Abstract: A protection circuit for protecting a load, such as a winch motor, from an overcurrent as well as from a circuit fault including welded primary switch contacts and a failure of its MOS/FET component. A power MOS/FET is used as a current mirror for sensing load current. A secondary switch is series connected to control the primary switch. A control circuit including a programmable data processor controls the MOS/FET and the secondary switch and senses the current through the MOS/FET's secondary source terminal and senses the voltage at its primary source terminal. The programmable data processor determines whether an overcurrent exists by comparing the sensed power circuit current to a stored overcurrent value and also senses whether the contacts of the primary switch are welded closed and whether the MOS/FET has been damaged. Additional conditions are sensed. Application of power to the load is prevented when such conditions are detected.

Abstract: A high current, solid state, electrical switch has switch terminal blocks on opposite sides of one or more arrays of parallel connected, solid state, high current, power switching devices mounted on a support. A first terminal of each switching device of each array is directly electrically and thermally bonded to a switch terminal block. A bus bar thermal bridge is directly electrically and thermally bonded to a second terminal of the switching device of each array. A thermally conductive heat sink panel is contoured in alignment with, and has a surface in spaced juxtaposition from, a surface of the bus bar thermal bridge and from surfaces of each of the switch terminal blocks. A thermally conductive, electrically insulating thermal interface material thermally contacts and extends between all said surfaces for conducting heat from the switch terminal blocks and from the thermal bridge to the heat sink panel.

Abstract: A method of controlling access to stored data is provided. In one embodiment, a method of controlling access to stored data comprises receiving a request from a recipient to access to the stored data, where the stored data is associated with an individual. The method may also comprise notifying the individual of the request to access the stored data. The method may also comprise requesting authorization for the recipient to access the stored data. The method may also comprise receiving a response from the individual regarding authorization to access the stored data and, upon a determination that authorization is granted, allowing the recipient access to the stored data. In one embodiment the method is configured to be implemented on a computing device with a processor.

Abstract: A battery protection circuit for connection to a vehicle's auxiliary battery, auxiliary battery load and chassis battery that is connected to the vehicle's alternator. A switching control circuit, including a digital processor, has a voltage sensing circuit connected to the alternator, a voltage sensing circuit connected to the auxiliary battery, a ground terminal for connection to the vehicle's common ground and outputs for controlling switches. An electrically controlled first switch is interconnected between the alternator and the auxiliary load. The first switch has a control input terminal connected to an output of the control circuit for being switched between a closed state and an open state. An electrically controlled second switch is interconnected between the auxiliary load and the auxiliary battery. The second switch has a control input terminal connected to an output of the control circuit for being switched between a closed state and an open state.

Abstract: An improvement for a smart, highside, high current, power switch module formed in an integrated circuit having at least one composite MOS/FET transistor switch connected to controlling and protection circuits. The power switch module has a load terminal (L), a battery input terminal (B), a control input terminal (C) and a diagnostic feedback terminal (M). The improvement provides overcurrent protection from a substantially instantaneous short circuit across an electrical load connected to the load terminal of the power switch module. The improvement is a capacitive circuit element connected between the battery input terminal (B) and the diagnostic feedback terminal (M).

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling a smart, high side driver with current and temperature sensing so that it can turn ON a relatively high current load of incandescent lamps or similar loads within a practical time. The output of the high side driver is sensed. In response to the coexistence of an ON command applied to the control input of the high side driver and the output terminal of the high side driver switching to an OFF state, an OFF command is applied to the control input of the high side driver. That OFF command is maintained for a selected cooling time interval. An ON command is applied to the control input of the high side driver after the selected cooling time interval. The selected cooling time interval is at least long enough to allow the MOS/FET temperature to cool to the thermal reset of its status temperature TRS, which is the temperature below which the driver operates with its highest current limit ILIMH when it is turned back on.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling at least one circuit breaker switch that is series connected between a source of electrical power and an electrical load. The circuit includes a programmed controller having at least two inputs and at least one output. A current sensor senses the current between the source and the load and has an output connected to a controller input. Another controller input is connected to the control input of a load power switch. The control output of the controller is connected to the control input of the circuit breaker switch. The circuit is operated by sensing the current between the source of electrical power and the electrical load and monitoring the control input of the load power switch to detect whether the load power switch is commanded to be closed or open. If the load power switch is commanded to be open, the circuit breaker switch will be opened if the sensed current value is greater than a first maximum current value.

Abstract: A circuit and method for detecting an operating transition of a mechanical apparatus driven by a hydraulic prime mover comprising a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor, the operating transition causing a change in the force applied by the mechanical apparatus on the prime mover. A motor current sensing circuit is connected in a motor power supply circuit to provide a motor current signal representing motor current. A bandpass filter receives the motor current signal and provides a filtered motor current signal consisting essentially of motor current signal components in the frequency range from a lower frequency boundary greater than zero Hz to an upper frequency boundary below substantially all the motor noise frequencies. A comparison circuit compares the filtered motor current signal to a first selected threshold level and outputs a signal representing the occurrence of the operating transition when the filtered motor current signal exceeds the selected threshold level.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling at least two power switches that are series connected between a source of electrical power and an electrical load, for energizing the load in response to a signal at a control input. The circuit includes a programmed controller having an input as the control input and a voltage sensor circuit connected to sense the voltage between the power switches and apply a voltage signal to a controller input. It may also have a sensor for sensing the current through the switches and applying a current signal to the controller. The controller inputs the voltage between the switches or the current through the switches to provide a sensed first value. It compares the sensed first value to an expected first value that exists if both switches are turned off. One of the two switches is turned on if the sensed first value is equal to the expected first value.

