Abstract: A device for charging PFLs (Pulse Forming Lines) on a time scale of a few nanoseconds. The device includes a source transmission line (STL) connected through a switch to a pulse forming transmission line. The source line is initially charged while the PFL is uncharged, and the switch is open. The impedance of the STL is larger than the impedance of the PFL. The impedance of the STL is also tapered in order to effect an energy transfer efficiency approaching 100% from the STL to the PFL. In operation when the switch is closed, energy flows from the source line to the PFL. As the energy and voltage build on the PFL, an output switch closes and delivers the energy of the PFL to the output transmission line section. The impedance of the output transmission line section is matched to the PFL impedance so that all of the energy in the PFL flows into the output section in the form of a pulse.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for determining a performance index for each power-generating system, directly correlated to load demands. This performance index can be easily interpreted by power engineers and operators, so that weak areas and potential voltage collapse conditions can be predicted and corrected. When the underlying cause of collapse is due to load variations, the performance index of the current invention has the ability to assess the amount of load increase that the system can tolerate prior to such collapse. When the underlying collapse mechanism is due to a contingency, the performance index of this invention can measure its severity. The performance index of this invention can also assess whether the system can sustain a contingency without collapse.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit which has a simple circuit configuration yet can boost the power source voltage 4 or 8 times. The + side electrode of a capacitor C1 is connected to an input terminal 10 via a diode D1; the - side electrode is connected to input terminal 10 via a switch S1 and is also connected to ground potential via a switch S2. The + side electrode of a capacitor C2 is connected to the + side electrode of capacitor C1 via a diode D2; the - side electrode is connected to the + side electrode of capacitor C1 via a switch S3 and is also connected to ground potential via a switch S4. Switching control signals PA, PB, PC, PD with the prescribed frequencies and phase are provided to switches S1, S2, S3, S4 from switch control circuit (14).

Abstract: When it is detected that the state of an electrical component connected to a communication node has not changed in the OFF state of an ignition key switch, it is determined that a vehicle equipped with the multiplex transmission apparatus is in a parking state, and the communication node is forcibly shifted to a sleep state, thereby preventing consumption of battery power due to a dark current supplied to the communication node in the sleep state.

Abstract: An electrical system is provided in a motor vehicle to activate the headlights and taillights once the windshield wipers have been switched on. The electrical system also provides for the headlights and taillights to be deactivated once the ignition switch is off. At least one relay is placed between the windshield wiper switch and the headlights and taillights. A current entering the relays from the initiation of the windshield wiper switch, induces a magnetic field across the inductor, closing the switches within the relays, thus illuminating the lights. If two relays are used, then the second relay maintains the activation of the headlights and taillights if the windshield wiper switch is deactivated. If the lights (headlights and taillights) are not desired then a push button switch can deactivate the lights.

Abstract: An automatic system uses sacrificial galvanic anodes to to provide a controlled and optimum amount of cathodic protection against galvanic corrosion on submerged metal parts. Intermittently pulsed control circuitry enables an electro-mechanical servo system to control a resistive element interposed between the sacrificial anodes and the electrically bonded underwater parts. In an active mode of operation a current is applied directly to the anodes to quickly establish the proper level of correction which is maintained during the passive mode. Incremental corrections are made over a period of time to provide stabilization of the protection and to conserve power. A visual indication of the amount of protection is available at all times. Circuitry and indicating devices are included which facilitate location and correction of potentially harmful stray currents and to prevent loss of sacrificial anodes to nearby marine structures.

Abstract: An automobile safety device that includes an input wireable to the windshield wiper motor that automatically independently activates each headlight and the rear window defogger.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of machinery having an internal combustion engine (such as a motor vehicle) comprises an interruption subcomponent (46) for controlling flow of electrical current to an electrical ignition system (18) by allowing electrical current to flow from a power supply (10) to the electrical ignition system when the internal combustion engine is started, and thereby allowing the engine to run, and for interrupting this flow in response to an operator preforming an activity for further operating the machine (such as applying brakes or shifting gears). The apparatus also includes an arming subcomponent (48) for arming the interruption subcomponent (46) in response to the engine being started and disarming the interruption subcomponent in response to a manual manipulation of a switch (42, 44) of the arming subcomponent. In the described embodiment, the interruption and arming subcomponents respectively include interruption and arming solenoid switches.

Abstract: An overload management system is provided, including a method and an apparatus, for controlling the operation of electrical equipment in a short-term overload region above the equipment's continuous capability operation curve, without suffering significant loss of equipment life. This overload management system is particularly beneficial for use with equipment having load management capability, such as a modular thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) system using phase controlled firing based on monitored capacitor voltage and line current. For vernier operation, the system predicts an upcoming firing angle for switching a switching device to govern the current received by the electrical device, such as to bypass line current around a series capacitor of the TCSC system. The overload management system may serve as one of several higher-level controllers providing input to a vernier controller for accommodating competing objectives of various system demands.

Abstract: A Marx generator, includes a number of capacitors (E) connected in series via spark gaps (E), between two output terminals and a power supply circuit that charges the capacitors in parallel. The capacitors are connected in series by a flat line formed of two metal strips running parallel and facing one another. These strips are connected together electrically at one end of the line and respectively to the output terminals at the other end and consist of one continuous strip and a second strip subdivided by transverse slots into successive plane sections interconnected in series alternately by a capacitor and a surface spark gap. A structure of this kind reduces the inductance of the generator and hence improves the rise time of the output pulses.

