Abstract: Provided is a lithium ion rechargeable battery charging system with lithium cell balancing, including a lithium ion rechargeable battery and a battery charging device configured for charging the lithium ion rechargeable battery and wherein cell balancing of the lithium ion rechargeable battery cells of the lithium ion rechargeable battery continues for a predetermine period of time once a cell balancing mode begins.

Abstract: A dynamic battery charging method for use in a battery charger configured to charge a lead acid battery, including marking a time when battery charger switches from Constant Current (CC) phase to Constant voltage (CV) phase to establish CV Start Time; starting at CV Start Time; calculating Delta Current by subtracting current measurement at particular time interval from previous current measurement at an earlier time interval; terminating CV phase once Delta Current is less than or equal to a particular Delta Current current level OR once the battery charger operating current drops below a particular battery charger operating current; marking CV Finish Time; switching back to another CC phase once CV phase is terminated; and staying at another CC phase for a time period equal to the CV Finish Time minus CV start Time OR until lead acid battery reaches CV voltage plus an additional voltage amount to complete charging.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a fault in an electrical component using a diagnostic system having a plurality of sensors. The method includes positioning the electrical component in a predetermined position adjacent the diagnostic system and at a predetermined orientation with respect to the diagnostic system. The method also includes causing a predetermined level of electrical current to flow to the electrical component, the stationary sensors sensing electrical discharge emitted by the electrical component at an area of the fault, and the tangible computerized controller receiving sensor data from the sensors. The method further includes the tangible computerized controller executing the computer-readable instructions to process the sensor data to generate test information including a location of the electrical component at which the fault is occurring in at least two dimensions.

Abstract: An adaptive impedance matching module having an adjustable impedance matching network with an input for receiving an RF power source and an output to be connected to an antenna, and first and second voltage measurement device configured to sense a voltage at respective first and second nodes on the impedance matching network. A network adjuster circuit is provided to switch the impedance matching network between a first state where first and second voltages are sensed on the respective first and second nodes and a second state where third and fourth voltages are sensed on the respective first and second nodes. Processing circuitry is provided which determines the matched load impedance based upon the first, second, third and fourth sensed voltages and including matching adjustment circuitry configured to adjust the matching impedance in the event the matched load impedance differs from a target load impedance by more that a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method and system for non-destructive evaluation of one or more welds of a stator includes activating the stator welds using an electrical current; recording radiometric thermal images of the welds over time; and analyzing a temperature-time profile of a weld to qualify the weld by one or more of estimating the size of the weld, determining if the temperature of the activated weld has exceeded a predetermined temperature at a predetermined time, or comparing the temperature-time profile of the weld to a reference. The stator may be configured as a bar wound stator. A mask may be applied to the stator to reduce reflections or emissions from non-weld thermal sources.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a fault in an electrical component using a diagnostic system having a plurality of sensors. The method includes positioning the electrical component in a predetermined position adjacent the diagnostic system and at a predetermined orientation with respect to the diagnostic system. The method also includes causing a predetermined level of electrical current to flow to the electrical component, the stationary sensors sensing electrical discharge emitted by the electrical component at an area of the fault, and the tangible computerized controller receiving sensor data from the sensors. The method further includes the tangible computerized controller executing the computer-readable instructions to process the sensor data to generate test information including a location of the electrical component at which the fault is occurring in at least two dimensions.

Abstract: A circuit for reducing and offsetting the voltage swing of a differential pre-drive circuit. The circuit includes a first H-bridge of transistors receiving a differential pair of input signals. A swing resister is coupled to the H-bridge for reducing a voltage swing of the differential pair of input signals. The reduced swing is generated as a differential pair of output signals. Also, the differential pre-drive circuit includes an offset resistor that is coupled to the H-bridge. The offset resistor acts to offset the differential pair of output signals. As such, the differential pair of output signals having reduced swing and offset as applied to gates of output transistors in an output stage allow the output transistors to remain in the saturation operating state.

