Abstract: A range extender module for extending the range capability of a barrier control system comprising a low voltage AC control unit which receives low voltage AC control signals conveyed by wires to input terminals thereof from a plurality of remotely located switches and responds to such AC control signals by controlling the barrier. The controlled barrier may be, for example, a garage door or a driveway gate. The range extender module is inserted into the wires between the low voltage AC control unit and the remote switches and includes a source of DC voltage, which is used to energize the formerly AC energized switches and responds to DC input signals created by operator interaction with the switches by selectively gating low voltage AC control signals to appropriate input terminals of the low voltage AC control unit for controlling the barrier.

Abstract: The present invention is for an active rectifier for use in a DC to DC converter wherein a feedback control circuit activates and de-activates the current conduction between the input and the output. Preferably, the current conductor between the input and the output is a P-type MOSFET, wherein the feedback control circuitry provides the activation or de-activation signal to the gate of this transistor. The feedback control circuitry provides an activation signal to the transistor when the input voltage is greater than the output voltage, and provides a de-activation signal to the transistor when the input voltage is equal to or less than the output voltage. Because the P-MOS rectifier has a lower voltage drop than the Schottky diode, the forward drop is reduced. In addition, the feedback control circuit is designed to draw no current except when the P-MOS rectifier is conducting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrosion preventing circuit for a switch which, even if a large current switch is used for a small current system such as an electronic unit, can improve long-term durability of the switch in a manner similar to the present level without increasing the burden on the system side, thereby ensuring the reliability of devices belonging to the system. A series circuit consisting of a switching means and a current limiting resistor is connected in parallel to a resistor that is connected in series between a dc power supply and a large current switch. A control circuit turns on the switching means by generating a pulse of a predetermined time width after a predetermined time in accordance with the turning on of the large current switch. The current flowing while the switching means is being turned on is applied to the large current switch, so that an oxide film formed at the contact of the switch is destroyed.

Abstract: The present invention locates the primary winding of a transformer in a configuration where it substantially surrounds the secondary winding of the transformer in order to enhance the efficiency of the electromagnetic coupling. High magnetic permeability material surrounds portions of the primary winding of the transformer. The transformer is designed to efficiently operate at frequencies of approximately 50 kilohertz. In one preferred embodiment, the primary winding of the invention is formed of two U-shapes in which the parallel members of the U are substantially longer than the bottom portion of the U. The two U-shapes form a rectangular shape and the substantially parallel rectangular portions are surrounded by high magnetic permeability material to further enhance the electromagnetic coupling between the primary coil winding and the secondary coil winding. In another embodiment, the primary winding of the invention may be rectangular in shape.

Abstract: A DC constant voltage circuit comprises a rectifier and a boosting chopper circuit controlled by a general purpose PWM control IC. The general purpose PWM control IC receives a reference voltage Vref which regulates the output voltage by pulse width modulation and produces a voltage having the same waveform and phase as the input current to improve the power factor of the output voltage. An AC constant voltage circuit comprises a common line connecting an AC input terminal and an output terminal, positive and negative boosting chopper circuits for boosting and chopping a half-wave rectified respectively in both positive and negative sides into a DC voltage and a DC-AC inverter for inverting the DC voltage into the AC output voltage. The positive and negative boosting chopper circuits are used as a filter for improving the power factor and adjusting the waveform and phase of the output voltage to be the same as the sine full waveform of the input voltage.

Abstract: A system for power coupling independent of the position of the receiver over a surface. This is achieved by developing a spatially-dependent phase shift in the electromagnetic field generated by the power transmitter. The power inputs to the power receiver are then driven 180 degrees out of phase at any coordinate in the plane over the surface. An array of elements is placed in a plane below a surface and driven with a series of alternating current power sources. Consecutive adjacent elements across the area of the plane are driven with uniformly increasing phase shift. An integral multiple of adjacent consecutive elements results in a 180 degree phase shift. Pairs of field receiving elements in a power receiver are dimensioned to receive fields that are separated by 180 degrees of phase. Utilizing the technique of the invention, power coupling independent of the position or rotational orientation of the power receiver can be obtained.

