Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of lands corresponding to a plurality of solder pins provided on a semiconductor chip package, the lands provided adjacent to the border of the printed circuit board having a rectangular shape elongated in a direction toward the border, thus providing a printed circuit board which can achieve a simple design, improve the integration of peripheral chips mounted thereon, and secure a fine soldering state.

Abstract: A chip package structure comprises a carrier, a chip and an underfill. The chip has an active surface on which a plurality of bumps are formed. The chip is flip-chip bonded onto the carrier with the active surface facing the carrier, and is electrically connected to the carrier through the bumps. The underfill is filled between the chip and the carrier. A portion of the underfill near the chip serves as a first underfill portion. The portion of the underfill near the carrier serves as a second underfill portion. The Young's modulus of the first underfill portion is smaller than the Young's modulus of the second underfill portion. The second underfill portion can be optionally replaced with a selected encapsulation. The selected encapsulation covers the chip and the carrier around the chip.

Abstract: A vibration based power generator. In a described embodiment, an electrical power generating system includes a vibrating assembly which vibrates in response to fluid flow across the vibrating assembly. A generator generates electrical power in response to displacement of the vibrating assembly.

Abstract: A wave energy conversion system converts wave energy within a wave medium into electrical energy. The wave energy conversion system includes a base substantially connected to a wave-medium floor, a tidal platform connected to said base and a tidal float connected to said tidal platform. An axle is connected to said tidal platform with an inductive coil positioned within the axle, such that an axis of the inductive coil is parallel to the axle. A magnetic sleeve includes a magnetic sleeve opening, such that the axle passes through the magnetic sleeve opening. A float member is connected to said magnetic sleeve. A wave moving through the wave causes displacement of the float member, causing the magnetic sleeve to move relative to the inductive coil and generate electrical energy within the inductive coil.

Abstract: A method for controlling variability in power output of a wind farm supplying power to a grid includes monitoring a power output level of the wind farm. The monitored power output level is compared to a target power output level. A command is issued to increase or decrease electrical power consumption by an electrolyzer system electrically coupled to the wind farm to maintain a net power output level by the wind farm based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A tidal power generator has a floating vessel hull that is subject to rising and falling water levels so that the hull moves vertically up and down. Linear-to-rotary converters are coupled between the vessel hull and a fixed object. The converters allow the hull to move vertically while constraining the horizontal movement of the hull. The converters convert the vertical movement of the hull into rotary movement, which is then used to drive an electrical generator. A harborage is provided to protect the hull and the converters and to regulate the water level for the vessel hull as well as become a fixed object relative to the vessel from which a change in relative position causes power to be developed. If the hull is subject to tidal variations, vertical movement of the hull can be desynchronized from the tidal variations so as to store energy during slack tides.

Abstract: The underwater electrical generator includes a stator core and counter-rotating turbine blades with permanent magnets in the hubs and windings in the core housing. When tethered by the nose of the housing, the water current rotates the turbine blades generating electrical current which is supplied for commercial use via the tether to a land-based utility. Ballast tanks are provided to maintain the generator at a predetermined depth. Small stator windings and permanent magnets are provided in the rotating hubs and core housing respectively to charge batteries in the hubs for altering the pitch of the blades such that the blades can be feathered for maintenance outages.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a wind energy plant for generation of alternating current with a tower constructed of several tower segments, a generator arranged in the region of the top of the tower, a power module arranged in the region of the base of the tower, and current carrying means for transferred current from the generator to the power module. In order to enable faster, easier and thereby cheaper erection of the wind energy plant, it is provided in accordance with the present invention that the current carrying means be premounted in the tower segments in segmented form.

Abstract: A system for converting an airflow into mechanical energy includes a drawtube and an airflow turbine capable of converting an airflow through the drawtube into rotational mechanical energy. The drawtube includes a tubular member with first and second open ends and a substantially planar leading edge member positioned in front of the first open end. As an airflow passes over the drawtube, a reduced pressure region results adjacent to the leading edge. The reduced pressure region in combination with counter-rotating eddies, or vortices, formed by the leading edge cause air to be drawn out of the first open end of the tubular member establishing an internal airflow which drives the turbine or other energy conversion device.

