Abstract: A steering system with magnetic torque overlay of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a hydraulic valve and differential-pressure transducer that monitors pressure created by the valve due to torque exerted by a driver of the vehicle in various directions on a steering wheel thereof. The transducer is fastened to a recirculating ball steering gear. A magnetic actuator generates an output of torque required from the steering gear for a maneuver of the steering wheel and applies the torque to the valve independently of input by the driver. A permanent magnet is located proximate the actuator. A control module calculates an appropriate amount of electric current and sends it to the actuator to generate the output torque. The torque is added to or subtracted from the system in any of the directions independently of the driver input by the pressure-monitoring and inputs from the vehicle into the control module.

Abstract: A steering system with magnetic torque overlay of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a hydraulic valve and differential-pressure transducer that monitors pressure created by the valve due to torque exerted by a driver of the vehicle in various directions on a steering wheel thereof. The transducer is fastened to a recirculating ball steering gear. A magnetic actuator generates an output of torque required from the steering gear for a maneuver of the steering wheel and applies the torque to the valve independently of input by the driver. A permanent magnet is located proximate the actuator. A control module calculates an appropriate amount of electric current and sends it to the actuator to generate the output torque. The torque is added to or subtracted from the system in any of the directions independently of the driver input by the pressure-monitoring and inputs from the vehicle into the control module.

Abstract: An electrical power transfer system for selectively connecting a load to a first power source or a second power source includes a first switch having an input selectively connected to the first power source and an output connected to the load. A second switch includes an input and an output connected to the load. An isolation device has its input connected to the second power source and its output connected to the input of the second switch to provide a continuous neutral path for the second power source and to isolate a neutral current path of the load from the second power source.

Abstract: A wireless battery monitoring system and method include a receiver and a plurality of wireless transmitters. The transmitters are connectable to a corresponding battery and are encoded to identify the corresponding battery. The transmitters are programmed to transmit data regarding the corresponding battery, such as voltage, temperature, balancer activity, etc., to the receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for mounting a current transformer in proximity to a circuit breaker of an electrical system. Generally, a plurality of current transformers (CTs) are provided to measure a plurality of branches from a main power supply and are accumulated on a sensor module. In at least one embodiment, the sensor module includes a molded polymer mounting support that can support the CTs. The polymer molded mounting support departs from the standard circuit board and is substantially less fragile. A wiring channel is provided within the sensor module so that CT output wiring can be safely routed to the output connector using as few as two soldered connections, rather than the typical six soldered connections required in existing branch monitoring systems. Multiple sensor modules can be stacked to allow continued alignment with the CTs and software/firmware/hardware can allow for any current polarity changes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for mounting a current transformer in proximity to a circuit breaker of an electrical system. Generally, a sensor assembly contains a plurality of current transformers (CTs) for measuring power wires from a main power supply. To accommodate measuring a greater number of wires than one sensor assembly can service, a plurality of sensor assemblies can be mounted end-to-end. The sensor assemblies can have symmetrical recessed portions that laterally align when mounted end-to-end by inverting one of the sensor assemblies. The lateral alignment allows CTs mounted lateral to the recessed portions to be aligned with corresponding circuit breakers, so that wires passing from the circuit breakers are aligned with the CTs, reducing bending stresses on the CTs in contrast to prior efforts. Changes in polarity caused by the inversion can be adjusted by software, firmware, hardware or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an efficient alternative energy uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system having a main first source of power coupled to an electrical load, comprising: a second source of power from stored energy coupled to the electrical load, the second source being adapted to supplement the first source and condition the power from the stored energy to predetermined conditions for the electrical load; an automatic transfer switch (ATS) coupled between the first source and the second source and adapted to control the first source coupling to the electrical load when the first source power is noncompliant with predetermined conditions for the electrical load; and a source of alternative energy coupled downstream of the ATS to the second source, the electrical load, or a combination thereof, wherein the source of alternative energy comprises a source of direct current (DC) power.

Abstract: An electrical power transfer system for selectively connecting a load to a first power source or a second power source includes a first switch having an input selectively connected to the first power source and an output connected to the load. A second switch includes an input and an output connected to the load. An isolation device has its input connected to the second power source and its output connected to the input of the second switch to provide a continuous neutral path for the second power source and to isolate a neutral current path of the load from the second power source.

Abstract: A power assist steering system including a valve housing and a proportional control valve supported within the valve housing, further includes a pressure transducer arranged with respect to the proportional control valve for determining an amount of actuation of the proportional control valve. A pressure signal is sent from the pressure transducer to a control for determining an amount of current to be sent to an electromagnetic apparatus within the power assist steering system for overcoming a pull force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving the disturbance pass through characteristics of a line interactive uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”). One disclosed technique uses a naturally commutated fast utility disconnect switch, wherein the switch is self commutated by the UPS inverter forcing the current through the switch to zero. A second disclosed technique uses a gate commutated fast utility disconnect switch and the associated snubber circuits, wherein the fast utility disconnect is opened quickly upon occurrence of a line fault and the energy generated in interrupting the line current is dissipated by the snubber circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving the disturbance pass through characteristics of a line interactive uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”). One disclosed technique uses a naturally commutated fast utility disconnect switch, wherein the switch is self commutated by the UPS inverter forcing the current through the switch to zero. A second disclosed technique uses a gate commutated fast utility disconnect switch and the associated snubber circuits, wherein the fast utility disconnect is opened quickly upon occurrence of a line fault and the energy generated in interrupting the line current is dissipated by the snubber circuits.

