Abstract: A control for a flashlight system in an airport, includes flash units which are connected to an energy supply line and, on the output side, to respective flashlights of the flashlight system via a light cable. In order to avoid unwanted high voltages, each flash light unit includes an energy-integrating low-voltage capacitor which can be supplied by a current source having a corrected power factor and which is connected to the flashlights embodied as low-voltage lights. The energy transmitted to the flashlights can be electronically controlled. A connection device connecting the flash units to a local master control system is embodied as a local field bus system, in such a way that different, conventionally arranged, simultaneous or mixed flash configuration patterns can be produced by way of the same electrical installation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a push-pull inverter circuit comprising a transformer with a power output end coupled to a load and two power input ends, and a power driver unit is connected between the two power output ends and a power supply unit, and the power driver unit receives a power signal and outputs two sets of drive signals having same frequency and opposite phase to the two power input ends as to constitute an inverter circuit that adopts a push-pull voltage drive signal to drive the transformer to operate and improve the output power of the transformer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a protection device for a chopping supply of the type comprising a voltage converter whose secondary is connected to a load such as a light source of the xenon lamp type, and whose primary is connected to an energy source and is controlled by a power switch possibly controlled by a control unit, characterised in that it comprises: at least one first means for producing an image of a current flowing in the power switch from a current flowing in an energy storage capacitor connected in the primary circuit of the voltage converter, connected to at least one second means for detecting a critical current level on the image of a current, connected to at least one third means of controlling the power switch in order to modify the state of conduction of the power switch when a critical current level is detected.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus and methods for operating one or more gas arc lamps or metal vapor, wherein a rectified multiphase voltage is directly used by an electronic ballast device without intermittently connecting any active component, so as to achieve an efficient control of a gas arc lamp with a reduced interference radiation, wherein the power factor is inherently higher than 0.95.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicular lamp that can prevent excess current from flowing between an anode and a cathode at the lighting-up start to prevent a damage and life shortening of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp at low cost. The vehicular lamp includes: a cold cathode fluorescent lamp having a cathode, a gate, and an anode; and a lighting controlling unit operable to pre-discharge electricity from the cathode to the gate prior to lighting of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp, in which the lighting controlling unit applies a voltage between the cathode and the anode after once lowering a voltage between the cathode and the gate and then again applies an extraction voltage between the cathode and the gate in order to begin to discharge electricity from the cathode to the anode. The lighting controlling unit may pre-discharge electricity from the cathode to the gate until the temperature of the cathode is substantially equal to that of lighting-up time.

Abstract: A circuit for driving cold cathode tubes and external electrode fluorescent lamps uses only 19–26 watts of power. A steady square wave oscillator generator sets a running frequency for the circuit. A high voltage inductor or high voltage/high frequency transformer in combination with a current limiting capacitor, the lamp and two low resonance value capacitors in series are set and tuned to the oscillation frequency to achieve resonance with the oscillator. The circuit requires an input that has been capacitively and inductively filtered to eliminate harmonic noise in and out of the input line. A thermal shutdown feedback circuit monitors temperature of the circuit. Further, a non-inductive or non-capacitive loading lamp detection feedback and a lamp disconnect driver eliminates false disconnects at start up due to cold bulbs and allows all lamps running on the circuit to continue operation if one is disconnected.

Abstract: A driving device for driving multiple (R-, G-, and B-) groups of LEDs operative at different voltages, utilizing a battery supplying a power supply voltage of a step-up voltage. Under normal operating conditions, R-LEDs are driven by the battery voltage, but G- and B-LEDs are driven by the step-up voltage. The battery voltage is monitored to ensure that all the LEDs are driven by the step-up voltage when the battery voltage has lowered below a predetermined level, thereby reducing the power loss by the LEDs while emitting light and extending the permissible range of the battery voltage.

Abstract: The operating method is based on the simultaneous use of FM and AM and is distinguished by passing through a number of steps which are used to find an optimum frequency for the AM and, in addition, to define an optimum AM level. An electronic ballast which has a memory module which can be overwritten is used for implementation.

