Abstract: A power supply control system for use with a tissue stimulating prosthesis, such as a cochlear implant. The power supply control system comprises a first battery (31), a second battery (32), at least a third battery (33), and a switching system (36). The first and second batteries (31, 32) are electrically connected in series to provide power to the prosthesis, while the third battery (33) is electrically connectable through the switching means (36) in parallel with either the first battery (32). The third battery (33) is electrically connected by the control system in parallel with whichever one of said first battery (31) or said second battery (32) has lowest voltage.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing a supply to plurality of machinery or appliances. The supply may be any of oil, gas, electrical power, water, heated and cooled air, etc. the plurality of appliances can include any of gas and oil powered devices, electrical devices, rooms having HVAC ductwork, etc. The distribution of the operating supply is provided by prioritizing the appliances with a predetermined priority. The appliances are connected in a series connection in order of priority. When any appliance is determined to be in an “ON” state of operation subsequently connected appliances are prevented from operating. Alternatively, when more than one appliance is able to operate simultaneously using the operating supply, the appliances may be divided into a plurality of groups. The plurality of groups include a group for each possible combination of appliances and each group is prioritized.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric steering lock wherein a permanent magnet (20) and two different Hall sensors (21,22) are used to recognise a locking and an unlocking position. The pole transition (23) of the magnet (20) is oriented in the direction of the lift (14). In order to increase efficiency, one sensor (21) is south-pole active and the other (22) is north-pole active. The sensors (21,22) are arranged in an intermediate area (25) between both end positions (10.1, 10.2) of the pole transition (23) of the permanent magnet (20) and are disposed at a defined end distance (38, 39) from both end positions (10.1, 10.2). At said end distance (10.1), the N-active sensor (21) is oriented towards the north pole and the S-active sensor (22) is oriented towards the south pole of the permanent magnet. Said end distance (38, 39) corresponds to the distance at which the magnetic flow density (30.1) of the permanent magnet (20) is at least identical to the threshold value (21.1) required to turn on (28.1, 29.

Abstract: Switching converter to convert an input direct current (UE) into at least one output direct current (UA), wherein an internal auxiliary voltage (UH1, UH2) is derived from at least one auxiliary winding (WH1, WH2) of a transformer (Tr), a controllable load element (BAL) is provided for the output voltage, and a stop signal (ss) can be fed to turn the output voltage of the switching converter ON/OFF, which is used to connect the load element (BAL) to the output direct current to such an extent that a short-circuit-like condition is produced, in which the output voltage (Ua) is adequately close to null, but the at least one auxiliary voltage (UH1, UH2) is adequately high to supply the units associated therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a first capacitor component, a second capacitor component, and a switch component. The first capacitor component, the second capacitor component, and the switch component cooperate to maintain an input voltage to a target circuit at or above a cut-off voltage of the target circuit until a power circuit is able to maintain the input voltage of the target circuit at or above the cut-off voltage of the target circuit. The switch component serves to control a flow of current from the first capacitor component to the second capacitor component.

Abstract: A starter motor is prevented from being rotated together with an engine after the start of a engine. When motor speed exceeds the cranking speed after the start of the engine, a speed judging section 36 judges that the starter motor is rotated together with the engine. A current-supply stopping section 38 commands to stop energizing a motor 3a in response to the judge. After the electricity supply is stopped, if the rotation speed is reduced to a value close to the cranking speed, judging section 36 outputs a signal to cancel the current-supply stopping commands from the current-supply stopping section 38. The detection of the motor speed is also continued even after the ignition, and if the speed is further increased, the speed detection is stopped. If the speed is increased to a value showing complete explosion, the speed judging section 36 switches the relays to a generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the voltage maintenance of an electrical AC voltage supply network comprising a partial converter system, which has a first branch pair and a second branch pair connected in parallel therewith and an electrical energy store connected in parallel with the branch pairs. Each branch pair is formed from two series-connected driveable power semiconductor switches, each with a diode reverse-connected in parallel, and the junction point of the power semiconductor switches of the first branch pair forming a first terminal and the junction point of the power semiconductor switches of the second branch pair forming a second terminal. The partial converter system has a third branch pair connected in parallel with the first and second branch pairs. The junction point of the power semiconductor switches of the third branch pair forms a third terminal.

Abstract: A high-voltage pulse generating circuit has an inductor, a first semiconductor switch, and a second semiconductor switch which are connected in series between opposite terminals of a DC power supply unit, and a diode having a cathode terminal connected to a terminal of the inductor which has another terminal connected to an anode terminal of the first semiconductor switch, and an anode terminal connected to a gate terminal of the first semiconductor switch. The inductor stores an induction energy when the first semiconductor switch is rendered conductive by a turn-on of the second semiconductor switch, and generates a high-voltage pulse when the first semiconductor switch is turned off by a turn-off of the second semiconductor switch.

