Abstract: A circuit arrangement, to which the vehicle electric system supply voltage is applied and which for briefly maintaining at least one internal normal d.c. voltage in the event of failure of the vehicle electric system supply voltage, includes a reserve energy accumulator, to which a charging voltage higher than the at least one internal normal d.c. voltage is applied in regular operation, and which, in the event of failure of the vehicle electric system supply voltage, delivers a reserve voltage with which operation of at least some electronic circuits may be maintained for a limited period of time, and it includes at least one step-down regulator which steps down the applied input direct voltage to the at least one internal normal d.c. voltage.

Abstract: An electrical insulating device for a linear component forming part of a fuel system subjected to risks of possible external electrical discharges formed by a part (13) made of insulating material attached to two metal flanges (15, 17) that allow inserting the device (11) between two parts of said linear component, said part (13) being formed by a cylindrical body (21) with a castellated crown (23) on its outer side, formed by longitudinal (25) and transverse (27) segments, and said metal flanges (15, 17) having transverse projections (31, 33) facing the transverse segments (27) of the castellated crown (23) for facilitating their attachment by suitable means (39).

Abstract: A method and a system for detecting stand-alone operation of a distributed generating system having a generating source connected in shunt with an independent power distribution system via a first branch breaker are proposed. A voltage or a frequency signal on the independent power distribution system is read. The wavelet transformation is performed on the voltage or frequency signal to form a time versus high-frequency component window and a time versus low-frequency component window for conveniently detecting the perturbation in the time domain of the signal. Next, whether the absolute value of the high-frequency component is greater than a threshold value and whether the duration is longer than another threshold value are determined. If both answers are yes, a stand-alone operation occurs. An alarm signal is immediately generated and sent to the first branch breaker to release the connection between the generating source and the power distribution system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply for electrical domestic appliances, comprising: at least one connection to the mains electricity supply, and at least one connector for releasable electrical coupling of the power supply to a domestic appliance, wherein the power supply is also provided with measuring and control means for controlling a feed signal generated by the power supply by means of at least one control signal transmitted by a coupled domestic appliance. The invention also relates to a domestic appliance for co-action with such a power supply.

Abstract: A device is provided for preventing arcing between contacts of a switching device as the contacts of the switching device are opened. The device includes a coil suppression circuit connected in parallel with the coil. The coil suppression circuit dissipates the energy stored in the coil in response to the de-energization of the coil. A first solid state switch has a gate operatively connected to the coil suppression circuit and is connected in parallel with the contacts. The first solid state switch is movable between an open position preventing the flow of current therethrough and a closed position in response to the dissipation of energy by the coil suppression circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus in an electronic control system allows two or three wire operation. A power supply can supply power to the enclosed circuitry in both two and three wire installations. Two separate zero cross detectors are used such that timing information can be collected in both two and three wire installations. Both zero cross detectors are monitored and are used to automatically configure the electronic control. Over voltage circuitry senses an over voltage condition across a MOSFET which is in the off state and turns the MOSFET on so that it desirably will not reach the avalanche region. Over current circuitry senses when the current through the MOSFETs has exceeded a predetermined current threshold and then turns the MOSFETs off so they do not exceed the MOSFETs' safe operating area (SOA) curve. Latching circuitry is employed to keep the protection circuitry in effect even after a fault condition has cleared.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit and DC power supply that are subtly affected by process and device differences, have small input and output voltage drops, and set maximum and short-circuit current values. In a normal operation mode, a first operational amplifier and an output transistor keep the output voltage constant. In a current limiting mode, when a large current is input to an input terminal due to transient response, a second detection transistor and a third operational amplifier control a second control transistor to keep the maximum current of the output transistor constant. When voltage decreases during a foldback mode, a first detection transistor and a second operational amplifier control a first control transistor to control short-circuit current of the output transistor. A second operational amplifier decreases output current in accordance with the output voltage with a current source that maintains constant mutual conductance.

Abstract: A safety battery disconnect system for disconnecting a vehicle battery from the electrical system of the vehicle when an impact exceeding a predetermined magnitude is detected while maintaining electrical power input from the battery to selected portions of the vehicle electrical system. The system includes a shock sensor connected to a latching switch interposed between the battery and the vehicle fused electrical input system and is preferably a unitary unit mounted on or in close proximity to the battery.

Abstract: A piezoelectric anion generator controlled by an integrated circuit IC, which includes an oscillation circuit, a frequency following-up circuit, an power amplification circuit, a step-up circuit, a voltage-doubling circuit, an ion discharging pin, a negative feedback voltage-stabilizing circuit and a bleeder circuit. Due to using the integrated circuit IC controlling circuit, it can provide the AC exciting voltage at the certain frequency to the piezoelectric ceramic transformer and has the functions of regulating the exciting voltage and the frequency following up. The piezoelectric ceramic transformer is used as the main AC step-up element to realize the AC high voltage output. After the voltage-doubling commutation the DC high voltage can be obtained, and the anion-discharging pin connected to it generates the high voltage electrical field, and then the gas is ionized to give out a lot of anions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and circuitry for protecting a circuit during hot-swap events. Hot swap protection circuitry includes as overcurrent detection circuit which decouples power from a load. Circuitry is provided to detect ground-fault conditions. Noise detection circuitry is provided to reduce noise in the power that is delivered to the load.

