Abstract: A power switching control device and methods for using the same to control a magnetic actuator within a power switching device are disclosed. The power switching control device uses a series of modulated current pulses to control a magnetic actuator within a power switching device. The power switching control device inputs a power signal and applies a series of modulated current pulses through the coil of the magnetic actuator in a first direction such that the actuator moves from a first position to a second position. Certain operating characteristics of a power switching device can be ascertained by analyzing the impedance of the magnetic actuator coil within the power switching device. The power switching device control device also has an improved energy management system therein. In this manner, the controller includes a voltage regulator that has the ability to switch between operating modes.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor interface circuit is configurable on the fly by an electronic controller such as an engine controller to support oxygen sensors having unique interface requirements, to reliably identify various oxygen sensor faults, and to enable rapid detection of a warmed up sensor. The interface circuit is configurable in a first respect to enable operation with any of a number of different sensors, and in a second respect to enable more reliable fault detection, including measurement of leakage to ground or battery.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a component include using at least two sensors arranged to sense an operating condition of the component. The system further includes a controller that controls the component in response to feedback signals output by one or more of the sensors. The controller also determines how the sensor feedback signals are to be used in controlling the component. To this end, the controller includes a model-based statistical filter for each one of the second sensors.

Abstract: A switchless, hand-held probe and method for detecting and alerting a user to the presence of an AC voltage on a conductor that minimizes the intermittent activation of the probe's indicator due to static charge build-up. The probe comprises an antenna, an indicator, detector circuitry and activation circuitry. The probe alerts a user through the use of an indicator to the presence of electrical energy on a conductor. The antenna senses the electrical energy radiated from the conductor. When the electrical energy sensed by the antenna satisfies a particular measurement threshold, a signal is generated by the detector circuitry and received by the activation circuitry. The activation circuitry activates the indicator after a sufficient number of signals are received from the detector circuitry during a given period of time.

Abstract: An electrical testing device has non-contact AC voltage sensing, single probe contact AC voltage testing and voltage metering functions. Non-contact voltage sensing is used to detect the vicinity of a live AC conductor and single probe contact sensing is used to determine which conductor of a number of conductors in the vicinity is live. More specific information about the magnitude of the voltage can then be determined using both contact probes. The electrical testing device automatically determines the type (AC or DC) and polarity (if DC) of a voltage applied to test terminals, and provides an indication of the voltage range (AC or DC), without the need to operate any switches or other electrical actuators.

Abstract: A method for generating a fault signal in a system voltage regulator by a phase signal includes detecting the system voltage and phase signal; comparing the system voltage and phase signal with respective fault levels; and generating a fault signal upon either the system voltage or the phase signal falling below the respective fault level of the fault levels. The fault signal generating method also inhibits generating a fault signal using a drive signal of the system voltage regulator. A diagnostic circuit for a system voltage regulator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell resistance test system includes a contact head having a plurality of spaced electrical contacts for contacting multiple ones of the fuel cells composing the stack. In one embodiment, a plurality of selectively actuable switches produce a short between respective pairs of adjacent ones of the electrical contacts. A processor opens each of the switches, one at a time in succession, to apply a defined voltage from a voltage source, successively across pairs of adjacent ones of the electrical contacts. A current sensor measures a resulting current and the processor or other computer determines whether a short exists based on the magnitude of the defined voltage and the magnitude of the resulting current. Alternatively, the test system may include a current source and a voltage sensor.

Abstract: Disconnection device for an electronic operating device for gas discharge lamps. The filament breakage of a lamp is evaluated by detecting the current through a component which flows through the filaments. This is performed either by detecting this current with the aid of an optocoupler or by measuring the phase of the load circuit current.

Abstract: A method for detecting a change in capacitance of a capacitive sensing element having a nominal capacitance value is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes coupling the sensing element to a first oscillator, the first oscillator generating a first frequency dependent upon the capacitance value of the sensing element. The first frequency is compared to a reference frequency generated by a second oscillator. The change in capacitance from the nominal capacitance value is detected if the first frequency differs from said reference frequency by a determined frequency value.

Abstract: A circuit board testing apparatus for testing continuity and/or short-circuit of wirings formed on a circuit board, includes an electromagnetic wave irradiator which irradiates first terminals of the wirings with an electromagnetic wave so that electrons are discharged from the first terminals by photoelectric effect. Discharged electrons are trapped by an electrode which is electrically biased to have a higher potential than that of the second terminals of the wirings, thereby causing an electric current to flow through the wirings via the electrode. Existence of open-circuit and/or short-circuit of the wirings is judged based on the current flowing the wirings.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for utilizing a periodic disconnection of a cathodic protection circuit, the voltage fluctuations caused on a cathodically protected structure by periodic disconnection of the protection circuit being detected in an apparatus and used for remote-controlled disconnection of a decoupling capacitor. Detection of periodically occurring negative-going voltage edges on a cathodically protected structure. The voltage supply of an apparatus through a capacitor or an electric circuit by means of a current transformer and a voltage outlet via a breaker.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing the state of a dielectric material is disclosed. The dielectric material is determined to be in a state, S, by determining a similarity or dissimilarity between: (a) a first set of impedance values derived from excitation of a capacitor having the dielectric material disposed between electrodes for the capacitor, and (b) a second set of predetermined corresponding impedance values indicative of the state S. For each of a plurality of electrical frequencies, there are corresponding impedance values in the first and second sets. Each such impedance values is one of a conductance and a capacitance value for the dielectric material. Thus, within a time period sufficiently short so that the dielectric material is expected to remain in a same state throughout the time period, each of the electrical frequencies is used to excite the capacitor, and corresponding response impedance values are derived that provide an impedance “snap shot” of the dielectric material.