Abstract: A linear accelerator comprises a series of accelerating cavities, adjacent pairs of which are coupled via coupling cavities, in which at least one coupling cavity comprises a rotationally asymmetric element that is rotateable thereby to vary the coupling offered by that cavity. A control means for the accelerator is also provided, adapted to control operation of the accelerator and rotation of the asymmetric element, arranged to operate the accelerator in a pulsed manner and to rotate the asymmetric element between pulses to control the energy of successive pulses. A beneficial way of doing so is to rotate the asymmetric element continuously during operation of the linear accelerator. Then, the control means need only adjust the phase of successive pulses so that during the brief period of the pulse, the asymmetric element is “seen” to be at the required position.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a vehicle which has an engine for driving front wheels thereof and a motor for driving rear wheels thereof. The control system includes: a motor generator which is driven by the engine and generates three-phase alternating-current power at first voltage; an inverter which converts the three-phase alternating-current power to direct-current power at second voltage lower than the first voltage; a battery to be charged with the direct-current power supplied from the inverter; and a capacitor device connected to the inverter. The motor of the vehicle is supplied with third power at third voltage converted from the first alternating-current power.

Abstract: A drive method for a brushless motor and a drive control apparatus therefor, in which control parameters are calculated by motor current control means (74 in FIG. 2) in accordance with the deviation between a target motor current value and an actual motor current value, a manipulated variable is computed by phase control means (76) on the basis of the calculated control parameters, an advance angle magnitude is computed from the relationship between a manipulated variable and an advance angle magnitude as designed and created beforehand, on the basis of the computed manipulated variable, and the value of the conduction phase angle of a drive circuit (72) as set on the basis of a motor current signal is corrected with the information of the computed advance angle magnitude.

Abstract: Rotation of a capstan motor is detected by a frequency detector, and supplied to a CPU as a rotation detection signal CFG. The CPU derives a period of the rotation detection signal CFG, calculates an average rotational speed of the capstan motor on the basis of the derived period, derives an attenuation value of the rotational speed on the basis of the calculated average speed, and thereby sets a braking time interval. As a result, calculation of the braking time using a highly accurate zero point detection with a frequency detector of one system becomes possible. The apparatus scale can be reduced.

Abstract: A ceiling fan with an outer-rotor type DC brushless motor has a center base with multiple blades and a DC brushless motor as a driving source for the fan. The DC brushless motor includes a controller, magnetism sensors, a stator with stator windings and a rotor assembly connected to the fan and having permanent magnets interacting with the stator windings. The controller detects polarity of the permanent magnets through the magnetism sensors. Based on the detected results, the controller changes current of the stator windings to produce an inductive magnetic field with poles the same to the permanent magnets to drive the rotor assembly. Accordingly, the blades of the fan are driven to rotate.

Abstract: A system for reducing torque disturbance includes a motor mechanically coupled to an endless belt. The motor is operable to drive the belt, and the belt has a seam that causes a torque disturbance to the system. The system includes a data structure having a set of values that indicates an amount of compensation for reducing the torque disturbance and a controller electrically coupled with the motor. The controller is configured to control the motor and reduce the torque disturbance based on the set of values in the data structure.

Abstract: An electric power steering device comprising a control unit capable of distinguishing a failure of a motor current detection device caused by a change in power voltage, an oxide film formed on the commutator of a motor or the contact point of a relay, etc. from a failure of the motor current detection device itself and judging a failure of the motor current detection device accurately. A motor current is sampled during which a predetermined constant voltage is supplied to the motor, and the detected motor current value is compared with a motor current estimated value to judge the failure of the motor current detection device.

Abstract: An electric device includes a motor and a motor drive for commanding a torque generated by the motor. A fault control circuit detects a fault condition associated with the motor drive. Upon detection of the fault condition, the fault control circuit adjusts the torque commanded by the motor drive.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for estimating a magnetic pole position of a motor in which the amplitudes of high-frequency currents can be adjusted. In the invention, a controlling apparatus for driving a motor (1-1) by a voltage source PWM inverter (1-2), and controlling a torque and speed, or torque, speed, and position of the motor has: means for switching over first means for producing an arbitrary phase difference in PWM carrier signals between respective two phases such as UV, VW, or WU of three or UVW phases, and second means for causing the phase difference between two phases such as V, VW, or WU of three or UVW phases to become zero; means for extracting high-frequency currents in a same frequency band as carrier signals generated by it, from estimated currents; and means (1-4) for estimating a magnetic pole position by using the extracted high-frequency currents.

Abstract: A brushless motor driving device having a current detecting unit for detecting a phase-current of a brushless motor, a voltage detecting unit for detecting a phase voltage of the brushless motor, and a signal input portion to which the detection value of the phase-current and the detection value of the phase-voltage are input and which has plural input terminals arranged sequentially. The detection values of phase currents or detection values of phase voltages which are different in characteristic are input to adjacent input terminals.

