Abstract: Battery chargers, electrical systems, and rechargeable battery charging methods are described. According to one aspect, a battery charger includes charge circuitry configured to apply a plurality of main charging pulses of electrical energy to a plurality of rechargeable cells of a battery to charge the rechargeable cells during a common charge cycle of the battery and to apply a plurality of secondary charging pulses of electrical energy to less than all of the rechargeable cells of the battery during the common charge cycle of the battery to charge the less than all of the rechargeable cells.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an imager, preferably portable, that includes a source of electromagnetic radiation capable of generating radiation with one or more frequencies in a range of about 1 GHz to about 2000 GHz. An optical system that is optically coupled to the source focuses radiation received therefrom onto an object plane, and directs at least a portion of the focused radiation propagating back from the object plane onto an image plane. The imager further includes a scan mechanism coupled to the optical system for controlling thereof so as to move the focused radiation over the object plane. A detector optically coupled to the lens at the image plane detects at least a portion of the radiation propagating back from a plurality of scanned locations in the object plane, thereby generating a detection signal. A processor that is in communication with the detector generates an image of at least a portion of the object plane based on the detection signal.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a block defining a temperature control channel therethrough and a defining a sample chamber. The apparatus can also include an electrode disposed inside of the block such that the sample chamber is fluidically isolated from the temperature control channel by the electrode. The electrode can be configured to receive a signal from an impedance analyzer during a dielectric spectroscopy experiment related to a sample included in the sample chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the movement of a piston disposed within a housing comprises a pin which is responsive to the axial movements of a piston in the housing, the pin having an end which is magnetically coupled to a first ring magnet slidably disposed on a magnet carrier of an indicator body, a second ring magnet disposed on the magnet carrier having its poles oriented so as to repel the first ring magnet, and a retainer for holding the first and second ring magnets on the magnet carrier is described. Additionally, a method for operating the cycle indicator apparatus is also provided. The housing is comprised of one or a plurality of ports through which lubricants are delivered to one or a plurality of corresponding points within a machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for identifying a faulted phase in at least one shunt capacitor bank. The apparatus generally includes a sampling circuit for sampling current or voltage signals associated with the shunt capacitor bank. A microcontroller is coupled to the sampling circuit and programmed to measure a compensated neutral point phase angle from the sampled signal, and compare the compensated neutral point phase angle with a fixed reference phase angle to identify the faulted phase of the shunt capacitor bank. The method generally includes the steps of sampling a current or voltage signal associated with the shunt capacitor bank, determining a compensated neutral point phase angle from the sampled signal, and comparing the compensated neutral point phase angle with a fixed reference phase angle to identify the faulted phase of the shunt capacitor bank. The invention also relates to an apparatus and method for identifying the location of the fault (e.g.

Abstract: The test instrument is used to perform both time domain reflectometry (TDR) and analysis of transmission signals on a line under test. Further, the test instrument provides for both pulse TDR and step TDR. A coupling transformer having an enhanced low frequency response provides for coupling of the test instrument to the line under test. Isolation circuits between the coupling transformer and the line under test to prevent damage to the test instrument due to voltages on the line under test allow the test instrument to be used in connection with an active line under test. Two isolation circuits are utilized to maintain longitudinal balance of the circuit. During step TDR, the positive and negative transmitter circuits provide step-shaped impulse signals.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the status of a system of battery strings is described. The system includes a current sensor for each of the battery strings, and a controller configured to compute the average current from the measured currents. The state of the battery system is determined as being fully charged, discharging or charging, and the individual battery string currents are compared with the average measured current to determine if the currents are within a threshold value. An alarm indication is provided when one or more of the currents exceeds a threshold difference. The system may provide a local indication of status and may also interface with a communications network to provide for remote monitoring.

Abstract: A magnetic detector includes a detecting section having a surface facing a magnetic body which moves and emits a magnetic flux. The detecting section includes plural magnetic sensors for detecting the magnetic flux. The magnetic sensors are arranged in a matrix form having three or more rows and three or more columns arranged along the surface of the detecting section. The magnetic detector provides an input device precisely detecting a moving direction and a moving amount of the magnetic body.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing a battery. A property of the battery is measured. A dynamic characteristic of the battery is determined from a second order linear dynamic model.

Abstract: An apparatus (2;3;4;5) for determination of the axial position of the armature (11) of a linear motor comprises at least one pair of magnetically permeable, annular elements (12;20,21;30,31,34,35;40,41,44,45;48;50,51), which are arranged essentially coaxially and at a short distance (dr;db) from one another, such that an air gap (22;32,36;42,46) is formed between them, in which a magnetic field sensor (23;33,37;43,47;Si) for measurement of the magnetic field (B) in the air gap is arranged.

Abstract: A coil unit includes a planar coil that has a transmission side and a non-transmission side, a magnetic sheet provided over the non-transmission side of the planar coil, and a heat sink/magnetic shield plate stacked on a side of the magnetic sheet opposite to a side that faces the planar coil, the heat sink/magnetic shield plate dissipating heat generated by the planar coil and shielding magnetism by absorbing a magnetic flux that has not been absorbed by the magnetic sheet. The heat sink/magnetic shield plate has a thickness larger than that of the magnetic sheet.