Abstract: A system for making up wiring harnesses includes a base harness having a set of flexible multi-conductor cables and a set of supplementary wiring harnesses adapted to connect in a particular location of said base harness. The connection area does not have a multi-conductor replaceable connector to the base harness, so that the cost of unused connectors is not incurred. Each supplementary wiring harness connects to a reserved location. The reserved locations may be shared between mutually exclusive options.

Abstract: A long-life telemetry power storage and delivery system includes a power bus electrically connected through a voltage regulator to a wireless communications unit operable for periodic high-current transmissions. The power bus is connected to a direct power source and at least three power storage sources. The direct power source includes at least one solar panel. The power storage sources include: (1) a primary, low-voltage, non-rechargeable battery; (2) a secondary, low-voltage, rechargeable battery; and (3) a set of high capacity capacitors. To provide a long life to the system, current limiting resistors are interposed between the power bus and the primary and secondary batteries, such that high current requirements of a transmission are supplied by the set of capacitors rather than the batteries.

Abstract: An uninterrupted power supply (“UPS”) system is disclosed which uses a battery communication system to communicate to a UPS processor information concerning the status of a battery pack in an array of parallel coupled battery packs. The battery packs provide back-up power for the UPS system. Information about the battery packs is collected by a monitor associated with each of the battery packs. The monitors measure battery pack voltage, currents and temperature and compile information about the battery pack from the measured values. Each monitor prepares a data word representing information about its battery pack. The data words are transmitted to the UPS in response to commands issued by the UPS processor to the monitors.

Abstract: There is provided a second switch used to turn on/off connection between a first circuit portion with a decoupling capacitance on a first switch side. Then, in accordance with on/off of the first switch, the second switch is turned on/off. By performing such switch control, when the first and second switches and are turned off and the first circuit portion shifts to the standby mode, the electric charge stored in the decoupling capacitance in the on state of the first and second switches is held. The electric charge held in the decoupling capacitance contributes to charging of a parasitic capacitance of the first circuit portion when the first and second switches and are again turned on. Therefore, when the first circuit portion shifts from the standby mode to the normal operating mode, the instantaneous voltage drop at a first connection point can be reduced.

Abstract: A replaceable circuit breaker module has a housing for supporting and enclosing elements of the module, a circuit breaker mounted in the housing in a manner that an action of installing the module connects the breaker to bridge an incoming and an outgoing conductor, and monitoring circuitry for monitoring characteristics of the circuit breaker, the monitoring circuitry mounted in the housing and having a first connector element for engaging a mating connector element in the action of installing the module. The module is characterized in that action of withdrawing the circuit breaker module also withdraws the monitoring circuitry. Sensors in the monitoring circuitry may include sensors for monitoring one or more of breaker presence, on/off state of the breaker, and voltage provided to the breaker.

Abstract: An armature of a linear motor includes a plurality of first magnetic teeth and a plurality of second magnetic teeth, each of the magnetic teeth being formed by laminating multiple tooth elements made of electromagnetic steel sheets. The first magnetic teeth are arranged side by side in a linear form while the second magnetic teeth are located one each between the successive first magnetic teeth. Each of the second magnetic teeth interconnects the two adjacent first magnetic teeth located on both sides.

Abstract: An alignment stage apparatus includes a base structure and a movable stage which can move along a surface of the base structure so as not to be in contact with the base structure. The apparatus includes a plurality of power transmission coils buried under the surface of the base structure, a power reception coil attached to the movable stage to oppose the surface, a switching device for sequentially switching, of the plurality of power transmission coils, those that are to be energized to feed power in accordance with a position of the movable stage, and a power feeding device for supplying AC power to the power transmission coils to be energized through the switching device.

Abstract: The invention proposes an electric linear actuator with a take-off element (12) that is adjustably supported on a main housing (5) and is connected to and driven by an electric motor (14) via a spindle drive (8). This connection is realized in the form of a purely plug-type coupling (41) that is formed by a gear transmission (43). The gear transmission (43) comprises a first transmission gear (44) that forms part of the spindle drive (8) and a second transmission gear (45) that together with the electric motor (14) forms part of a motor module (3). When the motor module (3) is attached or removed, the teeth of the gear transmission (43) are disengaged or disengaged automatically.