Abstract: A method for controlling a voltage mode controlled electric machine comprising: receiving a torque value representative of a desired torque; obtaining a speed value indicative of a rotational velocity of the electric machine; acquiring a phase advance value indicative of a desired phase advance angle; generating a voltage command responsive to the torque value, the position value; the generating is responsive to the torque value, the speed value, and the phase advance value.

Abstract: Apparatus for optimizing performance of a stepper motor includes interaction between on-hardware system drivers and a host controlling computer through an intermediate target computer. The command instructions from the host computer are optimized by the interaction using an objective function to define the best performance of the stepper motor and real-time feedback from operation of the motor. A method for optimizing the stepper motor performance is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system including a first device powered by a first battery, a second device powered by a second battery and operated in conjunction with the first device, a first information generating portion that generates a first information indicating the state of the first battery, a second information generating portion that generates a second information indicating the state of the second battery, and an information selecting portion that selects and outputs at least one of the first information and the second information.

Abstract: A safety device for lithium ion cells or groups of lithium ion cells connected in parallel and in series by providing a continuously balanced state of charge while in a discharge phase, a charge phase, a quiescent phase, a storage phase, or combinations of these phases.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a method of conducting an operation including a battery pack, includes the acts of monitoring a first battery pack condition at a first monitoring rate, determining when a second battery pack condition reaches a threshold, after the second battery pack condition reaches the threshold, monitoring the first battery pack condition at a second monitoring rate, the second monitoring rate being different than the first monitoring rate.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a method of a method for operating a battery pack. The battery pack having a battery pack condition, and the battery pack condition having a range. The method including the acts of conducting an operation including the battery pack, measuring a first measurement of the battery pack condition, measuring a second measurement of the battery pack condition, averaging the first measurement and the second measurement to provide an average measurement and if the average measurement is within the range, continuing the operation including the battery pack. At least one of the first measurement and the second measurement being outside of the range.

Abstract: A method and circuit for energizing an electric energy storage device (10) to a high voltage with electric energy supplied by a high voltage electric power source (16) in a safe, effective and efficient manner by first moving electric charges supplied by a high voltage power source (16) to a capacitive device (20) and then subsequently transferring the electric charges stored in an energized capacitive device (20) to an electric energy storage device (10) for later use. A method and circuit for de-energizing an electric energy storage device (10) from a very high voltage in a safe, effective, and efficient manner by first moving electric charges supplied by the electric energy storage device to a capacitive device (20) and then subsequently de-energizing an energized capacitive device (20) through an electrical load device (18) so that useful work can be performed.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inverter controlled generator set which comprises a DC power source section having as a power source a generator driven by an engine and an inverter which converts an output of said DC power source section into an AC output, the method comprising a step of controlling a rotational speed of the engine so that the AC output suitable for driving a load is output from the inverter; wherein, after the engine is started, the rotational speed of the engine is controlled by a constant speed control mode for maintaining the rotational speed of the engine at a set rotational speed, and the rotational speed of the engine is increased to the set rotational speed; and wherein an operation of the inverter is started after the rotational speed of the engine reaches the set rotational speed.

Abstract: A single stage, single switch, input-output isolated converter configuration which uses a hybrid combination of forward and flyback converters is disclosed. The converter operates at a high input power factor with a regulated DC output voltage. It makes use of a novel control scheme utilizing duty cycle control at two discrete operating frequencies. Although the invention employs two frequencies, it does not use a continuous frequency variation. This configuration has the advantage of reduced peak current stresses on the components and is specifically suited for ‘buck’ applications where low DC output voltages (e.g. 24V, 48V) are needed. This configuration will be of specific interest to industries associated with battery charging and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.

Abstract: In one aspect, a switch mode power supply comprises a first inductive element; a first switching element, wherein a first end of the first switching element is connected to a second end of the first inductive element; a second inductive element; a second switching element, wherein a first end of the second switching element is connected to a second end of the second inductive element; and wherein a first power source terminal is connected to a first end of the first inductive element and a first end of the second inductive element, and a second power source terminal is connected to a second end of the first switching element and a second end of the second switching element, and wherein a load is connected to the first end of the first switching element and the first end of the second switching element.

Abstract: A light loading control circuit operates a switching circuit of a buck-boost voltage converter alternately in a plurality of phase cycles and a sleep period. Each phase cycle has a rising phase, a falling phase, and a maintaining phase. In the rising phase, the switching circuit is operated to increase an inductor current. In the falling phase, the switching circuit is operated to decrease the inductor current. In the maintaining phase, the switching circuit is operated to keep the inductor current approximately constant. The sleep period prevents two terminals of an inductor from being respectively coupled to two selected from a group consisting of an input voltage, an output voltage, and a ground potential.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of pulse-width-modulated switching power converters. The system includes a sample and hold circuit which is configured to receive information at time-separated intervals. The information the sample and hold circuit receives includes information which is indicative of the performance of the power converters. In some embodiments, the sample and hold circuit takes samples of data from each of the switching power converters and provides information to an analog to digital conversion circuit coupled to the sample and hold circuit. In one embodiment, the plurality of pulse-width-modulated switching power are configured to independently provide power to unrelated loads.