Abstract: A method for driving a semiconductor switch with load current limiting and thermal protection whose maximum load current is limited and which switches off when a predetermined upper temperature is exceeded and switches on again when a predetermined lower temperature is crossed. The semiconductor switch is operated in a normal mode and a fault mode. The semiconductor switch is driven in the fault mode once the predetermined temperature is exceeded; and the load current is limited to a first maximum value in a normal mode and a second maximum value, which is lower than the first maximum value, in a fault mode. Such a circuit configuration with a semiconductor switch has a protection circuit and a sensor circuit.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit is provided having a first electrically conductive element (such as a current sinking transistor) to couple between a power source and a first node. The first electrically conductive element has a control input terminal. A discharge path control circuit having an output terminal couples to the control input terminal of the first electrically conductive element. A timer circuit having an output terminal couples to the input terminal of the discharge path control circuit. A ring oscillator timer circuit having an output terminal couples to an input terminal of the timer circuit. The ring oscillator timer circuit may include a series of inverter circuits and/or counter circuits (such as flip-flop circuits).

Abstract: A corona discharge static neutralizing device includes a wire electrode retained in tension between spaced ends of a resilient support member that is positioned within a flowing air stream. Another electrode aligned with and spaced from the wire electrode promotes a flowing ion stream, when connected to receive an ionizing difference of potential, that flows in skew orientation relative to the flowing air stream. Multiple wire electrodes are supported in tension on a resilient support member along with another electrode disposed on the support member intermediate the wire electrodes and in substantially the same plane therewith.

Abstract: A system is provided for dissipating electrical charges that build on a rotatable shaft extending from an electrically-grounded motor housing or rotating shafts conductively linked to components that create and electrical charge, such as wind turbine blades, power generator turbines, and the like. The system includes a frame defining a central opening wherein the rotatable shaft is positioned with the central opening, a first grounding fiber secured within the frame, and a fiber clamp positioned with the frame. The fiber clamp acts to urge the first grounding fiber toward the central opening. The system may also include a mounting bracket having a frame mounting channel, wherein a portion of the frame is securely retained within the frame mounting channel, and an installation guide positioned on the mounting bracket. The installation guide may be configured to properly align the frame and the first grounding fiber relative to the rotatable motor shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid electrical switching device, comprising an electromechanical relay including a mechanical switching element to be operated by an electrical coil, and a main semiconductor switching element including a control input and a current conduction path which is connected in parallel with the mechanical switching element for energizing an electric load. The main semiconductor switching element is of the type that ceases to conduct when a current through the current conduction path thereof drops below a threshold value. The circuit furthermore comprises an auxiliary semiconductor switching element including a control input and a current conduction path which is connected for controlling the main semiconductor switching element.

Abstract: A circuit of protection against electrostatic discharges, comprising a first MOS transistor for detecting a leakage current between a first input node of a circuit to be protected and a second node at an output voltage, a second MOS transistor constitute of a switch directly connecting said nodes, and a leakage current amplifier in the first transistor to control the second one.

Abstract: An method and apparatus testing an alternator and/or starter assembly including a power source for energizing the alternator and/or starter, a computer processor for monitoring electrical current supplied to energize the alternator and/or starter wherein the computer processor also monitors electrical voltage across the alternator. The invention also includes a first switch coupled to the computer processor which is enabled if excess current is required to energize the alternator; a second switch coupled to the computer processor which is enabled to place a heavy load on an output of the alternator if the voltage exceeds a maximum limit; a third switch coupled to the computer processor which is enabled if the current supplied to energize the starter exceeds a maximum limit.

Abstract: A solenoid (30) has one end connected to the ground G and the other end connected to an N-MOS transistor (33) which applies current from a battery (31) to the solenoid (30). On the other hand, regenerative current generated when the N-MOS transistor turns off flows from a diode (34) whose anode is connected to the ground, via a resistor (32) to the solenoid (30). Accordingly, without connecting the anode of the diode (34) to the solenoid (30) using a lead line, the solenoid (30) can be driven by current. Moreover, since the current flowing from the battery (31) to the solenoid (30) does not flow to the resistor (32), heating is reduced and a solenoid drive apparatus can be made in an IC.

Abstract: A main power source is, for example, an ordinary Pb battery. At the time of starting an engine, the main power source supplies power to a starter. The main power source is given a higher priority than an auxiliary power source to supply power to ordinary loads. The auxiliary power source is a high performance battery (e.g., Li ion battery), which has superior charge acceptance capability and better state detectability over the main power source. The auxiliary power source stores regenerative power, which is generated by a generator at the time of deceleration of a vehicle, and is used as a redundant power source for the main power source. The main power source and the auxiliary power source are connected to each other through a supply circuit, which has a DC/DC converter, and a second supply circuit, which has a switch.

Abstract: A single-path electrical device generates a conductive channel through the air to alternatively convey charge to a target and remove charge from the target. The single-path electrical device uses either a grounding sphere or grounding torroid to store and at least partially dissipate opposite charge. In this way, neither the target nor the single-path electrical device is required to be grounded. The single-path electrical device may operate at a low frequency to help overcome any surface effects of the target.