Abstract: In an rotary electric machine, such as a AC generator for a vehicle includes a rotor, a stator core disposed around the rotor, and stator winding, the stator core is comprised of a slot member having a plurality of slots formed at an outer periphery thereof to open radially outward and a ring member fitted to the slot member to close the plurality of slots. If the inside diameter of the slot member is Di, and the outside diameter of the ring member is Do, a diameter ratio Di/Do is equal to or larger than 76%.

Abstract: An electric machine including a magnetic component, forming part of its rotor or stator that loses its magnetic characteristics above a certain chosen temperature is disclosed. This magnetic material forms part of a magnetic circuit that guides flux about the stator. As a result, any magnetic flux emanating with the rotor stops circulating about the stator above this temperature, and the machine stops acting as generator. The component is thermally coupled to windings carrying current from the machine's stator. The material forming the component is selected so that the chosen temperature is lower than the temperature at which the machine would be thermally damaged. This, in turn, limits the operating temperature of the windings, and thus prevents overheating of the machine during operation, typically caused by a fault. Preferably this magnetic material is formed from a ferrite material, such as a Manganese Zinc ferrite material.

Abstract: The conventional bar by bar assembly of a generator rotor can be replaced with a solid rotor having parallel slots milled into a rotor forging so that containment components can be replaced with a simplified enclosure. A dynamic blocking restraint assembly is beneficial to control winding position, to prevent load dissymmetries against the winding enclosure, and to provide sufficient preload to obtain predictable behavior in all expected modes of operation. The blocking assembly includes a sandwich construction of a first support block, at least one spring, additional wedge-shaped spacers in the case of multiple springs, and a second support block disposed in a symmetrical arrangement substantially aligned with the quadrature axis of the rotor. The assembly serves to provide circumferential restraint and to match the structural hoop stiffness of the winding enclosure. The construction of components can be configured to accommodate any desired degree of preloading.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) ratcheting apparatus is disclosed which includes an electrostatic or thermal actuator that drives a moveable member in the form of a ring gear, stage, or rack. Motion is effected by one or more reciprocating pawls driven by the actuator in a direction that is parallel to, in line with, or tangential to the path. The reciprocating pawls engage indexing elements (e.g. teeth or pins) on the moveable member to incrementally move the member along a curved or straight path with the ability to precisely control and determine the position of the moveable member. The MEM apparatus can be formed on a silicon substrate by conventional surface micromachining methods.

Abstract: An edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device includes a surface acoustic wave substrate made of a piezoelectric single crystal and having first and second opposite edges, and at least one interdigital transducer disposed on the surface acoustic wave substrate. The surface acoustic wave device is constructed such that a Shear Horizontal type surface acoustic wave is reflected between the first and second opposite edges. The surface acoustic wave substrate is made of an ion-implanted piezoelectric single crystal substrate.

Abstract: A driving apparatus is provided with an evaluating device for evaluating a wear state in a friction surface between a vibration member and a movable member in a vibration type actuator apparatus. The evaluating device accurately and automatically evaluating the wear state of the friction surface by detecting a fluctuation amount of a driving speed under driving conditions of the vibration type actuator apparatus selected so as to achieve a fixed speed.

Abstract: The invention utilizes multiple frequency sound in liquids to improve the cleaning or processing effect. The sound frequencies are produced in two or more non-overlapping continuous frequency ranges. The sound frequencies are controlled to change frequency within the frequency ranges and the sound frequencies are programmed by a digital code to jump amongst the frequency ranges. The sound frequencies may change continuously within the frequency ranges, and the sound frequencies may jump discontinuously from one frequency range to another. The frequency ranges may also be within different, non-contiguous and non-overlapping frequency bands.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor including a motor body, a compliant layer in communication with the motor body, and a predetermined number of legs in communication with the compliant layer, which urges the legs into engagement with a substrate. Each of the legs includes a piezoelectric wafer, preferably operated in the shear mode. The actuation of a piezoelectric wafer causes the corresponding leg to be displaced relative to a substrate. This displacement results in the transfer of strain energy to the compliant layer. The energy stored in the compliant layer may be released, causing the motor to advance along the substrate. The legs may be capable of moving independently from one another and also may be capable of moving sequentially or in a predetermined groups or units. The legs also may be arranged in pairs with the leg pairs being capable of simultaneous actuation. The motor is capable of maintaining a high holding force in the absence of a power input.