Abstract: A plurality of power supply modules having their outputs coupled in parallel are controlled for load balancing purposes through a direct current bus having filtered pulse width modulation (PWM) signals representative of the power outputs of each of the plurality of power supply modules. A local PWM signal for each of the plurality of power supply modules is filtered to a DC voltage and used to compare with an average power required from each of the plurality of power supply modules.

Abstract: An integrated DC—DC converter circuit in which multiple switched circuits operate in parallel to drive the output electrode with multiple pulsed charging voltages such that the corresponding respective output ripple voltage components combine with destructive interference, thereby reducing the net output ripple voltage.

Abstract: A voltage regulator including a bandgap control circuit that maintains the regulator's bandgap voltage at a predetermined voltage level after an externally generated enable signal is de-asserted until the regulated output voltage has dropped below a predetermined low reference voltage. The bandgap control circuit includes a latch that is set by the enable control signal to generate a bandgap control signal, which is used to activate a bandgap reference generator that generates the bandgap voltage. The latch is reset to de-assert the bandgap control signal by a logic gate and a low output voltage detector. The detector generates a low output voltage detection signal when the regulated output voltage falls below a low reference voltage. The logic gate generates a rising edge signal that resets the latch only when the enable signal is de-asserted and the detector generates the detection signal, thereby preventing unintended shutdown of the bandgap reference generator.

Abstract: There is provided a reference voltage generator that generates a constant reference voltage regardless of a change in temperature. The reference voltage generator includes a temperature-compensated current generating part for reducing a supply current provided to an output terminal in response to an increase of temperature, and a diode for receiving the supply current through the output terminal.

Abstract: Start-up circuit for current mirror circuits to facilitate transition from a zero-current state to an operation state. The start-up circuit includes two sets of current control devices. A set is coupled to each leg of the current mirrored circuit to provide a bias on start-up. The current control devices are coupled together to mirror the current that continues during the operational state such that the start-up circuit in combination with the operating circuit do not draw more current in the operational state than the operating circuit would normally draw in the operational state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a current. A first current source generates a first current based on a first current selection signal, and a second current source generates a second current that is a multiple of the first current in response to selection of the first current.

Abstract: The transmitter of the circuit breaker locator draws large amplitude, short duration, phase locked unipolar pulses of current from the power source at a frequency lower than that of the AC line frequency. The audible and visual indicators of the transmitter are triggered at the rate of the current pulses drawn from the AC line. The receiver of the circuit breaker locator has a pick-up coil that responds to magnetic field surrounding the circuit breaker, an amplifier for boosting the signal from the pick-up coil, and a single shot pulse stretcher triggered by the amplifier. The pulse stretcher drives both audible and visual signals, and at the same time charges a memory capacitor in a staircase generator fashion. The magnitude of the memory capacitor voltage in turn controls the gain of the amplifier. A switch controls the voltage applied to the amplifier, which increases by a predetermined amount when released.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting mechanical perturbations represented by a change in an electrical signal includes a structure such as a cantilever, membrane, etc. and a field effect transistor such as a MOSFET embedded in the structure. The drain current of the embedded transistor changes with mechanical perturbations in the structure caused, for example, by a bio-chemical interaction being sensed. A scanning probe microscope utilizes the embedded MOSFET with a BiMOS actuator.

Abstract: A system and method for current sensing includes a conductor configured to receive current flow therethrough and generate magnetic flux thereabout. The current sensor system also includes an anti-differential current sensor configured to monitor magnetic flux about the conductor and a flux concentrator configured to concentrate magnetic flux induced by current flow through the conductor.

Abstract: An interrupt request is asserted in anticipation of a period of latency preceding preparedness of a power meter data processing device to sample a voltage or current enabling the use an interrupt to control the data processing device's performance of real-time sampling in combination with other tasks related to the power meter's operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical connectors used with non-invasive toroidal conductivity sensors and calibration thereof. A removable breaking calibration connector is provided for temporary insertion in the electrical circuit to selectively break connection to a sense toroid for zero out calibration in situ while retaining connection to the drive toroid and other peripherals, even when process fluid is flowing in the pipes.

