Abstract: A voltage threshold circuit for the power factor correction stage of a power conversion system is provide. The circuit features a voltage threshold circuit with a comparator for (i) comparing a predetermined threshold voltage to the output voltage of a power factor correction stage of a power conditioner and (ii) outputting a signal if the output voltage is at least equal to the predetermined threshold voltage. The presence of the signal decreases the predetermined threshold voltage, thereby effectively changing the output voltage above which the comparator continues to output the signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a DC/DC converter operating on the principle of a charge pump, comprising at least one charge pump capacitor and several controllable switches connected thereto. The switches are actuated by a control circuit with an oscillator. A skip mode comparator signals the charge pump alternatingly ON and OFF depending on the condition of the output voltage of the converter. Prior art converters featured high output current spikes and a heavy output voltage ripple. The converter in accordance with the invention reduces these problems by a regulator circuit which receives the control signal of the comparator and converts it into a signal characterizing the momentary ON/OFF duration ratio of the charge pump with which it controls the ON resistance of at least one of the switches so that the ON/OFF duration ratio of the charge pump can be set to a predetermined design value, at which the output current spikes of the charge pump are reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to provide high line regulation, which can be combined with a low dropout voltage, for linear regulators. The control for the regulators is referenced to ground rather than a relatively noisy power supply terminal so that the control is substantially free of power supply noise. The pass transistor forms the second transistor of a current mirror mirroring the current from the control. Referencing the control to ground and mirroring the control current to the pass transistor makes the output of the regulator substantially independent of the power supply noise. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A fused terminal for use with a network protector, the disconnect terminal including an integral fuse and being located outside of the network protector housing and not substantially increasing the overall height of the network protector.

Abstract: A communication adapter includes a top cover shell having a power input hole and a power output hole and an elongated signal output hole, a power cable having a power input connector disposed at one end and fixedly mounted in the power input hole on the top cover shell for connection to utility power source and a power output connector disposed at an opposite end and extended out of the power output hole on the top cover shell for power output to an external electronic apparatus, a bottom cover shell covered on the top cover shell, a rotary cap rotatably covered on the bottom cover shell, the rotary cap having a tubular upright center shaft inserted through a center hole on the bottom cover shell, and a signal cable wound round the tubular upright shaft, the signal cable having a signal input connector disposed at one end and extended out of a cable hole on the bottom cover shell, and a plurality of signal output connectors disposed in parallel at an opposite end and respectively fixedly fastened to the signa

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the output of an alternator for an automotive vehicle has a first three-phase winding (18) and a second three-phase winding (20) that are coupled to a respective first rectifier circuit (26) and a second rectifier circuit (28). A switch circuit (30) is located between the first rectifier circuit (26) and the second rectifier circuit (28). A controller (32) that is coupled to a speed sensor (34) and provides a signal indicative of the speed of the alternator, controls the operation of the switch circuit (30). When the speed sensor (34) indicates that the speed of the alternator is below a predetermined threshold, the first rectifier circuit (26) and second rectifier circuit (28) are coupled together through switch circuit (30). When the speed sensor (34) indicates that the speed of the alternator is above a predetermined speed, the switch circuit (32) is controlled to an open state so that two parallel half-wave rectifier circuits are formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring and maintaining a plurality of batteries by performing a normal analysis on all of the batteries, selecting a marginal battery, replacing the marginal battery with an auxiliary battery, and offline performing a detailed analysis on the marginal battery. The marginal battery is then serviced/discarded according to the results of the detailed analysis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for testing a powerability characteristic of a backup power supply for a computerized device using a discharge circuit that is different than circuitry of the computerized device. The discharge circuit is capable of draining float charge of the backup power supply thus enabling a measuring circuit to properly determine whether the backup power supply is suitable for providing the operating power to the computerized device for the predetermined amount of time in the event the computerized device no longer receives main power from the main power supply. One arrangement of the invention is directed to a computer system that includes a computerized device, a main power supply that provides power to the computerized device, a backup power supply coupled to the main power supply to receive charge from the main power supply.

Abstract: A battery pack and a PTC device are provided that can be used safely under large current loads by increasing the area of the incorporated PTC layer so as to decrease its internal resistance. The battery pack has a plurality of unit cells (1) placed side by side in parallel and the PTC device P to protect the unit cells (1) from overcurrents. The PTC device P has a first electrode (3) and a second electrode (4) connected to the both surfaces of the PTC layer (2). The PTC layer is formed to an outer shape that covers almost the entirety of the end surfaces of the two unit cells (1) to which the first electrode (3) and the second electrode (4) are connected, and has through holes (2B) positioned against the end electrodes (1A) of the unit cells (1).

Abstract: The present invention includes a linear regulator with a Darlington bipolar output stage. The linear regulator includes a starting circuit, an output stage, and a reference voltage generator connected to a control loop. The starting circuit has output terminals connected to current sources and an input terminal connected to an input reference terminal of the linear regulator via a transistor of the PNP-type. The output stage includes two Darlington-connected transistors. The reference voltage generator supplies a voltage value approximately equal to the chosen output voltage value of the linear regulator. The control loop is configured as a voltage follower, which receives a reference voltage value from the reference voltage generator.