Abstract: A lithography chuck (100) holds a flat object (150), such as a semiconductor wafer (150) at the backside (152). The chuck has, supported on a base plate (105), a plurality of pins (110-n) to receive partial forces (Fn) from the backside (152) and a plurality of piezoelectric elements (120-n) attached to the pins to sense the partial forces (Fn) applied from the object (150) to the pins (110-n). The piezoelectric elements (120-n) apply partial displacements (Bn) of the pins (110-n) to act on selected areas of the object (150) and thereby compensate for irregularities in the backside contour.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator assembly that is insensitive to wide variations in operating temperatures including a stack of piezoelectric devices and a surrounding housing assembly formed of an outer cylindrical housing portion formed of steel having a coefficient of thermal expansion above that of the piezoelectric material and an inner cylindrical housing portion formed of Si—Ni ceramic. By arranging the inner and outer housing portions in parallel and forming the housing portions with appropriate cross-sectional areas, the housing assembly will have an effective coefficient of thermal expansion &agr;e that is equivalent to that of the piezoelectric element &agr;p.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric substrate having a piezoelectric driving unit and provided with outer coating substrates laminated on major surfaces thereof via adhesive layers, and external electrodes provided on the outer surfaces of a layered body included in the piezoelectric device. In the piezoelectric device, each of the adhesive layers includes a first layer of an adhesive having a Shore D hardness after curing of not more than approximately 60, and disposed so as not to be exposed in a region of lateral side surfaces of the layered body provided with the external electrodes, a second layer of an adhesive having a Shore D hardness of at least approximately 60, and a third layer of an adhesive having a Shore D hardness of at least approximately 60 and having a viscosity before curing of at least approximately 3.0×105 mPas at a temperature of 25° C.

Abstract: An HID lamp assembly has a relatively small envelope size enabling use of the lamp assembly in aircraft applications as well as other applications. The lamp assembly comprises a reflector, a discharge lamp mounted to the reflector, and a ballast which controls the delivery of power to the discharge lamp. The ballast is mounted to and carried by the reflector, at least partially surrounds a base of the discharge lamp, and is axially aligned with the reflector. The transverse dimensions of the ballast are less than the corresponding dimensions of the reflector at a wide front end thereof.

Abstract: An electron source comprises a substrate, at least one row-directional wire, at least one column-directional wire intersecting the row-directional wire, at least one insulation layer arranged at the intersection of the row-directional wire and the column-directional wire, and at least one conductive film having an electron-emitting region also arranged at the intersection. The insulation layer is arranged between the row-directional wire and the column-directional wire and the conductive film is connected to both wires.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electron emission device capable of deflecting emitted electrons to a predetermined direction and preferably emitting electrons with a small drive voltage as well as a production method of the same. The electron emission according to the present invention includes a layered body including an auxiliary electrode, a first insulation layer, a first gate electrode, a second insulation layer, an emitter electrode, a third insulation layer, and a second gate electrode formed in this order on a substrate. In this electron emission device, a hole is formed through the first insulation layer, the first gate electrode, the second insulation layer, the emitter electrode, the third insulation layer, and the second gate electrode, so that the auxiliary electrode is exposed at the bottom of the hole and the first gate electrode protrudes further than the emitter electrode toward the center line of the hole.

