Abstract: The invention is directed to controlling an electric motor by means of a frequency converter. The frequency converter can be connected to one of several different mains voltages. According to the present invention, the maximum output power of the frequency converter, is limited when the actual mains voltage is lower than the maximum nominal mains voltage, for which the frequency converter is designed, and during the limitation the frequency converter controls the speed of the motor within a power range up to a limited maximum output power. This gives a genuine multi-voltage unit, which can be connected to a wide range of mains voltages.

Abstract: A cell unit includes a fuel cell capable of generating power by a chemical reaction, a secondary battery capable of being repetitively charged and discharged, a DC/DC converter which DC/DC-converts power output from the fuel cell and outputs power, the DC/DC converter monitoring an output voltage of a cell in the fuel cell and dropping an output voltage of the DC/DC converter when the monitored output voltage of the cell reaches not more than a predetermined value, and a diode OR circuit which selectively acquires power according to a load to which the power is supplied, from power output from the DC/DC converter and power output from the secondary battery, and outputs the acquired power.

Abstract: A method and system for controllably transferring energy from a high voltage bus to a low voltage bus in a hybrid electric vehicle. A vehicle system controller controls a DC/DC converter coupled between the high voltage bus and the low voltage bus to control the transfer of energy therebetween.

Abstract: Electronic equipment capable of removing a stain etc. formed on an electrode surface of a battery is disclosed. The electronic equipment comprises a battery chamber which houses a battery, and a battery contact member which is provided in the battery chamber and includes a contact portion contacting the battery housed in the battery chamber. Here, the contact portion is formed by bending a part of the battery contact member so as to protrude from the battery contact member and to have curvature. In a case where the battery is housed in the battery chamber, the contact portion moves while contacting the battery depending on movement of the battery in a direction in which the battery is housed.

Abstract: The battery charging apparatus has a plurality of charging units connected in series. A charging unit has a series switch connected in series with a rechargeable battery, and a parallel switch connected in parallel with the series connected rechargeable battery and series switch. A charging control section controls charging of a rechargeable battery by switching the series switch and parallel switch ON and OFF. The charging control section changes the duty factor for switching series switches and parallel switches ON and OFF, switches a charging unit between a charging mode and a cut-off mode at a prescribed duty factor, and controls rechargeable battery charging currents to charge a plurality of batteries.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a backup battery charging circuit capable of continuing to charge a backup battery to the limit of the voltage drop of a main battery so as to reduce the possibility of data disappearance to an achievable extent. For this purpose, a backup battery charging circuit comprises: a main battery serving as a power supply; a backward current protection diode; a regulator circuit using the main battery as the power supply; a limiting resistor; a backup battery; a switch for performing direct charging from the main battery; and a comparator for determining whether the regulator circuit or the switch is to be used.

Abstract: An indicator to indicate an amount of power available from an energy storage device. The indicator normalizes raw power values to values which are understood by the driver. The indicator indicates the normalized values to facilitate making a driving decision.

Abstract: There are provided a charging and discharging control circuit and a charging type power supply device, which are capable of switching between a normal state and a test state without adding an external terminal for testing. A detection circuit for detecting a voltage higher than an over-charge detection voltage of a secondary battery is provided in the charging and discharging control circuit. A voltage higher than the over-charge detection voltage is applied to a battery connection terminal of the charging and discharging control circuit to switch between a normal application state and the test state. A fuse is further provided in the charging and discharging control circuit to switch between two delay time shortening modes for testing according to the presence or absence of the fuse.

Abstract: A power supply system capable of supplying power from a power transmitter to a power receiver in an electrically non-contact manner, in which a power transmission module is attached to the power transmitter and a power reception module is attached to the power receiver. The power transmission module has a plurality of transmission-side coils for transmitting power and a plurality of transmission-side switches for turning on/off operation of the transmission-side coils. The power reception module has a plurality of reception-side coils for receiving power, a plurality of reception-side switches for turning on/off operation of the reception-side coils and, further, has a determination circuit for performing control so as to operate any of the transmission-side coils and any of the reception-side coils in a combination realizing highest power transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A dual input DC-DC power converter integrating high/low voltages can simultaneously or individually transfer the power from two input power sources respectively having voltages higher than and lower than an output voltage to a load end. If one power source is failed, the other power source can still transfer power normally. Moreover, if an appropriate control circuit is matched, the currents and powers of the two input DC power sources can be accurately controlled to accomplish tracking operations of the maximum power of each power source. The power conversion system can be exactly simplified to accomplish the effects of enhanced efficiency and lowered cost and also have the advantage of simultaneous transmission of power from two voltage sources to the load end.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus for electric operation is provided for an electric operation apparatus, and includes an instructing signal input portion which generates a DC output voltage to a high-frequency generating circuit that generates a high frequency and which receives an instructing signal for controlling the output voltage. The instructing signal input portion includes at least a noise reducing circuit which reduces a normal-mode noise.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, media and signals for controlling power drawn from an energy converter to supply a load, where the energy converter is operable to convert energy from a physical source into electrical energy. Power drawn from the energy converter is changed when a supply voltage of the energy converter meets a criterion. The criterion and the change in the amount of power drawn from the energy converter are dependent upon a present amount of power supplied to the load. The methods, apparatus, media and signals described herein may provide improvements to DC to AC maximum power point tracking in an energy conversion system such as a photovoltaic power generation system.

