Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in high-pressure discharge lamps of the ceramic metal halide type of the Philips MasterColor series having a metal coil wrapped around the discharge vessel and/or at least a portion of the electrode feed through means, and having power ranges of about 150W to about 1000W, wherein the lamp has a metal coil wound around the discharge vessel and/or at least a portion of the electrode feed through means in a first position and in which metal coil the coil position of at least one coil portion, preferably multiple coil portions, and most preferably substantially all of the coil portions of the metal coil are stabilized to be substantially non-relaxed from the first position after exposure to elevated temperature conditions present during operation of the lamp. The metal coil functions as both an ignition aid and for containment in said lamp.

Abstract: In a discharge lamp apparatus, a casing of an electronic controller unit for a discharge lamp is comprised of a resin casing and a metal casing and accommodates therein circuit components for generating a voltage supplied to the discharge lamp. The resin casing couples with and contacts with the connector part of the discharge lamp. A power MOS transistor is attached to the metal casing through a plate member made of an insulating material. With this arrangement, heat generated by the discharge lamp is less likely to transfer from the resin casing to the metal casing, and heat generated by the power MOS transistor is efficiently radiated from the metal casing to the outside.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.

Abstract: A compact microwave ion source has a permanent magnet dipole field, a microwave launcher, and an extractor parallel to the source axis. The dipole field is in the form of a ring. The microwaves are launched from the middle of the dipole ring using a coaxial waveguide. Electrons are heated using ECR in the magnetic field. The ions are extracted from the side of the source from the middle of the dipole perpendicular to the source axis. The plasma density can be increased by boosting the microwave ion source by the addition of an RF antenna. Higher charge states can be achieved by increasing the microwave frequency. A xenon source with a magnetic pinch can be used to produce intense EUV radiation.

Abstract: An emergency lighting arrangement and an emergency lighting apparatus, the arrangement being configured to be coupled to a supply network and the arrangement comprising an electronic ballast for igniting and burning a fluorescent lamp, the emergency lighting apparatus comprising a battery (Batt), recharge device (3) for recharging the battery from the supply network, a supply device (4) for supplying the battery voltage further, and a control unit (B), which is configured to control the devices of the emergency lighting apparatus. The electronic ballast of the emergency lighting system is a controllably dimmable ballast, and the emergency lighting apparatus further comprises means (C) for controlling the dimming of the electronic ballast.

Abstract: An apparatus in an electronic control system allows two or three wire operation. A power supply can supply power to the enclosed circuitry in both two and three wire installations. Two separate zero cross detectors are used such that timing information can be collected in both two and three wire installations. Both zero cross detectors are monitored and are used to automatically configure the electronic control. Over voltage circuitry senses an over voltage condition across a MOSFET which is in the off state and turns the MOSFET on so that it desirably will not reach the avalanche region. Over current circuitry senses when the current through the MOSFETs has exceeded a predetermined current threshold and then turns the MOSFETs off so they do not exceed the MOSFETs' safe operating area (SOA) curve. Latching circuitry is employed to keep the protection circuitry in effect even after a fault condition has cleared.

Abstract: Object: The object of the invention is to provide a plasma addressed display device which can adapt the amount of dopant gas released or absorbed by the storage material to a changing real-operating/environment conditions of the display device in order to control the partial pressure of the dopant gas in the channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus of a sustain driver in an AC-type plasma display panel having an energy recovery unit, comprising: a first drive unit for driving one electrode of a panel capacitor to a sustain voltage or a ground voltage; a second drive unit for driving another electrode of the panel capacitor to a sustain voltage or a ground voltage; and a common energy recovery unit. The common energy recovery unit includes: an inductor connected to the one electrode of the panel capacitor and form a L-C resonance circuit with the panel capacitor; a first and second external capacitors connected in series between the power source of the sustain voltage and the ground; and a switch unit for selectively switching the L-C resonance circuit and the first and second external capacitors during the charge and discharge operation of the panel capacitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to circuit for driving a display of current driven type, and more particularly, to circuit and method for driving a display of current driven type, in which a pre-charging static power source is provided separately for implementing a low power consumption. The present invention includes A circuit for driving a display of current driven type comprises an organic EL, pixel, a scan driving part for making the pixel to emit a light in response to a scan signal, a first static current source for being controlled so as to be turned on/off in response to a data enable signal, to supply a current to the pixel, a second static current source for being controlled so as to be turned on/off in response to a precharge signal, to supply a current to the pixel for precharging the pixel, and a controlling part for controlling amounts of the currents from the static current sources.

