Abstract: The present invention relates to a switchmode power supply (SMPS) high voltage start-up integrated circuit (IC) with output voltage sensing and output current limiting. The high voltage start-up IC allows low voltage pulse width modulated (PWM) controller ICs to operate directly off rectified AC lines of up to 450 VDC. The high voltage start-up IC allows PWM controller ICs to start-up with a start threshold larger than its operating voltage. The output voltage is monitored internally so that the internal high voltage switch turns off when the output voltage decreases below an internally set trip point voltage (V.sub.off). The internal high voltage switch remains off and an external auxiliary voltage is generated and applied to the output voltage. If the output voltage falls below a lower set trip point voltage (V.sub.reset) the internal high voltage switch turns back on. This allows the start-up circuit to reset itself when the PWM controller IC's auxiliary voltage does not power up properly.

Abstract: A wall-mountable system for controlling electrical power to a load includes a switch and a dimmer, with the switch actuator being substantially larger than the dimmer actuator. Preferably, the switch is a short-throw, light-force switch and the dimmer is a linear slide dimmer. Another embodiment of the invention provides a wallbox-mountable, pushbutton-actuated electrical control device in which the pushbutton is resiliently supported on the device support.

Abstract: A "figure 8" shaped saturable reactor including a central leg, two lateral legs, an upper bar connecting the upper ends of each leg, a lower bar connecting the lower ends of each leg, and a coil wrapped around the central leg, the cross-sectional area of the central leg at its narrowest point being less than the cross-sectional areas of the two lateral legs combined so that the central leg saturates prior to the lateral legs saturating.

Abstract: A battery pacer apparatus and method are configured for extending the life of lead-acid batteries. A high current discharge is applied for a limited time of about 10-40 seconds to remove lead sulphate deposits on the electrodes. Following discharge, the battery is fully recharged. The pacing discharge is initiated at least about once daily by a timing circuit. During the pacing discharge, the battery voltage is measured. A decrease in battery voltage to below a preset non-steady state failure value is indicative of imminent battery failure, setting off an alarm enabling replacement or servicing before the battery fails in service.

Abstract: The functioning of a simple voltage regulator loop of an integrated power stage employing a plurality of bond-wires is ensured by realizing a conductive path connecting said pads to each other having a resistance lower by at least two orders of magnitude than the resistance of a voltage sensing divider of the regulation loop. Eventual ruptures of any of the bond-wires remain detectable through a final testing of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A switching power converter employing a novel lossless zero-voltage-switching passive snubber network having a power range of up to 5 KW is presented. The passive snubber network improves efficiency, power density, and transient performance, reduces switching losses and EMI, and permits fixed frequency operation of the switching power converter. The passive snubber network also reduces and/or eliminates large peak currents and reverse recovery current spikes normally seen in conventional switching power converters. The proposed passive snubber network may be used in various switching power converter topologies such as boost, buck, balanced, and flyback power converters.

Abstract: Adaptors are provided for use with electrosurgical bipolar instruments and standard commercially available electrosurgical generators that reduce coagulum buildup and sticking on electrosurgical instruments. A first type of adaptor converts a high voltage, high crest factor output voltage waveform typical of conventional electrosurgical generators to a more desirable lower voltage, lower crest factor regime. A second type of adaptor limits the peak open-circuit voltage supplied by a conventional electrosurgical generator to an electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: A back-up power supply includes a fixed charger fixably mounted in an enclosure of a computer system and having a charging circuit electrically coupled to the computer system. The charger is mounted in a case which houses the charging circuit and provides EMC shielding. A removable battery pack is docked with the charger through cooperative blind docking connectors to electrically couple a pair of batteries with the charging circuit. The batteries are enclosed within a case to substantially restrict external access to the batteries. Preferably, the batteries together form an "L" shape, and the charging circuit is disposed on a circuit board having low and high profile areas. The batteries in the battery pack are disposed adjacent the low profile areas of the circuit board, such that the overall space required for the power supply is reduced.

Abstract: A voltage rise limiting circuit (10) for use in conjunction with an inverter-driven induction motor (14). The circuit (10) includes capacitors (C4, C5, C6) connected in a delta configuration, with each node (64, 66, 68) coupled between an inductor (L7,L8,L9) and an input line of a diode bridge rectifier. The rectifier clamps positive voltage levels, putting trapped energy back into the dc inverter bus.

Abstract: An electric system of an electric vehicle, in which an AC voltage is applied from an external AC power source to the inverter via windings of an AC motor during the charging operation of a main secondary battery. The inverter has a regenerative function enabling reverse conversion, and the motor windings operate as reactors. A contactor whose first terminals are connected to terminals of the windings and whose second terminals are shortcircuited is provided. The first terminals of the contactor are connected via connecting lines to a charging connector which is to be connected to the external power source. A portion of the vehicle body is connected to the charging connector via a ground line, and is grounded. The contactor is opened when the main secondary battery is charged, and is closed when the electric vehicle is driven.

Abstract: A two-stage, high-voltage inductor assembly. The inductor assembly is particularly adapted for use in a power supply circuit for an electrostatic precipitator. The inductor assembly includes a first stage inductor member defined by a toroidal inductor member formed from a plurality of turns of wire to define an inductor member having a first inductance, and a second stage inductor member defined by a plurality of end-to-end ferrite elements carried on a copper conductor to define an inductor member having a second inductance. The first inductor member blocks the low to moderate frequency currents and voltages in the power output portion of an electrostatic precipitator power supply circuit, and the second inductor member blocks the intermediate and high frequency currents and voltages in such a circuit.

