Abstract: A flip-chip package comprising: (a) a lead frame; (b) a flip-chip LED defining a die footprint and having RDL contacts, the RDL contacts being configured to facilitate flip-chip mounting of the LED on the lead frame, each of the RDL contacts having a footprint greater than 20% of the die footprint; and (c) at least one bonding layer disposed between the RDL contacts and the lead frame package.

Abstract: A battery charger monitors the voltages across individual batteries in a battery system during recharging of the batteries. The charger identifies a least voltage measurement and identifies the batteries in the battery system that have a voltage measurement that is a predetermined voltage differential above the least voltage measurement. A controller in the charger operates switches to connect a resistor in parallel across each battery having a voltage measurement above the least voltage measurement by the predetermined voltage differential in a one-to-one correspondence to reduce the charge returned to the battery during recharging.

Abstract: An electrical device configuration enables heat to be dissipated from a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) while handling electrical currents in excess of 200 amps. The semiconductor devices that convert input DC current to output AC current are mounted to a side of the PCB that is opposite the side of the PCB that receives the input DC current. A base plate that acts as a heat sink includes recessed areas to receive the semiconductor devices and enable the PCB to be positioned close to the base plate. Thermal vias are provided in the PCB to conductive heat from the semiconductor devices to the side of the PCB that receives the input current. Also, the busbars for receiving the input current are positioned to provide short resistive paths to the current to reduce the generation of heat by the current flowing in the PCB.

Abstract: An electrical device configuration enables heat to be dissipated from a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) while handling electrical currents in excess of 200 amps. The semiconductor devices that convert input DC current to output AC current are mounted to a side of the PCB that is opposite the side of the PCB that receives the input DC current. A base plate that acts as a heat sink includes recessed areas to receive the semiconductor devices and enable the PCB to be positioned close to the base plate. Thermal vias are provided in the PCB to conductive heat from the semiconductor devices to the side of the PCB that receives the input current. Also, the busbars for receiving the input current are positioned to provide short resistive paths to the current to reduce the generation of heat by the current flowing in the PCB.

Abstract: A battery charger monitors the voltages across individual batteries in a battery system during recharging of the batteries. The charger identifies a least voltage measurement and identifies the batteries in the battery system that have a voltage measurement that is a predetermined voltage differential above the least voltage measurement. A controller in the charger operates switches to connect a resistor in parallel across each battery having a voltage measurement above the least voltage measurement by the predetermined voltage differential in a one-to-one correspondence to reduce the charge returned to the battery during recharging.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) display, including: drive circuitry; a control processor; a frame including two edges; multiple cables extending rigidly between the two edges of the frame; and at least one pixel module coupled to each cable. Each cable includes a power wire coupled to the drive circuitry, a ground wire, and at least one data bus wire coupled to the control circuitry. Each pixel module includes: a power electrode coupled to the power wire of the coupled cable; a ground electrode coupled to the ground wire of the coupled cable; a bus electrode coupled to the data bus wire of the coupled cable; an LED light source; and pixel control circuitry coupled to the electrodes and the LED light source. The pixel control circuitry is adapted to drive the LED light source with a drive current based on a control signal received from bus electrode.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) display, including: drive circuitry; a control processor; a frame including two edges; multiple cables extending rigidly between the two edges of the frame; and at least one pixel module coupled to each cable. Each cable includes a power wire coupled to the drive circuitry, a ground wire, and at least one data bus wire coupled to the control circuitry. Each pixel module includes: a power electrode coupled to the power wire of the coupled cable; a ground electrode coupled to the ground wire of the coupled cable; a bus electrode coupled to the data bus wire of the coupled cable; an LED light source; and pixel control circuitry coupled to the electrodes and the LED light source. The pixel control circuitry is adapted to drive the LED light source with a drive current based on a control signal received from bus electrode.

Abstract: A hybrid sphygmomanometer comprises: (a) an arm cuff with an inflatable air bladder; (b) a pumping device for inflating the air bladder; (c) a manually controlled air outlet valve for deflating the air bladder; (d) an air pressure transducer operative to receive the pressure in the air bladder of the arm cuff and to produce an electrical signal representing this pressure; (e) a manually operated switch for generating systolic and diastolic interrupt signals; (f) a first electronic display for displaying the instantaneous pressure in the air bladder in the form of a bar graph; (g) a second electronic display for displaying systolic and diastolic pressures; and (h) an electrical circuit connected to the pressure transducer and to the button for controlling said first and second display. The first display, for displaying the instantaneous pressure in the air bladder, is a simulated mercury column.

Abstract: Motor control systems having direction contacts for steering current through a motor are commonly associated with electrical industrial vehicles, such as lift trucks. Advantageously, the operation of the direction contacts should be optimized in order to prevent switching the contacts when current is present to the extent that such switching can be eliminated. The instant apparatus includes a logic device for receiving speed and direction demand signals and responsively controlling the direction contacts associated with a vehicle motor. The logic device also receives signals from a current sensor responsive to the magnitude of electrical current flowing through the electric motor. In response to the motor current signal indicating a value less than a predetermined value concurrent with either the motor direction demand signal having a neutral value or the motor speed demand signal having a zero value, the logic means produces a neutral motor direction command signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a load lifting implement of a work vehicle in response to the condition of a motor brush is provided. The vehicle has a frame and the load lifting implement is connected to the frame and elevationally moveable relative to the frame between first and second directions. A brush wear indicator senses the wear of the motor brush and produces a warning signal in response to a predetermined amount of wear of the motor brush. A control system receives the warning signal and responsively controllably inhibits the elevational movement of the load lifting implement in at least one of the first and second directions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for precharging a filter capacitor to prevent damage to a set of contacts resulting from arcing across the contacts. Included is a coil, a set of contacts, and a battery, such that the contacts and filter capacitor are connected in series and the series connected combination is connected in parallel across the battery. Also included is a switch, and a microprocessor for producing a triggering signal responsive to the closure of the switch. A driving circuit receives the triggering signal and responsively produces a charging signal. A charging circuit receives the charging signal and responsively charges the filter capacitor. Thereafter, the microprocessor produces an energizing signal causing the coil to become energized and the contacts to responsively close. By precharging the filter capacitor before the closure of the contacts, the voltage potential across the contacts is reduced. Therefore, no damage occurs due to arcing across the contacts.

