the opening of the locked drawer until a predetermined period of time following activation of the system by the operator, in order to allow time for the operator to move from the remote location to the locked drawer. In addition to providing power to circuitry that unlocks the locked drawer, the system also provides from the remote location, and then decodes at the locked drawer location, an authorization signal. Without this signal, the unlocking circuitry will not unlock the drawer, even in the presence of power.

Abstract: A step-down circuit for power supply voltage, which converts an external power supply voltage into a first voltage that is lower than the external power supply voltage so as to apply it to an internal circuit, is provided with: a reference voltage generation circuit for generating a reference voltage from an external power supply voltage, a differential amplification circuit for releasing a difference between the reference voltage and the first voltage as a control signal, a driving circuit for controlling a driving current to be supplied to the internal circuit according to the control signal from the differential amplification circuit, a signal generation circuit for releasing a detection signal by detecting an increase of consumption current in the internal circuit, and a control means for controlling the driving circuit so as to increase the current to be supplied to the internal circuit in accordance with the detection signal from the signal generation circuit.

Abstract: An insulating substrate has a heat generating resistor and an electrical conductor on its surface. A pair of conductors, such as power or communication leads, are connected to a protected circuit. A rated voltage element and the heat generating resistor is connected in series between the lines. The electrical conductor is connected in series between one of the lines and the protected circuit. When a continuous overvoltage greater than a rated voltage of the rated voltage element develops in the lines, the rated voltage element acts to draw excess current through it and the heat generating resistor. When this current reaches a certain point, heat from the overcurrent in the heat generating resistor ruptures the substrate and the electrical conductor so that both the rated voltage element and the circuit are isolated from the conductors. This protects the protected circuit from destruction of, and consequent loss of protection by, the rated voltage element.

Abstract: A joystick includes a shaft having a handle at one end and an actuator at the other end and pivotally mounted on a base for universal pivotal movement to actuate a plurality of switches. A bearing sleeve having a very low coefficient of friction is telescopically disposed between the shaft and the actuator coaxial with each and freely rotatable relative to each so that the actuator is substantially unresponsive to rotational movements of the shaft about its axis. The actuator is trapped between a flange on the bearing sleeve and an E-clip on the end of the shaft, the clip also retaining the bearing sleeve on the shaft.

Abstract: A two-piece housing defines a cavity containing electric switch elements and a detent mechanism positioned for optimum characteristics. Axially spaced apertures in the housing support a manually controlled shaft for rotation. The shaft is drivingly coupled to the movable switch elements and the detent mechanism. A floating valve assembly, operated by the shaft and aligned by the shaft, is mounted on the outside of the housing on projections which flexibly support a valve stator containing vacuum ports. A rotor holds a selector plate against the stator for interconnecting ports. The rotor is keyed to the shaft for rotation and is spring biased toward the stator.

Abstract: An electrical contactor including a control system for regulating the voltage applied to the contactor's coil. The control system is adapted for gradually increasing the applied voltage and the resultant current through the coil so that contact closure takes place under controlled conditions. The control system enables the contacts in the contactor to be closed with a minimum of contact bounce upon activation of the contactor.

Abstract: A flashing locator switch control includes an audible alert circuit with the switch and flasher to provide assurance to the user that the outside light is operating to flash on and off and by which to test the outside light at any time day or night.