Abstract: The operational frequency of existing magnetoelectric materials having metallic or ceramic magnetostrictive materials and ceramic piezoelectric materials may be limited to a few kilohertz due to the presence of eddy-current losses in the metallic magnetostrictive phase. Further, these materials may be difficult to machine and fabricate due to their brittleness. Additionally, it may be difficult to tailor and optimize the properties (i.e., magnetoelectric voltage coefficient ?E, etc.) of the devices. This invention provides a magnetoelectric element including at least one set of alternative piezoelectric layer and magnetostrictive composite layer. The magnetostrictive composite layer includes at least one magnetostrictive material dispersed in first concentrated zones within a first polymer matrix, wherein all of said concentrated zones are orientated along a first direction. It is found that the conversion efficiency (i.e., ?E) varies in accordance with applied magnetic control field Hcontrol.

Abstract: The heat-generating components of an integrated motor system are disposed proximate the motor body, for efficient heat dissipation, and the heat-sensitive components are segregated therefrom, physically and thermally.

Abstract: A frameless switched reluctance motor (SRM) has a stator sandwiched between two housings. Axial load on the rotor shaft is directed through a first bearing, through the first housing to the stator and through the second housing to a motor support. Heat is dissipated using low-loss electrical steel, one or more air movers and air passages through the motor. Preferably a stator profile enables the air passages to be formed through the stator's lamination stack. Optionally air is routed through passages between the coils and through air passages along the air gap and radially through passages between an upper and a lower stator. A first self aligning bearing adapts to misalignment between the first housing and the shaft and a second bearing is provided with transverse movement. Preferably, the frameless motor is adapted for support to a wellhead for driving a downhole rotary pump and a rotary rod string.

Abstract: Electromechanical systems utilizing suspended conducting nanometer-scale beams are provided and may be used in applications, such as, motors, generators, pumps, fans, compressors, propulsion systems, transmitters, receivers, heat engines, heat pumps, magnetic field sensors, kinetic energy storage devices and accelerometers. Such nanometer-scale beams may be provided as, for example, single molecules, single crystal filaments, or nanotubes. When suspended by both ends, these nanometer-scale beams may be caused to rotate about their line of suspension, similar to the motion of a jumprope (or a rotating whip), via electromagnetic or electrostatic forces. This motion may be used, for example, to accelerate molecules of a working substance in a preferred direction, generate electricity from the motion of a working substance molecules, or generate electromagnetic signals. Means of transmitting and controlling currents through these beams are also described.

Abstract: The wear life of flexible copper fiber brushes when used at a positive pole in a direct current motor or generator is improved by the provision of an effective amount of zinc as a sacrificial anode material. Flame-sprayed zinc is applied as a coating to the exterior surface of such a copper fiber pack to bond the fibers with a surrounding metal wire reinforcing wrap, of cross wound copper wire or fine mesh, woven copper wire screen material, and create an improved brush.

Abstract: A claw-pole electric generator has a circumferentially arranged permanent magnet, a ring-shaped coil, a yoke and a cover member. The yoke surrounds an external periphery of the coil. The yoke has a stator yoke portion and a core yoke portion. The stator yoke portion is disposed between the coil and the permanent magnet. The core yoke portion is magnetically linked to the stator yoke portion. The core yoke is disposed on the external periphery of the coil. The coil and the yoke are rotatably disposed in relation to the permanent magnet. The stator yoke portion includes a plurality of first and second yoke sections having a plurality of plate-shaped pieces in a stacked arrangement on opposite sides of the coil in an axial direction. The cover member covers at least part of an external peripheral surface of the yoke section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transducers, their use and fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. Some transducers of the present invention include a pre-strained polymer. The pre-strain improves the conversion between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention also relates to devices including an electroactive polymer to convert between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.

Abstract: There is described a voltage booster circuit for powering a piezoelectric actuator of an injector, and having a first and a second input terminal supplied with an input voltage; a first and a second output terminal supplying an output voltage greater than the input voltage, the second input terminal and second output terminal being connected to each other over a common line; a first and a second inductor coupled magnetically and connected in series between the first input terminal and the first output terminal; a capacitor connected between the first output terminal and the second output terminal; and a controlled switch connected between the intermediate node between the first and second inductor, and the second input terminal and second output terminal, and which switches between a closed operating state, to permit charging of the first inductor by the input voltage, and an open operating state, to permit transfer of the charge stored in the first inductor to the capacitor via the second inductor.

