Abstract: A power supply assembly is disclosed which includes a resonant static converter of the Zero Voltage Switching type having a mono-switch at the primary and a rectifier circuit at the secondary; it further includes an auxiliary voltage booster rectifier circuit and a starting circuit for a load such as a gas discharge lamp.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic control process for transfering energy in a static converter comprising a voltage source (E) and an almost sinusoidal current generator IQS serially coupled with the primary winding of at least one saturable current transformer (TP). The secondary winding of the current transformer (TP) feeds a control circuit (C) which regulates as a function of one parameter, voltage or current, of this secondary winding the demagnetization of the whole magnetic circuit (TP) according to the desired energy transfer. The invention also relates to a static converter for implementing the method.

Abstract: A protection device for automatically draining the water contained in a solar energy water heater in case of frost is a frost detector disposed externally of the heater, and includes a heat exchanger formed of a material having a good heat conductivity, preferably metal, secured to a small container filled with water through a bond having a good heat conductivity, and means responsive to a difference between the physical properties of water and ice, notably a variation in the density, and, therefore, a variation in volume and a variation in the electric resistivity. When the outdoor temperature has fallen below the water freezing point in this frost detector, the small volume of water contained in the small container is transformed into ice, and this icing is utilized for producing an electric signal controlling the draining of the heater.