Abstract: A method for selective allocation of power to elements of a circuit comprises identifying at least one element of the circuit for reduced power dissipation and selecting the at least one element. The method further comprises altering an input to the at least one element thereby reducing the power dissipated by the at least one element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, upon an electrostatic chuck within a semiconductor wafer processing system. Specifically, the apparatus contains high voltage, DC power supply that is capable of both sourcing and sinking current at any polarity of output voltage level. This power supply is coupled to at least one electrode of an electrostatic chuck. Consequently, the power supply can be used to dynamically control the chucking voltage to apply a negative potential difference between said wafer and chuck.

Abstract: A transient protection circuit (14) includes a resistor (22) having a first end adapted for connection to a first signal line (16) of a voltage supply (12) and a second opposite end connected to a voltage supply input (20) of an application circuit (18). In one embodiment, the resistor (22) defines an emitter (26) of a PNP transistor (24) having a floating base (28) and a collector (30) adapted for connection to a reference signal line (15) of the voltage supply (12). In an alternative embodiment (14′), the emitter (26) of the PNP transistor (24) is connected to the first end of the resistor (22). The transient protection circuit (14, 14′) is preferably formed on a monolithic integrated circuit including the application circuit (18) wherein a semiconductor layer (46) defining the first input to the resistor (22) also defines a bond pad (50).

Abstract: A safety relay configuration for linking a power source to a device to be powered via at least one output wherein output contacts all have to be closed to provide power to the device, the configuration including first and second three contact relays or four contact relays, each relay including a first NC contact and at least two NO contacts and, wherein the second relay first contact is linked in parallel with the first relay second contact forming a first parallel configuration, the first relay first contact is linked in parallel with the second relay second contact forming a second parallel configuration, the first parallel configuration is linked in series with the first relay coil between the power source and ground, the second parallel configuration is linked in series with the second relay coil between the power source and ground and the relay third contacts are linked within the outputs between the power source and the device.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a transmission through which an engine can deliver torque to an axle to propel the vehicle and a transfer case associated with the transmission for operating auxiliary equipment. A system for engaging and disengaging the axle from the transmission and for engaging and disengaging the auxiliary equipment contains a first solenoid (20) that operates to a first state when the vehicle is to be propelled and to a second state when the auxiliary equipment is to be operated and a second solenoid (22) that is selectively operable to a first state that causes the auxiliary equipment to be disengaged from the transmission and to a second state that causes the auxiliary equipment to be engaged with the transmission through the transfer case.

Abstract: A bypass switch (155) for use in an electronic device (125) includes a substrate (205) on which first, second, and third terminals (215, 220, 235) are mounted and an electrically conductive primary element (250), having first and second opposing ends, mounted to a bottom surface of the substrate (205) and electrically coupled to the first terminal (215) at its first end and to the second terminal (220) at its second end. The switch (155) also includes an electrically conductive bypass element (255), having first and second opposing ends, mounted to the bottom surface of the substrate (205) and electrically coupled to the third terminal (235) at its first end and vertically aligned, at its second end, with the second end of the primary element (250). A switch actuator (225) is mechanically coupled to the bypass element (255), extends through the substrate (205), and has an actuating surface (290) accessible at a top surface, opposite the bottom surface, of the substrate (205).

Abstract: A bistable micro-electromechanical switch (10) having two parallel plate capacitors (17, 19) spaced a distance from each other on a substrate (12). A transmission line (30), having a detached segment (22), that is movable or the substrate (12), is located on the substrate (12) between the parallel plate capacitors (17, 19). A dielectric beam (24) is attached to the movable transmission line segment (22) and the ends of the dielectric beam (24) protrude into each of the parallel plate capacitors (17, 19). When a voltage (26, 28) is applied to one of the capacitors (17 or 19), the dielectric beam (24) is pulled into the capacitor (17 or 19) and brings the movable transmission line segment (22) with it. As the transmission line segment (22) is moved either into, or out of, alignment with the transmission line (30), a path through the transmission line is either closed, or opened.

Abstract: A semiconductor based relay is provided for selectively coupling differing periodic power sources to loads through semiconductor switches provided therein while selectively using such power sources to also contribute to the operation of the relay circuitry, each in a different manner, in conjunction with selection signals.

Abstract: A micro-miniature switch apparatus (10) includes a substrate (12) having a surface (14) with first and second channels (16, 18) extending from the surface (14) into the substrate (12). The first and second channels (16, 18) are spaced apart from each other, with a channel axis (20) extending longitudinally through the first and second channels (16, 18). A body (68) that is movable relative to the substrate (12) includes two arms (70, 72). Each of the arms (70, 72) extends into one of the first and second channels (16, 18) to support the body (68) for movement relative to the substrate (12) between first and second electrical conditions of the switch apparatus (10).

