Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between an appliance and a power line carrier communication system includes at least one power line carrier connection, at least one appliance connection, and processing circuitry for translating between an appliance communication protocol and a power line carrier communication protocol. The method and apparatus allow bidirectional communication between power line carrier and apparatus.

Abstract: By employing High Density Interconnect (HDI) multi-chip modules (MCMs) having elements of a distributed power supply embedded in the MCM itself, the functions of an MCM and a power converter are combined. The embedded power supply elements include DC-DC or AC-DC converters to convert an input voltage and input current to a relatively lower output voltage and relatively higher output current, thereby decreasing the current requirements of external power supply lines connected to the multi-chip module. The current and voltage outputs may be connected to chip power inputs through relatively short, low-impedance power distribution conductors comprising copper strips direct bonded to a ceramic substrate; alternatively, or in combination with direct bonded copper conductors, the low-impedance power distribution conductors may be situated within an HDI overcoat structure. The power supply elements may be placed within cavities formed in the substrate, or on a thinner portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based relay system is used in combination with relay contactors and a control circuit therefor to protect an electric motor from overload currents in addition to phase faults, ground faults, load losses, and load jams. The microprocessor is provided with a data base comprising thermal characteristics of the motor during heating and cooling. The heating data comprise current versus time curves stored as a look-up table for which each data point represents a thermal limit, i.e., the maximum time the motor is permitted to operate at a particular current level. The cooling data comprise motor cooling rates. Phase currents are sampled at preselected fixed time intervals during a predetermined period thereof, and an average motor current value is calculated therefrom. A thermal sum, which is initialized at zero upon first starting the motor, is adjusted depending on the average motor current value relative to a predetermined overload current value.

Abstract: By monitoring line current before the lamps of a fluorescent lighting system start, an estimate of full load current is made. The estimate is used to adjust the current feedback gain to avoid any current level overflow in the control. The normalized values used within the control result in consistent relative light levels independent of load size.

Abstract: A wall box dimmer is connected to a conventional fluorescent lighting system for providing a wide range of dimming. Overvoltages generated during chopping of the AC input waveform are dissipated and the lighting level is modified to reduce the overvoltages. DC power for the control electronics is derived from the voltage across the dimmer.

Abstract: A digital data detector is part of the primary side control electronics in a high voltage integrated circuit for regulating a power supply secondary side output potential; the detector output is responsive to the transitions of digital error data received from the supply secondary side via an electrically-isolated data transmission means. Only the transition edges are utilized by the detector, so that any non-linearity after each transition of the transmission means is immaterial. If the isolation device is a pulse transformer, the transformer core can be of relatively small volume, as full-pulse reproduction is unimportant and pulse saturation is tolerable. A multiplexer allows the primary side control electronics to initiate power supply operation; control is switched to the secondary side responsive to signal edges therefrom being detected by the digital data detector.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp dimming system which can be used in a retrofit manner with existing fluorescent lamp ballasts achieves a greater degree of energy management than has been previously possible. A dimming control having closed-loop feedback uses integrals of current as a measure of light output from the fluorescent lamps. The electronic control circuit implements complex control methods in a minimal space and at a minimal cost.