Abstract: A power converter that properly copes with the wiring defects on a feedback path is shown. According to a control signal, a power driver couples an input voltage to an energy storage element to provide an output voltage that is down-converted from the input voltage. The output voltage is further converted into a feedback voltage by a feedback circuit, and is entered to an error amplifier with a reference voltage for generation of an amplified error. A control signal generator generates the control signal of the power driver according to the amplified error. The power converter specifically has a comparator, which is enabled in a soft-start stage till the output voltage reaches a stable status. The comparator compares the amplified error with a critical value. When the amplified error exceeds the critical value, the input voltage is disconnected from the energy storage element.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of controllers associated with the plurality of units of building equipment, each controller comprising a plurality of communication ports, a plurality of cables connected to the plurality of communication ports and linking together the plurality of controllers, wherein the plurality of controllers are configured to self-identify a break in a connection between two the plurality of controllers by monitoring statuses of the plurality of communication ports. The system also includes circuitry configured to receive a signal indicative of the order of the connections between the plurality of controllers from the plurality of controllers, generate a graphical map of the order of the connections between the plurality of controllers based on the signal, receive, from the plurality of controllers, an indication of a break in a connection between two of the plurality of controllers, and update the graphical map to indicate the connection as broken.

Abstract: A power converter that properly copes with the wiring defects on a feedback path is shown. According to a control signal, a power driver couples an input voltage to an energy storage element to provide an output voltage that is down-converted from the input voltage. The output voltage is further converted into a feedback voltage by a feedback circuit, and is entered to an error amplifier with a reference voltage for generation of an amplified error. A control signal generator generates the control signal of the power driver according to the amplified error. The power converter specifically has a comparator, which is enabled in a soft-start stage till the output voltage reaches a stable status. The comparator compares the amplified error with a critical value. When the amplified error exceeds the critical value, the input voltage is disconnected from the energy storage element.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of controllers associated with the plurality of units of building equipment, each controller comprising a plurality of communication ports, a plurality of cables connected to the plurality of communication ports and linking together the plurality of controllers, wherein the plurality of controllers are configured to self-identify a break in a connection between two the plurality of controllers by monitoring statuses of the plurality of communication ports. The system also includes circuitry configured to receive a signal indicative of the order of the connections between the plurality of controllers from the plurality of controllers, generate a graphical map of the order of the connections between the plurality of controllers based on the signal, receive, from the plurality of controllers, an indication of a break in a connection between two of the plurality of controllers, and update the graphical map to indicate the connection as broken.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of air conditioners, and in particular to an air conditioner front panel control method and a front panel apparatus. A first air outlet and a front panel movably provided on the front end face are provided on the front end face of an air conditioner; when moving forward and backward relative to the front end face, the front panel forms, with the front end face, an air outlet channel communicated with the first air outlet, and the air outlet channel forms at least one second air outlet at the peripheral edge of the front panel. The front panel control method comprises the steps of: controlling a front panel to move and adjusting a spatial position thereof, so as to control an air inlet volume of the air outlet channel.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of controllers associated with the plurality of units of building equipment, each controller comprising a plurality of communication ports, a plurality of cables connected to the plurality of communication ports and linking together the plurality of controllers, wherein the plurality of controllers are configured to self-identify a break in a connection between two the plurality of controllers by monitoring statuses of the plurality of communication ports. The system also includes circuitry configured to receive a signal indicative of the order of the connections between the plurality of controllers from the plurality of controllers, generate a graphical map of the order of the connections between the plurality of controllers based on the signal, receive, from the plurality of controllers, an indication of a break in a connection between two of the plurality of controllers, and update the graphical map to indicate the connection as broken.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of controllers associated with the plurality of units of building equipment, each controller comprising a plurality of communication ports, a plurality of cables connected to the plurality of communication ports and linking together the plurality of controllers, wherein the plurality of controllers are configured to self-identify a break in a connection between two the plurality of controllers by monitoring statuses of the plurality of communication ports. The system also includes circuitry configured to receive a signal indicative of the order of the connections between the plurality of controllers from the plurality of controllers, generate a graphical map of the order of the connections between the plurality of controllers based on the signal, receive, from the plurality of controllers, an indication of a break in a connection between two of the plurality of controllers, and update the graphical map to indicate the connection as broken.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reservoir tank for an automobile, which is provided with a height-adjustable sub filler neck so as to be retracted when not in use and extracted when filling coolant, whereby the reservoir tank can be disposed low in the automobile. The reservoir tank forming a cooling module together with a condenser, a radiator and a fan and shroud assembly is disposed at a carrier, and includes a filler neck for filling coolant and a cap for closing the filler neck, and is communicated with a radiator so as to control an amount of the coolant in the radiator, wherein the reservoir tank is integrally formed with a shroud of the fan and the shroud assembly, and the filler neck is formed with a sub filler neck which is retracted into and extracted from the filler neck.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing a mixture of sugars from a solid biomass feedstock using a counter current extraction apparatus and a dilute acidic solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for separating components of a solid feedstock, in particular lignocellulosic solid biomass feedstock, and a method for using the same. The apparatus feeds the solid feedstock in one direction and provides a reaction fluid or an extraction fluid in an opposite direction of the solid feedstock to rapidly separate various components from the solid feedstock.

