Abstract: A power supply that receives an input voltage and provides output power is described. A method for selecting one of a plurality of input voltages by moving first and second links is also described. The power supply includes a housing and the links are inside the housing. The links configure the power supply to receive a selected input voltage from a number of input voltages, depending upon the position they are in. The links depend on one another. Indicators are connected to the links, and show for what input voltage the links are connected. The indicators are visible from outside the housing. The housing includes one or more windows through which the indicators are visible. The indicators are alpha-numeric characters or drawings. The links includes a circuit board with the indicators mounted thereon and a plug or a set of copper bars that are placed in either the first or second position.

Abstract: A power control (20, 40) for controlling the electric power fed from voltage source (12) to a load (13) comprises a field effect transistor (21, Q1) for either allowing or disabling the flow of current from voltage source to load as a response to the presence or absence of a control pulse led to the gate of the field effect transistor. Additionally the power control comprises means for measuring the change of the gate potential of the field effect transistor (24, R6, R7) and for either allowing or disabling a control pulse on the basis of the gate potential change measurement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety switching device (1) for electrically controlled machines, for use in combination with the control elements of the machine control-system itself during manual operation, in which the multi-action safety switching device (1) has several channels or several switching circuits (7, 8) and the switching circuits have at least one operating element (2, 3) which can be adjusted by an operator depending on the desired switching function. Each switching circuit (7, 8) has at least one position-sensing device (14, 15), comprising in particular contactless detection devices (16, 17) for detecting, at any time, the position (4 to 6) of the operating elements (2, 3) corresponding to the respective switching stages, which can be adjusted by the operator.

Abstract: A power switching circuit includes first and second semiconductor switches providing parallel paths connecting a load across a power supply. A circuit maintains the second switch in an off state except when the current in the first switch exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for supplying power to superconducting loads includes a current source, a cryogenic region (e.g., a cryogenic chamber), a first switching device in series between the current source and a superconducting load, and a second switching device in parallel with the superconducting load. The switching devices are arranged so that, when the first is closed and the second is open, recharging current is supplied to the superconducting load. The second switching device serves as a shunt. When it is closed and the first is open, current recirculates through the persistent (or partially persistent) superconducting load. The invention also provides a superconducting magnet incorporating such a power supply.

Abstract: A feed line connecting circuit for selectively connecting first, second and third feed line connecting terminals under a predetermined current feeding condition comprises a first current detector connected between one of the first and second feed line connecting terminals and a central node for detecting a current over a predetermined value; a first switch connected between the one of the first and second feed line connecting terminals and the central node for connecting said one of the first and second feed line connecting terminals to the central node under an unpowered condition; a selective switch controlled by the first current detector, the selective switch having first and second contacts and a common contact connected to the third feed line connecting terminal, the common contact being connected to the first selective contact when the first current detector does not detect a current over the predetermined value, and to the second selective contact when the first current detector detects a current over

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling the current through an inductive load powered by a unipolar power source. The current through the inductive load is controlled by three electronic switches and a subcircuit. The switches provide three different voltage levels across the inductive load. The closing of the first switch supplies positive voltage across the load, thereby increasing the load current. Opening of the first switch and closing of the third switch disconnects the power source from the load and short circuits the inductive load resulting in zero voltage across the load. Opening of the third and first switches directs the inductive current through the subcircuit, developing a negative voltage across the load and thereby rapidly decreasing the inductive current. By controlling the load voltage between a positive and zero voltage and between a negative and zero voltage, the load current is changed quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: A novel ESD protection circuit for multiple power supplies, having both inventive inter-rail ESD circuitry and inventive single-rail ESD circuitry. The inter-rail ESD circuitry is scaleable and comprises one or more diode strings for interconnecting a pair of power rails. The ESD trigger voltage for a diode string is set by the number of diodes within the diode string and preferably a sufficient number of diodes are provided within each diode string for power-up and power-down sequence independence. The single-rail ESD circuitry is connected to a level-shifter and may comprise an RC discriminator comprising two NFET transistors connected in series. The RC discriminator may be connected to a clamping transistor via a buffering circuit, such as an inverter stage, that isolates the gate capacitance of the clamping transistor from the RC discriminator so that the RC characteristics of the RC discriminator are unaffected by the choice of the clamping transistor.

