Abstract: An equalizer for equalizing the charge on several series-connected cells includes a transformer having plural windings on a core corresponding to the number of cells. The windings are tightly coupled to one another. A switching device such as a MOSFET is connected to each of the windings, and a winding and a switching device are connected across each of the cells. The switching devices are simultaneously switched at a relatively high frequency, e.g., 20 Hz, and the voltage across the highest charged cell appears across each of the windings when the switching devices are on. Current flows from the most highly charged cell to a cell or to cells of lower charge, with the charging current being proportional to the difference in voltage between the highest charged cell and each of the lesser charged cells. Equalization is carried out with very little power consumption by the equalizer, allowing charging to take place in a rapid manner.

Abstract: A vehicle disabling device is positioned under a vehicle desired to be stopped, sends a capacitive discharge therethrough, and disables at least one electric system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An analog, low-cost nickel-cadmium battery charger including a fast charging current circuit and a slow charging current circuit, both of which are controlled by a comparator circuit which compares the characteristic negative change in battery voltage at the onset of overcharge to the stored charging voltage and changes the charging current from fast charging to slow charging when the battery voltage begins to decrease at the onset of overcharge, a timer that shuts off the fast charging current circuit after a predetermined period of time and reverts to the slow charging current circuit, and a thermostat that checks the temperature of the battery and, in the event of overheating or cooling below a predetermined temperature, stops all charging of the battery.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for high intensity discharge lamps is taught. A high speed electronic switch gates voltage across the lamp only for that period of time when the amount of resultant current flow will not adversely affect the lamp or the switch. At that point, the voltage is gated off for a period of time, after which the cycle repeats. This scheme eliminates the need for any inductive, resistive or capactive element, either saturable or conventional, in the post-ignition operation of the lamp, except perhaps for auxiliary functions. The elimination of such inductive elements results in a highly efficient, low cost electronic ballast having reduced electromagnetic and radio interference emissions.

Abstract: A low current, high voltage power supply for gas discharge devices, such as neon tubes. The power supply has a free-running oscillator which generates a high frequency voltage signal which drives a light-weight, compact transformer. The oscillator has a power transistor drive, and a second transistor is used to remove the base drive of the power transistor to render it non-conductive. The second transistor also provides a path for rapid evacuation of the charge carriers stored in the base-emitter junction of the power transistor to rapidly render it non-conductive when the second transistor is energized. A safety bypass circuit is provided should a fault occur with the gas discharge device.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for testing the degree of vacuum in an evacuated vial. For testing the vacuum, a vial is located at a source of high voltage radio frequency power and the power is applied to the vial. A momentary intense flash of light is applied to the vial to cause ionization of the gas within the vial and the ionization current of the ionized gas within the vial is then sensed and a representation of the value of the ionization current is generated. The representation of the ionized current is compared with a minimum acceptable current value which is indicative of a predetermined minimum allowable vacuum within the vial. The vial is rejected if the measured ionization current is less than the minimum acceptable current value. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a single station for testing evacuated vials, one at a time. In another embodiment of the apparatus, a plurality of vials are conveyed in a carousel through a series of testing stations.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an amplifier and integral signal shunt attenuator. The amplifier consists of an active amplifying device that is normally biased for signal amplification. The active amplifying device has a characteristic signal transfer impedance between its input and output and a characteristic signal shunt impedance across its input. The amplifier is configured such that the power dissipated by the active amplifying device may be limited. During transmission standby, the active amplifying device may be rebiased to lower the shunt impedance with respect to the transfer impedance. Thus, the undesirable signal is no longer fed-through the transfer impedance but is substantially shunted across the relatively low shunt impedance.

Abstract: A switching-type charging circuit is described wherein the power factor of the circuit has been optimized. The switching-type charging circuit utilizes a dual loop feedback system to control the input and output current of the circuit. The dual feedback loop system utilizes a sinusoidal voltage reference in conjunction with a pulse width modulation circuit to force the input impedance of the circuit to appear substantially purely resistive.

Abstract: A low current, high voltage power supply for gas discharge devices, such as neon tubes. The power supply has a free-running oscillator which generates a high frequency voltage signal which drives a light-weight, compact transformer. The oscillator has a power transistor drive, and a second transistor is used to remove the base drive of the power transistor to render it non-conductive. The second transistor also provides a path for rapid evacuation of the charge carriers stored in the base-emitter junction of the power transistor to rapidly render it non-conductive when the second transistor is energized. A safety bypass circuit is provided should a fault occur with the gas discharge device.