Abstract: An air ion measuring device is provided which holds the air passage rate in an ion detector as constant as possible to provide for improved air ion measurement reliability, permits a size and thickness reduction and also a reduction of parts and cost of the ion detector, permits ready cleaning thereof, provides a measure for coping with static electricity, provides good visual recognition property in the air ion data display and displays data other than air ion data and error data. An ion detector structure is formed by disposing a charge collector electrode and repelling electrodes in the vicinity of opposite ends of the charge collector electrode on one side surface of an air passage, through which air is withdrawn from one end portion and exhausted from the other end portion, and disposing a further repelling electrode on the other side surface of the air passage.

Abstract: A new class of highly sensitive piezoconductive strain sensor elements and sensors has been invented. The new elements function under conditions such that electrical conductivity is dominated by Poole-Frenkel transport. A substantial piezoconductive effect appears in this regime, allowing the new sensors to exhibit sensitivity to applied strain as much as two orders of magnitude in excess of prior art sensors based on doped silicon.

Abstract: The ion measuring device comprises an ion detector including a charge collector electrode disposed in an air passage with an air passing member provided therein and capable of collecting ions in air in the air passage and repelling electrodes disposed to face the charge collector electrode, a measurement computation device for executing computation processing on related to the charge on the charge collector electrode to obtain data representing the numbers of measured positive and negative ions per unit time and unit volume, a charging circuit including a switch for switching the positive and negative polarities of the charge applied to the repelling electrodes such that the repelling electrodes are charged to the same polarity as the polarity of measurement subject ions, and a discharging circuit for discharging the charge collector electrode at time intervals corresponding to the timings of switching by the switch.

Abstract: A structural integrity monitoring system includes a piezoelectric sensor that is adapted to be secured to or embedded within an item of interest. A resistive element is placed in series with the piezoelectric sensor. An output from the series combination of the resistive element and the sensor is conditioned and then transmitted wirelessly to a remote location. An interface located at the remote location receives the transmitted signal, determines the content of the signal and provides an output indicative of the structural integrity of the item of interest.

Abstract: The novel apparatus permits precise measurements of parasitic capacitances. The apparatus has a test structure and a reference structure, each with two conductor tracks. In the reference structure, the two conductor tracks are always at the same potential. In the test structure, one conductor track is coupled to ground potential and the other conductor track to a different potential. The test structure and the reference structure are connected to a voltage potential and the charge which builds up on the test structure and the reference structure is registered. The parasitic capacitance can be calculated precisely from the charge difference. The conductors of the test structure and of the reference structure are arranged in such a way that each conductor perceives a relationship to capacitive parasitic effects in the same environment.

Abstract: A second operational amplifier (11) of a core unit (1) shorts an inverting input terminal and an output terminal. A signal line (19) is connected to a non-inverting input terminal. A capacitive sensor (18) is connected to the signal line (19). A first operational amplifier (12) earths the non-inverting input terminal. One end of a first resistance (15) and one end of a second resistance (16) are respectively connected to the inverting input terminal. The other end of the first resistance (15) is connected to an alternate current voltage generator (14). The other end of the second resistance (16) is connected to the output terminal of the first operational amplifier (11). A signal output terminal (21) of the core unit (1) is connected to an inverting amplification device (2). An alternate output terminal (22) of the core unit (1) and an inverting output terminal (42) of the inverting amplification device (2) are connected to an addition device (3).

Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing a solar panel including a solar cell and an outer housing and an inspection method for inspecting a solar panel generating system, include a step of performing one of a withstand voltage test and an insulation resistance test between a live electrical section electrically connected to the solar cell and a conductor section of the outer housing, and thereafter a step of applying a voltage between the live electrical section and the conductor section. In this way, a residual charge left subsequent to the withstand voltage test or the insulation resistance test is reliably removed within a short period of time.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a rotor with respect to a stator. The method includes generating offset N and Q signals when the rotor moves with respect to the stator and sampling the N and Q signals at a predetermined time interval. A section of a polar plot in which the N and Q signal sample lies is determined and compared to the section of a polar plot in which a previous N and Q signal sample lies. A long range rotor position is calculated by maintaining a count of the change of sections from previous N and Q signal samples. A sub-section rotor position for the N and Q signal sample is calculated and combined with the long range rotor position to create a linear position signal.