Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit system including a first active layer fabricated on a front side of a semiconductor die and a second pre-fabricated layer on a back side of the semiconductor die and having electrical components embodied therein, wherein the electrical components include at least one discrete passive component. The integrated circuit system also includes at least one electrical path coupling the first active layer and the second pre-fabricated layer.

Abstract: A device and method are provided to drive piezoelectric elements in haptic applications. In one embodiment, a pattern generator provides user programmable PWM waveforms to a driver. The load of the driver is an inductor in series with the piezoelectric element. The filtration of the inductor in series with the capacitance of the piezoelectric element suppresses the high-frequency components of the PWM pulse train, and recovers a value commensurate with the duty cycle of the PWM pulse train. The resulting waveform across the piezoelectric element is converted to physical motion, thereby creating a haptic effect on a user interface. Advantageously, there is reduced power loss, reduced switching induced noise, and a more haptic rich environment.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting user input includes receiving a user input at an input arrangement of a user interface. The input arrangement has at least one piezoelectric sensor that generates an electric signal in response to the input. The electric signal is processed to determine the presence of the input. The processing may indicate the magnitude of the force of the input, in addition to the input's location. An output arrangement of the user interface generates an output in response to the processing. The output may be a haptic, audio or visual output.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for controlling drive patterns is disclosed. A digital engine for controlling drive patterns may include a profile controller to program characteristics of one or more drive patterns for one or more piezoelectric actuators. The digital engine may further include a register array to store profile information for the one or more drive patterns. Each drive pattern may comprise a plurality of pulses with each pulse having a slope. The digital engine may also include a digital pattern generator to generate the one or more drive patterns based upon the profile information stored in the register array. The digital engine may further include a slope shaping circuit to modify one or more signals based upon an input from the digital pattern generator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a capacitor protection circuit. The capacitor protection circuit may include a capacitor bank, a pilot circuit and a main commutation gap. The pilot circuit and the main commutation gap may be provided in parallel electrical communication with the capacitor bank. Additionally, one or more plasma injectors may be provided in series electrical communication with the pilot circuit. The plasma injectors may be operable to provide partially or completely ionized plasma across the main commutation gap to make conductive the main commutation gap.

Abstract: Systems and methods of dynamic reactive power support for a power transmission system are provided. In one embodiment, a method of dynamic reactive power support for a power transmission system includes at least one circuit breaker connecting a shunt capacitor bank containing at least one shunt capacitor with a metal oxide varistor (MOV) connected in parallel. A controller is used to detect a voltage drop at the power transmission system (e.g., substation bus). In response to detecting the voltage drop, the controller closes the circuit breaker(s) connecting the shunt capacitors to the power transmission system. The controller then monitors at least one MOV to detect a current flow. Upon detection of a current flow in the MOV, the controller disconnects one or more shunt capacitors from the power transmission system by opening one or more circuit breakers. The shunt capacitors may be disconnected simultaneously, sequentially, in groups, or otherwise.

Abstract: Systems and methods of dynamic reactive power support for a power transmission system are provided. In one embodiment, a method of dynamic reactive power support for a power transmission system includes at least one circuit breaker connecting a shunt capacitor bank containing at least one shunt capacitor with a metal oxide varistor (MOV) connected in parallel. A controller is used to detect a voltage drop at the power transmission system (e.g., substation bus). In response to detecting the voltage drop, the controller closes the circuit breaker(s) connecting the shunt capacitors to the power transmission system. The controller then monitors at least one MOV to detect a current flow. Upon detection of a current flow in the MOV, the controller disconnects one or more shunt capacitors from the power transmission system by opening one or more circuit breakers. The shunt capacitors may be disconnected simultaneously, sequentially, in groups, or otherwise.

Abstract: An illumination system, such as might be used for illuminating a projection system, includes at least a first source of incoherent light capable of generating light in a first wavelength range. The system also includes a body containing a fluorescent material that emits light in a second wavelength range, different from the first wavelength range, when illuminated by light in the first wavelength range. The body has an extraction area and at least some of the light at the second wavelength is internally reflected within the body to the extraction area.

Abstract: High pressure mercury arc lamps are commonly used as the illumination source in many projection systems. Such lamps may be deficient in either output power or spectrum, and so it is desirable to combine the light from the lamp with light from a second light generator. The second light generator may be another mercury lamp or a solid state source, such as one or more light emitting diodes. Different ways of combining light from two light generators are described. The second light source may be an arrangement of a number of red LEDs that supplements the red light produced by the mercury light. A tunnel integrator may be used to homogenize the combined light beam and to reduce the angular separation between the light beams from the two light generators.

Abstract: High pressure mercury arc lamps are commonly used as the illumination source in many projection systems. Such lamps may be deficient in either output power or spectrum, and so it is desirable to combine the light from the lamp with light from a second light generator. The second light generator may be another mercury lamp or a solid state source, such as one or more light emitting diodes. Different ways of combining light from two light generators are described. The second light source may be an arrangement of a number of red LEDs that supplements the red light produced by the mercury light. A tunnel integrator may be used to homogenize the combined light beam and to reduce the angular separation between the light beams from the two light generators.

Abstract: A projection display system employs one or more color modifying aperture stops, such as apodizing aperture stops, to provide high contrast, balanced color and high throughput. One projection system includes a reflective liquid crystal-on-silicon light valve positioned with a polarizing beam splitter, such as a wire grid polarizing beam splitter, for each of the primary color component light paths to separately impart image information into each of the primary color components of light. A color combiner receives and combines the primary color components of light with imparted image information to provide light representing a polychromatic display image. At least one aperture stop is positioned along at least one of the primary color component light paths to balance relative intensities of the primary color components of light.