Abstract: The dual feed hot swap battery plant controller for power supplies provides true isolation between buses, both power and return, and enables the use of a single power converter, which may be powered from two totally isolated independent battery plant feeds. The dual feed hot swap battery plant controller is connected to the power and return buses of both a primary and a secondary battery plant. The dual feed hot swap battery plant controller uses a pair of hot swap devices to monitor the power and return buses of both the primary and the secondary battery plants to determine the state of each of these battery plants. The pair of hot swap devices are interconnected to control the operation of a power switching relay device which switches and provides true isolation between buses, both power and return in response to the present state of the battery plants. The switched power and return buses are used to power a single power converter, thereby sharing the power converter between two battery plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic circuit with adjustable delay time for turning on or off an application device or an electronic load. The electronic circuit according to the present invention comprises a switch element for controlling power supplied to a load; and an activation element, coupled to the switch element, for activating the switch element to control power supplied to the load. The activation element includes a sensor for sensing whether there is a change in condition and for delaying activation by the activation element of the switch element upon sensing a change in condition. In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element; the switch element includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET); and the activation element further includes a capacitor and a switch. A change in condition includes an overload and an increase in the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for supplying power to electronic tripping devices from a current-transforming device. A switched-mode power supply unit, in particular a choke/step-up transforming device having a pulse-width voltage control, is connected downstream of a charging capacitor. Once a set point of the output voltage at an output capacitor is reached, only a very high pulse duty factor is provided. Particularly, maximum power point control is provided during an initial charging phase. Circuit configurations of this kind serve the power supply of overvoltage tripping devices in low-voltage and medium-voltage systems.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system that provides a modular arrangement for power and signal distribution in a motor vehicle includes a power distribution circuit board connected to a power supply and to at least one electrical load, switch and control circuit boards electrically connected with the power distribution board via fuses or circuit breakers, and signal distribution devices mounted on the switch and control boards for transmitting control signals between the switch and control boards. The power distribution board includes switching devices for electrically coupling the power supply to the electrical load, the control board has a processor for controlling the operation of the switching devices based on signals received via an external connector.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for detecting the current of a current conductor in order to activate electronically controllable tripping devices, having a line voltage supply unit, with the operating voltage generated by the line voltage supply unit being compared to a reference voltage and the tripping device being activated by a limit voltage that forms when an overcurrent occurs. The a.c. voltage transmitted via secondary phase windings is rectified and supplied to a microprocessor device in the form of an operating voltage by the phases that are not in the measuring state. The processor-controlled phase measurement is performed without load, producing a precise measurement result.

Abstract: A multi-potential guarding technique for preventing electrical charge exchange to or from an electrical system containing potential gradients and sources of electrical noise. An inner electrically conductive guard shield surrounds the system to be guarded. The electrical potential of the inner electrically conductive guard shield is such that there is ideally no net current flow to the guard shield from the electrical system therewithin. An outer electrically conductive guard shield surrounds the inner electrically conductive guard shield. An operational amplifier drives the outer electrically conductive guard shield to an electrical potential that is substantially equal to that of the inner electrically conductive guard shield so that there is substantially no potential difference between the inner and outer guard shields which has the effect of producing a high insulation impedance around the guarded system.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously and independently measuring moisture content and bulk density of particulate materials using radio-frequency measurements allowing for on-line, real-time monitoring and control. Moisture and density are determined by measurements of complex permittivities. This method is based on the use of the dielectric properties of the materials for density and water content determination.

Abstract: A self calibrating method and apparatus for measuring butterfat and protein content based on measuring the microwave absorption of a sample of milk at several microwave frequencies. A microwave energy source injects microwave energy into the resonant cavity for absorption and reflection by the sample undergoing evaluation. A sample tube is centrally located in the resonant cavity passing therethrough and exposing the sample to the microwave energy. A portion of the energy is absorbed by the sample while another portion of the microwave energy is reflected back to an evaluation device such as a network analyzer. The frequency at which the reflected radiation is at a minimum within the cavity is combined with the scatter coefficient S.sub.11 as well as a phase change to calculate the butterfat content in the sample. The protein located within the sample may also be calculated in a likewise manner using the frequency, S.sub.11 and phase variables.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation driver provides programmable current control for a variety of load current ranges using a modulation feedback block. The block scales a signal representative of a sensed current flowing through the load by a selectable gain multiplier. The scaled signal is compared to a target current value to indicate to a driver control when to generate trigger signals for switching current through the load. In this way, load currents can be amplified to match the operational range of the comparator.

Abstract: Output-motor assembly comprising output elements assembled side by side on at least one socket (S), each element comprising switching devices (1, 3, 40) connected to corresponding connectors (50, 51, 52) on a printed circuit placed in the socket, the said connectors being connected to an input side connector (6) in the circuit fitted with groups of connection pins (D1-D8, C1-C8, R1-R8). The input side connector (6) comprises pins used for switching devices of socket (S) connected in a pin order corresponding to the order of the locations of elements on the socket, and pins useable for switching devices in at least one adjacent socket (S). The printed circuit (C) comprises an output side connector (7) with groups of connection pins identical to the groups on the input side connector (6), the useable pins on the input side connector (6) being connected to the same number of the first connection pins on the output side connector (7), in the same order.

Abstract: An annunciator device that utilizes a microprocessor allows for the inclusion of a tachometer or an hourmeter-tachometer, functions that typically require external instruments. A display circuit sequentially provides a digital readout indicative of a fault condition, engine speed and elapsed run time. The system draws sufficiently low current to be powered from a CD ignition or magnetic pickup power supply and backup battery. An annunciator device that allows for the inclusion of a tachometer, or a tachometer and an hourmeter, eliminates a great deal of cost by reducing instrument count, customer wiring, and overall instrument panel size.

Abstract: A power share distribution system and method. Included are: a plurality of power supplies; an isolator provided for each power supply of the plurality of power supplies for selectively blocking/passing an output power from the power supply; and a controller controlling each isolator for passing an output power of each power supply for a predetermined time, such that different groups (including groups of 1) of the plurality of power supplies supply output power to a load at different times. In a preferred embodiment, the power supplies are more particularly current supplies. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the controller more specifically passes an output current of each current supply such that each current supply supplies current to the load for mutually exclusive times.