Abstract: An adaptive impedance matching module having an adjustable impedance matching network with an input for receiving an RF power source and an output to be connected to an antenna, and first and second voltage measurement device configured to sense a voltage at respective first and second nodes on the impedance matching network. A network adjuster circuit is provided to switch the impedance matching network between a first state where first and second voltages are sensed on the respective first and second nodes and a second state where third and fourth voltages are sensed on the respective first and second nodes. Processing circuitry is provided which determines the matched load impedance based upon the first, second, third and fourth sensed voltages and including matching adjustment circuitry configured to adjust the matching impedance in the event the matched load impedance differs from a target load impedance by more that a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method of detecting a gap between a valve seat insert and a port in a cylinder head may include heating the valve seat insert and the cylinder head and generating a thermal image of the valve seat insert and the cylinder head at an interface between the valve seat insert and corresponding port in the cylinder head housing the valve seat insert. The thermal image may be evaluated to determine the magnitude of a gap between the valve seat insert and the cylinder head based on a temperature at the interface between the valve seat insert and the cylinder head.

Abstract: A system and method for performing output clock phase smoothing. A phase smoothing circuit is described and includes a numerically-controlled oscillator (NCO) configured to produce a plurality of NCO clock pulses at a selectable frequency that is based on an input clock. Edges of the plurality of NCO clock pulses are aligned to edges of the input clock. A phase error calculation module is coupled to the NCO and is configured to generate a corresponding phase error for each of the plurality of NCO clock pulses. A clock phase selectable delay is coupled to the phase error calculation module and is configured to adjust each of the plurality of NCO clock pulses according to the corresponding phase error to generate an output clock at the selectable frequency that are phase-adjusted to more closely match an ideal output clock phase. Edges of the output clock need not necessarily align to the edges of the input clock.

Abstract: A method of detecting a gap between a valve seat insert and a port in a cylinder head may include heating the valve seat insert and the cylinder head and generating a thermal image of the valve seat insert and the cylinder head at an interface between the valve seat insert and corresponding port in the cylinder head housing the valve seat insert. The thermal image may be evaluated to determine the magnitude of a gap between the valve seat insert and the cylinder head based on a temperature at the interface between the valve seat insert and the cylinder head.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a duty cycle of a clock signal. The circuit includes a duty cycle control loop that includes a voltage-to-duty cycle (V-to-DC) converter, an output driver, a duty-cycle-to voltage (DC-to-V) converter, and an operational amplifier. The V-to-DC converter receives an input clock signal. The output driver is coupled to the V-to-DC converter and provides an output clock signal that is associated with a duty cycle distortion value. The DC-to-V converter converts the output clock signal to an average voltage. The operational amplifier amplifies an error between the average voltage and a reference voltage. The error is fed back to the V-to-DC converter through a negative feedback loop, wherein the V-to-DC converter adjusts a duty cycle of the input clock signal based on the error.

Abstract: A system and method for performing output clock phase smoothing. A phase smoothing circuit is described and includes a numerically-controlled oscillator (NCO) configured to produce a plurality of NCO clock pulses at a selectable frequency that is based on an input clock. Edges of the plurality of NCO clock pulses are aligned to edges of the input clock. A phase error calculation module is coupled to the NCO and is configured to generate a corresponding phase error for each of the plurality of NCO clock pulses. A clock phase selectable delay is coupled to the phase error calculation module and is configured to adjust each of the plurality of NCO clock pulses according to the corresponding phase error to generate an output clock at the selectable frequency that are phase-adjusted to more closely match an ideal output clock phase. Edges of the output clock need not necessarily align to the edges of the input clock.

Abstract: The bases of modular units of an I/O system are connected serially by two-way electrical and mechanical connectors so that units can be inserted into and removed from lines of units connected to a controller without removal or movement of any other unit. By two-way connector is meant that confronting connectors on adjacent units disengage by movement in the same or opposite direction from that in which they engaged. The electrical connectors distribute a communication bus and power to the modular units. In addition, plug-in electronics modules and personality modules, with the latter providing selective interfaces between the electronics modules and banks of terminals for landing field wiring, have a common locking mechanism for locking both in sockets in the bases. The locking mechanism includes at least one locking assembly having a shaft rotatable from a free end of the electronics module for rotating a paddle into and out of engagement with a catch in the base.