Abstract: A power regulation system with reversing contactors is coupled to an AC power source outputting an input voltage. The system has a first transformer to receive the input voltage and generate a control voltage. The system also has a second transformer that has a primary coil and a secondary coil, which are electromagnetically coupled to each other and so arranged that when the control voltage from the first transformer is applied to the primary coil, an output voltage is generated between a first end and a second end of the secondary coil, wherein the output voltage is substantially 180® out of phase from the input voltage so as to generate an effective voltage applied to a load, and wherein the effective voltage is less than the input voltage and substantially equals to the difference between the input voltage and the output voltage, resulting a reduction in power consumption of the load.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided, which includes first, second and third power supply conductors. The second power supply conductor has a higher voltage than the first power supply conductor, and the third power supply conductor has a higher voltage than the second power supply conductor. A high voltage power supply decoupling capacitor is coupled between the first and third power supply conductors. A low voltage power supply decoupling capacitor coupled between the first and second power supply conductors. A voltage reducer is coupled between the second and third power supply conductors. A plurality of semiconductor devices is biased between the first and second power supply conductors.

Abstract: A transistor may operate as a sleep transistor or as a regulator.

Abstract: A power supply device disposed in an electronic device having a main power supply includes a voltage converting unit for converting the voltage from the main power supply, a power controlling unit for controlling the current from the converting unit, and a USB interface unit for providing the electric power from the main power supply to peripheral units.

Abstract: A DC to DC converter having improved transient response, accuracy, and stability. The DC to DC converter includes a comparator configured to compare a reference signal with a second signal. The reference signal has a DC offset determined, at least in part, by a DC reference voltage source. The second signal is representative of an output voltage of the DC to DC converter. The comparator is further configured to provide a control signal to a driver that drives the output voltage of the DC to DC converter in response to a comparison of the reference and second signal. The DC to DC converter further includes an accuracy circuit to enhance accuracy of the DC to DC converter. The DC to DC converter may further include a stability circuit to enhance stability of the DC to DC converter.

Abstract: A temperature compensated technique and circuit can be realized through the generation of a temperature compensated output voltage (Vnew) provided after summing the temperature coefficients (TC1,TC2) of two base voltages (VTC1, VTC2) assigned with different weights (a, b) and producing a new temperature coefficient (TCnew). This TCnew satisfies the expression: TCnew=TC1+a×(TC2-TC1), where the assigned weighted value (a) can be either a positive or a negative value, depending on the requirement of a circuit, in order to develop voltage supply suitable for wider applications.

Abstract: A power supply system according to the present invention comprises: a primary side coil; a power transmission apparatus having a primary side circuit for feeding a pulse voltage resulted from switching a DC voltage which is obtained by rectifying and smoothing a commercial power supply to the primary side coil; a secondary side coil magnetically coupled to the primary side coil; and power reception equipment having a secondary side circuit for rectifying and smoothing voltage induced across the secondary side coil, wherein there is provided a power adjusting section for adjusting a level of power to be transmitted according to power required by the power reception equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining a current in a conductor. The method comprises the steps of determining the nth spatial derivative of at least one vector component of the magnetic field associated with the current at at least one position and calculating the current from the nth spatial derivative. The present invention also provides an apparatus for determining a current in a conductor. The apparatus comprises a means for determining at least one vector component of the magnetic field associated with the current at at least two different positions and a means for determining the nth spatial derivative of at least one vector component of the magnetic field from the or each vector component of the magnetic field measured at the at least two positions. The apparatus also comprises a means for calculating the current from the nth spatial derivative.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a sensor which is connected to an analyzer, which powers the sensor and analyzes a measuring signal generated by the sensor using an analyzer circuit. To simplify the interconnection of sensor and analyzer and make different ground-side connection variants possible, the analyzer circuit is situated on the power supply side of the sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor has magnetically sensitive element located at a side surface, instead of the bottom surface, of a bias magnet, the magnet being located adjacent a magnetic target wheel, wherein the bias magnet is magnetized parallel to the direction of motion of the teeth/slots of the target wheel. The output may be of a single or double frequency. Sampling of output slope can provide information regarding direction of movement of the target wheel. In a second embodiment the bias magnet is magnetized perpendicular to the movement.