Abstract: In a key switch device 3, a guide member 10 constructed of a first and a second links 14 and 15, which guides a vertical movement of a key top 9, is movably mounted on a support plate 2 with a mounting member 6 provided with a rotatably supporting portion 7 which rotatably supports a rotatable shaft 18 formed at a lower end of the first link 14 and a slidably supporting portion 8 which slidably supports a slidable shaft 20 formed at a lower end of the second link 15. The mounting member 6 is fixed on the support plate 2 with a first, second, and third adhesive layers 24, 25, and 26.

Abstract: An inductive lightening surge installed at input and output circuits or other locations of circuits of communication devices where a surge noise may be generated or a surge absorber for avoiding failure and erroneous operation of electronic devices by mixed contact or the like of AC circuits in which a first terminal electrode 2, a conductive film 5 having a micro-gap 3 and a second terminal electrode 4 are formed in shapes of concentric circles on an insulating substrate 1 in a flat plate shape.

Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a current-loop controller driven by the EMF in the loop without the need for external power operates devices connected in the loop (in series) within the current operating range.

Abstract: A cable apparatus makes a selection between supply of an internal power to a predetermined interface device and that of an external power to the interface device in compliance with the interface standard applied to the predetermined interface device. The cable apparatus includes an internal power terminal connectable to an internal power source, a plurality of external power terminals connectable to an external power source, and a plurality of power lines connected to the internal power terminal and/or external power terminals.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling AC supply switches is disclosed, in which the AC supply is switched between a lamp load (1) by means of a power triac (2) and a circuit which converts the AC supply voltage to a DC voltage by using a bridge circuit and a voltage limiting circuit for powering auxiliary control circuits. A triggering circuit which actuates power triac (2) in response to a switch control signal (21) comprises an opto-coupled triac driver (14). The apparatus can also be adapted to perform AC supply switching for multiple lamp loads.

Abstract: A plural output control station for operating electrical apparatus, such as model electric train engines and accessories. The control station employs a data processor for monitoring and controlling the signals generated at a plurality of transformer-driven power output terminals. An exemplary station includes two variable-voltage alternating current (AC) output channels (TRACK 1 and TRACK 2) and two fixed-voltage AC output channels (AUX 1 & AUX 2). The variable-voltage outputs are controlled by a data processor responsive to respective operator-controlled throttles for varying the AC output voltage and therefore the rate of movement and direction of electric train engines, typically three-rail O-gauge model trains. The variable-voltage outputs can also be offset by the data processor with positive and negative DC voltages for enabling engine functions such as horns, whistles and bells.

Abstract: The power meter, required in most utility grid connectged applications to measure load consumption, is utilized to provide a feedback to an associated turbogenerator power controller, providing a control system for peak shaving, load following, reactive power control, reverse flow protection and load analysis for scheduled turbogenerator operation. This control system operates with simple discrete signals for peak shaving operation, to more complex pulse signals for load following, to load profile analysis and scheduled operation based on a microprocessor based serial input from a digital power meter.

Abstract: A pulse generator comprises a pulse forming line having a helical core winding surrounded by an outer winding, and a transformer having primary and secondary windings. The secondary winding is arranged about the core winding and the primary winding is arranged to co-act with the secondary winding such that the primary winding energizes the secondary winding when a suitable voltage is applied to the primary winding by a charging circuit connected to either end of the winding. The secondary winding through transformer action charges the pulse forming line. The pulse forming line has a load and a switch connected between the core winding and the outer winding. At the appropriate time the switch is closed such that energy stored in the line is discharged to the load as a pulse.

Abstract: One method for predicting incipient failure includes starting an engine of a locomotive; obtaining charge current sample values of the energy storage unit during energy storage unit charging at a predetermined rate for a predetermined period of time; calculating an average value of the charge current sample values; and using the average value of the charge current sample to predict incipient failure in the energy storage unit or the energy storage unit cabling. A related method includes obtaining crank voltage sample values of the energy storage unit during cranking; calculating an average value of the crank voltage sample values; and using the average value of the crank voltage sample to predict incipient failure in the energy storage unit or the energy storage unit cabling.

Abstract: A back-up power accessory is described for storing back-up power for a computer and for providing the computer with the back-up power for a limited period of time upon failure of an AC power supply to the computer, the accessory being electrically connectable to the computer and including a first detection mechanism for detecting AC power failure of said computer; a second detection mechanism for receiving a suspend signal from the computer which signal indicates that the computer is in a power consuming sleep state; a third detection mechanism for receiving an on/off signal from the computer which on/off signal indicates that the computer requires full power; and a shutdown mechanism that cooperates with said first, second and third detection mechanisms upon AC power failure and detection of either the suspend signal or the on/off signal to send a fail signal to the computer for causing the computer to perform a safe shut-down.

Abstract: In a frequency conversion apparatus, a first frequency conversion section is disposed in a first accommodating site, a second frequency conversion section is disposed in a second accommodating site, two shield plates are interposed between the first accommodating site and the second accommodating site, a first partitioned chamber is formed in the region surrounded by the shield plates, a first power supply line is disposed in the first partitioned chamber. Power is directly supplied from the first power supply line to the first frequency conversion section and the second frequency conversion section. With this arrangement, interference caused by the existence of two local oscillators is reduced without increasing the size of metal cases.