Abstract: In an electric telpher or similar conveyor system comprising movable transfer units, power is transmitted to consumers having differing input power requirements in that the slide rail (1) is also used as return conductor of the feeder (4) in the primary circuit and in that the current collector (6) of the secondary circuit comprises two separate and differently rated windings (N01, N02) to provide two separate supply voltages (U01, U02) with different load capacities that are geared to the differing power needs of the consumers via electronic collector circuits (AE1, AE2).

Abstract: A switching device for controlling a large amount of current includes a circuit board carrying electronic components thereon, a power-switching element electrically connected to the circuit board, and a housing disposed underneath the circuit board and containing the power-switching element therein. The housing made of a heat-conductive material includes a heat-sink block having a sloped surface on which the power-switching element is mounted. Connecting leads extending from the power-switching element are positioned at an upper portion of the sloped surface which is close to the circuit board. In this manner, the length of connecting leads is shortened and heat and noises generated therein are suppressed.

Abstract: An electrical assembly including a plurality of electrical modules, each of the plurality of electrical modules being sequentially electrically connected to at least one other of the plurality of electrical modules. Each of the plurality of electrical modules including a coding circuit, each of the coding circuits interacting to identify a number of the plurality of electrical modules that are sequentially electrically connected.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock apparatus receives a signal from a portable transmitter and at least locks a door based on the received signal. When a door lock request is received from the transmitter and the door on the driver's seat side is closed, signals detected by door courtesy switches are monitored. When all doors of the vehicle are closed, a door lock actuator is controlled for locking all doors by a lock unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical power supply system for feeding electrical loads, having at least two electrical energy stores, a circuit for connecting the electrical energy stores to an electrical d.c. network with loads and at least one power generator, wherein each energy store can be connected to the d.c. network by activating switching elements by means of d.c. transformers.

Abstract: A system for connecting a receiver to a redundant power supply. The power supply units are connected to the receiver by means of a pair of control switches, each being connected in series between one of the power units and the receiver, and each having its intrinsic diode forwardly biased between the power unit and the receiver. A voltage comparator senses which of the power supply units is having the higher potential difference between its high and low potential terminals. The output of the comparator controls the gate of both control switches such that the control switch in series with the sensed power supply unit is conducting while the other one is off. When a reversed polarity is applied to the receiver, the receiver is protected by the intrinsic diode. When at least one of the power supplies is connected with the correct polarity, the receiver is supplied without an appreciable voltage drop and with the lowest possible power losses.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a roof glass specifies the selection position of the selection switch when an output voltage from the selection switch is determined to be included in any of the allowable ranges predetermined respectively for the selection positions of the selection switch. The selection position of the selection switch is settled when the specified selection position has not changed even when a predetermined time passes after specifying of the selection position of the selection switch. When those selection positions which have been settled at a time of making the current decision and at a time of making a previous decision satisfy predetermined conditions, the roof glass is allowed to operate to a position corresponding to the selection position of the selection switch settled at a time of making a current decision.

Abstract: A cascaded DC-DC converter architecture has an upstream converter stage and a downstream converter stage, which derives its input voltage from the upstream stage. Cascading the two converter stages enables functionality of control and monitoring (including soft start and overcurrent detection) circuitry of the upstream stage to be used for the downstream stage, to reduce chip area, cost, and complexity. A voltage window regulator in the downstream converter ensures that, during shutdown, its output voltage will be maintained within a prescribed window of its regulated output voltage, so that no soft start delay is needed when the second converter stage is turned back on.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling two or more electric relays, wherein at least one of the relays are rated to handle a higher voltage level while at least one of the relays are rated to handle a lower voltage level. A controller selectively activates the relays such that the higher voltage rated relay(s) open before but close after the lower voltage rated relay(s) within the system.

Abstract: A host device such as a camera, PDA, etc. can have an attachment such as a wireless modem, with both host and attachment having respective batteries. Some loads in the host are always powered by the host battery, and some loads in the attachment are always powered by the attachment battery, but some other loads in the attachment are selectively powered by either the host or attachment battery depending on a power consumption and/or the relationship between the charges remaining in the batteries.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precise power system which utilizes two separate inverters fed by a rectifying power supply from a generator set. During normal operation, the first or critical inverter would feed the critical load(s) and the second or non-critical inverter would assist the electric utility in feeding the non-critical load(s). During utility grid failure, the second inverter is disconnected from the power supply so that the entire output of the generator set is available to the critical load. During generator set failure, the utility grid powers the second inverter to supply power to the first inverter for the critical load(s).