Abstract: Disclosed are solid-state potentiometers having high resolution and high accuracy. An exemplary potentiometer has a first main terminal, a second main terminal, a wiper terminal, and a resistor stack having a plurality M of resistors coupled in series to one another at a plurality of M−1 internal nodes. Each of the resistors in the stack has substantially the same value of RS ohms. The potentiometer further has a first variable resistance network coupled between one end of the resistor stack and the potentiometer's first main terminal, and a second variable resistance network coupled between the other end of the resistor stack and the potentiometer's second main terminal. The first variable resistance network has a variable resistance value R1 which varies between zero ohms and RP ohms. The second variable resistance network has a variable resistance value R2 which is maintained substantially at value of (RP−R1).

Abstract: This invention includes a battery overprotection device comprising a thermal resistor, a zener diode, a pass element and a control circuit. The thermal resistor is used as an over-temperature limiting device, rather than an overcurrent device. By thermally coupling the thermal resistor to the zener diode, the thermal resistor protects the zener diode from “burning up” as a result of continuous power dissipation. When the zener is subjected to continuous power dissipation, its temperature rises. As the temperature rises, the thermal resistor's impedance increases, thereby reducing the power dissipation in the zener. The zener/thermal resistor combination serves as an auxiliary safety circuit for the transistor and control circuit.

Abstract: A timed electric battery charger 10 for the processing of non-lithium, small appliance and utility batteries 19 through a charging cycle comprising a current source having an alternating current input 11 and a direct current output 14 and a timer 16 for dividing the charging cycle into a plurality of successive, predetermined phases, each phase comprising a duty cycle wherein a charging current is delivered to the battery, alternated with a resting cycle during which a charging current is not delivered to the battery.

Abstract: An entertainment apparatus for reading a program stored in an optical disk or the like as a detachably storage medium and executing a game based on the read program, charges a secondary cell accommodated in a portable information terminal. When the portable information terminal is connected to the entertainment apparatus, a charging circuit in the portable information terminal introduces a DC power supply from a charging power supply output terminal of the entertainment apparatus via a charging input terminal, increase the voltage of the DC power supply, and then charges the secondary cell in the portable information terminal with the DC power supply.

Abstract: A soft-switched single-phase quasi-single-stage (QSS) bi-directional inverter/charger converts AC-DC or DC-AC. The inverter/charger comprises a push-pull inverter/rectifier on the dc-side, an isolation transformer which provides ohmic isolation and voltage scaling, two full-bridges on the ac side in cascade, a voltage clamp branch comprising a capacitive energy storage element in series with an active switch with its anti-parallel diode, a passive filter at the ac side to smooth out the high frequency switching voltage ripple at the output, and a corresponding PWM scheme to seamlessly control the converter to operate in all four quadrant operation modes in the output voltage and output current plane, and is capable of converting power in both directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming the level and slope in a voltage reference using current-switching DACs to inject small correction currents into or draw currents from the voltage reference circuit. Each DAC is controlled via a programmable non-volatile memory, which can be programmed after final packaging. Thus, the present technique enables trimming the voltage reference circuit after the circuit has been packaged. For the slope trim, the current is injected into or drawn from one side or the other of the band-gap core cell. The level trim DAC sources a correction current into or sinks a correction current from the resistor chain that sets the voltage level at the base of the transistors in the band-gap core. The level and slope trim DACs generate currents that are precise multiples of the currents through the resistors being trimmed. Thus the corrections are invariant with process and temperature, the necessary trim range is minimized, and the shape of the remaining error (curvature) is not altered.

Abstract: Data can be received by a battery charging device while a portable information terminal powered by a secondary battery is connected to the battery charging device to charge the secondary battery. For data reception, the battery charging device has a tuner as a data reception circuit. While the portable information terminal is mounted in the battery charging device, the secondary battery is charged by the battery charging device, and the tuner receives a television wave containing a data broadcast. Data multiplexed in a video signal outputted from the tuner is decoded by a data decoding circuit, and stored into a data storage device of the portable information terminal. The data stored in the data storage device can be reproduced on a liquid crystal display unit of the portable information terminal when it is detached from the battery charging device.

Abstract: A power supply section includes a capacity detector capable of detecting the remaining capacity in a battery and a controller issuing power consumption reduction instructions to independently operable function devices based on usage priorities thereof. This allows power consumption operations to be performed such as stopping function devices with low priorities first based on the remaining battery capacity. As a result, power to function devices with higher priorities can be maintained. Based on the remaining battery capacity, the controller controls the operations of the function devices and uses a display to show information allowing the operator to identify operable and inoperable function devices as the battery capacity drops.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for managing battery packs from which it is powered by measuring and monitoring the operating capacity of individual battery modules in a battery pack. A programmable logic controller directs the selective closing of relays to allow individual battery modules to be load-tested using a variable discharge load unit, without compromising useful battery pack capacity. In a further embodiment, the invention can include, for each user, a network of battery management devices with two-way communications links to a central management location with computer based monitoring and control of all battery packs. In addition, a centre of expertise on battery technology is linked to the user networks.

Abstract: In a power supply system in which a load is connected to a battery, the battery is efficiently charged without degrading the characteristics of the load. When a load that deteriorates in characteristics if a voltage exceeding the rated voltage of the load is applied thereto is connected to the battery (during an on-state of the load), the battery is charged with the rated voltage even if there is a need to charge the battery with a charging voltage higher than the rated voltage. Alternatively, the battery may be charged for a predetermined time at a voltage above the rated voltage and then at or below the rated voltage, or the voltage seen by the load may be converted to a voltage at or below the rated voltage while the battery is being charged at a voltage above the rated voltage. When the load is off, the battery is charged with a voltage higher than the rated voltage.

