Abstract: A control device (1) for a motor vehicle, for an automatic or semi-automatic transmission, is provided on a supporting arm (2). The control device comprises two actuation elements (7, 8), comprising as touch contact switches (5, 6), and a liquid crystal display (3) which, in addition to the shifting position which has been set, also represents all the other possible shifting positions. The control device (1) is located in constant field of vision of the motor vehicle driver and thus makes control easier.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for use in connection with the steering wheel of a vehicle. It consists of a fixed body, attached to the steering column, and a movable body, rotatable with respect to the fixed body and affixed to the steering wheel. The movable body and fixed body together define a toroidal space in which a coiled flat cable is contained. The ends of the cable carry connectors from the electrical system of the vehicle to (for example) an air bag actuating mechanism. A cable reel, made up of the fixed and movable bodies and the flat cable, is inserted into a hollow space in the switch body and is affixed thereto. As a result, the switch body and its operating lever can be maintained close to the underside of the steering wheel, even if the height of the flat cable is substantially increased. This permits the operation of the switches which are part of the switch body while the driver's hands remain on the rim of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A control stalk includes a support shaft and a head mounted on the support shaft. At least the head is rotatably mounted on the support shaft and latches in various radial switch positions. In each radial switch position, additional switch positions can be triggered by pivoting the support shaft. In order to create a control stalk that permits improved operation, especially when different devices to be operated are associated with the various radial switch positions, it is provided that at least the head be capable of being brought into a specified radial switch position by outside force. The outside force can be responsive to a telephone call.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the weight of an object and providing a digital representation of a weight range within which the sensed weight falls, and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a vehicular air bag in accordance with the weight of a passenger seated in a vehicle seat adjacent the air bag. A number of two-position switches 28 normally assume a first position and are responsive to a force of at least a predetermined amount to assume a second position. The first position represents a first weight range, and the second position represents a second weight range. A support surface 58, 60 overlies the switches to support an object to be weighed. A decoding circuit 30 monitors the positions of each of the two-position switches and provides a digital representation of the weight range within which the weight of the object falls. In the vehicular air bag system, a number of groups of the two-position switches 28 are mounted in a passenger seat 52 adjacent the air bag.

Abstract: A passive processing circuit for processing a ground side switch closure to a CMOS input (20) of an MCU, particularly useful in a D.C. electrical system where ground offsets may occur, such as in an automotive vehicle. Three resistors (R1, R2, R3) are connected between supply and ground potentials of a D.C. power supply voltage (10). The junction of two (R1, R2) connects to an output (16) of a grounded input switch (12). The junction of two (R2, R3) connects to the CMOS input (20). A fourth resistor (R4) connects between the bi-directional input/output (22) of the MCU and the junction of the second and third resistors. The MCU executes an algorithm that selectively allows and disallows the resistor (R4) to coact with the second and third resistors. The circuit provides a cost-efficient solution for extending the range of supply line voltage over which a CMOS input can correctly read a switch closure.

Abstract: A power station (10) includes a generator (13) which is driven by a turbine (11). The power station produces electrical power and outputs the electrical power to a network (17) via a generator switch (14). An electrical standby load (18) is also provided. When a network fault occurs, the generator is disconnected from the network by the generator switch and connected to the electrical standby load. The electrical standby load emulates the real load of the network that was present prior to the network fault, so that the voltage of the generator is stabilized at a constant phase difference or phase angle with respect to the voltage of the network that was present prior to the network fault. Alternatively, the value of the electrical standby load is adjusted during isolation of the generator from the network, to track the network while the generator is disconnected from the network and match the voltage phase angle of the generator to the network.

Abstract: An electric switching device comprises a quick mechanical electric switch and an irradiation source and at least one switching element sensitive to irradiation and adapted to create an electrically well conducting current path by-passing the electric mechanical switch upon irradiation thereon through the irradiation source, but assuming an electrically insulating state in absence of irradiation thereon. The quick mechanical electric switch is capable of being quickly de-ionized after extinction of an electric arc created therein upon separation of the contacts of the mechanical switch.

Abstract: An undervoltage circuit breaker has an electromagnet for triggering a switching device and a driver circuit that supplies power to the electromagnet. The driver circuit contains a pulse generator for generating a holding current for the electromagnet and a capacitance dimensioned so that delayed triggering of the electromagnet is possible. Due to the variable pulse duty factor of the pulse generator, the energy content of the capacitance is utilized favorably. An elevated operating voltage can also be selected and therefore a smaller capacitor may be selected to advantage.

Abstract: A spectrum analyzer in which automatic setting of parameters such as band width is done by the analyzer without manual operator input and noise measurements are determined and displayed to the operator. This is accomplished by an input signal being supplied to a frequency mixer via an input variable attenuator. The frequency of the input signal is mixed with the frequency of a local signal from a frequency sweep generator. The mixed signal is then supplied to a band pass filter and the output of the filter is amplified by an amplifier. The frequency of the amplified output is mixed with the frequency of a local signal from a local oscillator by a frequency mixer. The intermediate frequency signal is taken out by a band pass filter and the output is detected by a detector. The detected output is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter after passing through a low pass filter and the digital signal is stored in a buffer memory. A CPU sets an attenuation amount.

