Abstract: A control unit stops the supply of constant voltage into a vehicle electronic control unit in an abnormal state even though the ignition is off. A delay circuit for delaying an ignition OFF signal is installed outside the central processing unit. By controlling the power source to OFF by an output signal of the delay circuit or by the delay circuit for delaying by a longer time than that of a shut-off signal from the CPU due to the ignition OFF signal, and by the AND circuit of the output signal of the delay circuit and the shut-off signal from the CPU, and by an output signal of the AND circuit which is changed from high to low, the power supply from the power source IC is stopped.
Abstract: The present invention discloses a current-limiting protection circuit for a power supply, which applies to a power supply that has a maximum power-limiting function, wherein the user will be alarmed by a time-delay alarm circuit of the current-limiting protection circuit when the power used by the loads is in a heavy-load state or a full-load state, and within the delay time preset in the time-delay alarm circuit, the user can adjust the power-limiting value according to the power needed by the loads. Thus, via the current-limiting protection circuit for the power supply of the present invention, the objective of the best power selection and protection of the power supply is achieved.
Abstract: A fail-safe control system for controlling valves in power generation systems is presented. The AC-coupled, rectified signal supplied to one valve is disabled in the event that the other valve fails. This failure is sensed, for example, through the use of power sensing circuitry configured to sense and multiply the voltage and current applied to the valve. Components such as capacitors and transformers are used exclusively such that only AC power (and not DC power) is transferred, ensuring that, in the worst case, the valves are disabled in the event of a failure.
Abstract: A multiple function safety compliance test instrument includes a high voltage output switching relay protected by a solid state in-line circuit breaker.
Abstract: A blasting system includes a wireless link between a blast controller and a plurality of electronic detonators. Each detonator includes a respective electronic initiator and an explosive charge. Charge storage devices of the initiators are chargeable by a carrier of a first signal having a first frequency (f1) in the order of 400 MHz-500 MHz and which is broadcasted by the blast controller. Each initiator further includes logic circuitry driven by a clock signal which is derived from the first signal and having a clock frequency of about 4 kHz, which is substantially less than the first frequency.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 1, 2002
Date of Patent:
February 5, 2008
Assignee:
Orica Explosives Technology Pty. Ltd.
Inventors:
Erich Nicol Meyer, Charles Michael Lownds
Abstract: A battery protection structure is described. The structure provides battery overcharging protection while allowing for minimal battery voltage drop during normal battery operation. One resistance element sets voltage drop during normal operation, and the sum of two resistance elements sets the maximum battery charging current which will be allowed. The structure provides protection against single component failures.
Abstract: A circuit element includes a foam pad having a plurality of electrically conductive granules some of which are in electrical contact with each other and some of which are spaced apart from each other and an electrical path defined through the pad by the granules. The pad has a very high resistance which is a function of the geometry of the pad as well as the electrical path. The pad can be used to dissipate ESD as well as a resistor element. The pad is very versatile and can be used in a large number of situations and in conjunction with other circuit elements.
Abstract: An electric steering lock device is configured with a control unit to operate a steering column lock between a steering locked state and a steering unlocked state. The electric steering lock device has a locking limit switch that turns on when a locking member reaches the locking stop position, and turns off when an unlocking command for the locking member is outputted. An unlocking limit switch of the electric steering lock device turns on when the locking member reaches the unlocking stop position, and turns off when a locking command for the locking member is outputted. The electric steering lock control unit determines that the locking limit switch or the unlocking limit switch has malfunctioned based on the state of the locking member.
Abstract: An electrical distribution system includes a plurality of separate consumer modules for supplying power to a plurality of consumer loads, respectively. Each of the consumer modules includes an overload fault detection device for automatically interrupting the supply of power to a given consumer load upon the detection of a fault therein by an overload protection arrangement. When the voltage drop across a measuring resistor exceeds a given threshold value, a non-conducting transistor becomes conductive, thereby opening a gate circuit to disconnect the consumer load from its power supply. Resistors of varying resistance values may be selected manually or by remote control to correspond with the demand requirements of the consumer loads.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 26, 2005
Date of Patent:
February 5, 2008
Assignee:
Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
Inventors:
Klaus Korsten, Christian Tepper, Matthias Müller, Michael Buschkamp
Abstract: In a current limiter for limiting currents in case of a fault including an additional device comprising an additional electric valve connected in series and being conductive in the same direction as the associated main valve, two series-connected valve branches arranged in opposition bypass two series connected current limiting inductors and both additional valves are bypassed by a similar passively complex connection for limiting current in the case of a fault, wherein the current limiter is not noticeable during normal operation, but, in the event of a fault, effectively limits the short circuit to a predetermined extent.
Abstract: An electronic power circuit includes at least one power semiconductor whose control inputs are connected to a trigger device and a power supply which, on the output side, is connected to terminals of the trigger device and, on the input side, is connected to an accessory device to which a supply voltage is applied. The power semiconductor is implemented as a self-conducting power semiconductor, which economically reduces the forward power losses and switching losses of an electronic power circuit.