Abstract: This invention relates to driving solenoid and motor loads while providing the means for fast turn on and fast turn off. Many applications including automotive fuel injector drivers, Anti-Skid Braking (ABS) solenoid and motor drivers, and other electro-mechanical motion control require the ability to quickly turn on or off a number of devices. The invention utilizes a bridge architecture to drive the loads and to turn on and off individual devices. The invention employs a diode and a switch for each device controlled plus a single master diode and a single master switch. The invention thereby reduces the number of components needed to control N devices to 2*N+2 from prior art half bridge circuit 4*N. Novel techniques and algorithms are used to multiplex the single master switch and control multiple inductive devices. The system provides redundant control and error checking means to preclude single point failure mechanisms.

Abstract: A neutralizing apparatus is provided to facilitate and efficiently implement electric charge removal from a charged body such as a wafer which is easily charged. When the easily charged body such as a wafer is transported in a housing, a neutralizing charge generator, typically light sources for projecting exciting ultraviolet rays into the housing, are operated. Accordingly, the housing is filled with ions and a gas such as non-reactive gas. The neutralizing charge generator can generate positive or negative ions and electrons. When the charged body is positively charged, the electrons or negative ions move toward the charged body to neutralize the charged body with positive charge. When the charged body is negatively charged, positive ions move toward the charged body to neutralize the negative charge.

Abstract: A filter circuit for reducing electromagnetic interference in an ungrounded hree-phase delta electrical system. The filter circuit includes a low- pass filter associated with each power phase having one input and output terminal placing an inductor in series with a phase conductor from a power supply. Input and output capacitors connect to a second input and output terminals respectively. An inductor connects in common between the second input and second output terminals thereby to complete a loop that is isolated from ground. Voltage suppression circuits connect from each phase to ground on the input side of the filter.

Abstract: A security system for automatically disabling an interruptable circuit vital to the operation of a motor vehicle after an ignition of the vehicle is turned off or disabled. The security system includes a base circuit with a relay for disabling the interruptable circuit after the ignition is disabled. The base circuit includes a logic circuit that detects when the ignition is disabled, and for sending a disable signal to the relay. In one embodiment, the base circuit includes a timer circuit for delaying the disable signal to the relay for a specified time period after the ignition is turned off. The disabled interruptable circuit, and the disabled motor vehicle, may be enabled upon actuation of a remote transmitter, or switch on the base circuit. The base circuit also includes adapters for connecting the base circuit to the interruptable circuit and to a power supply of the motor vehicle at a fuse panel of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An anti-theft system for a motor vehicle includes a portable transponder carrying code information. A stationary transceiver has an oscillator and an oscillating circuit being excited to oscillate by the oscillator at an oscillation being modulated by the transponder in synchronism with the code information. A demodulator demodulates the modulated oscillation of the oscillating circuit. According to one embodiment, the code information is obtained from the demodulated oscillation by sampling the oscillation at least at one predetermined sampling time. An arithmetic unit compares the code information with command code information and transmits an enable signal to a security unit if a match occurs. The modulated oscillation being shifted by a predetermined phase angle is sampled once again if initially no code information is recognized from the demodulator.

Abstract: A simple operator presence override circuit is connected between available terminals on a PTO switch and a brake switch, and to the seat relay of the operator presence system. The override circuit permits continued operation of the engine under certain restricted conditions when the operator leaves the vehicle seat. A blocking diode connects one side of the seat relay to ground via the brake switch and one set of terminals on the PTO switch. With the PTO switch in the off condition and the vehicle braking system activated so the brake switch is closed, the seat relay remains activated to prevent operation of the ignition grounding circuit that otherwise would shut the engine down when the operator leaves his seat. Switching the PTO switch on or deactivating the braking system without an operator on the seat will automatically open the seat relay so that the engine is killed.

Abstract: A vehicle door locking system comprises a control portion for performing control operations of changing positions of lock levers into locking positions and of changing positions of anti-theft mechanisms into anti-theft positions. The control portion causes sending means to send out a warning signal for a predetermined time period, when a faulty change in position of the lock levers or the anti-theft mechanisms occurs. If a key cylinder or a transmitter is operated during the signal is sent out, the warning signal is stopped even before the predetermined time period has elapsed.

Abstract: In the production of a wire harness for an appliance whose circuit differs depending on a combination of selectable electrical systems, the wire harness is divided beforehand into the common circuit which is always provided independently of the presence or absence of the selectable electrical systems and the dedicated circuits one for each of the selectable electrical systems, the wire harness for the appliance is separated into a common circuit and dedicated circuits one for each of the associated electrical systems when an order of an appliance is made, a number of common circuits and a number of each of the dedicated circuits for the electrical systems are added up, the added up number of an common circuits and the dedicated circuits are manufactured and the common circuit and the dedicated circuits of the associated electric systems are combined to produce wire harnesses of the ordered appliances, whereby simple production control and high production efficiency are assured and changes is production or des

Abstract: A high power, solid state power supply is described for producing a controllable, constant high voltage output under varying and arcing loads suitable for powering an electron beam gun or other ion source. The present power supply is most useful for outputs in a range of about 100-400 kW or more. The power supply is comprised of a plurality of discrete switching type dc-dc converter modules, each comprising a voltage regulator, an inductor, an inverter for producing a high frequency square wave current of alternating polarity, an improved inverter voltage clamping circuit, a step up transformer, and an output rectifier for producing a dc voltage at the output of each module. The inputs to the converter modules are fed from a common dc rectifier/filter and are linked together in parallel through decoupling networks to suppress high frequency input interactions.

Abstract: A wire harness for an appliance containing a combination of selectable electrical systems is separated into a common circuit which is always provided independently of presence or absence of the selectable electrical systems, and dedicated circuits one for each of the selectable electrical systems, the common circuit and the dedicated circuits of the selected electrical systems are detachably joined to each other via a branch connector to form the wire harness whereby simple production control and high production efficiency are assured and changes in production or design can be readily dealt with in the production of a wire harness.