Abstract: A medical device having a non-linear look-up table and a medical image processing method therefor, the method being used in a medical picture archival and communications system, are provided. The medical device has an image generating unit which generates the medical image; an image processing unit which receives the image signal, and processes the image to display the received signal; and a display unit which receives the output signal of the image processing unit and displays the signal, in which the image processing unit changes the values of the picture elements forming the image using a look-up table of which element values change according to the practitioner's manipulation. According to the device and method, a practitioner can more easily convert medical images and can diagnose a disease more accurately.

Abstract: A plasma display panel driving method which is capable of displaying a high quality image with a large number of gradation levels without erroneously discharging discharge cells. A scanning pulse and a pixel data pulse have a narrower pulse width as they are applied at an earlier time in an addressing stage in each of subfields.

Abstract: The present invention disclose a plasma display panel (PDP) including: a panel capacitor representing panels of the PDP; a driving unit for driving the panel capacitor to a sustain voltage and ground voltage; and an energy recovery unit for recovering and supplying energy together with the driving unit, wherein the energy recovery unit includes, a first inductor for forming a ¼ cycle resonance unit with the panel capacitor when the panel capacitor is charged; a second inductor for forming a ¼ cycle resonance unit with the panel capacitor when the panel capacitor is discharged; and an external capacitor for supplying an energy to the ¼ cycle resonance unit and storing recovered energy.

Abstract: This invention relates to circuits for operation over a range of voltages, more particularly for a vehicle lamp circuit that provides lighting over a range of voltages. The invention provides a circuit that allows the operation of an LED array lamp over a range of voltage. This is achieved by making use of three-terminal adjustable regulators. One of the three-terminal regulators is configured as a voltage regulator. It regulates the voltage by a connection to a voltage divider. A second three-terminal regulator is connected to the voltage regulator. The second regulator is configured to be a current regulator with the current set by one resistor. This circuit can be further modified with additional adjustable three-terminal regulators to increase in functionality.

Abstract: An integrated lamp/lamp electronics unit includes a lamp having a first end with first end electrical terminals, and a second end with second end electrical terminals. An end cap having an interior section is placed into electrical connection with the first end electrical terminals at the first end of the lamp. Lamp electronics are configured to control operation of the lamp and are connected only to the second end electrical terminals. The lamp electronics are carried on a circuit board having a configuration substantially matching the second end of the lamp portion. The circuit board is placed within the interior of a lamp electronics end cap, and the end cap is attached in a permanent relationship to the second end of the lamp.

Abstract: The system contains a quartz arc tube surrounding a gas tight envelope containing mercury, a metal halide, a rare earth gas and a pair of end to end spaced apart tungsten electrodes attached at a distal end to a molybdenum foil seal. A circuit is provided to generate an initial ignition voltage of 30,000 volts and thereafter, a circuit of 100-2,000 watts with a timer to automatically break and reconnect the circuit to provide a strobe light. A single driver actuates multiple lamps.

Abstract: A method manages lamp fault conditions in electronic ballasts for one or more gas discharge lamps. The method for fault management of electronic ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp includes the steps of: preheating the lamp filaments applying a low current for a predetermined time; igniting the lamp by increasing at a predetermined rate the voltage applied up to a predetermined strike value; monitoring the lamp current; repeating the steps of igniting the lamp and monitoring the lamp current for a predetermined numbers of times if the lamp current is over a predetermined threshold; and powering the lamp at normal operating conditions.

Abstract: A discharge pulse generator for supplying power between a pair of electrodes (1 and 2), comprises a distribution constant line (8) of a predetermined length being connected at one termination to the electrodes (1 and 2), charging means (16) being connected to the distribution constant line (8) for charging the capacitance of the distribution constant line (8), rectification means (13) being connected to an opposite termination of the above-mentioned distribution constant line (8) in a direction in which no current flows relative to voltage of the above-mentioned charging means (16), and a resistor (10) being connected in series to the above-mentioned rectification means (13) and having a resistance value equal to the characteristic impedance of the above-mentioned distribution constant line (8). For example, to use the discharge pulse generator for electric discharge machining, a workpiece can be worked on with higher accuracy and higher quality at higher speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control apparatus for a vibration type actuator, and particularly to a control apparatus which improves controllability by providing a control circuit of adjusting a voltage to be applied to the actuator so that a tilt of a frequency-speed characteristic of the actuator becomes approximately a constant tilt.