Abstract: A method for detecting the motion of an element relative to a sensor apparatus is proposed, in which a detection of the direction of motion is performed. As a function of the direction of motion, a measurement signal is increased or decreased at predetermined measurement intervals, and only if a predetermined threshold value is exceeded is a direction-of-motion signal generated. Preferably, by means of a counting logic circuit (6), a counter is increased by a binary amount in one direction (2) and the counter (6) is decreased by a binary amount in the respective other direction (3). Upon a detection of measurement signals which as a result of being increased or decreased in a measurement interval do not lead to exceeding of the predetermined amount of the threshold value, vibration of the element is assumed.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor (200) includes a magnet assembly (200?) having first and second poles (26, 28), a nonuniform magnetic field (B?) in a working air gap (22?) between the poles, and an axis of rotation (A, A?, A?). A magnetosensitive device (24?) is located within the working air gap (22?) at a first selected distance (X, Y, Z) from the axis of rotation (A, A?, A?). For a given range of motion, the magnetosensitive device (24?) is subjected to a progressively increasing magnetic flux density (R, R?). The component of the output signal due to this increasing flux density is additive to the component due simply to rotation of the magnetic field (B?) about the magnetosensitive device (24?), effectively reducing the total output signal's deviation from linearity. Alternatively, a magnet assembly (300?) includes a pair of pole pieces (310, 312) and a nonuniform magnetic field (B??) in a working air gap (22??) between the pole pieces (310, 312).

Abstract: A method and program product supporting adjusting a temperature of a hard disk drive (HDD) during testing. An HDD test program is performed within a pre-determined optimal test temperature range. The HDD is kept within this pre-determined test temperature range by switching HDD operation modes back and forth between a higher heat generating Rapid Seek Mode and a lower heat generating IDLE mode. The HDD is thus kept within the optimal test temperature range without the use of external heating and/or cooling devices.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention provides a method for estimating at least one measurement/object property of a metal object. The method includes generating a time-varying eddy current in a wall of the metal object utilizing a pulsed-signal transmitter. The method further includes measuring the time-varying eddy current, fitting the time-varying measured eddy current to a parameterized polynomial, and interpreting the parameterized polynomial to determine one or more measurement/object properties of the metal object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of obtaining information about a property of interest relating to an earth formation resulting in reduced ringing effects is discussed. A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) logging tool is conveyed into a borehole in the earth formation. A first pulse sequence is applied having a first associated measurement frequency, and first NMR signals are measured. The first NMR signals include non-formation signals resulting from an excitation pulse and a refocusing pulse in the first pulse echo sequence. A second and third pulse sequence, at different frequencies from each other and from the first frequency, is applied, and corresponding second and third NMR signals are measured. A phase of the non-formation signals resulting from the first pulse echo sequence and a phase of the non-formation signals resulting from the second and third pulse echo sequences are substantially evenly distributed around a unit circle.

Abstract: Gradient pulses are generated by current conducting gradient coils. High-frequency components cause the center of gravity of the current to be shifted by mutual influencing of the coil conductors. The shift depends on the electrical resistance of the conductor material, which in turn depends on the temperature of said conductor material, and on the frequency (, such that the magnetic gradient field B decreases with increasing frequency. This phenomenon manifests itself as a delay (of the gradient pulse with respect to the gradient demand D. The invention proposes to determine during the pulse a quantity representing the conducting state of the conductors of the gradient system and to use a model of the MRI apparatus to calculate the gradient delay (from that quantity and to correct the gradient demand for said delay.

Abstract: A method for estimating a central frequency includes defining a slice group containing a plurality of slices parallel to one another within an arbitrary imaged region in a subject, measuring a central frequency of at least one slice contained in the slice group, and estimating central frequencies of the other slices based on the measured central frequency of the at least one slice.

Abstract: A novel approach to the design of gradient coils for MRI is introduced which takes into account from the start the effects of induced E-fields and hence currents in a patient subjected to time dependent magnetic field gradients. The approach has led to conceptually novel designs of gradient coils which comprise distributions of electrodes or tessellae placed around the basic coil structure. When properly energised the electrode arrays are able, in the simplest case, to reduce the maximum E-field experienced by the patient by approximately a factor of three over that experienced with a standard fingerprint or distributed transverse gradient coil, the comparison being done for the same gradient strength, same coil diameter and same ROI.

