Abstract: A method of and apparatus for compensating printing heads which operate in thermal drop on demand printing modes for the effects of thermal lag includes a counter which provides a number representing the amount of elapsed time during a heater energizing pulse as a proportion of the entire pulse duration. The output of the counter is connected to a device which determines the power supply voltage required at the said elapsed time. This result is used to control a programmable power supply which is connected to the heater power supply of the print head. The device is preferably a lookup table stored in digital memory, containing a pulse waveform calculated using iterated transient finite element analysis of the thermal state of the nozzle during simulated operation.

Abstract: In a battery charger in which an output voltage and an output current from the battery charger are compared with a reference voltage, respectively, and an error voltage is fed back, so that, in an initial charging period, constant-current charging is performed and, after a battery voltage reaches a constant value, constant-voltage charging is performed, an adder 11 for adding a voltage Vg which is proportional to a charging current of a battery 9, to the reference voltage Vr which is to be compared with the output voltage of the battery charger 20 is disposed, and the output voltage V of the battery charger 20 is controlled while feeding back an error voltage obtained as a result of a comparison of the added value output from the adder 11 with the output voltage V of the battery charger 20.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for charging a secondary battery arranged in such a manner that the interterminal voltage of the battery, which is being charged, is measured so that the charging status of the battery is detected in accordance with the measured interterminal voltage of the battery which is being charged and the charging/discharging characteristics with respect to the interterminal voltage of the battery. As a result, the charging status of the battery can accurately be detected.

Abstract: In an exemplary fast charging system, a hand-held computerized terminal with rechargeable batteries therein may be bodily inserted into a charger receptacle. The terminal may have volatile memory and other components requiring load current during charging. The system may automatically identify battery type and progressively increase charging current while monitoring for an increase in battery terminal voltage to ascertain the level of load current. The battery temperature may be brought into a relationship to surrounding temperature such that by applying a suitable overcharge current value and observing any resultant temperature increase, the level of remaining battery charge can be determined. For example, if the battery is found to be relatively fully discharged, a relatively high fast-charge rate may be safely applied while monitoring battery temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a battery has a power supply terminal, a controllable power control switch coupled to said power supply terminal, a charging circuit having a charging terminal for connection to a terminal of the battery, and means for opening and closing the power control switch if a battery is disconnected or connected to the charging terminal, respectively. The means for opening and closing the power control switch may include an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a hybrid analog/digital circuit or a mechanical switch. A method of controlling a power control switch of a battery charging system is disclosed, comprising the steps of generating a reference voltage level, sensing the voltage level at the charging terminal, comparing the voltage level at the charging terminal to the reference voltage, and controlling the power control switch in response to the comparison of the reference voltage level and the voltage level at the charging terminal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a resistive circuit. The resistive circuit includes a plurality of resistor networks disposed on a substrate. The resistor networks also includes a plurality of resistive circuit elements. The resistor networks further includes a plurality of termination contacts each connected to one of the resistive circuit elements. Each of the termination contacts is disposed on an edge of the substrate and each of the termination contacts is separated from a next termination contact by an edge trench disposed on the edge of the substrate whereby a distance across the edge trench defining a pitch between the termination contacts.

Abstract: A charging apparatus having a power supply circuit that provides a DC output current via a sense resistor. A current detector amplifies, detects and provides a voltage across the sense resistor. A controller designates the output of the current detector as a determination signal when the DC output current is equal to a preset voltage. Responsive to the determination signal, the controller generates a control signal in order to control the DC output current of the power supply circuit. More particularly, the current detector includes a first differential amplifier that amplifies and output the voltage across the sense resistor, a second differential amplifier amplifies and supplies a differential voltage between the output of the first differential amplifier and a predetermined first reference voltage, and a first output circuit responsive to the output of the second differential amplifier delivers the determination signal.

Abstract: A virtual-drum capstan-driven device for outputting images from electronic files onto paper, film or plate material has increased output speed and reduced cost compared to an internal drum device. A capstan drive moves web type image recording media through a curved media platen having an upper curved surface and a lower curved surface which form the media into a virtual drum. The optical system has a rotating reflective spinner at the center of curvature of the virtual drum to scan modulated image date across media while being continuously driven. A tensioning mechanism maintains the media in a taught configuration and works in cooperation with the capstan drive to accurately control the motion of the media during imaging.

Abstract: A charging station system of electric vehicles having a building which contains the charging equipment and may provide other auxiliary services. The system includes a T-bar which extends from the building to provide charging stalls or locations spaced along the T-bar. The building is modular and incorporates a standard ISO type configuration for ease and convenience of installation and transportation.

Abstract: A battery charger control system and method for maximizing output power to a battery. This is achieved by ensuring operation at either the maximum allowable input current or the thermal limit imposed by the battery charger using an on-line controller. In the invention, the thermal limit is determined by the junction temperatures of the two main IGBT's. Because direct measurement of these temperatures is impractical, they must be calculated by a computer algorithm that uses various on-line measurements. Test results for a 8 kW battery charger indicate reduction in the bulk charging time from conventional battery chargers of about 26% when charging a set of NiFe batteries.

Abstract: The charging voltage U.sub.L of the battery being charged is sensed and amplified by an amplification factor. The amplification factor is determined by the sensed charging voltage. This provides automatic scaling of the charging voltage. The amplification factor K can be repetitively or continuously adjusted during battery charging. The time behavior of the input signal is monitored. The monitoring unit determines whether the time behavior of the input signal fulfills predetermined or given criteria. When a criterion is met, a check-result signal is generated, which controls charging, for example, by stopping charging when the time behavior indicates charging is completed. Time behavior is monitored by monitoring a second order time derivative of the input signal. The monitoring unit performs optimally within a certain magnitude range. Therefore, the amplification factor is adjusted to set the input signal at a magnitude within that range.