Abstract: A field orientation control method for an AC motor, which includes assuming an arbitrary axis as an estimated control axis in the synchronously rotating reference frame; injecting a high-frequency fluctuating signal to the estimated control axis; determining the position of a control axis using current, voltage or impedance on the estimated control axis in the synchronously rotating reference frame, generated by the injected high-frequency signal; and determining the position and speed of the rotor based on the control axis thus located. Since this method uses the variation of impedance caused by the induction machine's generation of field and by various shapes, the control performance is more stable than other conventional control methods. This AC motor's control method may be applied to control of torque, speed and position at a low speed where it is difficult to affix a detector and where a highly efficient operation is required.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a brushless DC motor includes a switch constructed and arranged to drive the motor with a pulse signal responsive to a control signal, and control circuitry coupled to the switch and constructed and arranged to generate the control signal responsive to rotor position information from the motor so as to synchronize the pulse signal to the rotor position. A current sensing device can be used to provide the rotor position information to the control circuitry by sensing current flowing through the motor.

Abstract: A self-diagnosis means is provided with a fan motor comprising a stator on which a stator coil is mounted, a rotor comprising a permanent magnet and a fan, a Hall device for detecting magnetic pole position of the permanent magnet and a current control means for controlling rotation of the rotor by controlling current to be fed to the stator coil. In an embodiment, the self-diagnosis means judges if the fan motor has drawn to the life. In another embodiment, the self-diagnosis means interrupts the current to be fed to the stator coil when the rotational speed is higher than an allowable value, and restarts the current automatically to return the fan motor into normal operation when the rotational speed is not higher than the allowable value.

Abstract: An electrical brake system for a motor vehicle including control modules for controlling the front axle brakes and the rear axle brakes, in which the control modules for the front axle brakes include fault-tolerant behavior, and in which the control modules for the rear axle brakes do not have any external effect in the event of a fault state in the area of the control module.

Abstract: In an air conditioner having a control unit receiving a power from a switching power supply, a supplied voltage for the control unit is reduced to a possible lowest voltage for the unit to operate. This arrangement provides the conditioner with less electromagnetic wave noise of the switching power supply, with a quick check and repair, and with having a motor-driven compressor start quickly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the displacement motion of a part, moved by an electromotor, of a closure device in a motor vehicle, for example, a window pane control, in the doors of the motor vehicle. A jamming incident is identified by a comparison of at least one status value of the electromotor or of the closure device which status value signifies a jamming incident, for example the motor current or the displacement speed, which a characteristic value that is significant for a jamming incident. In addition, the position of movable body parts, in particular the doors, is detected and the control of the displacement motion is adapted, in accordance with the identification of a jamming incident and the position of the body parts. If the result of the comparison indicates a jamming incident, the electromotor is Stopped for a predetermined short period of time that is preferably hardly perceptible, or the motor is reversed.

Abstract: An improved rotary servovalve system employs a rotary magnetic solenoid having an armature that includes at least one permanent magnet. The armature is rotatable relative to a stator formed as an electromagnet which is energizable to create alternative electromagnetic fields having opposite polarities from each other. When deenergized, the stator allows the armature to return to a neutral, null position from positions of extreme rotation in opposite angular directions due to the magnetic force of the permanent magnet of the armature. The armature is coupled to carry a movable valve element in angular rotation therewith, so that flow through the servovalve of the system can occur in alternative directions. Also, the valve element is biased toward a position in which all of the valve ports are closed when power is removed from the rotary solenoid.

Abstract: A solar battery module has a plurality of solar battery cells linearly arranged and electrically connected together to form a cell unit and more than one cell unit are arranged laterally side by side and solar battery cells located at opposite ends of the cell unit and adjacent to each other are electrically connected by first to fifth interconnection members to allow a matrix of the solar battery cells to be entirely connected in series, characterized in that the interconnection member excluding a portion thereof for connection is at least partially covered by an insulative cover member.

