Abstract: To provide a circuit arrangement for controlling a sensor by means of a power supply source which is connected to input terminals of the sensor, and an evaluation circuit which is connected to output terminals of the sensor, by means of which the current consumption of a sensor in the standby state can be reduced in a simple manner, the power supply source (14) is switchable between at least two current levels in dependence upon an output signal level (S) of the sensor (12).

Abstract: The apparatus is intended for disconnection of a live electrical conductor and has an enclosure (3) and two power connections (1, 2) which are passed out of the enclosure (3). A conductor section (7) which connects the two power connections (1, 2) to one another and a propellant means are arranged in the enclosure interior (4). The propellant means is used to produce an amount of compressed gas which is sufficient to disconnect the conductor section (7) when a fault current occurs. The propellant means is kept free of combustible substances and is chosen such that the amount of compressed gas which is required for disconnection can be thermally released from the propellant means by the electrical work produced by the fault current. Since explosive substances are avoided in the apparatus, the apparatus can be produced, transported, installed and maintained completely safely. After being commissioned, the apparatus is distinguished by high operational reliability.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit has an output voltage detection resistor for detecting an output voltage. A foldback overcurrent protection circuit detects an output current flowing through an output transistor and controls the output current flowing through the output transistor in accordance with the detected output current. A first logic generating circuit receives an overcurrent detection signal from the foldback overcurrent protection circuit corresponding to the detected output current. A second logic generating circuit receives a detection signal from the output voltage detection resistor corresponding to a decrease in the detected output voltage. An AND circuit receives and processes an overcurrent delay signal generated by the first logic generating circuit and a voltage detection signal generated by the second logic generating circuit.

Abstract: To provide an electronic device starter that does not waste electric power while it is not being used and a vehicle tire monitoring system in which the starter is used for eliminating waste of electric power of batteries for its detectors. In a vehicle tire monitoring system according to the present invention, a monitor unit sends a start signal at time intervals T1 by using an electromagnetic wave, a rectifier circuit 33 in a detector 3 which received the start signal converts a high-frequency electromotive force caused by the start signal at an antenna 31 into electric energy, this electric energy operates a central processing section 34, a detector section 35, and a transmitting section 36, the central processing section 34 which started operating places a Field Effect Transistor 382 in the on state to supply electric power from a battery 381 to a sensor section 37 to operate the sensor section 37.

Abstract: Switch card apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a circuit includes a first portion having a first switch adapted to be coupled to a first voltage, a second portion including a second switch, and a third portion including a third switch. The first portion activates the first switch to couple the first voltage to the second portion. Similarly, the second portion activates the second switch in response to a second input signal and the first voltage to couple a second voltage to the third portion. Finally, the third portion activates the third switch in response to a third input signal and in response to the second voltage from the second portion to couple a control voltage to a load. Embodiments of the invention provide the desired reliability suitable for a variety of electrical systems, including arming and firing applications over a wide voltage and wide current range.

Abstract: A method to prevent unauthorized use and/or access to a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes apparatus which is positioned within a known motor housing and actuable only within the motor housing. In one embodiment, an ignition generator coil interrupt circuit is provided and mounted directly within the housing of the motor. A switch is connected to the circuit which allows power interruption to the ignition generator coil. When the switch is activated, power interruption of said ignition generator coil is achieved to disable the engine from normal operation. Conveniently, the interrupt circuit is positioned entirely within the housing and therefore inaccessible for tampering. In another embodiment a switch circuit is positioned between an ECM motherboard and sensors typically associate with an automobile engine. This circuit is useful for arrangements which do not include a magneto/stator arrangement.

Abstract: Disclosed is power supply device and method having a spark prevention function. The power supply device having a spark prevention function includes output connectors to which an external device is coupled to be supplied with electric power; and an output controller for controlling a level of a voltage outputted to the output connectors depending upon whether the external device is coupled to the output connectors. Accordingly, damages to parts and malfunctions due to spark occurrences can be prevented, so an external device can be coupled to a power supply device in operation without any damage.

Abstract: An electrical control apparatus comprises a current sensor and a current inhibiting circuit that inhibits current flow between first and second terminals of a bicycle dynamo when current sensed by the current sensor is below a selected value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power tool with a hand proximity detector to detect the hand of an operator and a trigger circuit operable with the detector to control the operation of a light in the housing or to provide a safety lockout function. One embodiment includes an operating mode indicating light that is responsive to the detector.

Abstract: A battery controller for charging and discharging a plurality of batteries is disclosed. The battery controller has a plurality of direct current to direct current (DC to DC) converters connected to each other in series. Each battery of a plurality of batteries is electrically connectable to a respective DC to DC converter. A co-ordinator connected to each of the plurality of DC to DC converters controls charging and discharging of the battery electrically connected to the respective converter. The co-ordinator can also control charging and discharging of any one of the batteries to ensure that the battery retains sufficient electrical capacity, and, to increase the longevity of the respective batteries. Because each battery is electrically connected to a respective DC to DC converter, the energy from one battery can be used to charge another battery in order to monitor battery characteristics including energy capacity of each battery.