Abstract: In a method and a device according to the present invention, two piezo-elements are driven with two voltages having a phase difference. One of the piezo-elements is charged by an inductive step-up means to a voltage exceeding an available power supply voltage. Subsequently charge, i.e. energy is transferred from the one piezo-element to the other piezo-element by an inductive element. The same inductive element is used in an inductive step-up means and in the transfer of the charge between the two piezo-elements.

Abstract: A ladder-type film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) filter comprises two series FBARs and two parallel FBARs. Each FBAR has a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between the top and bottom electrodes. The top electrodes of the two series FBARs form part of a signal line of a coplanar waveguide transmission line. The top electrodes of the two series FBARs are connected to associated circuitry. The two series FBARs have a common bottom electrode.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator is provided which is capable of acquiring an excellent Q characteristic while letting a film thickness of an upper electrode be larger. The piezoelectric resonator has a lower electrode and an upper electrode with a piezoelectric film being sandwiched between them. By applying a voltage between the lower and upper electrodes to let a bulk acoustic wave propagate through inner portions of the piezoelectric layer, a signal having a specified resonant frequency is obtained. The standing wave has a first wave loop at an interface on a side opposite to the piezoelectric film of the upper electrode and a wave node and a second wave loop in inner portions of the upper electrode directing from the interface toward the piezoelectric film. The film thickness of the upper electrode obtained when a wavelength of a standing wave is defined as “?” is 0.4? to 0.7?.

Abstract: An actuator of the present invention comprises a piezoelectric element, one end face of the piezoelectric element in a displacement direction being supported by a fixing member, a block shaped driving member attached to the other end face of the piezoelectric element in the displacement direction, and a driven member frictionally engaged with at least one end face of the driving member in a direction orthogonal to the displacement direction, the driven member being extended along the displacement direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor comprising: a piezoelectric vibrator having an axis of symmetry and a first vibration mode, which when excited generates oscillatory motion of mass points in the vibrator parallel to the axis of symmetry; and at least one friction nub having a center of mass displaced from the axis of symmetry, as a result of which displacement, when the vibration mode is excited, torque is generated on the vibrator that excites a second vibration mode of the vibrator.

Abstract: The invention provides a defect inspecting apparatus and a defect detecting method for specifying a position of a defect before polarization when the defect is included in a coaxial flexible piezoelectric member. Further, when a piezoelectric tube is moved in polarization, a friction force is produced between the coaxial flexible piezoelectric member and a block-like conductor and therefore, a large force is needed in moving the piezoelectric tube. The invention provides a polarizing apparatus and a polarizing method capable of moving the piezoelectric tube even by a small force. There are provided a defect detecting apparatus of a coaxial flexible piezoelectric member having a constitution of applying a direct current to a coaxial flexible piezoelectric member while moving a piezoelectric tube arranged at a hole of inspecting electrode means and a marking apparatus for marking a defect portion.

Abstract: A multilayered structure which includes insulating layers and electrode layers and can be easily arrayed. The multilayered structure is manufactured by using a substrate on which first and second groups of columnar structures are arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and includes: a first electrode layer formed by forming a film of a conducting material on the substrate or an insulating layer except for portions around the first group of columnar structures; an insulating layer formed by spraying powder of an insulating material on the first electrode layer to deposit the powder thereon; a second electrode layer formed by forming a film of a conducting material on the insulating layer except for portions around the second group of columnar structures; and interconnections formed by filing, with a conducting material, holes formed by removing the columnar structures from the substrate.

Abstract: A crystal unit for high frequency use includes: a crystal blank having a central portion that is used as a vibration region and a peripheral portion that surrounds the central portion and that is provided with a greater thickness than the central portion; a pair of excitation electrodes provided respectively on both major surface of the crystal blank in said vibration region; a pair of extending electrodes led out from the pair of excitation electrodes toward ends of the crystal blank, respectively; and an opposition region in which the extending electrodes overlap each other with the crystal blank interposed. Each of the extending electrodes connects to a corresponding excitation electrode over at least half of the outer circumference of the excitation electrode, and the thickness of the crystal blank is greater in the opposition region than in the vibration region.