Abstract: An improved battery pack is proposed. The battery pack includes a housing, and first and second cells disposed in the housing, the first cell having a radius and a periphery. In addition, the battery pack includes a metal strap connecting the first and second cells, the strap having an end disposed over the first cell and a portion of the periphery, and two contact protrusions contacting the first cell, wherein distance between the strap end and the overlaped periphery is greater than the radius of the first cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combinational charging mechanism comprising a main body, a transformer circuit unit, and a bearing seat. The main body has a receiving room therein. The transformer circuit unit is received in the receiving room of the main body. The transformer circuit unit has connection points. The transformer circuit unit joins a first plug and a cable. The other end of the cable joins a second plug. A bearing seat is joined at the outside of the main body. The connection points stick into the bearing seat. A charging mechanism having both travel-charging function and desktop-charging function is thus formed.

Abstract: To achieve an object to provide a detachable temporary power source for cellular phone permitting a call for a very long period of time even for a cellular phone requiring a high power consumption, the present invention provides a temporary power source for cellular phone which makes it possible to make a call for a long period of time several times as long as that of a usual built-in power source, and can charge even built-in batteries of the cellular phone. The detachable temporary power source for cellular phone of the invention has a power source such as alkali dry battery, a diode, a regulator and a connector. Voltage supplied from the power source causes the regulator to supply a constant voltage, and has a power supply circuit preventing reverse flow of current from the built-in batteries of the cellular phone under the effect of the diode.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method reduces charging time of a multi-battery with a plurality of battery units. A charging process and apparatus charges a first battery unit of a multi-battery, keeps checking whether a current charging the first battery unit reaches a prescribed value, selects and charges a selected second battery unit of the multi-battery along with the first battery unit if the preset value is reached, and charges the second battery unit with a limited maximum magnitude current when the first battery unit is completely charged. Dual-charging operations for both first and second battery units conducted in the present charging process can reduce total charging time of the multi-battery.

Abstract: A detecting method for detecting internal information of an inspective rechargeable battery when said inspective rechargeable battery is charged by a constant current-constant voltage charging regime, comprising at least a step (A) of measuring an elapse of time (t) from the time when a constant current charging mode at a constant current value I0 is shifted to a constant voltage charging mode at a constant voltage Vmax and measuring a charge current value I in the constant voltage charging mode, a step (B) of obtaining a period of time from said shift time to the constant voltage charging in the constant voltage charging mode until the time when said charge current value I0 in the constant voltage charging mode reaches a given current value IM, and a step (C) of obtaining an electricity quantity charged in the constant voltage charging mode with respect to the inspective rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A circuit assembly for doubling the voltage of a battery includes a charge pump (12) fed by the battery voltage and controlled by a clock generator (10). The supply voltage of the clock generator is the voltage output by the charge pump (12). The source/drain circuit of a field-effect transistor (P4) is inserted in the connection between the output of the charge pump (12) and the battery (26), the field-effect transistor (P4) being ON when its gate voltage is smaller than its source voltage. Connected to the gate of the field-effect transistor (P4) is the output circuit branch (N2) of a current mirror circuit (32) through which a limited small current is derivable from the gate to ground. An auxiliary charge pump (22) is provided which receives its supply voltage from the output of the charge pump (12) and which is likewise controlled by the clock generator (10). The voltage generated by the auxiliary charge pump (22) is placed on the gate of the field-effect transistor (P4) to switch it OFF.

Abstract: An integrated micro power supply is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the micro power supply includes a microbattery formed within a substrate and an energy gathering device for capturing energy from a local ambient environment. An energy transforming device is also formed within the substrate for converting energy captured by the energy gathering device to electrical charging energy supplied to the microbattery.

Abstract: Polarized electric charge storage devices economically provide high available capacitance. The present invention directly employs polarized electrical charge storage (PECS) devices such as polarized capacitors or electrochemical batteries in general AC applications with a novel circuit topology. In one embodiment, an anti-series configuration of first and second PECS devices are used within an AC network for enhancing operation of the AC network. At least one DC source is provided for maintaining the PECS devices forwardly biased while they are subjected to an AC signal. The AC signal, which drives an AC load, is applied to the anti-series devices. The devices are sufficiently biased by the at least one DC voltage source so that they remain forwardly biased while coupling the AC signal.

Abstract: The invention is based on a method for operating an electrical machine (1) for the production of electrical power (13) comprising an excitation winding (2) and a stator winding (4). A converter configuration (6), e.g., a pulse-width modulation inverter, is located downstream from the electrical machine (1). In the lower speed range, the output of electrical power (12) takes place along the torque line (29) independently of the number of coils w1, w2 in a stator winding (4). In the upper speed range, the output of electrical power (12) takes place via a stator winding (4) having a small number of coils w2.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for regulating the exciter current for a rotary-current generator. It has a voltage source, a rectifier, three phase windings, an evaluation unit, and a voltage regulator. The evaluation unit has three input terminals, and each of these input terminals is connected to one of the phase windings. The evaluation unit is intended for evaluating the phase voltages derived from the three phase windings, in order to detect error functions of the rectifier and/or of the phase windings. If such unauthorized work states are detected, then via the voltage regulator, the exciter current flowing through the exciter winding is reduced.