Abstract: A shadow mask includes an aperture portion having a plurality of apertures formed therein, the aperture portion being formed over a predetermined area in a center of the shadow mask; and a non-aperture portion defining a periphery of the shadow mask and formed adjacent to the aperture portion. Only the aperture portion is selectively heat-treated to result in a tensile strength of the aperture portion being 1.2 to 3 times greater than that of the non-aperture portion, and the modulus of elasticity of the aperture portion being 1.5 to 3 times greater than that of the non-aperture portion. The method includes the steps of selectively performing a heat-treating process on only the aperture portion of the shadow mask by mounting a separating cover on the non-aperture portion, the separating cover preventing contact of the non-aperture portion with the gaseous atmosphere present during the heat treating process. The shadow mask is then press-formed.

Abstract: In a shadow mask type color cathode-ray tube having slot apertures that are straight in the perpendicular direction, the projections of electron beams transmitted by the slot apertures onto the fluorescent screen tend to curve in a banana-like shape with increasing proximity to the right and left sides of the screen, thereby bringing about a drop in the color interference margin and loss margin. The projection of electron beams that are transmitted by the slot apertures and strike the fluorescent screen can be made straight by boring slot apertures in advance that are curved in the direction opposite the curvature of the electron beam projection.

Abstract: A color picture tube which prevents a change in convergence due to current leaked from a resistor during operation of the color picture, thus, providing a stable and satisfactory convergence characteristic in the overall region of the screen. The color picture tube comprises a main electron lens portion, a deflection yoke, and an inline electron gun that includes an electron beam generating portion for generating three electron beams in line consisting of a center beam and a pair of side beams. Distances between the center axis of the center beam passage hole and that of each of the side beam passage holes in a first electrode (G5), a second electrode (GM) and a third electrode (G6) are represented by Sg(1), Sg(2) and Sg(3). The first and second electrodes are separated by a gap L(1); and the second and third electrodes are separated by a gap L(2). The distance Sg(2) is set to satisfy the relationship: Sg(2)={L(1)×Sg(3)+L(2)×Sg(1)}/{L(1)+L(2)}.

Abstract: A color cathode ray tube having an electron gun including an electron beam generating portion arrayed in a horizontal direction for generating three electron beams, and a main lens for focusing the three electron beams from the electron beam generating portion upon a fluorescent face. A final stage of the main lens is formed between a focusing electrode and an accelerating electrode. The focusing electrode is divided into at least two focusing electrode parts. A quadrupole electron lens is formed for each of the electron beams between a first focusing electrode part and a second focusing electrode part, and the strength of the quadrupole electron lens for the central electron beam is different from the strength of the quadrupole electron lens for the side electron beams.

Abstract: A face panel for a cathode-ray tube is coated with an antireflection film by forming, on the outer surface thereof in this order, a 44.9 nm-thick praseodymium titanate film as a first layer, a 4.9 nm-thick film of a nickel-iron alloy as a second layer, a 53.4 nm-thick praseodymium titanate film as a third layer, a 3.9 nm-thick film of a nickel-iron alloy as a fourth layer, a 20.6 nm-thick praseodymium titanate film as a fifth layer, and an 84.7 nm-thick magnesium fluoride film as a sixth layer. This coated face panel is free from the problem that conventional cathode-ray tube face panels coated on the outer surface with an antireflection film comprising superposed metal films and transparent dielectric films make the cathode-ray tubes exhibit double images although effective in diminishing the reflection of external light on the surface of the cathode-ray tubes and in enhancing display contrast.

Abstract: A phosphor coating for gas discharge lamps is provided. The phosphor coating contains a nano-size phosphor which promotes adherence of the primary phosphor to the glass envelope. The phosphor coating is applied to the interior surface of the gas discharge lamp using an aqueous suspension containing the primary phosphor, the nano-size phosphor, and an organic binder.

Abstract: A plasma display panel in which the reliability of seal bonding of a chip tube is assured and an evacuation working efficiency is improved. In a plasma display panel with a structure in which a glass substrate on the display surface side and a glass substrate on the rear side are adhered so as to be hermetically bonded by sealing layers through partitions and a gas is introduced into the space between the two glass substrates, an evacuation and gas charging hole is formed in one of the glass substrates and crystalline glass powder of a low melting point is molded into a predetermined shape and is baked, thereby seal bonding the chip tube into the evacuation and gas introducing hole.

