Abstract: The invention is to provide a micro vibrating motor which includes a weight block having a coupling portion thereon to receive a rotary shaft disposed at an end edge of a motor, and a weld portion provided at the connecting edges of the coupling portion and the rotary shaft enabling the weight block and the rotary shaft to be coupled firmly.

Abstract: A weight release mechanism for an underwater object. Through a detachable latching mechanism between the underwater object and a heavy block and a set of control circuits, the underwater object may be released from the heavy block without any damages to the latching mechanism and may be reused many times. The releasing process is triggered by an electrically driven rotation.

Abstract: A double insulated electronically commutated brushless motor for coupling to a gearbox of a motor driven product. The motor includes a first layer of electrical insulation that includes a plurality of insulating strips formed in the shape of stator slots and inserted into the stator slots before windings are wound in the stator slots. Additionally, the first layer of electrical insulation includes a plurality of insulating strips wedged between the winding and a mouth of the winding slots after the windings are inserted. The motor further includes a second layer of electrical insulation made up of an insulating tube pressed onto a shaft between the shaft and a rotor stack.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a motor housing including two cover shells each having a hollow cover body and mounts mounted on the outer periphery thereof. The present invention is characterized in that at least one of the two cover shells has at least two ledges, which protrude outwardly from an edge of an opening of the cover body. The mounts are respectively provided on outer sides of the ledges and respectively have a first matching portion at an end of the mount of the first cover shell and a second matching portion at an end of the mount of the second cover shell. The two cover shells are connected with two ends of a stator of the motor by the ends of the mounts of the two cover shells are contacted to each other in pairs and are fastened with each other by screws.

Abstract: In a starter, a motor rotation shaft and an output shaft are connected through a reduction device. The output shaft is held rotatably by a rear bearing. The bearing has a plurality of through holes between the inner surface and the outer surface. A housing of the starter has a holding part for holding the bearing. A groove is formed annularly in the inner peripheral surface of the holding part. The groove is communicated with the through holes of the bearing. A seal member is press-fit in the holding part in proximity to a pinion gear side of the bearing. The seal member prevents foreign substances from entering the bearing surface of the bearing and inhibits the flowing out of lubricant from the bearing.

Abstract: A shaft secured to a hub is inserted and rotatably supported in a sleeve secured to a base. A dynamic pressure groove is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve, and lubricant is sealed between the shaft and the sleeve. The rotation of the shaft causes dynamic pressure to generate in the lubricant due to the dynamic pressure groove, supporting the shaft floatingly. The ceramic sleeve allows heat generated in a coil to be hardly transferred to the shaft, thereby reducing the variations in the clearance between the shaft and the sleeve due to temperature changes to a minimum in cooperation with the ceramics sleeve with a low thermal expansion coefficient. Consequently, the rotation accuracy can be improved and the leakage of lubricant due to the variations in the clearance can be prevented.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetic bearing in which a magnetic gap between magnetic pole faces of the stator and the rotor can be reduced, and which is reduced in size and has excellent corrosion resistance. This magnetic bearing comprises: a magnetic bearing rotor 16 provided on the rotary shaft; and a magnetic bearing stator 41 provided around the magnetic bearing rotor, wherein the magnetic bearing stator comprises: a stator core 42 having magnetic pole faces exposed toward the magnetic bearing rotor; excitation coils 43a attached to the stator core; and corrosion-resistant members 43 for shielding the excitation coils 43a from a corrosive atmosphere. The corrosion-resistant member can be formed by molding a ceramic or glass type hardenable material in a state such that the excitation coil 43a is embedded therein. The corrosion-resistant member may comprise a case 43c formed from the corrosion-resistant material.

