Abstract: A hybrid mower includes a chassis coupled to a body. The chassis has a plurality of wheels coupled to a steering assembly for navigating directional control. The mower also includes an internal combustion engine disposed on the chassis. The internal combustion engine is coupled to a drive assembly providing rotational operation to at least one of the plurality of wheels. The mower further includes a mower deck housing at least one rotatable blade for cutting undesired undergrowth during operation and an electric blade control system. The electric blade control system has an electronic control unit for enabling the at least one rotatable blade during operation and at least one direct current motor positioned about the mower deck and in communication with the electronic control unit. The at least one direct current motor has a motor shaft coupled to the at least one rotatable blade.

Abstract: A hybrid mower includes a chassis coupled to a body. The chassis has a plurality of wheels coupled to a steering assembly for navigating directional control. The mower also includes an internal combustion engine disposed on the chassis. The internal combustion engine is coupled to a drive assembly providing rotational operation to at least one of the plurality of wheels. The mower further includes a mower deck housing at least one rotatable blade for cutting undesired undergrowth during operation and an electric blade control system. The electric blade control system has an electronic control unit for enabling the at least one rotatable blade during operation and at least one direct current motor positioned about the mower deck and in communication with the electronic control unit. The at least one direct current motor has a motor shaft coupled to the at least one rotatable blade.

Abstract: A hybrid mower includes a chassis coupled to a body. The chassis has a plurality of wheels coupled to a steering assembly for navigating directional control. The mower also includes an internal combustion engine disposed on the chassis. The internal combustion engine is coupled to a drive assembly providing rotational operation to at least one of the plurality of wheels. The mower further includes a mower deck housing at least one rotatable blade for cutting undesired undergrowth during operation and an electric blade control system. The electric blade control system has an electronic control unit for enabling the at least one rotatable blade during operation and at least one direct current motor positioned about the mower deck and in communication with the electronic control unit. The at least one direct current motor has a motor shaft coupled to the at least one rotatable blade.

Abstract: A transport trailer, method of construction of the trailer, and method of operation of the trailer that supplies electrical power to power equipment during transport, the transport trailer includes a power coupling for receiving power from a vehicle towing the transport trailer and conduit for transmitting the power from the vehicle to a power charging arrangement, the power charging arrangement comprising a power transmitting pad compatible with a power capture resonator used to charge an on-board battery of power equipment.

Abstract: A hybrid mower includes a chassis coupled to a body. The chassis has a plurality of wheels coupled to a steering assembly for navigating directional control. The mower also includes an internal combustion engine disposed on the chassis. The internal combustion engine is coupled to a drive assembly providing rotational operation to at least one of the plurality of wheels. The mower further includes a mower deck housing at least one rotatable blade for cutting undesired undergrowth during operation and an electric blade control system. The electric blade control system has an electronic control unit for enabling the at least one rotatable blade during operation and at least one direct current motor positioned about the mower deck and in communication with the electronic control unit. The at least one direct current motor has a motor shaft coupled to the at least one rotatable blade.

Abstract: A switch assembly and method for use with power equipment, the switch assembly comprises a housing assembly for having an actuator opening, the opening defining spaced first and second internal housing positions and a removably located actuator for selectively positioning within the opening of the housing assembly for altering the operation of power equipment. The switch assembly further includes a first switch corresponding to the first housing position to selectively provide power to one or more components of the power equipment and a second switch corresponding to the second housing position such that the second switch is spaced away from the first housing position, the second switch for detecting the presence and position of the actuator such to further alter the operation of power equipment.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle comprises a body comprising an opening and main terminal channels that are spaced apart from each other and from the opening. Electrically conductive main connectors are disposed in the body and spaced apart from each other. The main connectors are disposed in or in alignment with the main terminal channels. A connector is disposed in the body and includes an arcuate shape in or near the opening.

Abstract: A photoelectric controller device includes a housing. At least two printed circuit boards can be secured in an interior of the housing. The printed circuit boards include a photosensor and communication circuitry. Electrically conductive, main terminals are secured in electrical contact with one of the printed circuit boards. A communication terminal is also secured in electrical contact with the communication circuitry on one of the printed circuit boards. Also featured is a design of a base plate of the photoelectric controller device that secures at least one circuit board and a design of a window for the photosensor. The controller may include at least one printed circuit board comprising a sensor selected from the group consisting of the photosensor, an infrared sensor or a visible detector, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle comprises a body comprising an opening and main terminal channels that are spaced apart from each other and from the opening. Electrically conductive main connectors are disposed in the body and spaced apart from each other. The main connectors are disposed in or in alignment with the main terminal channels. A connector is disposed in the body and includes an arcuate shape in or near the opening.

Abstract: A lighting control system is coupled to one or more ballast/drivers operating one or more light sources. A low power control module receives analog, digital and/or DALI signals from one or more sources, processes the signals to provide an appropriate lighting response and outputs one or more commands related to light output of the one or more ballast/drivers operating one or more light sources. A gateway component receives wireless signals from the low power control module to relay to one or more control components. The control components provide instruction to modify the light output of the one or more ballast/drivers operating one or more light sources based at least in part upon the one or more commands received from the low power control module and/or the gateway component.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate switching a lamp ballast between DALI and analog control states as a function of control state information stored prior to the ballast being powered of and control information received by an interface circuit for the ballast circuit. A depolarization circuit is coupled to the interface circuit and ensures consistent polarity across a rectifier circuit regardless of the polarity of two control wires coupled to a miswiring protection circuit in the interface circuit. In this manner, a single interface circuit provides dual 0-10V analog and DALI control for dimming a lighting device regardless of whether a wall-mounted controller coupled to the interface circuit is an analog or a DALI type controller, thereby mitigating a need to switch out a ballast circuit coupled to the lighting device when changing between DALI and analog type controllers.