Abstract: A front glass substrate and a back glass substrate are disposed, confronting each other to interpose a certain space therebetween. A discharge gas is enclosed within the space. The space is divided into a plural of display cells and a plural of priming discharge cells. Display data write and sustaining discharges for displaying an image are caused in display cells by priming effects from priming discharge cells. Display cell electrodes control discharges at display cells. A pair of priming discharge electrodes for causing discharges in priming discharge cells is provided independently of display cell electrodes, and is driven independently of display cells. The priming discharge cells are independently of display cells with respect to structure and driving control, and may discharge preliminarily by a sine wave driving method using a low drive frequency.

Abstract: An electrical discharge tube comprises a cylindrical body, made of insulating material, having an inner surface, and having end faces defining respective openings. Metallized layers are formed on the respective end faces of the cylindrical body and are substantially parallel to each other. Electrodes airtightly close the respective openings by means of the metallized layers and have respective electrical discharge faces, between which an electrical discharge gap is defined. At least one first electrical discharge trigger wire is formed as a loop on the inner surface of the cylindrical body and extends substantially in parallel to the metallized layers along a first surface located within a range of the electrical discharge gap.

Abstract: A ceramic lamp in which the hermetically sealing bodies of electrically conductive cermet are sealed to hermetically sealed tube portions of the lamp vessel with a sealing material is arranged and provided with material components designed to give the hermetically sealing portions a high reliability.

Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus and method in which a high-frequency voltage is applied to a discharging electrode to generate a plasma in a vacuum chamber, thereby performing a plasma processing for a substrate on the discharging electrode, a voltage of a discharging circuit for producing a plasma discharge is detected by a monitor control unit. The detection is made by virtue of a resistor inserted in a circuit connecting the discharging circuit and a matching unit which takes the matching in impedance between a high-frequency power supply unit and the discharging circuit. The high-frequency power supply unit is controlled on the basis of the result of detection. Also, the result of detection is compared with a reference value obtained in an initial state in which no deposited layer exists in the vacuum chamber. The comparison is made for estimating a time dependent change in internal state of the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for processing substrates having an improved matching system. A matching controller (1) is utilized to control multiple matching networks (MNA, MNB, MNC), thus providing improved, more rapid and stable matching. The matching controller can also automatically set up initial matching conditions required during and immediately after plasma initiation, to thereby provide faster and more reliable initial matching, and reduced operator involvement. The system also provides improved instrumentation, for more accurate phase and amplitude detection, and an improved arrangement of power detectors (6A, 6B, 6C). The matching network (MNA, MNB, MNC) also incorporates a circuit for reliable control of tunable elements in a matching network, and a device for protecting tunable elements against damage are also provided.

Abstract: A method for dimming a fluorescent lamp, in which a transformer is driven by an AC voltage in a push-pull manner. In a method which ensures flicker-free light emission over a wide temperature range at the highest possible dimming rate, a resonant circuit containing the current transformer, the secondary capacitance element and the fluorescent lamp is momentarily made to oscillate in an ionization phase in such a way that the fluorescent lamp is reliably prevented from illuminating, and then the fluorescent lamp is positively controlled.

Abstract: An image input apparatus comprises a cold cathode tube light source and a solid imaging device. The image input apparatus reads an image from a document paper by receiving at the solid imaging device a reflected light which is obtained by reflecting a light of the cold cathode tube light source on the document paper. On putting cold cathode tube light source into an on-state, an inverter control circuit controls an inverter to make the inverter supply the cold cathode tube light source with an overcurrent higher than a predetermined tube current which is for use in continuously and stably irradiating a predetermined luminous energy from the cold cathode tube light source. After the overcurrent is applied to the cold cathode tube light source during a predetermined duration, the inverter control circuit controls the inverter to make the inverter reduce the overcurrent to a predetermined current in accordance with an output of the solid imaging device.