Abstract: There is provided an excimer laser apparatus in which deterioration of the laser gas in the laser container can be suppressed, and damage to the magnetic bearings caused by the laser gas can be suppressed, and which can be reduced in size and operated efficiently, and has a low power consumption. Each electromagnet (stator) 7-1 of a magnetic bearing 7 for supporting a rotary shaft 4 of a circulation fan 3 includes excitation coils, each of which is arranged as one unit by embedding a coil body in a ceramic or glass type hardened material which is nonmagnetic and has corrosion resistance against a laser gas. The excitation coils are attached to magnetic poles comprising magnetic bodies. Alternatively, an arrangement may be made, such that coil wires 108b of a radial magnetic bearing 108 are isolated from a corrosive atmosphere by means of a separation wall 124 while projecting portions of cores 108b extend through the separation wall 124 and are exposed toward a magnetic bearing rotor 108f.

Abstract: An electric motor with integral attachment means includes two lever arms spaced equally about the circumference of the motor housing. The lever arms are hingeably connected to the motor housing and are rotatable between clamped and relaxed positions. An attachment foot located at the end of each lever releasably engages a mounting plate, thereby effecting the mounting and dismounting of the motor to the mounting plate. The lever arms are resilient and radially outwardly bowed in the relaxed state so that they can be locked in their clamped position by the snap action between the levers and radially-extending tabs on the motor housing. Feet of the lever arms engage mounting holes in a mounting plate and when in the locked position a heel element of each lever arm foot occupies a slot in the motor housing and thereby the foot of each lever arm resiliently applies a clamp force against the motor housing and the mounting plate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fitting a rotor enclosure over at least one assembly of field windings mounted on a rotor core, said method comprising the steps: applying a force to elastically reduce a circumference of the at least one assembly of field windings mounted on the rotor core, where the reduction in circumference is greater than a circumference reduction due to just eliminating clearances between adjacent end-turns of windings; generating a clearance between the field windings and the rotor enclosure due to the application of the force; axially sliding the rotor enclosure over the at least one assembly of field windings while the circumference is reduced, and releasing the force to allow the circumference of the at least one assembly of field windings to expand and cause the enclosure to tightly fit on the at least one assembly of field windings.

Abstract: A single phase two speed electric motor including a coil-winding system composed by only two distinct statoric coil-windings, assembled upon a single magnetic-plates nucleus, for utilization in electric motors supplied by single-phase power; the motor is of the permanent capacitor type, operating in two speeds (low and high) and in both rotation directions (clockwise and counterclockwise), where the coil-windings alternate as principal and auxiliary, that which is in series with the capacitor being defined as the auxiliary one.

Abstract: An armature winding is constructed by connecting an a-phase winding phase portion, a b-phase winding phase portion, a c-phase winding phase portion, a d-phase winding phase portion, and an e-phase winding phase portion into an annular shape so as to have a phase difference corresponding to an electrical angle of 72 degrees from each other. A rectifier is constituted by a five-phase full-wave rectifier formed by connecting in parallel five pairs of diodes connected in series. Output wires of the armature winding are connected to respective connection points of diodes connected in series on the rectifier.

Abstract: There are problems in a rotor having a slit that it is difficult to increase the number of rotations of the rotor, since the centrifugal force is received at both ends of the slit, and if the connection part is made thick to increase the number of rotations, the properties of the motor is deteriorated. According to the present invention, a rotor for a synchronous motor includes a slot for generating induction torque and a slit for generating reluctance torque, the slit is filled with a filler, the slit is provided with at least one of a convex and a concave, so that the convex and the concave are formed so as to receive the centrifugal force which is generated by the rotation of the rotor and acts on a part of the rotor outside the slit and the filler so as to bulge toward the outside from the center side of the rotor by mechanical bondage of the filler and the rotor core.

Abstract: Synchronous motors according to the invention operate at higher efficiency, with lower cost, reduced mass and reduced cogging. Magnet dimensions are selected that reduce cogging forces to a negligible amount even though there are fewer slots than normal. Optionally, it is possible to use non-overlapping windings with deeper and open slots. The approach is applicable to both rotary and linear motors and motors using either permanent magnets or electromagnets in the field structure. It is particularly relevant to linear or rotary motors that have a large air gap, and to small motors that must deliver a high ratio of thrust or torque to motor mass.