Abstract: A system and method dynamically equalizes battery voltages with low inherent power losses in a string of series connected electrochemical batteries. The method includes charging/discharging a group of batteries using magnetic storage in a transformer with bipolar magnetic excursion, individually isolated circuits and pulsed energy transfer. A method also exchanges current between batteries using direct current transfer between them and limiting inductance. Using this method, battery voltage may be measured from an isolated circuit, thus enabling information transfer to a central monitoring system. The method also has the benefit of providing an estimation of battery internal resistance from isolated circuits in the series of batteries.

Abstract: A multi-track detection system for detecting the appearance of electronic elements includes a rotary module, a feeding module, an unvibrated module, a detection module, and a classification module. The rotary module includes a hollow transparent rotary structure having at least two annular guiding areas on the top surface thereof, and the electronic elements are sequentially arranged on the two annular guiding area. The feeding module has two V-shaped feeding grooves for guiding the electronic elements. The unvibrated module includes an unvibrated guiding block having two V-shaped unvibrated guiding grooves respectively communicated with the two V-shaped feeding grooves and respectively corresponding to the two annular guiding areas.

Abstract: A scan module of an electronic device scans a capacitive keypad for detection of the actuation of any capacitive touch sensor. This scan module remains in operation even when major power consuming circuits of the electronic device are in a sleep mode, and will not wake up the major power consuming circuits until an action requiring the circuits is needed, thereby, reducing overall power consumption of the electronic device while still maintaining scanning of the capacitive keypad. Upon detection of a valid key press of a capacitive touch sensor, an interrupt to the electronic device brings it out of a sleep mode and into an operating mode for further processing and appropriate action commensurate with the actuation of the specific capacitive touch sensor.

Abstract: A method includes positioning body-electrodes in galvanic contact with a body of a patient and positioning a mapping-tool, having a mapping-electrode, in a plurality of regions in the body. The method further includes tracking the mapping-tool at different positions in each of the regions using a location-measuring system, and for each region, generating a respective set of calibration-currents between the body-electrodes and the mapping-electrode at the different positions in the region. A respective relation is derived for each region between the respective set of the calibration-currents and the different positions, and is used in determining the location of an investigation-tool in response to the different respective relations and investigation-tool-currents.

Abstract: Systems and methods are shown for detecting a blown fuse in a three-phase line by comparing neutral points in the line before and after the fuses. Diode rectifier circuits may be used to compare the neutral points and generate a DC output voltage when neutral points are off from one another, and photocoupler circuits may provide electrical isolation when signaling a neutral point shift. The neutral points compared need not be on immediate sides of the fuses, so intermediate components may exist, and in some embodiments one of the compared points may be within a load connected to the three-phase line.

Abstract: A directional speed sensor comprises first and second Hall-effect modules. The first Hall-effect module outputs a first current pulse for a first predetermined period when a tooth of a toothed wheel that rotates with a shaft of the vehicle passes the first Hall-effect module in a first rotation direction and outputs the first current pulse for a second predetermined period when the tooth passes the first Hall-effect module in a second rotational direction. The second Hall-effect module is electrically connected in parallel with the first Hall-effect module, is angularly offset from the first Hall-effect module with respect to a center of the shaft, outputs a second current pulse for the first predetermined period when the tooth of the toothed wheel passes the second-Hall-effect module in the first direction, and outputs the second pulse for the second predetermined period when the tooth passes the second Hall-effect module in the second direction.

Abstract: A capacitance sensing apparatus for use in a position sensing apparatus, comprising a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes and a capacitance sensing circuit arranged to determine, in use in a normal operating mode, the capacitance between each pairing of electrodes comprising one from the first set and one from the second set, in which the apparatus is further provided with at least one group switch arranged to selectively electrically connect together groups of the electrodes within the sets of electrodes, in which, in use in a low resolution mode of the apparatus the or each group switch connects together the groups of electrodes and the capacitance sensing circuit is arranged to determine the capacitance between the each pairing of groups of electrodes in one set and the electrodes or groups of electrodes of the other set. Typically, the apparatus is used in conjunction with a display to form a touch-sensitive display.

Abstract: A method for calibrating apparatuses for determining the moisture content of products based on capacitive measurements comprises the following operating steps: Inserting a device (1) for simulating the dielectric properties of products in a measuring area of an apparatus (2) to be calibrated; taking a capacitive measurement with the apparatus (2) while the device (1) is inserted in the measuring area; modifying the device (1) settings at least once and taking the capacitive measurement again, for each different setting value; comparing each capacitive measurement taken this way with a corresponding known reference capacitive measurement; calibrating the apparatus (2) based on this comparison.

Abstract: A method for detecting electromagnetic waves derived from bacterial DNA, comprising extracting and purifying nucleic acids from a sample; diluting the extracted purified nucleic acids in an aqueous solvent; measuring a low frequency electromagnetic emission over time from the diluted extracted purified nucleic acids in an aqueous solvent; performing a signal analysis of the low frequency electromagnetic emission over time; and producing an output, based on the signal analysis, in dependence on the DNA in the sample. The DNA may be extracted from at least one of blood, feces, urine, saliva, tears, seminal fluid, sweat, seminal and vaginal fluids of a patient, or water to determine, e.g., potability. The samples may be frozen. The extracting and purifying may comprise diluting the sample with an aqueous buffer and mixing; degrading proteins in the diluted sample; precipitating DNA from the buffer solution; and resuspending the precipitated DNA in an aqueous solution.