Abstract: A constant voltage drive type driver circuit includes a pulse transformer for outputting output pulses having a predetermined peak value and having primary and primary windings. The secondary winding has first and second terminals and an equivalent load impedance is connected to the secondary winding when viewed from the pulse transformer excluding an impedance of the secondary winding itself. A power source supplies a voltage, and a switching circuit supplies the voltage from the power source to the primary winding of the pulse transformer in a first mode and cuts off the supply of the voltage to the primary winding in a second mode in response to control signals. A short-circuiting part short-circuits the first and second terminals of the primary winding of the pulse transformer for a predetermined time from a time when the switching circuit assumes the second mode.

Abstract: In a switching power supply circuit in which a primary winding of a, transformer is connected to a DC voltage source through a switching transistor which is turned on and off at a predetermined frequency by voltage of auxiliary windings of the transformer, an integrating circuit is provided between the auxiliary winding of the transformer and the base of the switching transistor for making the waveform of base driving current for the switching transistor similar to the waveform of collector current in a steady state. In parallel with this integrating circuit, a differentiating circuit is provided between the auxiliary winding N3 of the transformer and the base of the switching transistor for operating only at the start of the switching power supply circuit to supply base driving current of a large magnitude to the switching transistor.

Abstract: A power factor correction circuit for use with a power supply. The power supply has an input for receiving an AC input signal, a rectifier for producing a rectified AC signal and an output stage for outputting a DC output signal for driving a load coupled to the output stage. The power factor correction circuit comprises an input port coupled to the rectifier for receiving the rectified AC signal; and an inductor coupled to the input port for storing energy in response to excitation by the rectified AC signal. The excitation of the inductor is controlled through the opening and closing of a switch by a controller. A capacitor is coupled to the inductor and charged by the energy stored in the inductor when the switch is opened to produce the DC output signal. The power factor correction circuit includes a diode for blocking the charge path between the input port and the capacitor and also allowing the controller to boost the charge level on the capacitor.

Abstract: An electronic antitheft device for a motor vehicle provided with conventional functional elements allowing the control of the operation of the vehicle, namely for example an electric battery for the general electric power supply of the vehicle, an electric starter and brakes, has a remote control box for transmitting a digital code carried for example by an infrared beam, the remote control box cooperating with a receptacle disposed in the driving compartment of the vehicle so that the digital code is only transmitted if the remote control box is disposed in the receptacle, and an electronic center having a digital code receiver, and switches connected to one or more of the functional elements so as to control their operation in the case of the reception of said digital code.

Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing the characteristic of an acceleration sensor and a method for diagnosis thereof are disclosed. The acceleration sensor includes a movable electrode (or mass part) displaced in accordance with an acceleration and a fixed electrode disposed opposite to the movable electrode. In a diagnosis mode, a signal for diagnosis is applied to the fixed electrode so that an electrostatic force as a force corresponding to a predetermined acceleration is generated between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. In the case where the acceleration sensor is sound, the movable electrode or mass part is normally displaced. A failure of the acceleration sensor, the deterioration thereof in performance, a change in characteristic thereof caused from the lapse of time, or the like is self-diagnosed by detecting a change in capacitance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode upon generation of the diagnosis signal.

Abstract: An electrical appliance comprises a power supply cable (70) having a first conductor (200) surrounded by a second conductor (210) for supplying electrical power to the appliance from a domestic electricity mains supply, and a connector (490) connected to cable for detachably connecting the conductors of the cable to first and second voltage signals of the electricity mains supply. In operation, the second conductor (210) is connected to the lower of the voltage signals. The second conductor (210) thus acts as a shield in opposition to electric fields radiating from the cable. The shield improves in efficiency as the lower mains voltage signal approaches Ground potential.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for varying the characteristics of an output signal of a current generator based on the impedance of a load to which the output signal is applied. The current generator contains first and second voltage inputs and outputs the output signal based on a voltage difference applied across the first and second voltage inputs. The first voltage input receives an externally applied input voltage, and the second voltage input receives the output of a comparator which has a negative input for inputting the external input voltage and a positive input for inputting the output voltage of the current generator. Based on the above configuration, if the load of the impedance is relatively small, the voltage of the output signal is less than the externally applied input voltage, and the comparator outputs zero volts to the second voltage input. Thus, the current value of the signal output by the current generator is dependent upon the external input voltage.