Abstract: The motor (10) has a rotor (2) which can rotate around a rotation axis (A), and a specific number (N1) of magnetic poles (12). Furthermore, the motor (10) has a stator (4) which is arranged coaxially with respect to the rotor (2) and has three stator teeth (5) for each two magnetic poles (12), which stator teeth (5) are distributed uniformly around the rotation axis, with center points of mutually adjacent stator teeth (5) being separated from one another by one slot pitch (Pc). The stator teeth (5) have free surfaces (Ss′) which are opposite the magnetic poles (12). Each stator tooth (5) is provided with one, and only one, projecting element (14), which extends radially from the respective free surface (Ss′) in the direction of the rotor (2).

Abstract: In a permanent magnet type rotating electric machine comprising a stator of which concentratedly wound armature windings are disposed in a plurality of slots formed in a stator core so as to surround teeth and a rotor accommodating permanent magnets in a plurality of permanent magnet insertion holes formed in a rotor core, a part of outer circumferential faces of slots is formed to extend substantially in parallel with a part of inner circumferential faces of the teeth, thereby, a permanent magnet type rotating electric machine with limited noises can be realized.

Abstract: A brush holding apparatus is mounted to an inner wall surface of a rear bracket and a cap mounted to a head portion of a brush holder portion is exposed through an opening in the rear bracket. Brushes are housed inside brush insertion apertures of the brush holder portion and are placed in elastic contact with slip rings by springs. An abrasion detection terminal is insert molded into the brush holder portion, a contact thereof projecting inside one of the brush insertion apertures and coming into contact with the corresponding spring when the brushes are abraded by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A cover plate for an electric motor which has a brush array and interference suppression devices has additional electronic components mounted directly on the cover to determine the speed of the electric motor and for diagnosis. Contact with the interference suppression devices and the additional electronic components is achieved through electrical conductors which are located directly on the cover plate. Flexible use of the electric motor is ensured through the high temperature stability of the cover plate.

Abstract: 0.4 to 8 wt % of indium is added to a Pb-less metal-graphite brush containing graphite, copper and a metal sulfide solid lubricant.

Abstract: In a rotary electric machine, a collar for restricting expansion of coil ends includes a boss fitted on an armature rotation shaft, a flange radially extending from the boss and a pressing portion for pressing coil ends toward an armature core. The thickness of the boss is greater than that of the flange, so that the force F1 that is caused by deflection of the flange when coil ends expand due to a temperature increase is smaller than the force F2 that is required to remove the boss from the rotation shaft. The force F1 is applied to the boss in a direction that the collar separates from the armature core. Because the pressing portion presses against the coil ends toward the armature core through an insulation ring, the coil ends are restricted from expanding by a centrifugal force when the armature rotates.

Abstract: A lever mechanism for increasing the displacement of a micro-actuating device is provided. The lever mechanism includes a power generator for generating power in a predetermined direction, a first power transmitter for transmitting the power generated by the power generator to a micro-actuating device, a second power transmitter for transmitting the power transmitted by the first power transmitter, a micro-actuating device that is connected to the second power transmitter and moves to have larger displacement than the displacement of the first power transmitter; and at least one hinge installed among the power generator, the first power transmitter, the second power transmitter, and the micro-actuating device. According to this lever mechanism, it is possible to largely increase the kinetic range of a micro-actuating device by slightly change the displacement thereof.

Abstract: A SAW apparatus includes a plurality of IDTs disposed on a piezoelectric substrate, and an edge-reflection-type SAW device in which surface acoustic waves are reflected by the edge surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate. The SAW device is housed in a package. On the top of a first main surface of the piezoelectric substrate, first and second pyroelectric charge cancellation electrodes are disposed in the vicinity of the edges defined by the main surface and the side surfaces. The first and second pyroelectric charge cancellation electrodes are electrically connected to the electrodes on the package which are electrically connected to each other within the package, respectively. Therefore, the adverse effects of pyroelectric charge which is generated due to a rapid change in temperature is minimized.