Abstract: A compound polarization beam splitter (33) for use with a reflective, polarization-modulating, imaging device (10), e.g., a LCoS device, is provided. The compound PBS has: (a) an input prism (20); (b) an output prism (30), and (c) a polarizer (13), which is located between the two prisms (20,30) and which may be a wire grid polarizer (13a) or a multi-layer reflective polarizer (13b). Polarized illumination light (11) enters the input prism (20) through a first surface (21) and undergoes total internal reflection at a second surface (22) before being reflected from the polarizer (13) and polarization-modulated at the imaging device (10). The polarizer's tilt angle (?) is less than 45°, which reduces astigmatism and the required back working distance of the system's projection lens (74).

Abstract: A projection display system employs one or more color modifying aperture stops, such as apodizing aperture stops, to provide high contrast, balanced color and high throughput. One projection system includes a reflective liquid crystal-on-silicon light valve positioned with a polarizing beam splitter, such as a wire grid polarizing beam splitter, for each of the primary color component light paths to separately impart image information into each of the primary color components of light. A color combiner receives and combines the primary color components of light with imparted image information to provide light representing a polychromatic display image. At least one aperture stop is positioned along at least one of the primary color component light paths to balance relative intensities of the primary color components of light.

Abstract: A compound polarization beam splitter (33) for use with a reflective, polarization-modulating, imaging device (10), e.g., a LCoS device, is provided. The compound PBS has: (a) an input prism (20); (b) an output prism (30), and (c) a polarizer (13), which is located between the two prisms (20,30) and which may be a wire grid polarizer (13a) or a multi-layer reflective polarizer (13b). Polarized illumination light (11) enters the input prism (20) through a first surface (21) and undergoes total internal reflection at a second surface (22) before being reflected from the polarizer (13) and polarization-modulated at the imaging device (10). The polarizer'stilt angle (&bgr;) is less than 45°, which reduces astigmatism and the required back working distance of the system's projection lens (74).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting currents in a three-phase power transmission system includes a first detection circuit electrically coupled to a first phase of the three-phase transmission system, a second detection circuit electrically coupled to a second phase of the three-phase transmission system different than the first phase, and an event output switch electrically coupled to the first detection circuit and the second detection circuit and configured to actuate when a subsynchronous current at least one of the first phase and the second phase exceeds a pre-selected subsynchronous current setpoint.

Abstract: A compound polarization beam splitter (33) for use with a reflective, polarization-modulating, imaging device (10), e.g., a LCoS device, is provided. The compound PBS has: (a) an input prism (20); (b) an output prism (30), and (c) a polarizer (13), which is located between the two prisms (20,30) and which may be a wire grid polarizer (13a) or a multi-layer reflective polarizer (13b). Polarized illumination light (11) enters the input prism (20) through a first surface (21) and undergoes total internal reflection at a second surface (22) before being reflected from the polarizer (13) and polarization-modulated at the imaging device (10). The polarizer's tilt angle (&bgr;) is less than 45°, which reduces astigmatism and the required back working distance of the system's projection lens (74).

Abstract: The present invention is a tire cutting machine comprising of a base, a body member, a drive assembly means and a cutting assembly means. The drive assembly means includes a drive power means simultaneously engaged to a pair of front drive wheels and to a pair of rear drive wheels to provide rotation thereof. The front drive wheels are coaxially mounted in close relation to one another on a front drive wheel shaft extending between a first drive assembly arm and a second drive assembly arm. The rear drive wheels are coaxially mounted in close relation to one another and to a guide wheel which is directly engaged to the drive power means. The cutting assembly means includes a cutting power means simultaneously engaged to a front cutting wheel and to a rear cutting wheel to provide rotation thereof.

Abstract: A compound polarization beam splitter (33) for use with a reflective, polarization-modulating, imaging device (10), e.g., a LCoS device, is provided. The compound PBS has: (a) an input prism (20); (b) an output prism (30), and (c) a polarizer (13), which is located between the two prisms (20,30) and which may be a wire grid polarizer (13a) or a multi-layer reflective polarizer (13b). Polarized illumination light (11) enters the input prism (20) through a first surface (21) and undergoes total internal reflection at a second surface (22) before being reflected from the polarizer (13) and polarization-modulated at the imaging device (10). The polarizer's tilt angle (&bgr;) is less than 45°, which reduces astigmatism and the required back working distance of the system's projection lens (74).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting currents in a three-phase power transmission system includes a first detection circuit electrically coupled to a first the three-phase transmission system, a second detection circuit electrically coupled to a second phase of the three-phase transmission system different than the first phase, and an event output switch electrically coupled to the first detection circuit and the second detection circuit and configured to actuate when a subsynchronous current at least one of the first phase and the second phase exceeds a pre-selected subsynchronous current setpoint.

Abstract: A projection display system employs one or more color modifying aperture stops, such as apodizing aperture stops, to provide high contrast, balanced color and high throughput. One projection system includes a reflective liquid crystal-on-silicon light valve positioned with a polarizing beam splitter, such as a wire grid polarizing beam splitter, for each of the primary color component light paths to separately impart image information into each of the primary color components of light. A color combiner receives and combines the primary color components of light with imparted image information to provide light representing a polychromatic display image. At least one aperture stop is positioned along at least one of the primary color component light paths to balance relative intensities of the primary color components of light.