Abstract: A ground heating system is provided comprising an internal combustion engine which has a shaft output and an exhaust gas stream. An electric alternator/generator is driven by the shaft output of the engine. A working fluid is provided for transferring heat to the ground. A heat exchanger receives the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine and transfers waste heat from the exhaust gas to the working fluid. An electric heating element is provided for converting some of the electric output of the generator into heat and transferring this heat to the working fluid. A pump circulates the working fluid through a ground-engaging heat exchanger.

Abstract: A safety device for a portable battery-powered electric apparatus having a battery unit with one or more battery cells for supplying power to electric circuitry in the apparatus. The apparatus is connectable to a charging device for charging the battery unit while maintaining the supply of power to the apparatus. The safety device has a first fuse device connected between the battery unit and a first terminal of the apparatus for receiving charging current from the charging device, and a second fuse device connected between the battery unit and a second terminal of the apparatus for supplying power to electric circuitry in the apparatus. The fuse devices are operatively independent of each other, particularly in that the second fuse device maintains the electric connection between the battery unit and the electric circuitry in the apparatus, even when or if the first fuse device releases or opens in response to an undesired condition in the charging device.

Abstract: An emergency light system adapted to be powered by a vehicle wet cell battery that includes a rectangular shaped snap on system housing member that has a battery top receiving compartment formed therein, first and second terminal receiving members extending into the battery top receiving compartment and two snap connectors for snap connecting the system housing member to a vehicle wet cell battery, the first and second terminal receiving members each having a cylindrical shaped terminal receiving cavity formed therein sized to receive a battery terminal of a vehicle wet cell battery and having a spring biased electrical contact positioned therein, each spring biased electrical contact including an electrically conducting biasing spring and a contact member attached to a moveable end of the biasing spring; a rectangular shaped bulb housing positioned on top of the system housing member and defining a lamp compartment in connection with a rectangular diffuser lens opening, the rectangular shaped bulb housing in

Abstract: In a method for supplying voltage to a motor vehicle with a battery, with a generator driven by the engine of the vehicle, and a device for regulating the idle rpm of the engine as a function of the respective operating state of the battery, the device for regulating the idle rpm is subject to a regulating signal that depends on the charge state of the battery.

Abstract: A circuit for conditioning a battery having a casing and battery charging terminals for charging the battery from an external power source. The conditioning circuit is preferably contained within the battery casing and comprises a discharging circuit for discharging the electrical charge of the battery and a switching circuit coupled to the battery charging terminals and to the discharging circuit for automatically selecting between a first state, disabling the battery charging terminals from providing charging access to the battery and coupling the discharging circuit to the battery for discharging the battery as long as the battery voltage is above a predetermined voltage level, and a second state, disconnecting the discharging circuit from the battery whenever the battery voltage is at or below the predetermined voltage level and enabling the battery charging terminals for providing charging access to the battery.

Abstract: The battery apparatus has a circuit to turn off a switching device and suspend charging when rechargeable battery voltage exceeds a specified voltage, and to turn on the switching device and resume charging when rechargeable battery voltage drops below the specified voltage. The switching device is switched on and off to pulse charge the rechargeable battery. When cut-off of charging voltage to the rechargeable battery is detected, an over-ride circuit forces the switching device on, or a forced discharge circuit discharges the rechargeable battery until battery voltage drops below the specified voltage.

Abstract: In a battery-driven portable computer, a battery pack is constituted by m battery sets connected in series each including n lithium-ion secondary battery cells connected in parallel. A voltage monitor for monitoring the voltage of the terminal electrode of each battery set and a charger for independently appropriately charging each battery set in accordance with a monitor result are arranged, thereby realizing battery driving by a lithium-ion secondary battery pack having a large capacity.

Abstract: A connection system and connection method for easily charging an electric automotive vehicle are provided. A secondary coil 20 connected with a battery 21 is provided at the bottom of a body of an electric automotive vehicle E. On the other hand, a recess A is formed in the ground of a parking lot, and a coil moving device 30 for movably supporting a primary coil 10 is installed in the recess A. Three magnetic sensors 50 are provided on a body 40 of the coil moving device 30. Further, power supply circuits 13a to 13e provided in an external power supply equipment 11 at the back of the parking lot and a main controller 12 supply power to the primary coil 10, magnetic sensors 50 and coil moving device 30 and control them. In order to charge the battery 21, the vehicle E is parked, straddling the recess A, and the secondary coil 20 is excited.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, a plurality of color images of component colors are combined to form a full color image. These images of the component colors are overlapped on an intermediate recording medium, and are then transferred to a transfer medium. Control circuitry reduces the amount of time required to form the component color images on the intermediate transfer medium, and to prevent an abnormality such as an out-of-phase or pull-out of a closed loop control circuit for controlling such a formation of the component color images. This may be achieved by abruptly changing a phase of a motor synchronizing signal. Further, for a period of time after the motor synchronizing signal is abruptly changed, a gain of an amplifier in the motor control circuit can be reduced, an abnormality detection in the motor control circuit can be reduced, the motor control circuit can be placed in an open loop state, or an addition or subtraction signal can be input to the closed loop motor control circuit.