Abstract: A control apparatus controls an ultrasonic motor. The ultrasonic motor includes a stator, a piezoelectric element provided in the stator, and a rotor. The rotor is slidably pressed against the stator. When a driving high frequency voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the stator is vibrated to rotate the rotor. The control apparatus includes measuring means. The measuring means changes the frequency of a searching high frequency voltage, the searching high frequency voltage being lower than the driving high frequency voltage, thereby measuring a resonance frequency of the ultrasonic motor. The control apparatus drives the motor in a favorable manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration wave driving apparatus which comprises a vibration member in which an electro-mechanical energy conversion element is fixed to the elastic member, and a contact member pressed against a sliding part provided in the vibration member, so as to be kept in contact therewith, and which is configured to supply alternating signals in a predetermined driving frequency band to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, thereby generating a predetermined natural vibration mode in the elastic member to drive the contact member. In the apparatus, the natural vibration mode is generated in the elastic member, a natural frequency of another vibration mode different from the natural vibration mode is detected, and a stiffness of the support member is altered if the natural frequency of the other vibration mode detected is included in the driving frequency band.

Abstract: A piezoelectric electroacoustic transducer includes two electrodes, a substantially square piezoelectric diaphragm producing a bending vibration in the thickness direction thereof in response to application of an alternating voltage between the two electrodes, a housing for housing the piezoelectric diaphragm, an elastic sealant for sealing the gap between the periphery of the diaphragm and the inner side surface of the housing, supports, disposed in the housing, for supporting at least two mutually opposing sides of the piezoelectric diaphragm or the four corners of the piezoelectric diaphragm, grooves which are disposed in the housing so as to face the periphery of the rear surface of the piezoelectric diaphragm and in which the elastic sealant is filled, and walls defining inner portions of the grooves, arranged such that the upper surfaces of the walls are located below those of the supports, for preventing the elastic sealant from flowing out to the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric actuator with excellent durability. In the present invention, a piezoelectric element 2 in which a plurality of piezoelectric layers that expand in accordance with an applied voltage, and internal electrode layers for supplying an applied voltage, are alternately laminated, and at least a part of the side surfaces 201 and 202 thereof is covered by an external packaging resin 25, the piezoelectric element 2 being housed in a sealed container 11 that substantially isolates it from the external atmosphere, and in which the internal atmosphere 19 is replaced by an inert gas. Alternatively, the piezoelectric element 2 is housed in a sealed container 11 that substantially isolates it from the external atmosphere, and the external packaging resin 25 includes an antioxidant.

Abstract: There is put forward a piezolectric element for converting pressure signals into electrical signals and vice versa, with a porous homogeneous ceramic body and with at least two electrodes attached to the ceramic body. The porous ceramic body comprises open pores and is preferably hermetically sealed on the whole surface with an elastic coating. Furthermore there is suggested an oscillation transducer with the piezolement which is accommodated in a housing. The piezolectric element is with one end face rigidly connected to the base of the housing. The other end face represents a surface which is sensitive to oscillations, which preferably is not covered by the housing. The volume of the housing is filled with a casting compound, wherein the piezolectric element is mechanically decoupled from the casting compound.

Abstract: Multiple layer elements for a transducer array are provided. Each element comprises two or more layers of transducer material. Various of the elements include one or more of: (1) multiple-layer, multiple-dimensional arrays where the layers are electrically connected through asperity contact, (2) multiple layer array of elements where air or gas separates at least two elements, (3) an even number of layers where each layer is electrically connected through asperity contact, (4) multiple-layers where each layer comprises transducer material and electrodes in a substantially same configuration, and (5) electrically isolating electrodes on layers by kerfing or cutting after bonding the layers together.

Abstract: A computer enclosure includes a base (10), a side panel (80), a top panel (90), and a locking bar (50). The locking bar independently and readily secures the side and top panels to the enclosure. Either of the side and top panels can be detached from the enclosure independently, without affecting the attachment of the other to the enclosure. The enclosure is also easily protected from being opened by unauthorized persons.