Abstract: An electric generation control device detects the occurrence of a failure such as a short circuit failure and an open failure in one of a pair of power transistors, which form a H bridge circuit composed of excitation switching elements and regeneration switching elements for controlling the electric generation of an electric generator, by measuring a voltage difference between both end terminals of a field winding of the electric generator. When detecting the failure of the power transistor based on the voltage difference measured, the electric generation control device provides warning of the occurrence of the failure through a charge lamp and controls the operation of by using the remaining normal power transistors in order to continue the electric generation of the electric generator.
Abstract: The invention relates to a method for switching a semi-conductor circuit breaker by means of which the resistance of the breaker gap of the semi-conductor circuit breaker is controlled by a control voltage (Vst), such that the power loss (Pist) from the circuit breaker does not exceed a predetermined setpoint (Psoll). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method wherein a transfer gate, which is controlled by a charge pump, is used as a semi-conductor circuit breaker.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 5, 2003
Date of Patent:
February 5, 2008
Assignee:
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Inventors:
Stephan Bolz, Tudor-Ion Gamulescu, Rainer Knorr, Günter Lugert
Abstract: An apparatus for impact with a target includes electrodes deployed after contact is made between the apparatus and the target. Spacing of deployed electrodes may be more accurate and/or more repeatable for more effective delivery of an immobilizing stimulus signal.
Abstract: A device for magnetizing a magnet system preferably having several pulse-generator circuits which are mutually arranged so that their magnetic fields superimpose in a cumulative manner. Each pulse-generator circuit includes a capacitor element, a magnetization coil electrically connected to the capacitor element and a switch element by way of which actuation the magnetization coil can be impinged with a current pulse of a limited pulse duration arising by the discharge of the capacitor element, and thus the build-up of a magnetic field may be triggered. The pulse-generator circuit is built up so that the pulse duration of the current pulse is limited to a value between 10 ?s and 500 ?s. With such short pulse durations, undesirable heating of the magnetization coil is short so that the device may be applied in automatic production installations with cycle times of below 1 s.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 2, 2004
Date of Patent:
January 29, 2008
Assignee:
Albert Maurer
Inventors:
Albert Maurer, Urs Meyer, Stefan Haas, Olivier Mueller
Abstract: Reduce breakdown voltage and control breakdown path for electrostatic discharge to terminals of microelectronic packages, such as no-connect Land Grid Array (LGA) pads. In one embodiment, solder resist openings with a small separation distance are used to provide an air breakdown path between a no-connect LGA pad and the surrounding metal and to reduce the breakdown voltage. In one implementation, the no-connect pad has a non-round shape with a protruding portion on the dielectric layer. The air surrounding a solder resist opening over the tip of the protruding portion of the no-connect pad and a nearby solder resist opening over the surrounding metal provides a shortest air breakdown path and the lowest breakdown voltage. Alternatively, sharp features (e.g., metal traces) with a minimum separation distance can be arranged pointing at each other under the solder resist layer, or other dielectric layer inside the package, to provide a non-exposed breakdown path.
Abstract: An apparatus for powering on a terminal with a keypad by randomly selecting any key of the keypad. The keypad includes a plurality of keys, each of which has at least one set of contacts.
Abstract: A system and method for driving a load at a desired operating level. A driver is connected to a load. The load can be selected from a plurality of loads by a selection system, such as a multiplexer, or a single load can be utilized. Feedback from the load is provided to the driver for achieving the desired operating level. A zero temperature coefficient resistance formed by two resistors having different resistances can be used so that the driver emulates an ideal resistor having a substantially zero temperature coefficient, providing a temperature independent current to the load.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 19, 2003
Date of Patent:
January 29, 2008
Assignee:
Texas Instruments Incorporated
Inventors:
Eric C. Blackall, David J. Baldwin, Patrick P. Siniscalchi
Abstract: An information handling system power supply system has a plurality of power supply units (PSUs) with outputs connected in parallel and a current balancing circuit for equalizing current from these outputs. A pseudo output current value may be added to the actual output current value for each PSU so that the parallel load sharing current balance system thinks all of the PSUs are sharing the load equally. This allows simple and inexpensive paralleling of differently rated PSUs without complex load sharing circuitry. Also, PSU stress factors may be easily compensated. For each PSU there may be a first voltage, VS1, generated that is proportional to the output current of the respective PSU. A pseudo current bias voltage, VIbais, is added to the first voltage, VS1, to produce a biased second voltage, VS2, (VS2=VS1+VIbais). The biased second voltage, VS2, now represents the apparent current output of the respective PSU when current load balancing each PSU of the power supply system.
Abstract: A surge protection device includes a first electrode and a second electrode. An air breakdown spark gap is between the second and first electrodes, an arc being formed upon an ignition of the air breakdown spark gap. A series arrangement of a potential dividing element and an ignition element is connected to the first and second electrodes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 28, 2002
Date of Patent:
January 29, 2008
Assignee:
Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
Inventors:
Rainer Durth, Martin Wetter, Joachim Wosgien