Abstract: A power supply includes an isolated power converter and a DC/DC converter. The isolated power converter includes a primary winding connected to a primary power stage, a secondary winding to generate a first output voltage, and an auxiliary winding at the primary side to generate a voltage signal proportional to the first output voltage to stabilize the first output voltage. The DC/DC converter converts the first output voltage into a second output voltage for supplying for a load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reservoir tank for an automobile, which is provided with a height-adjustable sub filler neck so as to be retracted when not in use and extracted when filling coolant, whereby the reservoir tank can be disposed low in the automobile. The reservoir tank forming a cooling module together with a condenser, a radiator and a fan and shroud assembly is disposed at a carrier, and includes a filler neck for filling coolant and a cap for closing the filler neck, and is communicated with a radiator so as to control an amount of the coolant in the radiator, wherein the reservoir tank is integrally formed with a shroud of the fan and the shroud assembly, and the filler neck is formed with a sub filler neck which is retracted into and extracted from the filler neck.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention comprises a method of forming holes in a dielectric substrate comprising the steps of applying a layer of photoresist to a dielectric substrate, exposing portions of the photoresist to actinic radiation through a photomask to form a pattern in the photoresist for an array of holes to be etched in the substrate, developing the photoresist, etching the dielectric substrate to form an array of holes, each hole extending at least partially through the dielectric substrate, and removing the excess photoresist. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of simultaneously forming holes in a dielectric substrate some of which extend partially through the substrate and some of which extend completely through the substrate. Other aspects of the present invention are dielectric substrates formed using the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method for attaching an optical device to an encapsulated electronic package. The method may include aligning and attaching an optical device to a non-singulated encapsulated electronic package using an adhesive, and curing the entire package. The method may further include singulating the non-singulated encapsulated electronic package with the optical device attached after curing.

Abstract: Distributed valve simulated moving beds are described in which junctions located between successive columns interrupt the flow of process fluid between columns, and either transmit the process fluid through a zone bypass to a succeeding column within the same zone or, if the junction is located between zones, direct the process fluid to an input/output line that is dedicated to the particular zone that immediately follows the junction. At each step of the SMB's operation, the distribution of flows in each junction is modulated to accomplish movement of ports consistent with the SMB's design. Further described are simulated moving beds that contain one or more decoupled on-line regeneration zones. The regeneration zone is decoupled from the separation zones in the sense that it observes a step time (a “regeneration interval”) that is different than the step time observed by the separation zones of the SMB.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier has a gain control circuit. The gain control circuit includes a first control input and a second control input. The first control input receives a first control signal. The gain control circuit varies gain of the variable gain amplifier based on a value of the first control signal. The second control input receives a second control signal. The gain control circuit varies gain slope of the variable gain amplifier based on a value of the second control signal.

Abstract: Distributed valve simulated moving beds are described in which junctions located between successive columns interrupt the flow of process fluid between columns, and either transmit the process fluid through a zone bypass to a succeeding column within the same zone or, if the junction is located between zones, direct the process fluid to an input/output line that is dedicated to the particular zone that immediately follows the junction. At each step of the SMB's operation, the distribution of flows in each junction is modulated to accomplish movement of ports consistent with the SMB's design. Further described are simulated moving beds that contain one or more decoupled on-line regeneration zones. The regeneration zone is decoupled from the separation zones in the sense that it observes a step time (a “regeneration interval”) that is different than the step time observed by the separation zones of the SMB.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier has a gain control circuit. The gain control circuit includes a first control input and a second control input. The first control input receives a first control signal. The gain control circuit varies gain of the variable gain amplifier based on a value of the first control signal. The second control input receives a second control signal. The gain control circuit varies gain slope of the variable gain amplifier based on a value of the second control signal.

Abstract: A method for managing voice registration entries of voice recognition apparatus for use in both a handset and a hands-free kit. In the method, it is determined whether the handset is set to a hands-free mode where the handset is mounted on a cradle, thus connecting with the hands-free kit. If the handset is set to the hands-free mode, a voice registration entry for the handset is compared with a voice registration entry for the hands-free kit to calculate an entry difference value therebetween. A voice recognition process is performed, if the entry difference value is a minimum value, e.g., substantially zero. If the entry difference is larger than the minimum value, then a voice entry is registered for the hands-free kit, in response to a user confirmation. If the entry difference is smaller than the minimum value, then the voice entry is registered for the handset, in response to a user confirmation.