Abstract: A new transform is disclosed, applying methods of group theory, with which the composition of a voxel of three channels comprising isotropic, single fiber and multiple fiber components can be determined, as well as the magnitude and orientation of the diffusion field. Asymmetries produced by experimental artifacts fall into channels distinct from the fiber channels, allowing their separation and a subsequent reduction in noise from the reconstructed fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet system (1) for use in a medical imaging system. The open MRI magnet system has two main coil units which are accomodated, at some distance from each other, in a first housing (2) and in a second housing (3), respectively. Between the two housings, an imaging volume (6) is present wherein a patient to be examined is placed. A gradient coil unit (9, 10) facing the imaging volume is present near a side of each of the two housings. Functional connections of the gradient coil units (9, 10), such as electrical power supply lines (13, 14) and cooling channels (15, 16) are provided in a central passage (4, 5) which is present in each of the two housings. As a result, these functional connections do not reduce the space in the imaging volume available for the patient.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for charging an actively shielded magnet coil arrangement (20) comprising a first partial region (21) which can be superconductingly short-circuited using an additional switch (23), and a second partial region (22), wherein the two partial regions (21, 22) generate dipole moments of different signs. The magnetic fringe field B* is measured close to the desired operating state of the arrangement (20) and operating currents are determined for each of the two partial regions (21, 22) at which the overall magnetic field B is free from an additional dipole moment caused by production tolerances to permit setting of the theoretically optimum fringe field, irrespective of production tolerances.

Abstract: A double-tubular third transfer tube 38 is provided in the transfer tube storage conduit, and a first transfer tube, second transfer tube and fourth transfer tube 40 are installed in its interior. Further, pressure control valves are arranged in the portion of normal temperature, thereby reducing the amount of heat intrusion and the coolant temperature. This arrangement cryogenically cools down the irradiation coil and reception coil, without damaging the compressor, and ensures a low-temperature probe to be manufactured.

Abstract: An above ground locator includes an apparatus for determining the strength of the locating signal at a selected point relative to the boring tool. The apparatus includes an antenna arrangement configured for measuring the strength of the locating signal at the selected point along first and second orthogonally opposed receiving axes to produce first and second received signals. A phase shifting arrangement phase shifts the first and second received signals in a predetermined way to generate first and second phase shifted signals, respectively. Thereafter, a summing arrangement adds the first and second phase shifted received signals to generate an output signal which is a vector sum of the first and second received signals. In one feature, third and fourth signals derived from the first and second signals are used to eliminate balance point ambiguity which is present using the first and second signals alone.

Abstract: A pad mounted resistivity imaging device includes at least one transmitter and two or more arrays of receivers. Analysis of the received signals is done using either amplitude and phase differences between the arrays of receivers, or by analyzing amplitude and phase differences between the transmitters and the receivers. With operating frequencies in excess of 10 MHz, high resolution images of boreholes are obtained.

Abstract: A method for efficiently determining whether a distributorless or hybrid ignition system is the origin of engine problems by consecutively disconnecting and reconnecting the primary connector from each coil of the ignition system. Once a single primary connector is disconnected from a coil and engine misfiring or roughness declines, the problem cylinder pair has been located. The method further includes measuring the firing line voltage of accessible spark plug wires for each cylinder to identify a single faulty cylinder, that may now be serviced.

Abstract: Signal I/O terminals originally in electronic apparatus now serve as rechargeable terminals thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of monitoring a battery in an automotive vehicle are provided. An output is provided which can be a relative output as a function of minimum and maximum parameters of the battery.

Abstract: An electrostatic sampling device with no moving parts is useful for high efficiency sampling of airborne particulates, especially microorganisms. It is easy to use and disinfection can be simplified by partial or total water-tight enclosure of all electronic parts.

Abstract: The invention concerns nondestructive ultrasonic test equipment for detection and visualization of damage to and in structural components through reflections of introduced ultrasound waves at inhomogeneities in the test area, consisting of primarily piezo sensors, which, depending on how they are driven, can function as transmitter or as receiver for ultrasound waves, and which are permanently attached, for example by gluing, to the damage-critical areas of structural components to be tested and/or monitored, and also of a control device, which is connected to the relevant sensor by electrically conducting wires, so that the received reflected ultrasound waves can be used as imaging data in a suitable device (analysis unit), in order to finally be compared with expected ultrasound images to evaluate any damage that may have occurred.