Abstract: A high voltage split core transformer and method of assembling same is provided by which the coupling factor is improved. A split core assembly is surrounded by a secondary winding that is precisely located in a burner assembly housing. Conductive members are encased within the housing and, in conjunction with traces provided on a printed circuit board enclosing the housing cavity, define first and second primary windings about the core secondary winding. This arrangement reduces the number of turns in the secondary winding and allows the use of larger cross-sectional wire which increases the current carrying capability thereof, making the transformer suitable for D1-D5 automotive headlamp applications.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle includes an exterior component and an interior component received inside the exterior component. Main electrical connectors have exterior end portions aligned with main connector openings of the interior component and have interior end portions disposed in alignment with main terminal channels of the exterior component. First and/or second central connectors each having substantially circular portions extend from an end plate of the exterior component and have exterior portions extending to a central connector opening of the interior component. Also featured is a method for electrically connecting the electrical receptacle to a controller device.

Abstract: A lighting control system is coupled to one or more ballast/drivers operating one or more light sources. A low power control module receives analog, digital and/or DALI signals from one or more sources, processes the signals to provide an appropriate lighting response and outputs one or more commands related to light output of the one or more ballast/drivers operating one or more light sources. A gateway component receives wireless signals from the low power control module to relay to one or more control components. The control components provide instruction to modify the light output of the one or more ballast/drivers operating one or more light sources based at least in part upon the one or more commands received from the low power control module and/or the gateway component.

Abstract: A light weight, bobbinless high voltage transformer and igniter module is provided that meets low-cost and high-reliability requirements for automotive HID products. A printed circuit board (112) serves as a carrier for low voltage electronic components. A high voltage bar core transformer (114) is held in a cradle (130, 130?) that accommodates potting material and has a channel (160) that receives a high voltage wire extending from the transformer for connection with a lead (104) of an HID lamp (100). Thin walls (210, 212) allow the cradle to serve as the cavity for the potting of the transformer. In addition, multi-layer dielectric material is disposed between the primary and secondary windings. Preferably, the primary winding (196) is a strap that covers a large surface area of the secondary winding (192).

Abstract: Disclosed is a lamp transformer assembly, transformer winding arrangement and method of assembling a transformer assembly and lamp igniter transformer core. The lamp transformer assembly comprises a transformer core comprising two or more core members, wherein the core members ends are adapted to provide a transformer core with axially distributed air gaps. Furthermore, the transformer assembly comprises a primary and secondary winding, wherein one or more core members and the secondary winding are adapted to provide insertion of the one or more core members within the interior of the secondary winding. The transformer core members are attached to complete the core.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate switching a lamp ballast between DALI and analog control states as a function of control state information stored prior to the ballast being powered of and control information received by an interface circuit for the ballast circuit. A depolarization circuit is coupled to the interface circuit and ensures consistent polarity across a rectifier circuit regardless of the polarity of two control wires coupled to a miswiring protection circuit in the interface circuit. In this manner, a single interface circuit provides dual 0-10V analog and DALI control for dimming a lighting device regardless of whether a wall-mounted controller coupled to the interface circuit is an analog or a DALI type controller, thereby mitigating a need to switch out a ballast circuit coupled to the lighting device when changing between DALI and analog type controllers.

Abstract: A new ballast circuit for automotive high intensity discharge (HID) applications is disclosed. The ballast utilizes two DC/DC converters and two low frequency inverter switches. The ballast also includes an integrated high voltage ignition circuit. The positive DC/DC converter builds up a high ignition voltage in addition to raising the DC position bus. When the lamp breaks down, the DC bus voltage decreases and the ignition circuit falls inactive. The DC/DC stages are then alternately conductive to supply power to the lamp via the low frequency inverter switches. The disclosed ballast reduces the number of the switches used to four from a typical six, it utilizes independently controlled voltage source, and provides a more efficient run-up voltages waveform during pre-steady state running of the lamp.

Abstract: A light weight, bobbinless high voltage transformer and igniter module is provided that meets low-cost and high-reliability requirements for automotive HID products. A printed circuit board (112) serves as a carrier for low voltage electronic components. A high voltage bar core transformer (114) is held in a cradle (130, 130?) that accommodates potting material and has a channel (160) that receives a high voltage wire extending from the transformer for connection with a lead (104) of an HID lamp (100). Thin walls (210, 212) allow the cradle to serve as the cavity for the potting of the transformer. In addition, multi-layer dielectric material is disposed between the primary and secondary windings. Preferably, the primary winding (196) is a strap that covers a large surface area of the secondary winding (192).

Abstract: A high voltage split core transformer and method of assembling same is provided by which the coupling factor is improved. A split core assembly is surrounded by a secondary winding that is precisely located in a burner assembly housing. Conductive members are encased within the housing and, in conjunction with traces provided on a printed circuit board enclosing the housing cavity, define first and second primary windings about the core secondary winding. This arrangement reduces the number of turns in the secondary winding and allows the use of larger cross-sectional wire which increases the current carrying capability thereof, making the transformer suitable for D1-D5 automotive headlamp applications.