Abstract: A contactor assembly has a pneumatic actuator coupled in driving relationship with a contact arm for affecting opening and closing of at least one pair of contact tips and has a magnet valve coupled between a source of actuating air pressure and the pneumatic actuator. The valve includes an air inlet port, an air outlet port and an air exhaust port. Resilient valve seats are incorporated in the valve for sealingly engaging metallic seats on a separable valve stem. In one form, an integral filter assembly is incorporated in the valve to filter inlet air. In another form, an in-line filter is coupled to the inlet port for filtering air.

Abstract: A power supply control is disclosed which performs in conjunction with an a.c. source as may be provided by a utility line input. This line input is directed through a converter which reflects or mirrors an a.c. signal into the line input mimicing it in all aspects except that of amplitude. The opposite side of the bi-directional device is coupled to a node connection which further is coupled to an energy reservoir present as a rechargeable storage battery. An output converter device serves to develop a desired a.c. output employing the energy at the node connection. Energy transfer into the node is provided by controlling the amplitude of the input converter such that it is slightly less than that of the input utility. The apparatus is modular in design such that it may assume a variety of configurations employing either a.c. or d.c. node connections.

Abstract: Power treatment apparatus of a UPS variety which includes a central node to which is coupled an a.c.-to-d.c. converter or conversion device, the a.c. side of which is connectable with line power and the d.c. side of which is coupled with the node. The node additionally is coupled to an output d.c.-to-a.c. converter or conversion device, the a.c. side of which is connectable with a load. Additionally, the node is coupled to a d.c.-to-d.c. converter which operates bidirectionally in conjunction with a rechargeable battery supply. The latter conversion device includes an inverter, the d.c. side of which is coupled to the battery and the a.c. side of which is coupled through a voltage boosting arrangement with a synchronous rectifier. A control protocol is developed for start-up procedures wherein the d.c./d.c. inverter is enabled only following a preliminary start-up evaluation procedure including power supply monitoring.

Abstract: Power conditioning apparatus exhibiting enhanced stability with respect to lagging phase angle conditions incurred in conjunction with load derived transients. The apparatus employs a synthesizer network structured having a regulator which is fashioned as a non-linear saturable transformer in parallel with a capacitor bank and which is supplied from a utility line source through input inductors. The saturable transformer components and associated capacitors form a ferroresonant circuit wherein the reactive components operate beyond the knee of a conventional magnetization curve. To develop the stiffness to suddenly lagging phase angle otherwise encountered with such synthesizers, a induction or synchronous motor is employed at the output of the regulators which operates in essentially no load fashion to create a stable output in the presence of load transient phenomena. An odd harmonic trap arrangement is provided to assure stability under severe operational conditions such as single phasing.

Abstract: Power conditioning apparatus particularly suited for computer facilities and including non-linear input chokes connectable with line power. These chokes are structured having a center leg configured to define a varying gap having a narrowest flux transfer region located centrally with respect to a surrounding shell structure. The gap configuration expands uniformly outwardly from this narrowest region. The outputs of the input chokes are serially, magnetically coupled through primary windings to pulse saturable reactors of a synthesizing network which includes a capacitor bank and operates to synthesize a sinewave output. The capacitance values of the capacitor bank are selectively distributed between the primary, isolation windings and the pulse saturable secondary or regulator components of the synthesizer network to achieve important improvements in system efficiency.

Abstract: Power conditioning apparatus particularly suited for computer facilities and including non-linear input chokes connectible with line power. The outputs of the input chokes are serially, magnetically coupled through primary windings to pulse saturable reactors of a synthesizing network which includes a capacitor bank and operates to synthesize a sinewave output. Series tuned traps are coupled to the synthesizer network to avoid the development of harmonics above fundamental.

Abstract: A power circuit including an x and y inverter, an x and y constant voltage transformer, and a filtered d.c. input operable to provide a three phase sine wave output. The three phase outputs from the two transformers are a result of interconnections of the secondary windings of the transformer - in essence connecting the conventional two phase to three phase connections. The circuit is operable to provide a constant three phase output when a balanced load is applied. With an unbalanced load the phase of the output voltages of the two transformers are corrected relative to each other. A feedback circuit that includes an oscillator continuously samples the phase of the output voltage of each of the two transformers and adjusts the phase of one transformer output to that of the other.