Abstract: An air circulation system configured to mount within a B-pillar, C-pillar, other pillar, or interior trim or cross trims through an air channel of a vehicle. The air circulation system includes a scroll within the pillar, which defines an inlet configured to receive inlet air from a vehicle cabin at the pillar. A fan within the pillar is configured to circulate the inlet air within the scroll. An elongated throat extending from the scroll is configured to receive forced air from the scroll. The throat defines a length and an outlet extending along the length, wherein the outlet delivers the forced air into the vehicle cabin from the pillar in an air stream. The outlet is configured such that the forced air delivered from the outlet creates a Coand? effect that attracts air in the vehicle cabin to move in the direction of the air stream.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide shutoff system for an engine of a portable electrical generator has a carbon monoxide gas sensor, a microcontroller, and an output indicator. The carbon monoxide gas sensor generates an output electrical current proportional to a detected concentration of ambient carbon monoxide. The microcontroller has an input connected to the carbon monoxide gas sensor, and an output connected to an operational control of the engine. A deactivation signal generated by the microcontroller in response to detection of a deactivation condition is based upon the output electrical current from the carbon monoxide gas sensor matching predefined value and duration thresholds. The deactivation signal is operative to stop the engine.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide shutoff system for an engine of a portable electrical generator has a carbon monoxide gas sensor, a microcontroller, and an output indicator. The carbon monoxide gas sensor generates an output electrical current proportional to a detected concentration of ambient carbon monoxide. The microcontroller has an input connected to the carbon monoxide gas sensor, and an output connected to an operational control of the engine. A deactivation signal generated by the microcontroller in response to detection of a deactivation condition is based upon the output electrical current from the carbon monoxide gas sensor matching predefined value and duration thresholds. The deactivation signal is operative to stop the engine.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide shutoff system for an engine of a portable electrical generator has a carbon monoxide gas sensor, a microcontroller, and an output indicator. The carbon monoxide gas sensor generates an output electrical current proportional to a detected concentration of ambient carbon monoxide. The microcontroller has an input connected to the carbon monoxide gas sensor, and an output connected to an operational control of the engine. A deactivation signal generated by the microcontroller in response to detection of a deactivation condition is based upon the output electrical current from the carbon monoxide gas sensor matching predefined value and duration thresholds. The deactivation signal is operative to stop the engine.

Abstract: A standby generator includes an alternator to produce electricity for distribution to an electrical system, and an air-cooled internal combustion engine driving the alternator. The air-cooled internal combustion engine includes one or more cylinders, one or more spark plugs each configured to initiate combustion in a corresponding cylinder, and one or more ignition coils each coupled to a respective spark plug of the one or more spark plugs to provide a voltage to the respective spark plug. The standby generator also includes a battery system electrically coupled to the one or more ignition coils to provide power thereto, and a digital ignition module wiring the battery system to each of the one or more ignition coils to control operation of the one or more spark plugs.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide shutoff system for an engine of a portable electrical generator has a carbon monoxide gas sensor, a microcontroller, and an output indicator. The carbon monoxide gas sensor generates an output electrical current proportional to a detected concentration of ambient carbon monoxide. The microcontroller has an input connected to the carbon monoxide gas sensor, and an output connected to an operational control of the engine. A deactivation signal generated by the microcontroller in response to detection of a deactivation condition is based upon the output electrical current from the carbon monoxide gas sensor matching predefined value and duration thresholds. The deactivation signal is operative to stop the engine.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system. The system includes a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from engine exhaust to a heat transfer fluid. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. A pump is configured to pump the heat transfer fluid out of the heat exchanger and into the reservoir, and in doing so displace air out of the reservoir to the heat exchanger, when temperature of the heat transfer fluid exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system. The system includes a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from engine exhaust to a heat transfer fluid. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. A pump is configured to pump the heat transfer fluid out of the heat exchanger and into the reservoir, and in doing so displace air out of the reservoir to the heat exchanger, when temperature of the heat transfer fluid exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method for regulating coolant temperature of an HVAC heat pump system with coolant heating. The method includes measuring temperature of coolant flowing through the system, and configuring a valve assembly of the system to direct coolant flow to a heater core from both an engine and an engine bypass line when temperature of the coolant is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for regulating coolant temperature of an HVAC heat pump system with coolant heating. The method includes measuring temperature of coolant flowing through the system, and configuring a valve assembly of the system to direct coolant flow to a heater core from both an engine and an engine bypass line when temperature of the coolant is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling motor current during a dispensing of material from a dispensing tool (10) is provided, including a method for measuring the motor current of the dispensing tool during operation through a motor controller (U2). The method further includes sending a feedback signal from the motor controller (U2) relating to the measured motor current to an input of a microcontroller (U1) that is adapted to a dispensing tool (10). The feedback signal is compared to a prescribed threshold and the motor current is conditioned based on the comparing of the feedback signal to the prescribed threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling motor current during a dispensing of material from a dispensing tool (10) is provided, including a method for measuring the motor current of the dispensing tool during operation through a motor controller (U2). The method further includes sending a feedback signal from the motor controller (U2) relating to the measured motor current to an input of a microcontroller (U1) that is adapted to a dispensing tool (10). The feedback signal is compared to a prescribed threshold and the motor current is conditioned based on the comparing of the feedback signal to the prescribed threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling motor current during a dispensing of material from a dispensing tool (10) is provided, including a method for measuring the motor current of the dispensing tool during operation through a motor controller (U2). The method further includes sending a feedback signal from the motor controller (U2) relating to the measured motor current to an input of a microcontroller (U1) that is adapted to a dispensing tool (10). The feedback signal is compared to a prescribed threshold and the motor current is conditioned based on the comparing of the feedback signal to the prescribed threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling motor current during a dispensing of material from a dispensing tool (10) is provided, including a method for measuring the motor current of the dispensing tool during operation through a motor controller (U2). The method further includes sending a feedback signal from the motor controller (U2) relating to the measured motor current to an input of a microcontroller (U1) that is adapted to a dispensing tool (10). The feedback signal is compared to a prescribed threshold and the motor current is conditioned based on the comparing of the feedback signal to the prescribed threshold.