Abstract: A VPP generation circuit included in the inventive semiconductor integrated circuit includes a VPP dividing circuit dividing a step-up voltage VPP, a VDDA dividing circuit dividing an array voltage VDDA supplied to a memory cell array area, a VREFD generation circuit generating a reference voltage VREFD on the basis of an output of the VDDA dividing circuit and a comparator part comparing the reference voltage VREFD with a voltage VPPn output from the VPP dividing circuit. Thus, the step-up voltage VPP can be changed in response to change of the array voltage VDDA.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter. Apertures are provided in guide rails of the battery pack to receive the male terminals of the tool terminal block.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a movable carriage capable of moving as designed while carrying, hereon, a plurality of different recording heads for discharging ink to record characters and/or images and a plurality of different ink tanks for storing ink to be supplied to the recording heads, the recording heads and the ink tanks being changeable; a restoring unit capable of restoring the recording heads; a detection unit for determining the type of the recording head or the ink tank; and a control unit for causing the restoring unit to restore the recording head in a case where the detection unit has detected change of the recording head or the ink tank to the recording head or the ink tank of the same type, and inhibiting the restoring unit from restoring the recording head in a case where the detection unit has detected change to the recording head or the ink tank of a different type.

Abstract: A solid state power supply is provided which may be formed of a plurality of modules sufficient to support a selected voltage output from the supply. Each module includes a capacitor or capacitor bank for storing a high voltage, a thyristor switch through which the capacitor discharges, a trigger circuit for the thyristor switch and a nonlinear impedance element, preferably a saturable magnetic output stage, which initially provides a high impedance to current flow in a given direction, delaying significant current flow through the thyristor switch until there has been substantial spacial currents spread therein, and decrease as the current flow continues. The nonlinear impedance element also protects the thyristors and other elements of the power supply from voltage and current spikes generated by a nonlinear load.

Abstract: A battery charging method (300) determines a current at which to start charging the battery which provides the capability for faster higher current sourcing capability. A start current(Istart)is determined based on the battery's cut off voltage, steady state voltage, and characteristic impedance (314). This start current is then compared and adjusted based on the rated power supply current for the power supply (316, 318) and rated charge current for the battery (320, 322). The adjusted current is then applied to the battery (324) at the beginning of the charge sequence to provide faster higher current sourcing capability.

Abstract: A buffer battery power supply circuit is provided. In one embodiment, a battery charger circuit supplies a total output current which is delivered to both an active system and a battery. The total output current and the current delivered to a battery are sensed and compared to a preset threshold total output current signal and threshold battery current signal, respectively. The compared signals generate error signals which are provided as feedback to the battery charger circuit, so that the total output current can be controlled. In another embodiment, in addition to sensing the total output current and the battery current, the total output voltage is sensed and multiplied by the total output current, generating a total output power error signal. The error signals are provided as feedback to the battery charger circuit, so that the total output current and/or the total output voltage can be controlled.

Abstract: A static series voltage regulator (SSVR) for an electric power distribution system protects a load on a feeder branch from voltage dips by boosting voltage under certain conditions. The SSVR contains a 3-phase voltage source inverter and a source bridge, fed from a source, supplying the dc side of the inverter. A series transformer is connected between the power source and a load coupling the inverter output to appear between the power source and the load. A surge filter connected in parallel with the series transformer protects the load from fast front voltage pulses produced by the inverter, and isolation and bypass switches isolate the inverter and series transformer from the power source and load. The inverter is controlled so that during normal operation it acts as a short on the series transformer, and, during a fault that causes a dip in the source voltage, it injects voltage in series with the source voltage to provide a boost action to maintain load voltage at a desired magnitude and balance.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a portable, self-contained CD player and radio 18 having a solar energy collection, conversion and storage system as a primary power source with a DC to AC to AC inverter 46 that provides the present invention with the capability of powering AC dependent devices. The solar energy is collected by a solar panel 12 that is pivotably attached to the topside of the device and can be adjusted to an angle sufficient to maximize the suns rays. To further increase the potential power output of the present invention 10 remote solar panel arrays 72 having a telescoping adjustable tripod 78 can be connected to the device. The solar panels 72 are pivotably and rotatably affixed to the tripod 78 to allow precise adjustment for effective solar energy collection.

Abstract: An electrical lead for simultaneously connecting an external power source to an electrical load and an external battery is disclosed. The electrical lead has preferably a double connector comprising a socket part axially aligned with a plug part at a first end of the lead. The socket part connects with a plug from an external power source and the plug part connects with an electrical load, such as a portable computer. A separate plug, located at the second end of the electrical lead, is provided for connecting to an external battery. The socket part, connectable to the external load, is electrically coupled to the plug part for connection to the electrical load and also the plug for connection to the external battery. The lead comprises a first insulated conductor electrically coupling the socket part to the plug, and, a second insulated conductor electrically coupling the plug to the plug part. In this way, the socket part is electrically coupled in parallel with the plug part.

Abstract: An ink jet print head comprises a substrate formed with a heating resistor, an ink path defining member for defining an ink supply path, and an orifice plate, and in the orifice plate, there is formed an ink outlet at the position opposing the heating resistor. Further, a heating zone surrounding the heating resistor is formed at the position corresponding to the heating resistor of the ink supply path. The channel resistance of the ink supply path is set so that a relationship is established between a quantity q of the discharged ink drop, a sectional area A of the ink outlet, and a maximal projection h that a meniscus of the ink has when it projects from the ink outlet after it has restored the exit level from a retreat position it had after the drop of the ink had been discharged such that 0<h<0.3q/A 0<h<0.25q/A. Consequently, there is obtained a high-speed printing of high quality without dispersion.