Abstract: A spark plug is provided which ensures the reliability of a weld between a noble metal chip and a ground electrode as well as higher durability and ignitability of fuel. The ground electrode is joined to a metal shell, after which the noble metal chip is laser-welded to the ground electrode. The laser welding is achieved by emitting laser beams around an interface between the noble metal chip and the ground electrode outside a given angular range within which the metal shell will be an obstruction to the traveling of the laser beams. Specifically, the laser beams are emitted without any optical interference with the metal shell. This permits the angle between the orientation of each of the laser beams and the surface of the ground electrode to be minimized regardless of the metal shell, thus ensuring a desired depth of the fused portions in the noble metal chip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a color cathode ray tube in which beam landing errors caused by non-uniform thermal expansion of a shadow mask are corrected such that color purity is improved. In one aspect of the present invention, a color cathode ray tube comprises a panel on inner surface of which a phosphor screen is formed; a funnel joined to the panel; an electron gun; a shadow mask mounted to the panel, the shadow mask having a faceplate portion and a peripheral skirt portion bent back from the faceplate portion; and a frame joined to said shadow mask; wherein radius of curvature of at least a corner of the faceplate portion of said shadow mask is not smaller than 50 mm, and gap is provided between a corner of the faceplate portion of said shadow mask and a corresponding corner of said frame.

Abstract: A discharge lamp (1) having a discharge vessel (2) that surrounds a discharge medium that emits electromagnetic radiation in the VUV region during operation of the lamp, has on the inner side of the discharge vessel wall a yellow phosphor layer facing the discharge medium, and a blue phosphor layer lying therebelow. By contrast with a conventional three-band phosphor mixture, a higher luminous flux and a smaller color locus displacement are thereby achieved.

Abstract: An organic EL element with an emissive layer and a second electrode layer is formed on a device glass substrate in an organic EL display device. The second electrode layer covers the emissive layer. An anti-reflection layer for preventing the reflection of light by the second electrode layer is formed on the device glass substrate except the region where the emissive layer is formed. Since this layer prevents the reflection of light by the second electrode layer, only the light from the emissive layer radiates outwards through the device glass substrate, improving the contrast of the organic EL display device.

Abstract: An organic light emitting element which can employ non-sublimable (non-volatile) or insoluble materials while keeping the same level of light emission as prior art is provided. Dispersive particles (202a) of an insoluble organic material that is dispersed in a solvent (201) in which a soluble organic material (203a) is dissolved is applied to a substrate (200) that has an electrode. Then, the solvent (201) is vaporized by heat treatment to form a uniform film (203b) of the soluble organic material in which aggregations (clusters) of the insoluble organic material are scattered. Since the soluble organic material film (203b) is thoroughly uniform, defects such as breakdown can be avoided to make it a fully functional organic light emitting element.

Abstract: It is a problem to provide an electric apparatus less in consumption power and long in life by the manufacture using the display device. An insulating bank 103a is provided in a form surrounding the pixel portions 110a on first electrodes 102a over a substrate. The entire surface is applied, by a wet scheme(method), with an organic conductive film 104. The organic conductive film 104 has a thickness form of T2>T1>T3 under the influence of the insulating bank 103. Accordingly, the portion T3 has an increased resistance in a lateral direction, making possible to prevent against crosstalk. Due to a conductive polymer as a buffer layer 104, a display device can be provided which is low in drive voltage. Furthermore, because the portion T2 is increased in thickness, the electric-field concentration is relaxed at and around the pixel portion. This makes it possible to prevent the organic light-emitting element from deteriorating at around the pixel.

Abstract: An OLED structure includes a substantially flexible substrate, and at least one barrier layer disposed between the substrate and the OLED structure. The barrier layer substantially prevents contaminants from permeating a layer of organic material or the OLED structure. The barrier layer includes a glass layer that has certain components added or removed to improve its flexibility. The OLED structure may also include a substantially flexible substrate and at least one barrier layer disposed between the substrate and the OLED structure. The barrier layer includes a strain relief material. The strain relief material advantageously has at least one axis of orientation. Photonic or electronic components, or both could be substituted for the OLED.

Abstract: The luminance of different colors of light emitted from EL elements in a pixel portion of a light emitting device is equalized and the luminance of light emitted from the EL elements is raised. The pixel portion of the light emitting device has EL elements whose EL layers contain triplet compounds and EL elements whose EL layers contain singlet compounds in combination. The luminance of light emitted from the plural EL elements is thus equalized. Furthermore, a hole transporting layer has a laminate structure to thereby cause the EL elements to emit light of higher luminance.

Abstract: One pixel is divided into a first region including a first light emitting element and a second region including a second light emitting element, wherein the first region emits light in one direction and the second region emits light in the direction opposite to that of the first region. Independently driving the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element allows images to be displayed independently on the surface.