Abstract: An electrode pattern of an electrostatic chuck includes linear portions in a radial direction and a plurality of concentric C-shaped portions branching out from the linear portions. The linear portions are disposed opposite to each other in a diametrical direction and are such that they lie on a line that is almost straight. The C-shaped portions are engaged alternately like teeth of a comb.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals. A wiring state detection circuit is configured to detect a wiring state associated with the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the plurality of line terminals and configured to generate a fault detection signal in response to detecting at least one fault condition. A circuit interrupter is coupled to the fault detection circuit. The circuit interrupter includes four sets of interrupting contacts configured to provide electrical continuity at least between the hot line terminal and the hot load terminal and the neutral line terminal and the neutral load terminal in a reset state. The four sets of interrupting contacts are open in a tripped state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the detection of shorts circuits in the electrical system in a vehicle provided with a battery comprising—measuring and storing the value of the battery voltage at a first moment in time,—measuring the value of the battery voltage at a second moment in time,—comparing the values of the battery voltage at the first and second moments in time,—checking, if the battery voltages at the two moments in time differ from each other by more than a predetermined value, whether one or several of certain predefined systems in the vehicle have been engaged during the interval of time between the first and the second moments in time, with a short circuit being assumed to have taken place if none of the systems in the vehicle have been engaged during the interval of time.

Abstract: A high-voltage tolerant power-rail ESD clamp circuit is proposed, in which circuit devices can safely operate under the high power supply voltage that is three times larger than their process limitation without gate-oxide reliability issue. Moreover, an ESD detection circuit is used to effectively improve the whole ESD protection function by substrate-triggered technique. Because only low voltage (1*VDD) devices are used to achieve the object of high voltage (3*VDD) tolerance, the proposed design provides a cost effective power-rail ESD protection solution to chips with mixed-voltage interfaces.

Abstract: There are multiple distortions and anomalies during the operation of the electric energy sources. The anomaly that with more incidence produces destruction is the over voltage, when the voltage of the feeder source goes over the maximum level supported by the isolation system of one equipment or device. A device is provided to protect industrial and domiciliary installations against over voltages. This device is built with passive elements, i.e., resistors, diodes, Zener Diodes and by controllable interrupters by the use of gate currents. This device is connected to the network as protection. When a voltage level higher than the pre-selected and adjusted level appears in the network, the protection produce a controlled short-circuit in the network that is cleared by a thermo magnetic interrupter that is part of the circuit to be protected, achieving in this way the over voltage clearing. The protection result is very effective, i.e.

Abstract: A motor control arrangement includes a device connected to positive power such that device drives motor upon connecting to negative power. A switch connects to positive power upon actuation. A first transistor connects to switch via controller and connects between device and negative power. First transistor turns on causing device to connect to negative power upon switch actuation while controller is operational. A second transistor connects to switch and connects between device and negative power when controller is malfunctioned. Second transistor turns on causing device to connect to negative power upon switch actuation while controller is malfunctioned. A sensor connects to negative power upon contact with water. A third transistor connects to switch and sensor such that its collector-emitter path is connected in parallel to device.

Abstract: A single trigger/shunt coil is utilized for combined induced magnetic field triggering and shunt impedance. The single coil connected in parallel with the high temperature superconducting element, is designed to generate a circulating current in the parallel circuit during normal operation to aid triggering the high temperature superconducting element to quench in the event of a fault. The circulating current is generated by an induced voltage in the coil, when the system current flows through the high temperature superconducting element.

Abstract: A manual switch remote controller is adapted for use with a power switch machine to electrically and selectively move switch points of a track switch between a normal position and a reverse position from a remote location in the field. In one preferred embodiment, the manual switch remote controller includes a first switch for selectively connecting and disconnecting a first source of DC operating power from first and second input terminals to first and second output terminals which are coupled to respective first and second input operating terminals of a biased-neutral controller. A second switch is used for selectively connecting and disconnecting a second source of DC controlling power from third and fourth input terminals to third and fourth output terminals which are coupled to respective third and fourth input control terminals of the biased-neutral controller.

Abstract: In an electronic switch which includes a pair of terminal portions 14, 14, and self arc-suppressing elements Q21, Q22 having a one-way on and off control construction connected in inverse-series between the pair of terminal portions and which turns on and off the self arc-suppressing elements Q21, Q22 with phase control, shunt resistors R51, R52 provided between the pair of terminal portions 14, 14 and connected in series to the pair of self arc-suppressing elements Q21, Q22 and thyristors S71, S72 for extracting the gate voltages applied to gates of the self arc-suppressing elements Q21, Q22 upon driving are provided. Furthermore, thyristors S71, S72 are driven by the voltages across the shunt resistors R51, R52 generated when overcurrent larger than predetermined current flows through the shunt resistors R51, R52.

Abstract: Systems and methods for immobilizing a target such as a human or animal with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via electrodes provide the stimulus signal in accordance with a strike stage, a hold stage, and a rest stage. Systems include a launch device and separate projectile, where the projectile includes a battery, a waveform generator, and electrodes. The strike stage and hold stage may include pulses at a pulse repetition rate, for example, from 10 to 20 pulses per second, each pulse delivering a predetermined amount of charge, for example, about 100 microcoulombs at less than about 500 volts peak. The hold stage may continue immobilization at a lesser expenditure of energy compared to the strike stage. Because the strike stage and hold stage may immobilize by interfering with skeletal muscle control by the target's nervous system, a rest stage may allow the target to take a breath.