Abstract: A connectionless paralleling and load sharing system and method for power sources are presented. The invention provides a dynamic feedback adaptive control system that enables proper load sharing among paralleled power sources without the need for interconnection therebetween. Only the individual source's voltage and current are sensed by its controller. These output parameters are then used to modify a reference voltage used by the controller to control the source's output waveform. This reference voltage compensation is accomplished through two feedback control loops, an outer loop for the voltage compensation and an inner loop for the current compensation. The outer loop includes an integration of the voltage error between the desired voltage and the actual voltage sensed at the source's output. The inner loop is filtered and operates in a proportional fashion to rapidly adjust the output.

Abstract: A power supply coupler for a battery charging device that includes a core, a coil surrounding the core, and a plastic case enclosing the core and the coil. The coil is electrically connected to a power supply device of the battery charging device with a cable. The power supply coupler has an interconnection member located between the coil and the case for transferring impact forces acting on the case to the coil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bidirectional switching circuit including, in series, a bidirectional switching element controllable to be turned off and turned on, and a bidirectional conduction element forming a dipole and automatically selecting the conduction direction.

Abstract: A power unit for a grid pulsed O-type microwave tube (1) having a cathode (2) and a collector (3), comprises a cathode unit (5) and a collector unit (6), each having two output terminals (7, 8; 9, 10). A first and a second capacitor (C1, C2) are connected between the output terminals of the respective unit (5, 6). One output terminal (7) of the cathode unit (5) is connected to the cathode (2) of the tube (1), while the other (8) is connected to a ground terminal. One output terminal (9) of the collector unit (6) is connected to the collector (3) of the tube (1), while the other (10) is interconnected with that one (7) of the output terminals of the cathode unit (5) that is connected to the cathode (2) of the tube (1). To minimize crosstalk caused by the collector unit (6) across the first capacitor (C1), the output terminals (9, 10) of the collector unit (6) are connected to said second capacitor (C2) via non-capacitive impedances (Z1, Z2), and to said ground terminal via decoupling capacitors (C31, C32).

Abstract: The invention comprises an input/output circuit of an integrated circuit chip that includes a pad, a protection circuit connected to the pad, and an up-shift circuit connected to the pad and the protection circuit. The up-shift circuit provides a DC bias voltage to signals received by the pad to protect the protection circuit. With the invention, the protection circuit includes only single gate-oxide devices.

Abstract: A DC/DC charge and supply converting module has a function of constant-current charging an electrical appliance, and a function of supplying constant voltage power to an electrical appliance. The converting module includes a DC/DC converter and a charge module connected with an input end of the DC/DC converter. The charge module includes a comparator, a constant current source connected with a first input end of the comparator, and a bleeder circuit connected to a second input end of the comparator. The comparator is used for controlling an output voltage of the DC/DC converter to remain constant. The constant current source provides a constant current to the corresponding input end of the comparator and allows the DC/DC converter to output a constant current for the purpose of charge.

Abstract: A system for actively controlling the charging profile of a battery uses a software-based alternator control unit to control the charging voltage. The voltage applied to the battery is initially increased over normal values following battery discharge, to charge the battery back as fast as possible without damaging the battery or alternator. The voltage is then reduced to a normal charging level, and subsequently further reduced to a float level.

Abstract: A switching power converter for producing regulated D.C. power at two or more voltages. First and second regulation circuits including switching elements are connected across the secondary side of a transformer. A control circuit including a phase lock loop provides a first timing signal in leading relation to the AC input, and a delay circuit which provides a second timing circuit in delayed relation to the first timing signal. A logic circuit is responsive to the first and second timing signals to provide drive signals for the switching elements. The regulation circuits each include a first switching element having a power terminal coupled to the secondary winding and another power terminal is coupled to an intermediate node. A second switching element has a power terminal coupled to the intermediate node and another power terminal coupled to a common node. An inductor is coupled from the intermediate node to an output node.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor plastic package having a structure in which a metal sheet having a size nearly equivalent to a printed wiring board is disposed nearly in the central portion in the thickness direction of the printed wiring board. The metal sheet and a signal propagation conductive circuit on a front surface of the printed wiring board are insulated from each other with a thermosetting resin composition. The conductive circuit on the printed wiring board surface is connected to a conductive circuit formed on an opposite surface of the printed wiring board, or to a conductive circuit pad formed for being connected with solder balls with a conductive through hole. A semiconductor chip, wire and bonding pad are encapsulated with a resin. The semiconductor plastic package has at least one blind via hole made in the opposite surface so as to be directly connected to the metal sheet. The blind via hole has an inner wall rendered thermally conductive.

Abstract: An automotive battery charging system tester for testing the charging system of an automotive vehicle includes AC and DC voltage measurement circuits and a microprocessor controlled testing sequence. The microprocessor is used to perform a series of tests and to instruct an operator to perform steps associated with performing those tests. Through the application of various loads at various engine speeds, the tester is capable of identifying faults in the battery charging system including a bad battery, problems in the alternator or associated electronics, and problems in the starting system.