Abstract: A device for supporting a standard size keyboard tray within an electronics rack or cabinet. The keyboard supporting device includes a slideable shelf and a keyboard tray that is rotatably mounted thereto. The keyboard tray is rotatable between a storage position in which the keyboard tray is substantially perpendicular to the slideable shelf and a use position in which the keyboard tray is substantially parallel to the slideable shelf. A biasing device is included for biasing the keyboard tray toward either the storage position or the use position when the keyboard tray is disposed between the use position and the storage position.

Abstract: A storage shelf system for efficiently storing goods in the irregularly shaped area under a flight of stairs. The horizontal shelves include a narrow shelf on top and a deep shelf on the bottom, with any number of shelves with intermediate depths between, such that a line connecting the rearward ends of the shelves forms an angle that corresponds to the underside of the flight of stairs. The storage shelf system includes a handle and wheels for easily maneuvering the shelf system beneath and withdrawing it from under the flight of stairs, webbing for securing goods to the shelf system, fixed undershelves for storing long, thin objects, slidable undershelves for temporarily storing goods while retrieving other goods from the storage shelf system, a fire-proof safe for securely storing valuable or potentially dangerous goods, and advantageously shape shelf compartment inserts for efficiently utilizing substantially all available storage space.

Abstract: Hanging board structure for collectively storing tools, including at least one tool hanging board, at least one hanging hook and a cabinet body. The tool hanging board is a board body having predetermined length and width and formed with several perforations at intervals. One end of the hanging hook is inserted in the perforation of the tool hanging board. A tool can be hung on the other end of the hanging hook. The cabinet body is a rectangular body composed of an upper, a lower, a front and a rear panels which define an interior space. The left and right sides of the cabinet body are formed with openings. The inner faces of the upper and lower panels are respectively formed with corresponding slide sections. Two edges of the tool hanging board are respectively inlaid in the slide sections, whereby the tool hanging board can be reciprocally moved out of or into the cabinet body from left and right sides thereof.

Abstract: A cabinet rail assembly includes a pair of cabinet rails, each of which is provided with a projection on the bottom edge of a front end portion that extends a predetermined distance below the bottom edge of the front end portion which is adapted to space the bottom edge of the cabinet rail by a pre-determined distance above a bottom member of the drawer opening. The projection on the front end of a left-hand cabinet rail is formed from a corresponding notch on the front end of a right-hand cabinet rail and vice versa.

Abstract: A slide assembly for slidably mounting a computer server unit to a rack. The slide assembly includes a stationary member and at least one slidable member slidably mounted thereto. A front bracket is mounted to a front end of the stationary member and a rear bracket is mounted to a rear end of the stationary member. Both the front and rear brackets include a plurality of dual-diameter mounting pins and a pair of spring elements having different lengths. The mounting pins are positioned within holes in the rack columns and one of the spring elements snaps behind the rack column to hold the slide assembly to the rack. If the holes in the rack columns have one diameter, then the mounting pins extend partially through the holes and contact a shoulder of the pin. In this orientation, the shorter spring element snaps behind the back column. For a larger diameter or square rack column hole, the mounting pins extend completely through the holes where the longer spring element snaps behind the rack column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cathode ray tubes and specifically to a cathode ray tube having an improved electrical connector. The tube comprises a faceplate panel and a funnel-shaped back section having a neck containing an electron gun. The neck terminates at a closed end stem through which electrical leads, of the electron gun, extend and terminate at the outer surface of the stem. An electrical connector is provided for detachably coupling an electrical lead to the electron gun. The connector has a through passage defined by a diameter greater than the diameter of the neck. The neck is inserted in the passage and the connector is secured to the outer surface of the neck. Adjacent the passage is a plurality of integral resilient leaf springs extending toward the stem at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations.