Abstract: A voltage regulator protecting both the regulator and the electrical system. A flyback diode is protected by an autoprotected MOSFET in series with the flyback diode and controlling it by a drive circuit connected to the vehicle ignition switch. Protection against overcurrent is provided by a resettable fuse, having a thermal protection circuit, in series with the power switch. A relay is in series with the resettable fuse. The controlled switch is controlled by the output of a voltage detector. A latching circuit holds it open as long as the circuit remains connected to the battery. Overvoltage protection is provided by a voltage detector which opens the relay if the battery voltage exceeds a pre-selected voltage. To accommodate lead-acid and maintenance-free batteries, the regulator has two input ignition terminals one of which controls the set point voltage. The resettable fuse is physically mounted in thermal connection to the power switch which switches the field.

Abstract: Apparatus for the rapid chilling of foodstuffs contained within an open top container including a chilling device connected to a source of refrigerant. The refrigerant source operates to cool the connected chilling device to a first predetermined temperature. After insertion of the chilling device into foodstuff contained within the container, the chilling device may be agitated to reduce the foodstuff temperature to at least a second predetermined value.

Abstract: A three terminal battery equalizer which includes a DC--DC converter has a first filter inductor in the switched, current conducting path connected to the battery ground and a second filter inductor in the switched, current path connected to the non-grounded, non-interconnected terminal of a second battery, and has a capacitor connected between the filter inductors for maintaining the same magnitude of current in the battery equalizer during the time interval when the switching transistors of the DC--DC converter are turned off, as when the transistor switches are turned on. The circuit further includes an error signal feedback circuit for controlling the transistor switches and protective feedback circuits, all providing signals which are integrated to eliminate the effect of alternating voltages, resulting from isolation of the control circuit from the battery circuit. The protective circuits include output current detection for overload protection, reverse polarity protection and temperature compensation.

Abstract: A battery equalizer for equalizing the voltage on series connected batteries synchronously switches the opposite ends of a tapped autotransformer in alternately reversing connection to the distally opposite terminals of the battery by alternately turning transistor switches on and off in alternate pairs while maintaining a center tap of the autotransformer connected to an intermediate terminal of the series batteries. Switching is accomplished by power field effect transistors and a voltage converter converts the upper battery voltage to a floating voltage so that the voltages of the two batteries can be differenced. The differenced voltage provides an error signal for driving a pulse width modulator which switches the transistors. Two protective power switching field effect transistors are interposed in the circuit and connected to prevent damage to the circuitry in the event of misconnection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching an electrical load, such as an incandescent lamp, with a FET and providing protection for the FET. An exponential reference signal is generated which is a function of drain to source voltage and represents the integral of instantaneous power dissipated in the FET. Simultaneously, an exponential FET gate signal is initiated for turning on the lamp or other load at a rate which would maximize the power dissipation in the FET under worst case short circuit conditions. The integrated power signal is compared to a critical threshold level which represents the maximum power dissipation rating of the FET. In the event the integrated instantaneous power signal rises above the critical threshold level, which would occur because of an overload, the FET is turned off to protect it and the load from the overload condition.

Abstract: An equalizer circuit is disclosed for permitting two series 12 volt batteries to supply both 24 volts and 12 volts and which maintains the batteries charged to equal voltages. The equalizer circuit is a regulated DC to DC converter with its output connected across the 12 volt battery which is connected to 12 volt loads and its input connected across either the other battery or the 24 volts of the input series pair of batteries. The reference voltage for the regulator is derived from a voltage dividing circuit which is connected across the 24 volt terminals of the two batteries. The voltage dividing circuit provides a reference voltage which is equal to half the voltage across the sum of the voltages of the two battieries.

Abstract: An inverter circuit is disclosed in which the efficiency of the inverter is improved by interposing a small transformer winding between the transistors in a Darlington pair which are used to switch the primary current of the inverter. The winding couples energy from the transformer into the Darlington pair at a polarity which opposes the characteristic junction potential of the output transistor. This substantially reduces the saturation voltage of this output transistor. The regulation of the output voltage is improved by detecting the RMS value of the output voltage and using the detected RMS value of the output voltage for controlling the width of pulses applied to the primary of the transformer of the inverter.

Abstract: Limulus lysate of improved sensitivity to endotoxin is prepared by withdrawing hemolymph from Limulus polyphemus (horseshoe crab), preparing a lysate by lysing the amoebocytes obtained from the hemolymph, treating the lysate with an amount of an organic solvent sufficient to precipitate a clotting inhibitor within the lysate and isolating the organic solvent treated lysate. In another embodiment, the sensitivity of the lysate is further increased by adding a salt of calcium, magnesium, manganese, thereto.

Abstract: Functional fluid compositions comprising polyphenyl thioethers, mixed polyphenyl oxy-thioethers and mixtures thereof containing certain pyrimidines as anti-corrosive agents have improved metal compatibility and are particularly useful as aircraft engine lubricants and hydraulic fluids.