Abstract: A multi-coil automatic transfer switch (ATS) adapted for automatically switching an appropriately rated component to render the ATS operational over a worldwide voltage range is provided. A low voltage contactor includes a low voltage coil magnetically linked with a normally open low voltage main contact. A high voltage contactor is coupled in parallel with the low voltage contactor. The high voltage contactor includes a high voltage coil magnetically linked with a normally open high voltage main contact. A normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact is magnetically linked with the high voltage coil. The normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact has a phase opposite the normally open high voltage main contact. The high voltage contactor opens the normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact to disconnect the low voltage coil.

Abstract: An electrical appliance includes a power cord having a GFCI device and an associated remote test/reset unit. The power cord includes a first end portion provided with a plug adapted to be inserted into an electrical outlet. The first end portion extends to a second end portion that is electrically coupled to a plurality of electrical components in the appliance. The test/reset unit is spaced from the GFCI device along the power cord. Preferably, the test/rest unit is connected to the power cord through an extension lead. With this arrangement the test/reset unit is actually remote from the GFCI device, allowing easy access to service personnel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor integrated circuit device that includes an output circuit with power thereof supplied from one power supply system, an input circuit with an input terminal thereof connected to an output terminal of the output circuit through a signal line and with power thereof supplied from other power supply system different from the one power supply system, and a circuit that restrains a current flowing from the output circuit into the signal line when an ESD stress is applied from the output circuit to a signal transmitting/receiving portion of the input circuit.

Abstract: A time-synchronized trip implementation for a motor circuit protector (MCP) having a reconfigurable microcontroller. The microcontroller causes a power supply to, be charged for an initial time period during a charging mode. An onboard comparator is configured for a predetermined self-protection level of the MCP, and fault currents that exceed the comparator's threshold will directly drive a solenoid to trip the MCP. The microcontroller reconfigures the comparator's threshold to both measure and charge the power supply toward a stored energy trip voltage, which will charge quickly when high fault currents are present. As a result, self-protection is not compromised. After the trip voltage is reached, the microcontroller reconfigures the onboard comparator's threshold for self-protection trip levels. When a trip event occurs in this mode, stored energy trip activation occurs.

Abstract: A static electricity monitoring device is disclosed for monitoring a user wearing a static control garment. The garment comprises a first bootie and a second bootie. The monitoring device comprises a first footpad for interfacing with the first bootie of the garment, and a second footpad for interfacing with the second bootie of the garment, wherein the first footpad is electrically insulated from the second footpad.

Abstract: A method and system to detect currents in the saturation region of a current transformer for a circuit breaker is disclosed. An example method is sensing a fault condition with a current transformer in a circuit breaker. The characteristic curve of the current transformer in a saturation mode is determined based on peak current. A current is received on the transformer. A secondary current is output from the transformer. It is determined whether the secondary current is indicative of a fault current in the saturation mode of the transformer. The breaker is tripped if the secondary current is indicative of a fault current.

Abstract: A pulsed power source minimizes current ripple disturbance in a main power supply by dividing the pulsed load into a plurality of pulsed sub-loads. The pulsed power source includes a plurality of pulsed load power supplies, each pulsed load power supply receiving charging power from the main power supply and providing pulsed energy to one of the plurality of pulsed sub-loads. Pulsed energy delivered to each of the plurality of pulsed sub-loads is out of phase with the other pulsed sub-loads, resulting in the input current provided by the main power supply having a reduced current ripple magnitude and increased current ripple frequency.

Abstract: A power management system includes a power management unit (PMU) and a current sensor. The PMU is operable for controlling a first power source and a second power source. The second power source is operable for being charged by the first power source via a charging path. The current sensor has a first terminal coupled to the first power source and the second power source and has a second terminal coupled to the second power source via the charging path. The current sensor is operable for sensing a first current flowing from the first power source through the current sensor and for sensing a second current flowing from the second power source through the current sensor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring a user wearing a static electricity garment. The garment comprises a first conductive upper body portion including a first electrical interface, a second conductive upper body portion including a second electrical interface, a first user interface for electrically coupling the first conductive upper body portion to a first upper limb of the user, a second user interface for electrically coupling the second conductive upper body portion to a second upper limb of the user, and an insulative portion for electrically insulating the first conductive upper body portion from the second conductive upper body portion. To monitor the static electricity, the user touches the first electrical interface to a first lead of a monitoring device and touches the second electrical interface to a second lead of the monitoring device.

