Abstract: Switching systems are provided for fail-secure and fail-safe solenoid operated locks, and are designed to maintain the solenoid cool during activation during normal operation when the solenoid is continuously supplied with current. The switching system comprises a dual action switch with electrical contacts providing for momentary high electric power during initial activation of the solenoid operated lock, and also providing a low power continuous current to maintain the solenoid cool during continuous activation. The switching system comprises a push-on, push-off switch, and a normally-open switch connected in series with a transformer and the solenoid operated lock, to provide a high electrical power to the solenoid when both switches are closed.

Abstract: An alternating current power supply for providing a high-voltage alternating current power output from a first low-voltage alternating current power source and a second low-voltage alternating current power source is disclosed. A first alternating current low-voltage power input is coupled to the first low-voltage alternating current power source, and a second alternating current low-voltage power input is coupled to the second low-voltage alternating current power source. A switch simultaneously couples the first low-voltage power input to a first output conductor and the second low-voltage power input to a second output conductor, thereby providing a high-voltage power output between the output conductors. A switch control activates the switch responsive to a phase difference, typically 180 degrees, between the first alternating current power source and the second alternating current power source.

Abstract: A capacitive level sensor for sensing level of a in a vessel includes a sensor coupled to the vessel having a shield and an inner sensing rod. An oscillator provides an RF signal to the shield and the sensing rod. Comparison circuitry couples to the sensing rod provides a wet/dry output in response to capacitance between the inner sensing rod and the vessel, the capacitance related to the level of the liquid in the vessel.

Abstract: A high-current fusible switch includes a nonconductive base, a nonconductive removable top, a plurality of conductive fuse clips, and a fuse having blade-type terminals. The fuse clips are fixedly mounted within the base. The fuse is retained within the top. Switching is accomplished by inserting or removing the top so that the fuse completes or breaks the circuit to which the switch is connected. The switch is connected to the circuit directly at the fuse clips so that a compact design is achieved that eliminates undesirable multiple electrical contacts.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric power supplying unit for use in an electronic apparatus and includes an external AC adapter externally connected to the body of the electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source. An internal AC adapter is accommodated into the body of the electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source. An AC power source input detection circuit is provided within the internal AC adapter for detecting whether the external AC power source is input to the internal AC adapter. The power supply unit further includes power source switching circuit responsive to the detection output of the AC power source input detection circuit for switching the power supply to the electronic apparatus from the output of the external AC adapter to the output of the internal AC adapter.

Abstract: An electric appliance protection apparatus is provided including a housing having a socket formed therein in coplanar relationship therewith. The socket is provided for removably receiving a plug of an appliance. A plurality of prongs are mounted on the housing which define a plug for being removably inserted within a conventional alternating current receptacle. Three wires are situated within the interior space of the housing and connected between the socket and the prongs thereof. The wires include a hot wire, a neutral line, and a ground line. Finally, a control mechanism has a deactuated mode wherein power transfer between the socket and prongs of the housing is precluded and an actuated mode wherein power transfer between the socket and prongs of the housing is permitted only upon the depression of momentary switch while power is available from the conventional power source.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus 10 with circuit load sensor provides an extension cord 20 having first and second ends extending from an enclosure 30. Within the enclosure, a power supply indicator circuit 40 lights an LED in response to the plug of the extension cord being inserted into a live outlet. Also within the enclosure, a power consumption indicator circuit 60 lights an LED in response to consumption of power by a load plugged into the socket of the extension cord. A nominal voltage drop across a TRIAC 70, carried in-line with the neutral conductor within the enclosure, triggers the power consumption indicator circuit when the load draws current.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric brake system for a motor vehicle and a method for operating the same. In conventional electric brake systems, the energy consumers (6, 8a, 10a, 14b, 16b, 30a, 30b) are connected to the voltage source (24a, 24b) when a switch-on signal is applied. This has the problem associated therewith that, when the switch-on signal is absent for any particular reason, the energy consumers (6, 8a, 10a, 14b, 16b, 30a, 30b) can be disconnected from the voltage source (24a, 24b) during operation of the motor vehicle. This problem is avoided in that the energy consumers (6, 8a, 10a, 14b, 16b, 30a, 30b) remain connected to the voltage source independently of the presence of the switch-on signal. A disconnection of the voltage source from the energy consumers (6, 8a, 10a, 14b, 16b, 30a, 30b) is only triggered by the computer unit (6, 30a, 30b) by driving an ignition-switch device 28.

Abstract: A power management system for an implantable device is disclosed. One application is an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator. Charging circuits for implantable cardioverter/defibrillators require relatively large currents from the power supply. The present power management system provides extended device operation and reduced charge cycle time. The present system monitors both current and voltage drawn from the power supply to prevent a loss of system voltage. Elective replacement indication is performed using charging information provided by the present power management system.

Abstract: A high-sensitivity diode temperature sensor includes a reverse-biased diode, such as a Schottky diode, coupled to an adjustable constant current source for biasing the diode into a reverse operating region. The constant current source biases the diode at a particular reverse leakage current that corresponds to a temperature window over which the reverse voltage across the diode exhibits a linear response of several hundred mV/C. The change in reverse voltage can be used as a signal to switch power to an attached electrical load. Also disclosed is a dual-switchpoint temperature controller that incorporates the high-sensitivity diode temperature sensor with a feedback control circuit that enables the controller to switch power to a load at two adjustable setpoints using the single temperature sensor.

