Abstract: A power conditioning device protects sensitive electronics in modern electronic equipment from disruption or destruction caused by transients which can cause both induction and injection currents into the grounding system of the electronic equipment. This device nominally comprises an isolation transformer and a ground impedance between the earth ground connection from a distribution panel and the safety ground connection to the powered equipment. In addition, this device may also comprise a voltage clamping device such as an MOV and a capacitive filter to provide a complete power line conditioner. This device may be used in systems with guarded or driven grounds, or in a system with a high voltage reference to safety ground. In addition, ground conditioning can be added to a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) to attenuate ground surge currents.

Abstract: An energy storage apparatus is disclosed in which a plurality of permanent magnets are used to store kinetic energy. The apparatus includes first and second fixed magnets which are positioned a guide rod. A third moveable magnet is mounted on a guide rod which allows movement of the third magnet between a charged position in which the magnet's like pole is proximal the one fixed magnet and an uncharged position in which the opposite pole is adjacent the other fixed magnet. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the third magnet in the charged position and allowing selective release. A power transmission mechanism is provided for receiving the energy to be stored and to move the third magnet from the uncharged position to the charged position. To increase the storage capability of the apparatus, a plurality of power-enhancing magnets are positioned on the axis between the movable magnet and the fixed magnet having an opposite pole facing the movable magnet.

Abstract: A back-bias voltage generating circuit of a semiconductor device having a driving signal generating portion for receiving oscillating signals from an oscillator such as a ring oscillator and generating alternating high and low driving signals, a first pumping portion for charging the input driving signal at one electrode of a pumping capacitor so as to produce a voltage at the other electrode of the pumping capacitor lower than a back-bias voltage, a second pumping portion for charging another input driving signal at one electrode of a second pumping capacitor so as to produce a voltage at the other electrode of the second pumping capacitor lower than a back-bias voltage, a first switching portion being turned on by a voltage higher than a back-bias voltage and connecting the other electrode of the pumping capacitor to a back-bias voltage terminal when the voltage of this electrode is below the back-bias voltage, and a second switching portion being turned on by a voltage higher than a back-bias voltage and c

Abstract: A snubber energy recovery circuit for protecting switching devices from current and voltage, which comprises a snubber circuit connected in parallel with a switching device, a recovery path for recovery the energy stored in the snubber circuit, and a constant-current source for maintaining current flowing in the recovery path at a constant value. The snubber circuit is composed of a snubber diode and a snubber capacitor, with one end of the recovery path being connected to the junction point of the snubber capacitor and snubber diode.

Abstract: A wafer position and clamp sensor. A circuit monitors capacitance between two electrodes within a wafer support. With no wafer on the support, the capacitance falls in one range, with the wafer in place but not clamped, the capacitance falls in a second range and with the wafer held in place by an electrostatic attraction the capacitance falls in a third range. The sensed capacitance is converted to a frequency and then a D.C. voltage level that can easily be sensed and used to confirm wafer placement and then wafer clamping. After the wafer has been treated, the wafer is removed and a next subsequent wafer treated. A clamping voltage applied to clamp the wafer to its support is reversed at a controlled frequency to release the wafer. The voltage reversal disrupts the electrostatic attraction between the wafer and its support.

Abstract: A controller such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) is coupled to a load such as a contactor or motor starter through an interface that operates over a range of DC or AC voltage and couples a Start output of the controller to the load through a low current switch such as an opto-relay. The interface has a charging circuit coupled to the controller output, with a switching transistor, a load resistor and a capacitor in series. The low current switch is operated from accumulated charge in the capacitor and couples power to the load device. Charging of the capacitor to a threshold switches off of the transistor for an interval timed by a one-shot, during which the low current switch remains activated due to current draining from the capacitor. In an AC embodiment with a triac controller output, the capacitor continues to power the low current switch for the remainder of the positive AC half cycle, regardless of the triac, which may cease conduction due to lack of sufficient loading.

Abstract: A generic solenoid driver circuit and circuit board may be used in a plurality of application specific driver circuits. The circuit board includes a plurality of binary driver circuit locations, proportional circuit locations, and jumper locations. Electrical components are inserted at those locations needed for the circuit to perform the functions of the specific application. Microprocessor controlled switches may be substituted for the jumper locations so that the solenoid driver circuit configuration may be software controlled.

Abstract: A motor vehicle theft protection system employs a pre-set distortion in the vehicle timing system to preclude unauthorized access to the vehicle. The system uses a key containing codes corresponding to the timing off-set. Without the codes, the timing off-set prevents operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A multiphase contactor with solid state circuity gating rectified pulses to an electromagnetic coil to close and hold closed contacts for each phase, sequentially for each successive opening of the contactor adjusts the delay angle of the last pulse to rotate the sequence in which the individual phase currents are interrupted. By alternately making the last pulse positive or negative the polarity of the interrupted current alternates to further promote even contact wear.

Abstract: Varistors with modified response are made by rearrangement of electrical conductors in contact with them as on a circuit board. The rearrangement involves graduated separation of hot and ground leads so as to provide graduated paths through the varistors. The resulting circuit boards are useful in transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS), such as between a watt-hour meter and its socket for protection of the meter and downstream electrical equipment.

Abstract: A combination shut-down trigger and annunciator may be advantageously powered by a photoelectric power supply. The shut down trigger and annunciator can include a fault detection unit responsive to a plurality of fault condition sensor inputs. A fault condition identification storage element is connected to the fault detection unit and a display is connected to the fault condition identification storage element. The photoelectric power supply is then connected to the fault condition identification storage element. The photoelectric power supply may be provided with a battery backup system for use when there is insufficient light incident on a photo cell to power system. The battery backup may be a rechargeable battery in the power supply can include a battery charger. The configuration of the power supply, including the photocell battery charger and backup battery allows the system to operate without drawing power from an engine CD ignition power supply.