Abstract: A power supply provides a DC voltage to power an electronic device which includes battery charging circuitry. The power supply can be selectably coupled to alternative types of power sources and converts the power received from a power source to the DC voltage. The power supply includes source determination circuitry which generates a signal indicative of the type of power source to which the power supply is coupled. The DC voltage and the power source indication signal are provided to the electronic device. In response to the power source indication signal, a controller within the electronic device controls the amount of power drawn by the device by disabling the battery charging circuitry.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit for protecting a pass element in a controlled voltage supply circuit electrically connected between a circuit power supply interconnection terminal region suited for electrical connection to a circuit power supply and an output terminal, the pass element being protected from voltage surges that may occur on the circuit power supply interconnection with respect to a voltage reference interconnection. A voltage reference is provided electrically connected in series with a voltage. The voltage divider and the voltage reference are connected in series with one another between the circuit power supply interconnection and the voltage reference interconnection. A threshold switch is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the voltage divider output and one of the voltage divider terminating regions terminating regions, and has an output coupled to the pass element control region.

Abstract: A sequential power transmission between a portable user-carried battery and first and second independent accessories. At least one primary inductive coupling coil is mounted on an article of apparel worn by the user, so as to place a primary coil adjacent a first intermediary inductive coupling coil on the first independent accessory. The energizing of the first intermediary coil energizes a second intermediary coil on the first independent accessory. The second intermediary coil, when energized, energizes a secondary coil on the second independent accessory for powering the use, including the charging of the batteries of that accessory.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electric signal outputting apparatus in a serial electric transmission system. The electric signal outputting apparatus includes a switching part for switchably generating high and low output signals in accordance with signal data and transmitting the output signals to a transmission path, an impedance matching part for matching an output impedance to the impedance of the transmission path, and an auxiliary switching part for subsidiarily supplying current to an output node in the transmission path and subsidiarily absorbing current from the output node in the transmission path when the switching part switches the generation between high and low output signals, wherein the auxiliary switching part conducts the supplying and the absorbing for a period shorter than a pulse width of a reference clock of the serial electric transmission system.

Abstract: To manage power of a fuel cell and a battery for an electronic device, an amount of power consumed by an operation module in the electronic device may be sensed. Generated voltage capacity of the fuel cell and remaining capacity of the battery may be acquired. The battery may be charged/discharged based on the sensed amount of consumed power and the generated voltage capacity of the fuel cell. A performance limit signal may be provided to the operation module if the sensed amount of consumed power exceeds a sum of the generated voltage capacity of the fuel cell and the remaining capacity of the battery. The operation module may adjust a frequency of an internal operation clock in response to the performance limit signal.

Abstract: A method for adding and connecting a remotely operated SPDT relay to an electric power circuit of an AC appliance connected to a manually actuated electrical SPDT switch for integrating said AC appliance into an home automation network, each said relay and said SPDT switch includes a pole terminal and dual traveler terminals and said relay is similar to a shape and a size of an AC switch fit for installation into a standard electrical box.

Abstract: A lightning strike protection system for protecting composite structures, an improved lightning strike appliqué (LSA) for such a lightning strike protection system, and a method of protecting composite structures, such as an aircraft fuselage. The LSA is electrically connected to adjacent conductive surfaces, e.g., by a fuzz button or a wire bond inserted in the bottom of the LSA. An adjacent conductive surface may be another LSA, a lightning diverter overlay, or a current return network. Charge, e.g., from a lightning strike to the LSA, flows to the conductive layer through the electrical connector.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit (710) is guarded by a parallel first precharge elimination circuit (720) relative to an I/O pad (721) and a parallel second precharge elimination circuit (730) relative to a VDD pad (731). The precharge elimination circuits are synchronized with the ESD protection circuit to eliminate any precharge voltage to ground before an ESD pulse affects the I/O pad or VDD pad. A diode (722) is connected between I/O pad and VDD. Circuit (720) is between I/O pad and ground (740) and is powered by the same VDD. Circuit (720) includes a first resistor (723), a first nMOS transistor (724), and a first RC timer including a second resistor (725) and a first capacitor (726). Circuit (730) includes a third resistor (733), a second nMOS transistor (734), and a second RC timer including a fourth resistor (735) and a second capacitor (736).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a wall switch module using leakage current. In one embodiment, the wall switch module may be operable using leakage current. The wall switch control module may be provided to include a microcontroller, wireless receiver and triac. The wall switch control module may be configured to control power applied to a load. In another embodiment, one or more signals received by the wireless receiver may be useable to control power applied to a load coupled to the wall switch control module. According to another embodiment, the wall switch control module may be useable for home automated systems.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a safety switching device for a hazardous area defined by motor-driven components, the device being switchable into at least two control stages, wherein in a first control stage at least some of the motor-driven components can be switched into a state of reduced risk potential and in at least one second control stage at least some of the motor-driven components can be shut off, and wherein the safety switching device comprises an apparatus for determining the position of the safety switching device inside the hazardous area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable apparatus combining a battery charger with an emergency power supply, including: a hand-held body; an AC input section, a battery section; a DC output section; an LED display section; and a control circuit section. Accordingly, the inventive portable apparatus combining a battery charger with an emergency power supply functions as an adapter for supplying electric power to an electronic device and a charger for charging a battery contained therein when being applied with an external power supply, and functions as an emergency power supply for supplying proper electric power to the electric device using a built-in charged battery when being not applied with the external electric power supply.