Abstract: A pathway lighting system has self-contained, battery up scaled lighting modules (20), each module including at least one secondary coil. A plurality of primary coils are housed within a carrier assembly (1) together with voltage circuitry (14). Primary and secondary coils, positioned in the carrier assembly and in the lighting modules and the respectively allow electricity to flow between these members. The secondary coil output voltage is able to be rectified with the use of a rectification circuit, housed in the lighting module. Upon a mains failure, a battery charger/changeover circuit would switch the power requirements of the light sources inside the pathway lighting module over to internal back up batteries.

Abstract: A ballast in which the drive current frequency is controlled by a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) that is capable of precise output frequency control. The VCO frequency is controlled by a microcontroller. The microcontroller may control the VCO frequency in response to various input signals including a triac signal, a manual dimmer control signal, a remote control receiver signal, a light monitor signal, a motion detector signal, or a communication interface signal.

Abstract: A light fixture having a variable light output level using one constant voltage power source includes multiple individually computer controllable light sources. Multiple light fixtures may be networked and individually controlled. Additional accessory control devices, such as motion sensors, photo sensors, and time clocks, may be connected with the light fixture and networked.

Abstract: A lamp includes a phase-control power controller within the lamp. The phase-control power controller includes an analog load voltage sensor that provides an optical output related to an RMS load voltage and a phase-controlled dimming circuit that has a comparison circuit that varies a resistance in the phase-controlled dimming circuit responsive to the optical output from the load voltage sensor.

Abstract: A convergence control apparatus for a video display is provided. In the apparatus, a convergence controller receives a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal and then outputs a vertical convergence correction voltage and a horizontal convergence correction voltage. An amplifier receives and amplifies the vertical convergence correction voltage and the horizontal convergence correction voltage. A correction current generator receives the amplified vertical convergence correction voltage and the amplified horizontal convergence correction voltage and then generates a vertical convergence correction current and a horizontal convergence correction current. A switching unit controls the vertical convergence correction voltage and the horizontal convergence correction voltage according to the horizontal synchronization signal.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting the stroke limit of an electric motor-driven jack while the jack is being used to adjust the attitude of a mobile platform. A controller is programmed to detect when an electric jack motor has driven a jack to a jack stroke limit by monitoring one or more jack motor power draw characteristics and comparing those values to known values associated with the driving of a jack at or near the end of a jack stroke.

Abstract: A double-ended inverter system for a vehicle having a load, a first energy source, and a first inverter system coupled to the first energy source and adapted to drive the load. The double-ended inverter system further having a secondary energy source, a second capacitor coupled in parallel to the secondary energy source, and a second inverter system coupled to the secondary energy source and adapted to drive the load. A controller includes an output coupled to the first inverter system and the second inverter system for providing at least one pulse width modulated signal to the first inverter system and the second inverter system.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus provides stable steering assist force by positively precluding actuation of an electric motor while it is rotating in a reverse direction, so as to prevent demagnetization of the electric motor. A motor reverse rotation detecting means detects whether or not the electric motor is rotating in the reverse direction and a motor actuation control actuates the electric motor when a condition for actuating the electric motor is fulfilled and on condition that the electric motor is not rotating in the reverse direction.

Abstract: By using a target voltage Vc* of a capacitor connected to the output side of a DC/DC converter and a voltage Vb of a battery connected to the input side of the DC/DC converter, a duty ratio D as a drive instruction of the DC/DC converter is calculated. By using the voltage Vb, the electromotive force Vbo of the battery, and the charge/discharge current Ib of the battery, an internal resistance Rb is calculated. According to the internal resistance Rb and the electromotive force Vbo, the current value when the battery output becomes maximum is set as the upper limit value of the optimal current range IR, the DC/DC converter is driven/controlled by limiting the duty ratio D so that the current Ib is within the range of the optimal current range IR. Thus, it is possible to appropriately convert the battery input voltage.

Abstract: A motor driving system for an electric motor includes a pulse width modulating circuit which provides driving pulse signals whose pulse width is modulated to have a prescribed duty ratio, an inverter having PWM-controlled switch elements, a voltage calculating circuit which calculates levels of voltage to be respectively applied between the power source and the phase windings, a current calculating circuit which calculates reference values of current of the inverter from levels of the voltage applied between the power source and the phase windings of the electric motor and resistances disposed between the power source and the phase windings, a current detecting circuit which detects actual values of current of the inverter, and a processor which judges abnormality if one of the actual value of current of the inverter is a preset value different from corresponding one of the reference values.

Abstract: A motor soft start controller, which is composed of a rectifying and voltage-stabilizing circuit, a microprocessor, a motor switch electrically connected with a motor, a reset button, a signal amplifying circuit electrically connected with a touch piece, a motor driving circuit, and a current detecting circuit. The current detecting circuit monitors the current flowing through the motor to control. The microprocessor controls the motor driving circuit to further control the current. Further, the motor can be activated correctly by the dual arrangement of the reset button and the motor switch to avoid erroneous activation thereof.