Abstract: A LED driver circuit is disclosed that has the ability to drive a single series string of power LEDs. The LED driver circuit uses a single stage power converter to convert from a universal AC input to a regulated DC current. This single stage power converter current is controlled by a power factor correction unit. Furthermore, the LED driver circuit contains a galvanic isolation barrier that isolates an input, or primary, section from an output, or secondary, section. The LED driver circuit can also include a dimming function, a red, green, blue output function, and a control signal that indicates the LED current and is sent from the secondary to the primary side of the galvanic barrier.

Abstract: A gas-discharge lamp and method of operating the lamp for controlling the brightness of the lamp. The lamp includes a drive for supplying a varying signal in response to receiving first and second control signals. The method includes establishing a time period; for a first interval of the time period, generating a first control signal having a first duty cycle and generating a second control signal having a second duty cycle; and, for a second interval of the time period, generating a third control signal having a third duty cycle, and generating a fourth control signal having a fourth duty cycle. The third duty cycle is less than the first duty cycle, and the fourth duty cycle is less than the second duty cycle. The first and third control signals are provided to a first switch and the second and fourth control signals are provided to a second switch.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp including a power supply connectable to a load, and an overvoltage-protection-and-ground-fault-interrupt (OVP/GFI) circuit interconnected with the power supply. The OVP/GFI circuit includes an overvoltage-protection (OVP) sub-circuit that deactivates the power supply when an overvoltage condition is detected, and a ground-fault-interrupt (GFI) sub-circuit that deactivates the power supply when a ground-fault condition is detected.

Abstract: A power supply connectable to a power source and to a gas-discharge tube. The power supply includes a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding, and first and second switches. The switches receive first and second drive signals, respectively, and switch power to the primary winding. The power supply further includes a controller interconnected to the first and second power switches. The controller is operable to generate the first and second drive signals for a time period. For a first time interval of the time period, the controller transitions the first and second drive signals from a first frequency to a second frequency. For a second time interval of the time period, the controller generates the first and second drive signals at the second frequency. For a third interval of the time period, ceases generation of the varying signal.

Abstract: A power supply for a gas discharge lamp is claimed. An input circuit receives power from a power source. An output transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and has a lamp connected in circuit across the secondary winding. First and second power switches switch power to the primary winding. The driver drives the power switches at a drive frequency. A tuned LC resonant circuit having a resonant frequency is connected in circuit between the driver and the lamp. A controller generates control signals to the driver at a first frequency that is functionally related to the drive frequency, and regulates the lamp current by controlling the difference between the resonant frequency and the first frequency.

Abstract: A gas-discharge lamp and method of operating the lamp for controlling the brightness of the lamp. The lamp includes a drive for supplying a varying signal in response to receiving first and second control signals. The method includes generating the first and second control signals for a time period. The generating of the first and second control signals includes, for a first interval of the time period, generating the first control signal having a first duty cycle, and generating the second control signal having a second duty cycle. The generating of the first and second control signals further includes, for a second interval of the time period, generating the first control signal having a third duty cycle and generating the second control signal having a fourth duty cycle. The third duty cycle is less than the first duty cycle, and the fourth duty cycle is less than the second duty cycle.