Abstract: An organic EL element has excellent features as compared with other electroluminescent elements, but on the other hand, has a problem that the life of the element is not sufficiently long. In addition, since the organic EL element is expected to be applied to a mobile display and the like, it is also important to improve power efficiency. Hence, an object of the invention is to provide an element structure to realize an improvement in power efficiency and an improvement in the life of the element at the same. In the construction of an organic EL element of the invention, the first electroluminescent film 303 is sandwiched by the first anode 302 and a cathode 304, and the second electroluminescent film 305 and the second anode 306 are laminated over the cathode 304. At this time, the first anode 302 is put into contact with the second anode 306 to form a parallel circuit to decrease an electric current passing through the respective electroluminescent films.

Abstract: A plasma discharge method and a plasma display using the same. In the method, a sustain discharge uses a facing surfaces discharge and a surface discharge after an address discharge. The discharges occur in separate discharge areas, and priming particles generated by the discharges are exchanged. Thus, the stability and the efficiency of the sustain discharge increase, and a gap for the address discharge decreases to lower a breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent lamp includes a light-emitting tube made from borosilicate glass doped with 5.1–9.0 wt % of an ultraviolet light absorbent, the light-emitting tube having phosphors coated on an inner surface thereof, and mercury and a rare gas enclosed therein. As a result, 313 nm UV light in addition to 254 nm UV light is sufficiently blocked, thus enabling the provision of cost-effective CCFLs that do not readily cause a reduction in the surface brightness of backlight units.

Abstract: A magnetron output arrangement includes a coaxial output adapted to be coupled in an endfire configuration to a rectangular waveguide. The waveguide has a flange for mating with the magnetron output arrangement. The coaxial output includes a central conductor. The output arrangement further includes a plate located in a predetermined position with respect to the central conductor. The plane of the plate is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the coaxial output. The plate is located a predetermined distance from the end of the central conductor, such that the coaxial output in use couples with the plate so that the output coupling is substantially the same regardless of the type of waveguide flange employed.

Abstract: A magnetron includes an anode having at least one vane defining a plurality of cavities and a dielectric resonator in communication with the at least one vane. The dielectric resonator is arranged to at least partially absorb radiation generated in a predetermined mode of operation of the magnetron.

Abstract: An electronic ballast capable of extending life of the fluorescent lamp is disclosed. The electronic ballast according to the present invention comprises a DC/AC converter, a fluorescent lamp, a transformer, a preheating transformer and an AC switch. Wherein, the AC switch is turned off during a preheating period of time for the fluorescent lamp. Due to adoption of a preheating transformer in the secondary side and an AC switch for the electronic ballast according to the present invention, the voltage drop across the fluorescent lamp can be reduced during the preheating period of time, and accordingly no glow current would appear. Therefore, life of the electronic ballast can be effectively extended.

Abstract: A flexible display device has one or more flexible electrode assemblies. Each of the electrode assemblies includes a hierarchical control arrangement for selectively activating electrodes of the display device. The hierarchical control arrangement includes high-level control elements and low-level control elements, each of the high-level control elements being operatively coupled to respective subsets of the low-level control elements, which in turn are coupled to respective groups of the electrodes. Exemplary control elements are microstructure elements containing imbedded microprocessors or integrated circuits. The use of a hierarchical control arrangement results in data signals having to pass through fewer control elements when compared with single-level arrangements. This increases operation speed and reduces power losses due to voltage drops across control elements. In addition, the number of connections to device(s) external to the display may thereby be reduced.

Abstract: The control circuit for maintaining constant power in power factor corrected electronic ballasts and power supplies maintains constant power in a variable load. This constant power control circuit provides a closed loop constant power management process for gas discharge lamps by adding a scaled lamp voltage to a scaled voltage that is equivalent to the measured lamp current. This sum is then fed to a comparator for comparison with a fixed reference voltage. If there is a difference between the sum and the reference voltage, the comparator sends this information to an error amplifier of the gas discharger lamp power control circuit for corrective measures and closed loop control of gas discharge lamp power. Since the sum always must attain the same value as determined by reference voltage, when the lamp voltage increases from its nominal or initial value, the lamp current is decreased by a corresponding ratio to maintain a constant power in the gas discharge lamp.