Abstract: An electron-emitting device (20, 70, 80, or 90) contains an electrode, either a control electrode (38) or an emitter electrode (32), having a specified portion situated off to the side of the bulk of the electrode. For a control electrode, the specified portion is an exposure portion (38EA or 38EB) having openings that expose electron-emissive elements (50A or 50B) situated over an emitter electrode. For an emitter electrode, the specified portion is an emitter-coupling portion situated below at least one electron-emissive element exposed through at least one opening in a control electrode. Configuring the device in this way enables the control-electrode-to-emitter-electrode capacitance to be quite small, thereby enhancing the device's switching speed. If the specified portion of the electrode becomes short circuited to the other electrode, the short-circuit defect can be removed by severing the specified portion from the remainder of its electrode.

Abstract: A field emission device having cold cathode devices including an emitter and a lead electrode, and the field emission device is provided with the plural kinds of cold cathode device groups classified based on the emission property of the cold cathode device. This field emission device has a member for allowing the cold cathode device group to perform emission by successively changing the cold cathode device group that mainly performs emission based on the difference in the emission property. Thus, it is possible to maintain the emission current at a predetermined necessary value or more and to realize the long lifetime of the field emission device.

Abstract: A Thin Layer Inorganic Light Emitting device is disclosed comprising a substrate, a first electrode, a coated layer comprising substantially undoped zinc sulfide nanoparticles, and a second electrode. On applying a voltage between the two electrodes the device emits light with an emission maximum of electroluminescence at a wavelength above 450 nm.

Abstract: The invention provides a display of a type of getting light out of a second electrode side, capable of increasing contrast by suppressing external light reflection, simplifying a manufacturing process, and reducing cost, and a method of manufacturing the same. A substrate for driving is provided with organic electroluminescence (EL) devices for getting light out of a cathode side. A red filter, a green filter, and a blue filter are formed on a substrate for sealing by printing so as to face the organic EL devices. By overlapping at least two filters out of the red, green, and blue filters by printing, a black matrix is formed so as to face the boundary region of the organic EL devices, so that external light reflection by a wiring electrode between the devices is suppressed.

Abstract: A packaging structure for an OLED/PLED device. The packaging structure has a glass substrate on which a luminescent element is completed, and a sealing cap bonded to the rim of the glass substrate so as to seal the luminescent element within an airtight space. Also, a sealing agent is disposed between the rims of the sealing cap and the glass substrate, wherein the sealing agent is an alloy with a low eutectic point about 100˜300° C.

Abstract: A surface mount type light-emitting unit composed of a light-emitting device, a first lead connected electrically with a first electrode of the light-emitting device, a second lead connected electrically with a second electrode of the light-emitting device, and a clear insulator for sealing the light-emitting device, a connecting section of the first electrode of the light-emitting device and the first lead, and a connecting section of the second electrode of the light-emitting device and the second lead wherein connecting terminal sections of the first and second leads for connecting them with external devices, respectively, are placed on a surface of the insulator, comprises an end of the first lead being molded into a cup-shaped portion having a flat bottom; the light-emitting device being bonded to the bottom inside a reflecting section corresponding to the molded cup-shaped portion of the first lead; and a surface opposed to that of the reflecting section on which the light-emitting device has been bonde

Abstract: A getter is a porous sintered metallic alloy used to absorb non-inert gases. The getter is placed in a getter well of a ring laser gyroscope system or other gas discharge system. The getter well is any enclosure in which a getter resides. The getter absorbs oxygen, which may be needed by some gyroscope components to operate. By restricting the gas flow into the getter well or by placing a diffusion barrier on the getter material, the getter may absorb non-inert gas at a slower rate.

Abstract: The plasma display panel of the present invention has, for achieving high luminance and high reliability, a plurality of discharge spaces formed between a front panel and a back panel that are disposed to oppose each other, and phosphor layers, formed in the discharge spaces, each including phosphor particles of one of blue, red and green colors, wherein the phosphor particles of at least one of blue, red and green colors included in the phosphor layer are flake-like particles.