Abstract: A low power amplifier system contains a number of amplifier stages, each having a control terminal, and a bias circuit parameter that can be measured as a voltage. A monolithic integrated circuit includes a plurality of bias control amplifiers, one for each of the amplifier stages. A positive supply voltage is fed into the integrated circuit, and in response thereto a negative supply voltage is generated, both voltages being then applied to each of the bias control amplifiers. A voltage feedback signal indicative of the bias current in each one of the respective external amplifier circuits is supplied to the corresponding one of the bias control amplifiers. Each bias control amplifier is then operable to compare the received voltage feedback signal with a reference voltage derived from the positive supply voltage and/or the negative supply voltage, for producing an error signal indicative of an error in the bias current in the respective external amplifier stage, and also for amplifying that error signal.

Abstract: A series-compensated converter station included in an installation for transmission of high-voltage direct current comprises a converter (SR1, SR2) with at least one 6-pulse bridge (BR). Via series capacitors (SCR, SCS, SCT) the 6-pulse bridge is connected to a three-phase alternating-voltage network (N1, N2) with a fundamental frequency (f.sub.01, f.sub.02). Control equipment (CE1, CE2) generates an ordered value (AOL) of a control angle (.alpha.) for valves (V1-V6) included in the 6-pulse bridge in dependence on a limiting signal (AMAXL) capable of being influenced. An amplitude signal (AMPL) is formed which corresponds to the amplitude (C.sub.1) for a component (C.sub.1 cos(2.pi.f.sub.0 t+.phi..sub.1)) of the fundamental frequency in the direct voltage (Udb) of the 6-pulse bridge and a compensating signal (ACOMP) is continuously calculated in dependence on a sensed voltage (Un1, Un2) at the converter station and on the amplitude signal.

Abstract: A reference current circuit comprises transistors Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3, and Q.sub.4 and resistors R.sub.1 and R.sub.2. The resistor R.sub.1 is connected between base and collector electrodes of the transistor Q.sub.1. The resistor R.sub.2 is connected between base and collector electrodes of the transistor Q.sub.3. Emitter electrodes of the transistors Q.sub.1 and Q.sub.2 are connected to ground. The collector of the transistor Q.sub.1 is connected to a base electrode of the transistor Q.sub.2. The base electrode of the transistor Q.sub.1 is connected to the collector electrode of the transistor Q.sub.4. The collector electrode of the transistor Q.sub.2 is connected to the base electrode of the transistor Q.sub.3. Emitter electrodes of the transistors Q.sub.3 and Q.sub.4 are connected to a power supply terminal V.sub.CC which is supplied with a power supply voltage. Each of the transistors Q.sub.1 and Q.sub.3 has a first emitter area. Each of the transistors Q.sub.2 and Q.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to a push-control circuit control and display apparatus for multi-purpose power leisure car, and particularly to a display panel including automatic display control circuit and turning-left, turning-right display and buttons; 6-block shift display and buttons; voltage automatic charge warning and LED warning signal buzzer indication and buttons; headlamp button and LED; solenoid brake release LED display and button; horn button, etc. such multiple functions for leisure power car.

Abstract: A multiple output current mirror comprising at least three mirror-connected PNP transistors whose bases are connected to a first node, at least three cascode-connected transistors, each cascode transistor being associated to one mirror transistor, a current input corresponding to the collector of the first cascode transistor, and mirror outputs corresponding to the collectors of the two other cascode transistors. The current mirror further comprising means for detecting the base current of each mirror transistor and for reproducing this base current on the collector of the cascode transistor to which each mirror transistor is associated.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus in which a full-wave rectifier is connected to an A.C. power source, a load circuit as a parallel circuit of a smoothing capacitor connected in parallel to a load is connected to outputs of the full-wave rectifier through a switching element and a capacitor, and a control means for adjusting a voltage across the capacitor is provided in parallel to the capacitor to cause a sum of voltages across the capacitor and smoothing capacitor to be proportional to an input voltage and to cause a voltage corresponding to a difference between the input and output voltages to appear across the capacitor to apply a desired constant voltage to the load, whereby an envelope line of an input current becomes proportional to the input voltage under control of switching elements.

Abstract: An electronic switched-mode power supply for supplying current to an accumulator and to an electrical load adapted to be switched on, includes a self-oscillating flyback converter having a transformer, a switching transistor with an emitter resistor, a feedback circuit, and a control circuit influenced by the accumulator voltage. The power supply further includes an interrupting device which turns the switching transistor off for a prolonged period when, with the switched-mode power supply in the pulsating mode, the ratio of oscillation off-time to the duration of oscillation bursts exceeds a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for deviations in the alternating voltage produced by a PWM inverter. The necessary sequence in which inverter components must be triggered results in voltage error pulses that accumulate over time and result in deviations from ideal voltage at motor terminals. By allowing the error pulses to continue and adjusting the trigger times to compensate for the error pulses, the effect of the error pulses is negated and the voltage deviations are eliminated.

Abstract: A switching DC-DC converter, with regulation of the output, is disclosed. Unlike prior art converters, the source of the switching signal is not a free-running oscillator, but a rectangular waveform whose frequency and duty cycle parameters are under the control of an external processor. By appropriately varying these parameters, the processor dynamically modifies the characteristics of the converter, in effect optimizing its design to deal efficiently with different operating states such as circuit startup, sudden load changes the processor "knows" about in advance, and even design changes over the life of the converter. Once the processor sets up appropriate parameters for an existing or anticipated state, a hardware feedback loop regulates the output voltage of the converter by reducing the width and/or number of switching pulses. Thus, the processor is not part of the voltage regulation process but is free to devote attention to other parts of the system in which the converter resides.