Abstract: A probe for testing integrated circuits at microwave frequencies employs a tapered coaxial transmission line to transform the impedance at the probe tips to the impedance of the test instruments. Mechanically resilient probe tip structures allow reliable probing of non-planar circuits and the elastic probe body allows large overprobing without damage to the test circuit. Novel insulator structures for the coaxial line allow easy and accurate assembly and high performance.

Abstract: In order to minimize the overall size of a firing capacitor and to minimize the energy which is not utilized during a firing operation, the firing capacitor charge voltage U0 is set to be equal to 2*R*I, where R designates the internal resistance of the firing cap and I designates the firing current. The capacitance value C0 of the firing capacitor is set to C0=T/R, where T designates the period for which the firing current flows.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated uninterruptable power supply (UPS) for a computer powered by a commercial power supply. The uninterruptable power supply is operative to feed power from a normal power supply to a first load to be operated at a first DC voltage and a second DC voltage that is lower than the first DC voltage. If a characteristic of the normal power supply is deviated from a defined value, the UPS of the present invention will continue feeding power from a battery power supply to the first load. The uninterruptable power supply includes a power supply unit, having an output connected to the first load, for converting a voltage of the normal power supply to the first DC voltage and for outputting the same. The UPS also includes a first voltage converter having an input connected to the battery and an output connected to the first load, for converting an output voltage of the battery to the second DC voltage and for outputting the same.

Abstract: A sensing circuit is useful with a power outlet and a power tool having power supplied thereto via the power outlet. The sensing circuit includes a generator, a transmitter, and a detector. A first signal having a high frequency is developed by the generator and supplied to a first terminal of the power outlet by the transmitter. The detector is coupled to the second terminal of the power outlet and tuned in accordance with the high frequency to develop a second signal indicative of whether the power tool is coupled to the power outlet. The sensing circuit may be used in conjunction with a regulating circuit and a two-position switch useful for controlling the electrical energy supplied to the power tool and a vacuum cleaner having the power outlet disposed thereon.

Abstract: A probe is provided for electrically testing high-density printed circuit boards on a bed of nails test fixture. An elongated probe is provided with a fixed contact point interfacing with the PCB under test and a spring loaded probe on the opposite end of the probe barrel contact the interface between the test fixture and test equipment. A mechanism is provided which maintains the probe in precise perpendicular orientation to the X and Y planes while permitting movement of the probe along its axis in the Z plane.

Abstract: A high output level is maintained in power supplies having multiple cells in each leg. Failed cells in any leg are bypassed to provide a current path through the respective leg. All of the unfailed cells are utilized while maintaining equal magnitude between phases and a balance phase relationship in the line-to-line output voltage. The invention may be utilized in conjunction with a peak voltage reduction circuit, and a by-pass switch.

Abstract: An innovative multi-dimensional, low frequency, impedance measurement probe array, measurement system, and method are disclosed for detecting flaws in conductive articles. The device and method provide for contacting a conductive article with an multi-probe array of current and voltage probes, injecting current sequentially through a plurality of current probe pairs and measuring absolute or relative voltages with a plurality of voltage probes and voltage probe pairs across the surface of an article for each current flow condition. The device and method further provide for constructing a voltage profile across the surface of an article where disruptions in the voltage profile enable detection of the presence, location and orientation of flaws for flaw sizes as low as 20 um.

Abstract: A selective ignition switch for a vehicle provided with two motors is disclosed herein. The selective ignition switch includes a selective switch assembly, a lock assembly to energize the selective switch assembly and a key to toggle the lock assembly. The selective switch assembly and the lock assembly are connected to a controller that activate the selective ignition switch mechanism relay the signals from the selective switch assembly to the two ignition systems of the vehicle.

Abstract: An active current limiter controls the flow of current between a power source and a load. The active current limiter includes a power switch coupled between the power source an the load, a current sensor coupled between the power source and the load to sense the level of current flow through the power switch, and one or more fault detection circuits coupled to the current sensor for sensing one or more current fault conditions between the power source and the load and configured to switch of the power switch when a current fault condition is detected.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for conducting current from an ac voltage source to an associated electrical load having a power supply circuit for feeding current to the load in alternate half cycles. The circuit comprises in combination with an ac voltage source and first circuit for conducting current in one direction through the load in a first half cycle and second circuit for conducting current through the load in the opposing direction in a second half cycle, the first and second circuit being responsive to the positive and negative cycling of the ac voltage source; a first switching control responsive to the positive half of the sinusoidal voltage waveform from the ac voltage source for energizing the first circuit and a second switching control responsive to the negative half of the sinusoidal voltage waveform from the ac voltage source for energizing the second circuit.

Abstract: A instrumentation system is disclosed for providing improved reliability when used in a vehicle. The vehicle instrumentation system includes a plurality electronic component units and a reference portion which functions as a platform. The electronic component units have connecting portions, while the reference portion has mounting portions that have a plug-in structure. The electronic component units are mounted to the reference portion via the mounting portions. The vehicle instrumentation system receives current through the connecting portion of one of the electronic component units and through the connector of the reference portion. Current through the reference portion is prevented from introducing noise through the connecting portions of the electronic component units because it passes directly from the vehicle battery through a fuse box.