Abstract: A plasma display panel having a helicon plasma source. First and second substrates are mounted substantially in parallel with a predetermined gap therebetween. A plurality of address electrodes are formed on a surface of the first substrate opposing the second substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed covering the address electrodes. A plurality of barrier ribs are formed on the first dielectric layer at a predetermined height, the barrier ribs defining discharge cells. A phosphor layer is formed in the discharge cells. A plurality of discharge sustain electrodes are formed on a surface of the second substrate opposing the first substrate. A second dielectric layer is formed on the second substrate covering the discharge sustain electrodes. Discharge gas injected into the discharge cells. Antenna and magnet assemblies are provided to increase a plasma density in the discharge cells.

Abstract: To reduce and prevent electrode displacement and at the same time to devise an arrangement of the side tube parts with high adhesion, a short-arc, ultra-high pressure discharge lamp a light emitting part in which there is a pair of opposed electrodes and which is filled with at least 0.15 mg/mm3 of mercury is provided with side tube parts which extend from opposite sides of the light emitting part in which the electrodes are partially hermetically sealed and in which the electrodes are each welded in a central valley of a metal foil that has a cross section with an essentially inverted W-shape. The valley and flanking arches or peaks of the W-shape may be serpentine or sinusoidal, trapezoidal, or rectangular in addition to the traditional W-shape having acutely angled corners between straight legs.

Abstract: A lamp body control system includes a steering angle sensor, a light emitting unit which can change a illuminating direction laterally, a driving unit changing the illuminating direction, a control unit controlling the driving unit based on an output from the steering angle sensor, and a straight driving condition determining unit determining the straight ahead driving condition of a vehicle. The control unit directs the illuminating direction to a direction according to a steering direction and a variation in the steering angle in the event that the variation is larger than a predetermined value, whereas in the event that the variation is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the control unit returns the illuminating direction toward a forward direction of the vehicle at a predetermined returning speed until the determining unit determines that the vehicle is in a straight driving condition after an ignition switch is turned on.

Abstract: A solid state control switching and control system (200) for retractable landing lights. A control unit (208) uses an absolute position sensor (214) to monitor the position of the lighthead (210) of the retractable landing light, and actuates a motor (216), brake (217), and lamp (212) in response to command signals (220, 221, 223) from the flight crew. Actuation of the motor (216), brake (217), and lamp (212) with solid state switches (100) is gradual and synchronized to minimize electromagnetic interference and extend component life.

Abstract: A system for controlling at least one exterior vehicle light of a controlled vehicle includes an array of sensors and a control unit. The array of sensors are capable of detecting light levels in front of the controlled vehicle. The control unit is in communication with the array of sensors and the at least one exterior vehicle light and determines a distance and an angle from the at least one exterior vehicle light of the controlled vehicle to a leading vehicle. The control unit is operable to control operation of the at least one exterior vehicle light as a function of the distance and angle, based on the output from the array of sensors, and prevent the at least one exterior vehicle light from providing a disruptive glare to a driver of the leading vehicle.

Abstract: A circuit protects a light element and prevents a breakdown of a laser diode (LD) when electric static discharge (ESD) occurs. The circuit protects the light element in a drive to control an operation of the light element, which radiates light onto a disc. Here, the drive includes a switch between an active node of the light element and a predetermined potential so that the switch is short-circuited in a normal state, but is open when the drive operates. The light element is protected from static electricity or a surge voltage in a manufacturing process thereof or under a user environment. As a result, the probability that the light element is broken down is remarkably reduced.

Abstract: A removable cover for a photocell housing having a photocell sensor for detecting light to activate lights or other electrical devices is disclosed. The cover is made of an opaque and resiliently flexible elastomeric material having an end wall and a skirt extending therefrom. An opening is formed at a distal edge of the skirt, such that the end wall and skirt define an internal cavity configured to removably receive the photocell housing therein. The cover conforms to the photocell housing to create a frictional-fit therewith so as to obstruct light from entering the photocell sensor to allow repair and maintenance of the lights or electrical devices controlled by the photocell sensor.