Abstract: The motor relay includes thermal models representing the start and run conditions of a motor. The thermal models are implemented using measured current values and certain known operating parameters available from the manufacturer, specifically full load current, locked rotor thermal time and rated service factor. The thermal model information is compared with threshold thermal model values to determine when an overload condition has been reached.

Abstract: A wafer position and clamp sensor. A circuit monitors capacitance between two electrodes within a wafer support. With no wafer on the support, the capacitance falls in one range, with the wafer in place but not clamped, the capacitance falls in a second range and with the wafer held in place by an electrostatic attraction the capacitance falls in a third range. The sensed capacitance is converted to a frequency and then a DC voltage level that can easily be sensed and used to confirm wafer placement and then confirm wafer clamping.

Abstract: A plurality of contacts for rotary switches are concentrically formed on a printed circuit board accommodated in a case. A fixed cylinder is disposed opposite to the concentric arrangement of the contacts. A rotary shaft of a first rotary knob pierces through and supports the fixed cylinder so as to drive slidable contact pieces for a first rotary switch. A rotary cylinder which functions as a rotary shaft of a second rotary knob is fitted to the outer periphery of the fixed cylinder so as to drive slidable contact pieces for a second rotary switch. Spring coils for the first and second rotary knobs are mounted on the fixed cylinder. The spring coils provide the first and second rotary knobs with tensions for their rotation reference positions. Thus, the positions of slidable contact pieces of the rotary switches are elastically maintained to their reference angle positions.

Abstract: A wind-powered energy production and storing system comprises a wind rotor (1) in driving engagement with a power generator via transmission means, to which is also connected a heat pump for operation of at least one heat exchanger unit. The wind rotor (1) is designed as a wind wheel having a rim in direct driving engagement with a main shaft positioned in a subjacent engine housing (3) to which main shaft, in addition to the power generator and the heat pump, a dual circulation pump is coupled for conveying heated and cooled liquid, from a heating container and a cooling container, respectively, positioned in the engine housing (3) to separate heat and cold storing stations (16, 18). Via a steam separator (21) and a pumping device (22), a steam generator (17) may be connected to the heat storing station (16), which via a steam turbine (19) drives an additional power generator (20) for power production during periods of slack winds.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a circuit interrupter comprising a crank and lever pivotally interconnected by a resiliently yielding connecting rod assembly. The connecting rod assembly comprises a coil compression spring and first and second links slidably coupled together to compress the coil compression spring. Rotation of the crank in either direction causes the lever to drive the movable contact of the circuit interrupter into and out of engagement with the stationary contact. The coil compression spring is loaded under compression when the movable contact is driven into engagement with the stationary contact, storing and maintaining a mechanical static load on the movable contact for as long as the movable contact is engaged with the stationary contact.

Abstract: A three-terminal surge arrestor unit employs air gaps augmented with semiconductors to protect a circuit having two ungrounded conductors. Conductive electrodes and the semiconductors are mounted on a common axis in a sandwich arrangement and secured in fixed relative positions. Two air gap lightning arrestors provide current paths for the respective conductors to ground in response to lightning strikes or other damaging surges, and an equalizer is incorporated in the electrode configuration to establish a current path between the conductors to protect them from an excessive voltage differential. The resulting configuration is a single, three-terminal unit designed to replace multiple unit air gap systems and gas tube arrestors.

Abstract: A manual control for hydrostatic transmission has a body member having a first cavity exposed to hydraulic pressure into which a manually operated input shaft extends. The body member has a second cavity with a passage intersecting the first cavity and a shaft and O-ring seal in therebetween. The second cavity is free of hydraulic pressure and has an electrical switch extending thereinto. Switch has an actuating member cable of electrically and individually actuating at least two separate circuits. Cam are operatively connected to the input shaft and positioned to contact the electrical switch such that a first of the cam caused by the input shaft will open one of the circuits and a second increment of movement of the cam will close the other of the circuits. Switches normally in a neutral and closed position with respect to one circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting an induction motor from momentary power loss in a three-phase, alternating current, power supply. The apparatus includes a circuit for detecting when the motor switches from a mode of operation as a motor to a mode of operation as a generator, and a microprocessor connected to the detector to receive the detection of a switch in mode of operation, and for generating a fault disconnect signal in response thereto to initiate disconnecting the motor from the power source. The method includes the steps of detecting when the motor switches from a mode of operation as a motor to a mode of operation as a generator and generating a fault disconnect signal in response thereto to initiate disconnecting the motor from the power source. The apparatus and method provide for robustness of the fault detection data, and for avoiding false detections of momentary power loss.

Abstract: A foot pedal safety switch and safety circuit for industrial machines which effectively precludes accidental operation of a machine and improper repetitive cycling of a machine. The foot pedal is completely enclosed within a rigid enclosure having an entry door through which an operator's foot is inserted each time the foot pedal switch is actuated. The safety circuit includes one or more limit switches indicating the status of the access panel and triggering a timing circuit which provides a time period within which the foot pedal switch must be contacted to operate the machine. For a second operation of the machine, the operator's foot must be removed from the enclosure allowing the access panel to close. To repeat operation of the machine, the operator then places his foot again in the foot pedal through the access panel. The safety circuit is mounted within the foot pedal switch enclosure to provide a self-contained single-actuation device which can be easily incorporated into existing machinery.