Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operation of an actively clocked PFC circuit with a directly or indirectly connected load circuit at the output of the PFC circuit, wherein the load circuit has a lighting means, in particular one or more LEDs, wherein the PFC circuit is supplied at least with a measurement signal which reflects the power consumption of the load circuit or with an external control signal which indicates the power consumption, and a control circuit adjusts the mode of operation of the PFC circuit continuously or preferably in two or more steps, depending on the control signal or measurement signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retrofit LED lamp (17) comprising a carrier (18) having at least one light-emitting diode (LED) (29), further comprising a driver circuit (12) for supplying power to the LED (29) and a socket (20) for electrically and mechanically connecting to a conventional lamp holder, characterized in that the retrofit LED lamp (17) comprises a carrier frequency system or power line communication (PLC) unit (16) connected to the electrical contacts (3, 4) and designed for receiving and/or transmitting data via the socket (20).

Abstract: The invention provides an LED converter for operating a load comprising at least one LED series with at least one LED, preferably with multiple LEDs, wherein the LED converter on the primary side comprises a resonant converter supplied with a direct current voltage. Said converter has a half-bridge constructed of two reciprocally clocked switches and providing a supply voltage for the LED series through a serial/parallel resonance circuit connected to the midpoint of said bridge. The LED converter has a control unit that is arranged for adjusting the clocking frequency of the half bridge.

Abstract: According to this invention there is provided an aqueous oxidizer solution containing a mixture of dissolved oxidizing salts, for use in the preparation of explosives formulations, which a crystallization point as low as below 0° C. The solution has a water content of 25% by mass or less and contains ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate wherein the ratio of the molar concentration of ammonium nitrate to calcium nitrate is preferably approximately 1. When the water content of the solution is 24% by mass or less, the solution further contains monomethylammonium nitrate. This solution can be used for manufacturing watergel explosives, or emulsion explosives or ANE's (ammonium nitrate emulsion suspension or gel explosives). It can be easily transported underground in deep level mines through relatively small diameter pipelines, using existing access ways and shafts, to the working places at which point it can then be converted into a watergel or emulsion explosive or an ANE.

Abstract: A regulation circuit is provided for making available a constant current supply on the basis of a transformer principle, in which there flows through the luminescent diodes a triangular a.c. current varying periodically around a d.c. current value. Circuitry is provided so that both the charging and the discharging current of an inductive reactance connected in series to the luminescent diodes, functioning as a storage choke for filtering of mains harmonics, flows as diode current through the luminescent diodes. An advantage of this method consists in a significant reduction of the overall power loss of the LED illumination module. According to one embodiment, the ceramic circuit board of the LED illumination module has a direct mains current supply, which, for protection from mechanical damage, is accommodated in a transparent housing having a highly transparent polymer mass serving as an optically active lens surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating at least one LED by a switched-mode regulator circuit to which a DC or a rectified AC voltage is supplied and which provides a supply voltage for at least one LED by a coil and a switch clocked by a control/regulation unit. When the switch is activated, power is temporarily stored in the coil and is discharged through a diode and through at least one LED when the switch is deactivated and the current flows through the LED through a first power storage element which is coupled to a second power storage element. The first power storage element just reaches its maximum capability of storing power due to the current flowing through the LED. A rising current is supplied to the second power storage element such that the time can be detected when the first power storage element recovers its capability of storing power.

Abstract: An improved control circuit arrangement and control method is described for supplying power to, and for controlling, light-emitting diodes used for illuminating. The control circuit arrangement includes a driver circuit capable of operating in multiple modes for providing an operating current for operating at least one light-emitting diode, wherein the operating current has different positive intensities. In particular, the present control circuit arrangement and control method now deliberately exploit the fact that the color spectrum of a light emitting diode is dependent on the intensity or current with which it is operated, and improves the color rendering index by deliberately operating the light emitting diodes with different intensities over time.

Abstract: A circuit for operating at least one LED (“driver circuit”) includes input terminals to be connected to an input or operating voltage in the form of a direct current (DC) voltage or a rectified alternating current (AC) voltage, and output terminals to be connected to a load circuit containing the at least one LED. The circuit includes a clocked switch and a control circuit for clocking the switch. The control circuit is in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) and is provided with input and output pins. The control circuit generates a clock signal for the switch depending on at least two actual value signals, such that there is a control loop with the manipulated variable “clocking of the switch.

Abstract: An operating circuit is provided for an LED, which receives a voltage, and which supplies a voltage for the LED via a coil, having a first switch clocked by a control/regulating unit. Power is stored temporarily in the coil when the first switch is activated so that the power is discharged via a diode and via the LED when the first switch is turned off. A capacitor is arranged in parallel to the LED and maintains current through the LED during the demagnetization of the coil. A first switch generates a first sensor signal dependent on the current flowing through the first switch, and/or a second sensor unit, which detects whether demagnetization of the coil unit has occurred and generates a sensor signal. The signals are fed to the control/regulating unit and processed. The control/regulating unit reactivates the first switch when the coil is demagnetized and/or the diode is blocking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cryopreparation chamber (100) for preparing and manipulating a sample for electron microscopy, the cryopreparation chamber (100) being cooled by a primary cryogen, the cryopreparation chamber (100) including a first and a second chamber portion (101,102), the second chamber portion (102) being detachably placeable (101) on the first chamber portion (101), and moreover, the second chamber portion (102) being provided, in its outer wall (106), with an access port (107) through which a specimen holder (108) for an electron microscope can be inserted into the cryopreparation chamber (100). The present invention also relates to a cryopreparation device (200) which is suitable for cryopreparing a sample for an electron microscope and includes such a cryopreparation chamber (100).