Abstract: In summary, the present invention concerns an inductive sensor, in particular rpm sensor, having a housing (4) with a main housing body (5) and a coil base body (6), whereby a coil is wound around the coil base body (6). The sensor also comprises a magnet (2) that is situated in the housing and has a pole pin (3). The coil base body (6) of the housing (4) is thereby designed entirely conical, in particular slightly conical, in shape.

Abstract: A sensor coil for a non-contacting inductive displacement sensor, having two inner substantially identically formed winding sections (1), with an unwound section (2) provided between the two inner winding sections. Also, the coil has two outer substantially identically formed winding sections (3), which are respectively arranged at the ends of the two inner winding sections (1) facing away from the unwound section (2). The two outer winding sections (3) have a larger number of windings than the two inner winding sections (1), thereby producing a measuring signal which is substantially linear along the measuring range.

Abstract: An inductive sensor includes at least two circuit boards and receiver circuit traces applied on the first circuit board. Arranged on the second circuit board are components of an evaluation electronics for evaluating signals that originate from the receiver circuit traces. The two circuit boards are joined in a sandwich-type manner and at least one component of the evaluation electronics is accommodated between the two circuit boards. A rotary encoder may be fitted with this inductive sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic detection apparatus is able to make a selection between AC coupling and DC coupling thereby to improve the accuracy of a final output signal corresponding to a magnetic movable element, thus making it possible to ensure excellent detection performance. The magnetic detection apparatus with a sensor composed of magnetoresistive elements (2a, 2b) for detecting the strength of a magnetic field includes a first comparison circuit (31) that has a first comparison level (VR1), and waveform shapes the amplitude of a detection signal (C) from the magnetoresistive elements (2a, 2b) through DC coupling, a second comparison circuit (32) that has a second comparison level (VR2), and waveform shapes the amplitude of the detection signal C through DC coupling, and a third comparison circuit (33) that has a third comparison level VR3, and waveform shapes the amplitude of the detection signal C after AC coupling.

Abstract: A plurality of magnetosensitive portions of a plurality of magnetic resistance elements and a plurality of magnets are aligned substantially linearly to be perpendicular to a moving direction of a detection object, and directions of magnetic poles of the magnets are alternately inversed, such that directions of magnetic fluxes, which are perpendicular to a surface on which the magnetosensitive portions of the magnetic resistance elements are arranged, of the continuously disposed magnets, are alternately inverse.

Abstract: A double variable reluctance resolver in which a redundancy is given to a variable reluctance resolver to improve reliability. The double variable reluctance resolver also functions as a multiple speed resolver system.

Abstract: A stationary yoke surrounds an outer peripheral surface of a ring-shaped permanent magnet in a certain distance. The ring-shaped permanent magnet is fixed to a rotor and has two poles of N, S poles in a diameter direction. The stationary yoke includes a first outside yoke and a second outside yoke overlapped in an axial direction and a hole element is disposed in a gap of the first outside yoke. An axial height of the first outside yoke changes along the circumferential direction and a height of the second outside yoke has a complementary relation with the height of the first outside yoke, and the first outside yoke and the second outside yoke are overlapped in a certain clearance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to increase the effectiveness of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing thinner slice thicknesses, and allowing more contiguous slices. In an MRI device, a patient is subjected to a constant magnetic field, and then RF pulses are used to excite the atoms in the body of the patient. The atoms release a corresponding RF signal when the atoms relax, which can be measured and mapped into a visual display. The RF pulses used to excite the atoms in the body of the patient use a modified Bessel function. The Bessel function having an approximately rectangular waveform in the frequency domain increases the signal-to-noise ratio, allows thinner slice thicknesses, and allows more contiguous slices, resulting in a better MR image and a more efficient MRI apparatus.

Abstract: An NMR imaging process utilizes application of both a driven equilibrium technique and a fast-spin echo technique to acquire image. The fast-spin echo technique is a multiecho NMR imaging sequence, where different echoes are encoded differently to fill the (kx, kg) space at a speed of 1/n of the single echo speed, where n is the number of echoes in the multiecho sequence. During this echo train, a 90-degree RF pulse applied with proper phase at the center of any echo turns the magnetization back in the direction of the static magnetic field. Within a short waiting time after the 90-degree RF pulse, the spins are ready to be excited again. The multi-echo sequence has one 90-degree RF pulse at the beginning, followed by a series of n 180-degree RF pulses, followed by n echoes. A second 90-degree RF pulse is turned on exactly at the center of the nth echo, which returns all the magnetization left at this time to the static field direction.