Abstract: Electric power uses or loads in a premises are controlled or managed depending upon whether the use is for heating, hot water, heat pump, air conditioning, lights, appliances, pumps, etc., according to programs that are controlled by the electric Power Company, for the purposes of spreading power uses at the premises over a day or other time interval, to avoid peak load periods encountered by the Power Company, while still providing the normal comfort levels required by the subscriber from the various power uses. Power levels of several uses at the subscriber's premises are sensed and the power for each use is controlled according to a program that includes a schedule of power level and/or the time of day that is inserted in the program or controlled in the program by the Power Company to accomplish the spreading. In a particular embodiment, a programmed computer unit is provided at the premises that is monitored by the Power Company via the subscribers telephone line.

Abstract: A power line-operated electronic converter is adapted to deliver a relatively constant magnitude high frequency signal to a load(112) and is operable to draw a substantially sinusoidal current from the AC voltage source (101). The converter has DC input terminals (B+,B-) having a capacitor (105) connected therebetween. First and second rectifier bridges (103,104) are coupled to the DC input terminals. A resonant oscillator circuit (108) is coupled to the DC input terminals and to the transistor inverter employing a resonant inductor (111) and a resonant capacitor (110). An input-output feedback is implemented by coupling of a voltage developed across the resonant inductor to a differential voltage proportional to a difference of a voltage developed across DC input terminals and a voltage provided by a rectified AC voltage source, and modulation of frequency of oscillation in proportion to the differential voltage.

Abstract: A customer side power management system includes a power transducer coupled to the electric lines from the utility. The power transducer senses stochastic peak power demands from the electric utility, and provides an output signal proportional thereto. The output signal is time averaged and provided to a comparator circuit. A predetermined threshold signal is also provided to the comparator circuit, and the two signals are compared. An AC-to-DC converter or power supply is coupled to the utility's electric line and provides a DC voltage on its output. The amplitude of the DC voltage is controlled by the output signal from the comparator circuit. A power isolation and distribution circuit and a storage battery are also included. The power isolation and distribution circuit is connected between the AC-to-DC converter and the storage battery.

Abstract: A zero-voltage switching type electronic ballast for a fluorescent lamp includes a pair of capacitors connected in series between first and second nodes of a DC power source; a pair of switching devices whose current passages are connected in series between the first and second nodes of the DC power source; a load resonant circuit portion having a serial resonant circuit between the connection node of the pair of capacitors and the connection node of the pair of switching devices, and a discharge lamp; capacitors each connected in parallel to the current passage of the switching devices; a driving transformer having a secondary side which includes first and second windings each connected to the respective switching devices and having opposite polarities, and a third winding having the same polarity as the first winding and connected between the connection node of the pair of switching devices and the load resonant circuit, and a primary side having a fourth winding to which a switching control signal of a pre

Abstract: An electrical circuit for adapting the independent brake lights and turn signal lights on a towing vehicle to the combined brake and turn signal lights on an associated trailer. An isolation network and a first CMOS exclusive OR integrated circuit are connected between the right turn signal light connection and brake light connection of the towing vehicle and the combined right turn signal and brake light connection on the trailer. An isolation network and a second CMOS exclusive OR integrated circuit are similarly connected between the left turn signal light connection and brake light connection of the towing vehicle and the combined left turn signal and brake light connection on the trailer. The isolation network prevents feedback from the electrical lighting system of the trailer to the electrical lighting system of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A backup power supply 7 is connected to a load via a switching circuit. When the supply of electric power from a main power supply is stopped, the backup power supply 7 supplies electric power to the load 8. When a given manual operation is performed, the switching circuit disconnects the backup power supply 7 from the load 8. When electric power is supplied form the main power supply 6 to the load 8, the switching circuit connects the preliminary power supply 7 to the load 8. The switching circuit is powered by the backup power supply 7.

Abstract: An inverter device with a circuit for generating pulse width modulation (PWM) signal is formed of an inverter section and a circuit. The circuit includes an U/D counter 4 for regulating a control cycle of a PWM waveform, a register 1C for storing on-timing information of the PWM waveform, and a register 1D for storing off-timing information of the PWM waveform. The circuit is actuated by one of first and second modes. In the first mode, the PWM waveform is outputted by comparing an output of the counter 4 with the respective outputs of the registers 1C, 1D. In the second mode, the counter 4 counts down a signal, and after reaching zero, the counter counts up again, which is made within one cycle and is compared with only the output of the register 1C to output the PWM waveform. In the second mode, the reset level is not calculated, so that load to CPU is relieved, and the carrier cycle is shortened.