Abstract: A switch-off device for airport series circuits (2) has input terminals (3, 4) which are connected to a current source (1). It also has output terminals (5, 6) which are connected to a series circuit (2) and connecting elements (7, 8) by means of which the input terminals (3, 4) and the output terminals (5, 6) can be connected to one another. The switch-off device has an actuator (11) for the purpose of simplifying operation and permitting a plurality of different, clearly visible operating states. In a normal position, the actuator positions the connecting elements (7, 8) such that each input terminal (3, 4) is connected to an output terminal (5, 6). In a service position, it positions the connecting elements (7, 8) so that the input terminals (3, 4) are disconnected from the output terminals (5, 6) and are connected to a grounding terminal (9), while the output terminals (5, 6) are connected to one another and to the grounding terminal (9).

Abstract: An improved motor driven switch is provided. A control system employs the improved motor-driven switch in series with a battery to disconnect the battery from a load when the energy level of the battery drops to a predetermined level. The system comprises an overdrive circuit to ensure that the motor drives a gear train to sufficiently close a gap between a movable switch plate and contact plates in a switch-closed position to reduce switch contact resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extending the supply of reserved power during an interruption to power supplied by a primary power supply in an in-flight entertainment system is disclosed. The apparatus has a power supply that provides a first supply voltage and a capacitor coupled to the power supply that stores a second supply voltage. The apparatus further has a detector circuit that generates a first signal upon detection of an interruption in the first supply voltage. A control circuit coupled to the detector circuit, the capacitor and the power supply, generates a second signal in response to the first signal. A processing circuit coupled to the power supply, the capacitor and the control circuit, disables its operation in response to the second signal. The capacitor provides the second supply voltage to the control circuit in response to the interruption.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a plurality of power supply circuits whose generated voltages are different from each other, and a plurality of internal circuits whose operating voltages are different from each other. The power supply circuits and the internal circuits are interconnected by power lines with respective power supply switches inserted therein. The power lines are connected to a single external terminal by respective control lines with respective external switches inserted therein. The power supply circuits and the internal circuits can be tested from the single external terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating an internal supply voltage for a semiconductor integrated circuit, includes a first voltage generator which generates a voltage in response to a predetermined characteristic of the semiconductor integrated circuit, a second voltage generator which generates a second voltage from a reference voltage generator, and a selecting circuit which selects from among the first and second voltage. The selected voltage is suppled to an internal supply voltage generator which generates therefrom an internal supply voltage for the semiconductor integrated circuit. The first voltage is selected for regulating the internal supply voltage, being controlled in level according to the characteristic of the semiconductor integrated circuit.

Abstract: A non-rotating portable voltage sag generator includes for each phase a pair of cascaded standard industrial auto-transformers each having, for example, six taps and when they are cascaded the final output voltage of each phase is a product of the per unit value of each individual auto-transformer. Closed transition switching is provided to switch the auto-transformer into and out of the circuit effectively only during the time a voltage sag is desired. All of the switches and auto-transformers are conveniently carried in a single portable enclosure. There are no moving parts or diesel engines; thus, the non-rotating sag generator is useable in any part of an industrial plant.

Abstract: Lamps LP1-LP9 are connected in a matrix form. Control devices Tr1-Tr6 are installed on connecting wires of the lines and rows of the matrix used for connecting the lamps LP1-LP9, respectively. Each of the connecting wires L1-L3 on each line is connected to a power supply Vcc via each of the control devices Tr1-Tr3. Further, each of the connecting wires L4-L6 is connected to the ground via each of the control devices Tr4-Tr6. Then the plurality of loads are connected to the control devices Tr1-Tr6 so as to control the loads by the control devices Tr1-Tr6, the number of which is smaller than the number of loads.

Abstract: A switching method for producing a switching signal on reaching a switching condition, an evaluation circuit being supplied successively in time with a sequence of measurements which each comprise at least two bits, the measurements being checked for the switching condition in accordance with their time sequence, and the switching signal being produced as soon as the switching condition is reached for the first time. The two most significant bits of each measurement, are compared with one another and with the two most significant bits of the immediately preceding measurement, and in that the switching condition is changed when the two most significant bits of the respective measurement have the same value and when the two most significant bits of each measurement both differ from the two most significant bits of the immediately preceding measurement.

Abstract: A hot stand-by switching unit for a receiving apparatus including regular and a protection receiver comprises a branch circuit and a control circuit. The branch circuit consists of a coupler and a high-frequency switching unit. The high-frequency switching unit is controlled by the control circuit and supplies a low loss output of the coupler to the regular receiver and a high loss output of the coupler to the protection receiver. When the regular receiver breaks down, the high-frequency switching unit supplies the low loss output of the coupler to the protection receiver and the high loss output of the coupler to the regular receiver.

Abstract: An electrical switch having a double liquid medium immersion sensing function is disclosed. The switch (121) particularly includes a battery (125) connected to a power outlet (126) via an electronic circuit (124) that only connects the battery to the outlet once a first pair of electrodes (131, 132) have sensed immersion in a predetermined medium, and a second pair of electrodes (133, 134) connected to a pressure sensor (135) have sensed a predetermined immersion depth. Said switch (121) is advantageously connected to a pyrotechnic device (75) for inflating emergency equipment such as life jackets.