Abstract: A method for determining an impedance of an electrically conducting device, such as a battery or a welded metal joint, includes applying a time-varying electric current to the electrically conducting device. The current varies at least between a first level and a second level. The current changes between the first level and second level within a time interval that is so short that a voltage response of the electrically conducting device exhibits a first local voltage extremum followed by a decay. An ohmic resistance voltage is adopted by the voltage response, when the first local voltage extremum has decayed. The method further includes acquiring the voltage response at least partially and determining an impedance of the electrically conducting device from the acquired voltage response.

Abstract: A robot includes a body on which is mounted a functional head also including a capacitive detector, including: at least one electrical insulator in order to electrically insulate the functional head; at least one apparatus for electrically polarizing the functional head at a first alternating electrical potential (Vg), different from a ground potential; at least one guard polarized at an alternating guard potential (VG) identical to the first alternating electrical potential; and at least one electronics, called detection electronics, for measuring a signal relating to a coupling capacitance, called electrode-object capacitance, between the sensitive part and a surrounding object.

Abstract: A multi-frequency sensing system for capacitive, presence-sensing technology incorporated into furniture is provided. Embodiments of the sensing system include at least one capacitive sensor coupled to a furniture item for monitoring an amount of change in capacitance with respect to at least one sensing element coupled to the furniture item. The system further includes a landscape analysis component having a plurality of frequency samplers, which generates an average capacitance change associated with the furniture item. Further, the average capacitance change may be used to determine whether the indication of average capacitance change satisfies a capacitance threshold of the furniture item.

Abstract: A wireless system for determining the displacement of spinning components of a differential assembly, including a differential case having a hollow interior space; a differential assembly having an actuator including an electromagnet having a coil, a spinning component selectively engaged with a differential gear arrangement and at least one sensor assembly non-rotatably mounted to the differential case including at least one sensor communicatively coupled to a printed circuit board, a transmitter and a power source. The sensor assembly extends axially and radially within the differential case and at least one sensor is configured to directly sense the axial displacement of the spinning component and the sensor assembly is configured generate a signal representing the axial displacement of the spinning component into a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to a receiver positioned outside the differential case.

Abstract: A non-intrusive power quality sensor for to provide a simple solution for monitoring the quality of the power behind the meter. 80% of the quality issues happen behind the meter. Current power quality monitoring solutions are intrusive: they require the intervention of an electrical qualified person. The non-intrusive power quality sensor generally includes a device that can be plugged into a regular power outlet and acts as a power quality sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distribution board having a main breaker and a plurality of branch breakers, the distribution board being wired to branch power supplied to the main breaker into each branch breaker, the distribution board including: a plurality of noise detection sections configured to correspond to the respective branch breakers one-to-one and each configured to output a detection signal based on a noise component of not less than a predetermined frequency generated on a secondary side of each branch breaker; and processor configured to separately receive the detection signal output from each noise detection section and determine whether the detection signal is high frequency noise at a threshold or more.

Abstract: A relay diagnosis circuit capable of diagnosing whether a relay connected to a negative electrode of a battery pack normally operates using voltage applied from a positive electrode of the battery pack.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a sensor structure wrapped around a surface of a steering wheel element. The sensor structure includes a substrate material, first sensor lines made from conductive material and formed on the substrate material, second sensor lines made from conductive material, and feed lines. The first sensor lines extend in a first direction. The second sensor lines extend in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction have a non-zero angle between them. The sensor device includes an electronic control unit configured to measure capacitive values of the sensor structure and detect touch or proximity of fingers or hands, which are distinguishable in their position on the surface, based on the measurement. The feed lines are configured to electrically connect the first sensor lines to the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A switching device including: a body which has a first side wall and a first end wall, the first side wall being perpendicular in relation to a longitudinal direction, and the first end wall is substantially perpendicular to the first side wall; and a first fixed contact comprising an inner section and an outer section, the inner section having a thickness dimension, the outer section protrudes from the first side wall in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A ground fault detection device comprising a capacitor which serves as a flying capacitor, a switch group which switches between a V0-charging path, a Vcn-charging path, a Vcp-charging path and a charging voltage measurement path for the capacitor, and a controller which controls the switch group and calculates an insulation resistance based on V0, Vcn and Vcp, wherein V0 is a measured value on the V0-charging path, Vcn is a measured value on the Vcn-charging path, and Vcp is a measured value on the Vcp charging path, wherein, if Vcn can be considered as zero, the controller switches to the Vcp-charging path and performs measurement while keeping a charged state of the capacitor, wherein Vcp obtained after discharging the capacitor is subtracted from a measured value obtained from the measurement in order to calculate Vcn.

Abstract: A high-resolution index (HRI) detector module for use with a meter including an HRI wheel therein having a modulator thereon is provided. The HRI detector module includes a plurality of capacitive sensors positioned on a printed circuit board (PCB). The plurality of capacitive sensors is configured to detect a change in capacitance caused by the modulator of the HRI wheel when the modulator enters into an electric field generated by the plurality of capacitive sensors. Related systems are also provided.