Abstract: A high frequency inductively coupled electrodeless lamp includes an excitation coil with an effective electrical length which is less than one half wavelength of a driving frequency applied thereto, preferably much less. The driving frequency may be greater than 100 MHz and is preferably as high as 915 MHz. Preferably, the excitation coil is configured as a non-helical, semi-cylindrical conductive surface having less than one turn, in the general shape of a wedding ring. At high frequencies, the current in the coil forms two loops which are spaced apart and parallel to each other. Configured appropriately, the coil approximates a Helmholtz configuration. The lamp preferably utilizes an bulb encased in a reflective ceramic cup with a pre-formed aperture defined therethrough. The ceramic cup may include structural features to aid in alignment and I or a flanged face to aid in thermal management.

Abstract: A signal generating circuit coupled to an AC supply, the circuit comprising at least one first switch device coupled to the AC supply, at least one triggerable switch device coupled to the first switch device, operation of the first switch device causing said triggerable switch device to trigger in response to the AC supply at a predetermined voltage, thereby providing at least a portion of a waveform of the AC supply as a control signal and wherein the control signal terminates within a predetermined period of time after operation of the first switch device terminates. A circuit for detecting and responding to the signals generated by the signal generator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power supply circuit comprises a rectification section for rectifying AC voltage so as to obtain DC voltage, a voltage regulating circuit section for receiving the DC voltage and outputting a constant voltage, a light-emitting diode driven by the voltage output from the voltage regulating circuit section, and an output voltage detection section for detecting ambient temperature and the voltage output from the voltage regulating circuit section and outputting a voltage suitable for the light-emitting diode to operate at the detected ambient temperature. The voltage regulating circuit section compares the voltage output from the output voltage detection section with a reference voltage so as to obtain a control signal, inputs to a transformer current which is switched in accordance with the control signal, and supplies an output from the transformer to the light-emitting diode.

Abstract: A vertical deflection amplifier drives a vertical deflection coil according to a ramp input signal and has a current sensing resistor providing a feedback signal. The vertical deflection coil is subject to crosstalk or excitation by a horizontal deflection coil. A compensation network is coupled between a source of the horizontal deflection signal and the current sense resistor, and has a network that produces a corrective current in the current sense resistor to substantially cancel horizontal rate crosstalk component from the feedback signal.

Abstract: A control system controls the movement of an object based on desired position data. The control system includes a first regulator configured to regulate the position of the object, a feed forward control configured to feed the desired position data forward to a second regulator at a lower level than the first regulator, and a modeling filter configured to receive the desired position data and to provide the desired position data to the first regulator with a predetermined time delay.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a motor vehicle having electric drive mechanism, especially a city autobus, in which one or more wheels are driven by one electric motor and which is provided with an electric brake and a control circuit, wherein when a first defined threshold value (1) of the rotational speed (n) of the electric motor is exceeded, the drive torque (m) is cut back and is reduced down to zero when the rotational speed (n) continues to increase, and that when a second defined threshold value (3) of the rotational speed (n) which is higher than the first threshold value (1) is exceeded, the electric brake is engaged and as the rotational speed increases exerts a maximum brake torque when a limit value (4) is reached.

Abstract: Provided to the motor controller is means which can alter a conversion ratio with which a current value detected by a current detector is converted into a unit (such as voltage) easily usable in motor current control. According to the maximum current value of the motor and the demagnetization limit current of the motor, an optimum conversion ratio is selected and switched over. By making it possible to select and preset a conversion ratio, a plurality of motors can be controlled by one motor controller. Therefore, restrictions imposed on the combination of the motor controller and the motor are lightened.