Abstract: A non-contacting linear position location system employs a special transmission line to encode and transmit magnetic signals to a receiver on the object whose position is to be measured. The invention is useful as a non-contact linear locator of moving objects, e.g., to determine the location of a magnetic-levitation train for the operation of the linear-synchronous motor drive system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device comprising at least one measuring probe (10), means for sequentially applying a controlled supply voltage between the measuring probe (10) and a reference element, and means for integrating accumulated electric charges on the measuring probe (10), characterized in that said device also comprises at least one auxiliary measuring probe (100) which is also sequentially linked to controlled electric supply means and to charge integrating means, said auxiliary measuring probe (100) having a capacity, in relation to a potential detection zone, which is different from the main measuring probe (10), whereby comparative utilization of signals respectively emitted by the two measuring probes (10,100) enables the influence of the main measuring probe to be determined.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for detecting and amplifying sensor and sensor array (102, 104) output signals are presented. According to some aspects, a nonlinear feedback loop containing a sensor element provides a nonlinear transformation that compensates for a corresponding nonlinear response of the sensor element thereby providing a linearized final output signal. In other aspects, idle sensors are coupled to a reference on non-idle sensor elements. Other aspects include sensor and amplification circuits which operate without traditional filtering or switching elements, such that a higher throughput is achieved and no settling time is required due to traditional transients, thus allowing for faster scanning of larger sensor arrays. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to variable gap capacitive sensor arrays and the signal processing electronics.

Abstract: A capacitance detection apparatus includes a first open/close switch provided between both ends of a standard capacitor, one end of the standard capacitor being connected to a first voltage source, a second open/close switch provided between one end of a first capacitor to be measured and the other end of the standard capacitor, the other end of the first capacitor to be measured being connected to a second voltage source or free space, a third open/close switch provided between both ends of the first capacitor to be measured, a voltage measurement means for measuring voltage of the other end of the standard capacitor, a switch control means for performing a first switching control performing a first switching operation to open the first open/close switch after closing thereof, performing a second switching operation to open the second open/close switch after closing thereof, and a third switching operation to close the third open/close switch after closing thereof, wherein the second and third switching oper

Abstract: Circuit arrangement having a sensor electrode, a first circuit unit, which is electrically coupled to the sensor electrode, and a second circuit unit, which has a first capacitor. The first circuit unit holds an electrical potential of the sensor electrode in a predetermined first reference range around a predetermined electrical desired potential by coupling the first capacitor and the sensor electrode such that there is a matching of their electrical potentials. If the second circuit unit detects the electrical potential of the first capacitor being outside a second reference range, the second circuit unit brings the first capacitor to a first electrical reference potential.

Abstract: Natural diamonds can be discerned from imitations, synthetic diamonds and treated diamonds on the basis of their physical qualities. Labs always test several specific characteristics in order to discern natural diamonds from others. One of the tested qualities is electrical conductivity. The invention concerns a method to establish the presence of electrical bulk conductivity. Use is made to this end of the fact that the proximity of an electrically conductive object (gemstone) has an influence on the parasitic capacity of a capacitive probe. The parasitic capacity is also influenced by the dielectric constant of the dielectric. The influence of the proximity of electrically conductive gemstones as opposed to non-conductive gemstones on the parasitic capacity is hereby larger than the influence of the differences in the dielectric constant of the gemstones.

Abstract: A widely used scanner device that rotates a single helically shaped wire probe in and out of a particle beam at different beamline positions to give a pair of mutually perpendicular beam profiles is modified by the addition of a second wire probe. As a result, a pair of mutually perpendicular beam profiles is obtained at a first beamline position, and a second pair of mutually perpendicular beam profiles is obtained at a second beamline position. The simple modification not only provides more accurate beam profiles, but also provides a measurement of the beam divergence and quality in a single compact device.

Abstract: A field effect sensor interfaces with a power supply and detection circuit using two wires. The detection circuit can determine which of several parallel-connected field affect sensors is or is not activated at any given time.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a turbine blade of an aircraft engine may include a shaft having a proximate end and a distal end, an attachment device coupled to the distal end of the shaft and capable of being attached to a strut of the aircraft engine and an engagement device, coupled to the attachment device, capable of moving away from the attachment device and attaching to a trailing edge of the turbine blade. The apparatus may also include a probe moveably coupled to the engagement device and capable of moving along a leading edge of the turbine blade to detect a surface anomaly of the turbine blade and a control device for controlling the movement of the probe along the leading edge of the turbine engine in response to user manipulation.