Abstract: Optical sensing methods and systems for power applications, and the construction thereof, are described herein. An example method of constructing a winding assembly includes mounting a sensing component to a coil former, and winding a coil onto the coil former so that the sensing component is positioned within the coil. A system and method for detecting operating conditions within a transformer using the described winding assemblies are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement (100) for evaluating at least two switching states of an actuating element, having a moveable contact means (110) which is connectable to the actuating element, a first evaluation circuit (140a) with a first voltage divider, which has first node points (K1a, K2a, K3a, K4a, K5a) and a first tap (150a) for tapping off a first output signal (A1, A3, A5) of the first evaluation circuit (140a), at least one second evaluation circuit (140b) with a second voltage divider, which has second node points (K1b, K2b, K3b, K4b, K5b) and a second tap (150a) for tapping off a second output signal (A2, A4, A6) of the second evaluation circuit (140b), first contact surfaces (121a, 122a, 123a, 124a, 125a) which are each electrically connected to one of the first node points (K1a to K5a), and second contact surfaces (121b, 122b, 123b, 124b, 125b) which are each electrically connected to one of the second node points (K1b to k5b), wherein via the movable contact means (110), dependin

Abstract: A voltage divider circuit arrangement includes a resistive divider circuit portion constructed from first and second resistors (R1, R2) The first and second resistors are connected in series and are arranged to provide a refresh voltage (Vrefresh) at a refresh node between them. A capacitive divider circuit portion is constructed from first and second capacitors (C1, C2). The first and second capacitors are connected in series and are arranged to provide an output voltage (Vout) at an output node. A switching circuit portion is arranged intermittently to switch the voltage divider circuit arrangement between a first mode wherein the resistive divider is enabled and the output node is connected to the refresh node, and a second mode wherein the resistive divider is disabled and the output node is not connected to the refresh node.

Abstract: A sensor including a circuit carrier, a number of measuring inductors on the circuit carrier, and a reference inductor that is coupled to the measuring inductors.

Abstract: An example apparatus to monitor a welding-type system includes: a test signal generator configured to output a test signal to a monitored circuit; and a lock-in amplifier configured to: receive a reference signal based on the test signal; measure a leakage current in the monitored circuit based on the reference signal; and generate an output signal representative of the leakage current.

Abstract: A steering device includes: a gripping detection unit that detects that a steering wheel of a vehicle is gripped, when a capacitance detection value detected using a sensor electrode provided in the steering wheel increases beyond a predetermined gripping detection threshold value; and a manipulation input detection unit that detects occurrence of a manipulation input to the steering wheel, when the capacitance detection value decreases below a manipulation input detection threshold value set to be higher than the gripping detection threshold value from a state in which the capacitance detection value is higher than the manipulation input detection threshold value, and then increases beyond the manipulation input detection threshold value again without decreasing below the gripping detection threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a wiring short in a substrate includes a voltage source configured to apply a rising or falling measurement voltage to a first wiring of a substrate, a plurality of electrodes including first and second electrode elements capacitively coupled to the first and second wirings of the substrate, respectively, a sensing circuit configured to generate an output voltage based on a voltage or a current between the first and second electrode elements, and a processor configured to determine whether a short circuit connection having a resistance value greater than a reference resistance value is present between the first and second wirings based on a change rate of the output voltage after application of the measurement voltage. Methods for detecting wiring shorts in the substrate are further provided.

Abstract: An electrostatic sensor detecting a position of an object being approaching the electrostatic sensor includes a first electrode group including electrodes, a second electrode group including electrodes adjacent to the electrodes of the first electrode group, detection circuits connected to electrodes selected from among the electrodes of the first and second electrode groups and having first alternating-current sources and current measurement units, a second alternating-current source connected to unselected electrodes among the electrodes of the first and second electrode groups, and a controller. The controller successively selects electrodes to be connected to the detection circuits from among the electrodes of the first and second electrode groups, causes the selected electrodes to be connected to the detection circuits, and detects a position of the object based on current detected by the current measurement units.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for resistance measurement comprises a capacitor coupled between a first potential node and a second potential node, a pair of terminals that comprises a first terminal and a second terminal, the first and second terminals being coupleable to one of the at least one resistor. The circuit arrangement further comprises a set of circuit branches comprising a first circuit branch, a second circuit branch, a third circuit branch and a fourth circuit branch, each comprising a switch switchable between a conductive state and an insulating state. The circuit arrangement further comprises the first terminal being coupled to the first potential node via the first circuit branch and the second circuit branch being connected in parallel. The circuit arrangement further comprises the second terminal being coupled to the second potential node via the third circuit branch and the fourth circuit branch being connected in parallel.