Abstract: A drive system for a partition wall system composed of several individual components which are horizontally movable via rollers or appropriate media at or in a guide rail mounted to a ceiling in a way or technique in which the individual components present separate drive media which convey the corresponding component(s) independently from and/or simultaneously with the other components along the guide rail. A central control unit combined with a microprocessor and several memories is provided and the control unit's output signal transmits data and addresses to all drive media via at least a two-wire connection (databus) simultaneously to activate the individual component's drive media, which allows the individual control and regulation of the individual components and the additional miscellaneous functions for the individual components respectively inside the individual components. Changing of data and addresses is operated by a control terminal.

Abstract: A method of controlling a powered manipulator in a plurality of workspaces is disclosed. The manipulator includes a handle, a motor, a force sensor, and is in combination with a processor controlling the manipulator. The method includes the steps of imparting force on the control handle, sensing direction and magnitude of the force, and sending data of the force to the processor. The data is processed to establish movement commands for the manipulator. The processor is programmed to establish at least one virtual constraint in a first workspace for limiting movement of the manipulator to prevent an operator from moving the manipulator to a limit of this workspace. After the manipulator is moved in this workspace, the manipulator is relocated from the first workspace into a second workspace different from the first workspace where the manipulator is then moved again.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining whether a substrate is in a clamped or unclamped state on a robot blade and preferably allows the position of a properly clamped substrate to be compensated for misalignments due to substrates not at or very near to their nominal positions on the blade. A sensor unit comprising a radiation source and a detector and capable of transmitting and receiving a signal is mounted outside a transfer chamber and is positioned to direct the signal therein. A robot blade having a reflecting member is actuated through the transfer chamber and into the path of the signal. The reflecting member is preferably positioned on a clamp finger and causes the signal to be reflected to the detector of the sensor unit when the signal is incident on the reflecting member. As the reflecting member moves through the signal the output of the sensor unit switches states, thereby generating values corresponding to the position of the reflecting member.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus driven by a switched reluctance drive that is soft-started to substantially avoid any transient torque reaction disturbing the body of the cleaner. The soft-start is produced by profiling the current demand for the drive system as a function of the rotor speed. Profiling is typically done with a continuous function, a series of steps or a pair of values. Related methods provide similar advantages.

Abstract: A power semiconductor module comprising a power semiconductor element included in a power circuit portion and mounted on a metal base, a first resin molded to the power semiconductor element, a control circuit element disposed on the first resin and included at least in a portion of the control circuit, and a control terminal connected to the power circuit portion and having an exposed portion thereof in the surface of the first resin, in which a portion of the control circuit is connected with the power circuit portion at the exposed portion of the control terminal. Accordingly, a resin mold type power semiconductor module capable of realizing a high performance of the control circuit portion at low cost can be realized.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inverter which comprises the switching components to be controlled, the method comprising the steps of determining a current vector ({overscore (i)}olo) for the inverter output; determining a flux vector ({overscore (&psgr;)}) for the inverter load; determining an angular speed (&ohgr;) for the inverter load; determining a resistance (R) for the inverter load.

Abstract: An electric drive apparatus and method for controlling AC motors wherein the motor output is a function of the AC input power to the electric drive. Means are provided for detecting the voltage being supplied by the source of AC power to a drive circuit, and for controlling the output to the multi-phase AC load based on the detected power level. A controller monitors the motor voltage, current, and speed or frequency while also receiving a command for torque or torque-producing current. The method provides for the operation of the drive circuit in the event of either a partial or complete loss of AC input power. During such an occurrence, the controller will cause the circuit to generate sufficient negative torque to cause a power flow from the motor to the drive circuit to substantially equal the inherent losses in the drive and motor to avoid loss of energy from the DC filter of the drive circuit. Motor torque and speed can be quickly restored when the input power is re-established.