Abstract: Voltage stabiliser for electrical energy transportation and distribution applications, which consists of one or several electromagnetic devices of transformer type which, at discrete intervals, regulates the output voltage that reaches the consumer, taking the form of a transformer with a dual or quadruple primary winding and a simple secondary winding, the simple winding being able to be positioned before or after the parallel branch, the performance of the equipment remaining the same.

Abstract: A DC voltage boost circuit capable of improved efficiency. The DC voltage boost circuit includes an inductive element, a switching device, an output capacitive element, and a regulation circuit. The switching device periodically causes current to flow through the inductive element in response to a control signal. Each time the switching device causes current to flow through the inductive element, the inductive element stores the energy. When the switching device stops the current from flowing through the inductive element, the stored energy is then transferred to the output capacitive element. The capacitive element accumulates the packets of energy stored in the inductive element in the form of charges to form the output voltage of the booster. A regulation circuit is provided to sample the booster output voltage and to generate the control signal for the switching device such that the output voltage is regulated. The control signal can be frequency modulated or pulse width modulated.

Abstract: A regulator circuit capable of reducing an increase in an output voltage during a sudden drop in a load current without increasing the power consumption during a steady state. When a current in load IL1 changes suddenly from a large current to a minute current during a steady state, electric charges are charged in capacitor CL1 due to a response delay of the negative feedback control, and an output voltage becomes higher than a target voltage. Then, voltage of node N34 drops, diode 31 gets turned off, and a voltage is held in capacitor 32. As a result, output of comparator 42 changes from a low level to a high level, and n-type MOS transistor 82 gets turned on. In addition, when the voltage between the gate and the source of n-type MOS transistor 50 becomes lower than the voltage of voltage source 71 due to a drop in the voltage of node N34, comparator 72 is also reverted to the high level.

Abstract: To eliminate overshoots of an output voltage from a DC/DC voltage converter (1) during start-up of the converter as well as during recovery after a short-circuit of a first and a second output terminal (5,5′) of the converter, a circuit (R2, R3, R4, C1, D2) is provided for generating, during a predetermined interval, a signal that is proportional to the rate of increase of the output voltage of the converter (1) to be supplied to the input of an error amplifier (4) to be superimposed on an error signal corresponding to a difference between an actual value and a set desired value of the output voltage of the converter (1), supplied to a control circuit (3) controlling the converter (1).

Abstract: An interface between software and hardware, as well as a fuzzy logic control algorithm, for controlling a DC-DC converter or an AC-DC or DC-AC inverter are provided. A control circuit receives commands from a control logic to operate a converter or inverter in various operation modes. Control software inputs can be translated into signals to operate the converter or inverter. Control variables in the control software can be configured to operate under various control modes. If the converter or inverter cannot simultaneously meet the demands placed on two or more variables, the control logic can use prioritization to choose a more important constraint.

Abstract: A reference voltage generator having high-speed starting at a low power source voltage and with high stability and high precision, without substantially increasing the circuit area. NMOS transistors 10 and 12 form a current mirror circuit, with the same drain current I. PMOS transistors 14 and 16 form a current mirror circuit, and drain current I is fed to the current mirror circuit. Resistor 18 provides an offset between the source voltages of PMOS transistors 14 and 16. Start-up capacitor 22 is connected between gate/drain of NMOS transistor 10, which is connected as a diode, and the terminal of power source voltage VDD on the positive electrode side. And/or a start-up capacitor 24 is connected between gate/drain of diode-connected PMOS transistor 16 and the terminal of power source voltage VSS on the negative electrode side. In another embodiment PMOS transistors 25, 26 form a current mirror with the same drain current I.

Abstract: A trimmable bandgap voltage reference circuit includes variable current sources to drive variable currents through parallel combination circuits. The parallel combination circuits include variable resistors and diodes of differing sizes. Voltages developed across the parallel combination circuits are input to a differential amplifier that is used as a feedback amplifier to bias the variable current sources. The variable current sources and variable resistors can all be digitally controlled. A processor can query the operating point of the bandgap voltage reference circuit, and can also set the current and resistance values through a control circuit.