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular LED lighting unit, comprising a first module (1) to which an AC supply voltage (9) can be supplied and which comprises: a second sub-module (B), at the output of which a DC supply voltage (5) is provided, which is galvanically isolated from the supply voltage, and a control unit (G), further comprising a second module (2), preferably a lamp management module, which comprises a further sub-module (C) supplied with the DC supply voltage (5) of the first module (1), preferably a constant current source, which is controlled by a control unit (E) of the second module (2), an LED module (F) which has at least one LED range (8) and is supplied by the further sub-module (C), and an emergency light operating circuit which is connected to a rechargeable energy store (ES); and takes over powering the modular LED lighting unit in the event of failure of the AC supply voltage (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to an LED operating circuit in which a second module (2), preferably a light management module, with an additional sub-module (C), preferably a constant flow source, supplies an LED module (F) which has one or more LED sections (8). A control unit (E) of the second module (2) is embodied such that it can access a memory (4) of the second module (2) in order to read an identification of the LED-module (F) or to read the contents stored in the memory (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular LED-light comprising a first module (1) to which an input voltage (9), preferably an AC-supply voltage, is guided, said first module comprising a second sub-module (B), preferably an insulating unit, a DC voltage separating the supply voltage by a galvanic separation being provided on the outlet of said insulating unit, and a control unit (G). Said LED light also comprises a second module (2), preferably a light management module, comprising an additional sub-module (C) which is fed by the DC-initial voltage of the first module (1), preferably a clocked constant flow source which is controlled by a control unit (E) of the second module (2), and an LED-module (F) which comprises at least one LED path (8) and which is supplied by the additional sub-module (C).

Abstract: A retaining device 1 comprises a cup-shaped trap basket 2 including a circular support edge 3. A holder 4 is disposed at the trap basket 2, includes at least two holding arms 5, 6 movable between a “holding position” and “release” position, and is a separate assembly adapted to be connected to the trap basket 2. A gear unit 8 includes a bolt 10 that is adapted to be connected with a rotatable operating element 7 and has a driving worm 9 and tooth sections 11 adapted to be engaged with the driving worm 9 and disposed at the holding arms 5, 6.

Abstract: A circuit for operating at least one LED (“driver circuit”) includes input terminals to be connected to an input or operating voltage in the form of a direct current (DC) voltage or a rectified alternating current (AC) voltage, and output terminals to be connected to a load circuit containing the at least one LED. The circuit includes a clocked switch and an open-loop control circuit for clocking the switch. The open-loop control circuit is in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) and is provided with input and output pins. The open-loop control circuit generates a clock signal for the switch depending on at least two actual value signals, such that there is a control loop with the manipulated variable “clocking of the switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for recording characteristic curves for a light-emitting diode arrangement (1) comprising at least one light-emitting diode (2). A control unit (4) is used to operate the light-emitting diode arrangement (1) and to record the diode current (8) and the voltage (9) on the light-emitting diode arrangement (1). The control unit (4) is also used to record a first current/voltage pair (P1) and a different second current/voltage pair (P2), at a first temperature of the light-emitting diode arrangement (1), and a third current/voltage pair (P3) and a different fourth current/voltage pair (P4), at a second temperature of the light-emitting diode arrangement (1). The invention also relates to a method for recording characteristic curves of a light-emitting diode arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular LED lighting unit, comprising a first module (1) to which an AC supply voltage (9) can be supplied and which comprises: a second sub-module (B), at the output of which a DC supply voltage (5) is provided which is galvanically isolated from the AC supply voltage (9), and a control unit (G), further comprising a second module (2) which comprises a further sub-module (C) supplied with the DC supply voltage (5) of the first module (1), in particular a pulsed constant current source, which is controlled by a control unit (E) of the second module (2), an LED module (F) which has at least one LED range (8) and is supplied by the further sub-module (C), in particular a constant current source, and an emergency light operating circuit which is connected to a rechargeable energy store (ES); and takes over powering the modular LED lighting unit in the event of failure of the AC supply voltage (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to an LED driver circuit comprising: a circuit block for providing an adjustable DC voltage and a clocked constant current source, e.g. a DC/DC converter that is supplied with the DC voltage, comprising a switch that is clocked by a control circuit in such a way that a reduction of the activation period ton of the switch leads to a reduction in the provision of power. One or more LEDs can be supplied from the constant current source and in addition to reducing the activation period t0N, the control unit is designed to change at least one other control variable of the constant current source or the circuit block in order to provide the direct current.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention concerns a method of charging an upwardly oriented hole with a pumpable material, typically a pumpable explosive material such as an ANE. In the method of the invention a laterally expandable retainer is provided. This is of smaller length than the hole and has an inlet at a lower end thereof and an outlet at an upper end thereof. In an unexpanded state the retainer has a smaller lateral dimension than the hole. The retainer is inserted upwardly into the hole in an unexpanded state, whereafter material with which the hole is to be charged is pumped upwardly into the retainer through the inlet such that the retainer fills up and expands laterally into engagement with a wall of the hole. Excess pumped material is allowed to upwardly out of the retainer into the hole through the outlet. After the retainer has been filled with material and the hole above the retainer has been at least partially filled with any excess material, the pumping operation is stopped and the inlet is closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retrofit LED lamp (17) comprising a carrier (18) having at least one light-emitting diode (LED) (29), further comprising a driver circuit (12) for supplying power to the LED (29) and a socket (20) for electrically and mechanically connecting to a conventional lamp holder, characterized in that the retrofit LED lamp (17) comprises a carrier frequency system or power line communication (PLC) unit (16) connected to the electrical contacts (3, 4) and designed for receiving and/or transmitting data via the socket (20).