Abstract: A three-phase motor having three Hall-effect devices for production of as many rotor position signals for use in excitation control of its windings, the signals being indicative of the angular position of the motor rotor with respect to the stator and having phase differences of 120 degrees. A motor speed control system is disclosed which utilizes the rotor position signals for detection of the actual running speed of the motor. Included are differentiating circuits connected one to each Hall-effect device for producing outputs in prescribed phase relationship with the rotor position signals. Connected to the differentiating circuits, switching transistors are controlled by binary switch control signals derived from the rotor position signals, passing the positive half-waves, or approximately positive half-waves, of the differentiating circuit outputs. The thus-obtained half-waves are then added together into a motor speed signal representative of the actual running speed of the motor.

Abstract: A modified PWM space vector technique is described which includes a DC ripple voltage measurement scheme supplying feed-back to a DSP controller which then computes and generates the instantaneous PWM drives required for ripple voltage cancellation in a lightly filtered line voltage node, and executes the interface to the multi-phase power inverter circuitry. This preferably becomes a part of a closed loop motor speed control process. Use of the modified PWM drive in this manner greatly reduces the value of the filter capacitor required, allowing for the use of non-electrolytic capacitors having greater reliability and being available at lower cost.

Abstract: A method of regulating a rotary machine powered by a voltage inverter receiving, as input a control voltage delivered by a regulator servo-controlling the electromagnetic torque on a reference value, the regulator receiving as inputs the reference value and sat least one sampled signal representative of the torque of the machine, and proceeding at each sampling instant, to predict the torque value at a following sampling instant and to modify the control voltage accordingly.

Abstract: A charging seat for rechargeable flashlight includes a base, a holding portion formed on the base to fixedly clamp the flashlight therein, an orientation device provided on the base to limit the flashlight to a predetermined angle when engaged with the holding portion and a charging circuit provided in the base. The charging circuit is electrically connected with a pair of contact buttons provided on the base. The buttons correspond to a pair of contact plates provided on the rechargeable flashlight. When the flashlight is fixed in the charging seat a charging connection is established between the flashlight and the charging circuit, and batteries received in the flashlight are directly charged.

Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable battery which comprises charging the battery with a charging current; sampling conditions of the battery during charging to recognize potential adverse conditions within the battery; interrupting the charging current periodically to create current-free periods and sampling an open circuit voltage of the battery during each current-free period to identify potential overcharge conditions in the battery; lowering the charging current if any adverse conditions are identified and continuing charging with the charging current if adverse charging conditions are not identified; and terminating charging when a predetermined value is recognized. The method of charging nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium batteries is based on switching charging current as soon as temperature related battery open circuit voltage reaches the first predetermined value, tapering current and continuing charging up to terminating point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the capacity of a battery wherein a voltage method of measuring the voltage of the battery, to calculate the capacity of the battery based on the correlation between the voltage and the capacity of the battery, is switched to a current integrating method of integrating the current magnitude of the battery with respect to time, to calculate the capacity of the secondary battery, and vice versa, with a pre-set current magnitude as a threshold value, in order to detect the capacity of the battery. By selectively using the voltage method and the current integrating method depending on the current magnitude of the battery, the capacity of the battery can be calculated with greater accuracy.

Abstract: A testing device applies time-varying electrical excitation to a cell or battery and senses the resulting time-varying electrical response. Computation circuitry within the device uses voltage and current signals derived from the excitation and response signals as inputs and computes values of elements of an equivalent circuit representation of the cell or battery. The relative charge SOC) of the cell or battery is calculated from the value of the conductance component G of a particular parallel G-C subcircuit of the equivalent circuit. The absolute charge (Ah) contained in the cell or battery is calculated from the value of the capacitance component C of a different parallel G-C subcircuit. Relative or absolute charge values are then either displayed to the user or are used to control an external process such as charging of the battery.

Abstract: A battery charger includes a first pair of electrical connectors configured to couple to a positive terminal of the battery and a second pair of electrical connectors configured to couple to a negative terminal of the battery. The first pair and second pair of connectors forming Kelvin connections to the battery. A microprocessor is configured to selectively charge the battery and measure a dynamic parameter of the battery as a function of an AC signal applied to the battery.