Abstract: Voltage regulation of power transformers by the use of a separate, removable, detachably coupled device external to the main transformer that can be attached to a main transformer unit when voltage regulation is desired. The device is connected to the three neutrals of the main transformer and can comprise: (a) a bank of three capacitors connected in wye, (b) a bank of three medium voltage (MV) or low voltage (XV) transformers, (c) one three-phase low voltage or medium voltage transformer, or (d) a combination of a XV/MV transformer and a capacitor bank.

Abstract: A current sensor apparatus is disclosed for use with an inverter bridge that is controlled by a pulse width modulator (PWM) control apparatus and is connected to an inductive load. The current sensor apparatus includes a plurality of current sensors disposed in series with each of the low side switches in the inverter bridge. The PWM control apparatus samples the current sensors when the PWM control apparatus provides the necessary signals to open all of the high side switches in the inverter bridge and to close all of the low side switches. Due to the inductive nature of the load, the load current will continue to flow during the time in which the low side switches are closed and the high side switches are open. During this time, the current sensors are sampled and provide an output signal that is indicative of the magnitude of the current. The PWM control apparatus limits the duty cycle of the PWM signals to a predetermined value that is less than 100%.

Abstract: In recent years, much effort has been placed on improving the performance of timing and jitter measurement devices using Delay Locked Loop (DLL) and Vernier Delay Line (VDL) techniques. However, these approaches require highly matched elements in order to reduce differential non-linearity timing errors. In an attempt to reduce the requirement on element matching, a component-invariant VDL technique is disclosed that enables the measurement device to be synthesized from an RTL description. The present invention is based on a single-stage VDL structure, which is used to mimic the behavior of a complete VDL. Furthermore, as test time is an important consideration during a production test, a method and system is provided that reduces test time at the expense of additional hardware.

Abstract: A current detector comprising a first and a second current-path detector each in the form of a sheet-metal punching having a pair of relatively broad terminal webs of rectangular shape joined together via a bridge of arcuate shape. The bridges are slender compared to the terminal webs for concentrated current flow therethrough. Various arrangements are possible for the two current-path conductors, but their bridges are invariably placed in superposition upon one another. A Hall generator is positioned between the bridges so as to be acted upon by magnetic fields created upon current flow therethrough. One of the terminal webs of the first current-path conductor is electrically connected to one terminal web of the second, in such a way that the magnetic lines of force due to current flow through the two bridges act in the same direction upon the Hall generator.

Abstract: A current detector comprising a current-path conductor in the form of a piece of sheet metal having a slit cut therein for providing a U-shaped path for the flow of current to be detected or measured. A Hall generator is held opposite the current-path conductor so as to be contained in the slit therein, as seen in a direction normal to the sheet-metal current-path conductor, for generating a Hall voltage indicative of the magnitude of the current flowing through the U-shaped current path. A magnetic overlay covers part of the current-path conductor for a higher sensitivity of current detection through enhancement of flux density acting on the Hall generator.

Abstract: A Hall effect sensor or device may be used in a variety of embodiments, such as measuring current within an associated conductor by helping to measure flux density within a gap of a ferromagnetic power meter core, such as in a power meter. A high linearity interface for a Hall effect device is provided for minimizing offset effects without using complicated electronic circuits. First and second levels of modulation relative to line frequency are used to synchronize Hall effect device input switching circuits and feedback loops for improved elimination of offset signals or noise from the ultimate system output. The substrate of the Hall effect device may be connected electrically to an output pin of the Hall device or to a separate virtual ground to eliminate any effects caused by asymmetry of the voltage appearing in the channel relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A clamp for measuring an electric current flowing in conductors, the clamp comprising first and second jaws (1, 2) interconnected by a hinge axis (3) to be movable between a closed position and an open position, the jaws being provided respectively with first and second annular magnetic circuit segments (4, 5), each segment (4, 5) having a proximal end (7, 8) and a distal end (9, 10) relative to the hinge, and at least the first segment (5) being mounted to rock about a rocker axis (6) parallel to a hinge axis (3), the clamp including spacer means (12) for spacing the proximal ends (7, 8) apart, which spacer means are active at least when the distal ends (9, 10) are spaced apart by a distance that is greater than or equal to a predetermined safety distance.