Abstract: A motor speed control system for a vehicle is provided. The control system includes an electric motor connected to a power coupling element for delivering electrical energy to the motor in response to a control signal. A sensor produces a current signal in response to the magnitude of the current flowing through the motor. An accelerator pedal produces a command signal in response to a desired vehicle speed. A microprocessor receives the command signal and responsively delivers a pulse width modulated control signal to the power coupling element. The control signal has a duty cycle in a range between a minimum and predefined value. Additionally, the microprocessor receives the current signal and increases the duty cycle of the control signal by a predetermined amount beyond the predefined value in response to the received current signal.

Abstract: Motor control systems are commonly associated with motors found on electric industrial vehicles, such as lift trucks. Advantageously, the control of such motors should be optimized such that current is timely supplied to the motors in conjunction with selection of the appropriate motor direction. The instant apparatus 10 includes a logic device 24 for receiving speed and direction demand signals from respective speed and direction selection devices 20,22. The logic device 24 responsively produces respective motor speed and direction command signals. A motor control device 26 receives the command signals and directs the electrical current from a power source 18 through the motor 12. A transducer device 38 senses the actual direction of electrical current flow through the motor 12 and produces responsive feedback signals. The logic device 24 produces at least one motor direction interrogation pulse in response to receiving the speed and direction demand signals and prior to delivering the motor command signals.

Abstract: Motor control systems having solid-state components are commonly used on industrial vehicles such as lift trucks. Such solid-state components are easily damaged by excessive transient voltages. The subject invention includes a power supply for supplying direct current to a motor circuit, wherein the direct current has a nominal direct current voltage value and as associated transient voltage component. A pulse control circuit supplies current pulses from the power supply to a motor. A sensing device controllably produces a fault signal in response to the amplitude and frequency of occurrence of the transient voltage component exceeding a predetermined maximum value. An override circuit receives the fault signal and responsively modifies the current pulses delivered from the power supply to the associated motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the supply of power to an electric drive motor normally controls the duty cycle of a power switching element to produce a variety of vehicle speeds. The apparatus typically controls the rate of change of the duty cycle to provide smooth vehicle operation. During periods of extended high speed, high load operation the apparatus bypasses the power switching element and connects the vehicle battery directly to the drive motor via a contactor. Under normal operating conditions the bypass contactor is energized after a relatively short preselected delay; however, where the vehicle is heavily loaded, such that current limiting of the power switching element exists, the apparatus interactively delays energization of the bypass contactor to allow the vehicle sufficient time to accelerate to a higher speed. Such a control system advantageously reduces drive line shock and jerky operation of the vehicle, as well as, excessive sparking at the contactor.

Abstract: A compound-motor speed control system for a battery-powered vehicle (86) wherein the series winding (14) and the shunt winding (16) of the motor (12) are magnetically linked in energy transfer relation. A first current switch (18) is connected in series with the series winding (14) and the armature (15) and a second current switch (20) is connected in series with the shunt winding (16). A digitally-implemented speed control system (24) responds to the speed selection settings of an analog device (64) to operate the first switch intermittently while holding the second switch closed over a lower speed range, and to operate the second switch intermittently while holding the first switch closed over a higher speed range.

Abstract: Motor control circuits having solid-state switching elements are commonly used on industrial vehicles such as lift trucks. A short circuit condition in the motor circuit can cause catastrophic failure of the semiconductor switching element. The instant invention detects such a short circuit condition and modifies the motor control signals supplied by a chopper circuit to a switching element. The apparatus includes a trigger circuit for receiving the motor control signals and sensing a voltage across the motor produced in response to electrical power delivered from a power supply.

Abstract: Information related to the rotary angular position of a steerable wheel portion of an electric vehicle is required for proper control of the vehicle and especially for differential control of the driven wheels of the vehicle. Available rotary position encoders are expensive, prone to damage in an industrial environment, and sensitive to misalignment between the encoder components. The instant apparatus provides a simple and durable rotary position encoder having a plurality of sensors positioned on a first mounting member and a plurality of sensible members positioned on a second mounting member. The apparatus is digital in design and the particular location and arrangement of the sensors and sensible members advantageously compensates for overtravel and misalignment of the encoder components.

Abstract: Power assisted steering systems are commonly used on industrial vehicles such as industrial lift trucks. Advantageously, the output of such systems should be responsive to vehicle speed and the systems should be energy efficient. The subject power steering control system includes processor means for receiving a steering demand signal and a speed control signal, producing a high fluid flow rate signal in response to receiving the steering demand signal and to the speed control signal representing a vehicle speed less than or equal to a predetermined vehicle speed, producing a low fluid flow rate signal in response to receiving the steering demand signal and to the speed control signal representing a vehicle speed greater than the predetermined speed, and producing an idle fluid flow rate signal in response to failing to receive the steering demand signal.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlling increases in the speed of a motor, including a transducer coupled to an accelerator pedal, that generates digital numbers representing motor speed commands, a data processor for receiving the speed commands, generating motor speed limit signals in response to the digital numbers and delivering the limit signals to a controllable circuit for supplying power to the motor. The limit signals are delivered in response to time and the magnitude of the speed commands.