Abstract: Under oscillation-reducing control executed while PWM control is performed, an oscillation-reducing torque that is opposite in phase to a varying component of the motor revolution number is generated and, a final torque command value that is the sum of the oscillation-reducing torque and a torque command value is used to drive an AC motor. In a transition state where the PWM control mode is switched to overmodulation control mode, the oscillation-reducing torque that is determined by multiplying an oscillation-reducing torque by a correction coefficient that varies depending on a modulation factor gradually decreases as the correction coefficient decreases and substantially becomes zero when the control mode is switched. Thus, the oscillation-reducing torque has no stepped portion that occurs in the oscillation-reducing torque when the control mode is switched. Thus, oscillations in output torque of the AC motor can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electric motor for an automobile wiper system includes a calibration curve in which data is converted into the angular value of the position of an output shaft and a correction is made depending upon a direction and magnitude of deviations. The electric motor has a stator with a lid with permanent magnets and the output shaft has a worm wheel with pole extensions of permanent magnets and a sensor of the angular position of the output shaft.

Abstract: A fan operation adaptive control system is proposed, which is designed for use with an electronic system, such as a network server, for providing the network server with an adaptive operation control function; and which is characterized by the utilization of a CPLD (Complex PLD, where PLD=Programmable Logic Device) module for implementing the adaptive operation control function for various different types of fan units, including PWM-driven type (which includes 100 Hz–500 Hz, 10 KHz–50 KHz, and 1 MHz–5 MHz subtypes) and DC-driven type, such that the network server can be equipped with just one type of temperature sensor which can be used in conjunction with these various different types of fan units. This feature allows the maintenance of heat-dissipating fan units on network servers to be more convenient and cost-effective to implement than the prior art.

Abstract: A cargo power drive unit includes a motor and at least one driver roller element coupled to the motor. The power drive unit further includes a light transmitter for emitting light and a light receiver for measuring light. The power drive unit measures an amount of ambient light and then measures an amount of total light after the light transmitter emits light. The power drive unit then determines whether a cargo container is present based on a calculation of reflected light and the measurement of ambient light.

Abstract: A device for steering a vehicle, particularly a helicopter or even a simulator, comprising a handgrip that can be moved in a manner that is linear to the drive of a drive device, particularly the power unit or motor. The linear motion of the handgrip is coupled with a rotational motion of a drive element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a robot for use inside an open abdominal cavity during minimally-invasive surgery. The robot may include various sensors, imaging devices or manipulators.

Abstract: It is disclosed the motor stop control device having the stepping motor 49 as the drive source of the reel 3 on which a plurality of symbols are formed, the motor stop control device being utilized in the reel-type gaming machine 1 and stopping the stepping motor 49 corresponding to the stop instruction from an external. When the stop instruction of the stepping motor 49 occurs based on the instruction from an external, the main CPU 31 drops the voltage value added to the stepping motor which is rotating at the constant speed to the voltage value lower than such voltage value and executes the stop process of the stepping motor 49 by 2-phase excitation.

Abstract: In order to control the position of a mobile body without using a position detector, a magnetic pole position of a rotor of a synchronous motor is estimated based on electrical quantities in relation to electric power supplied to the synchronous motor and then the mobile body position is estimated based on the estimated magnetic pole position.

Abstract: A drive control apparatus, which controls an AC motor subjected to rotational drive by applying a rectangular wave voltage thereto, comprising: an actual torque detection section for detecting an actual torque value T outputted from the AC motor; an estimated torque calculation section for calculating an estimated torque value Tm based on a motor model with the AC motor in a simulated state; and a voltage phase calculation section wherein the voltage phase calculation section calculates a first voltage phase ?fb based on the actual torque value T and a command torque value T*, and a second voltage phase ?ff based on the estimated torque value Tm and the command torque value T* respectively, and outputs a value obtained by making the voltage phase subjected to weighting addition, as a voltage phase ?v.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value and a torque command and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimated parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: a temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes a temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides a secondary battery system that allows a high overload operation regardless of discharging condition during a steady operation, and an operating method thereof. The secondary battery system comprises first tanks 31, 32 for reserving electrolytes required for a steady operation, and second tanks 33, 34 for reserving electrolytes required for an emergency operation. Valves 41–48 are opened and closed for allowing selective switching between the electrolytes in the first tanks 31, 32 and the electrolytes in the second tanks 33, 34 to circulate the selected electrolytes through a cell stack 100. The electrolytes reserved in the second tanks 33, 34 are electrolytes having a proportion of a quantity of active material produced in a charging reaction to a total quantity of active material of not less than 50%.

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: A microcomputer outputs a command to a control IC to operate first and second loads. The control IC sets first and second DC/DC converters' on-state to operate the first and second loads. The first DC/DC converter converts a voltage of power supplied from a power supply from 8.4V to 1.5V and supplies it to a constant current circuit. The constant current circuit calculates a current value of a load current to be consumed in the first load and the second load to which power is supplied via the second DC/DC converter and compares it with an electrical current value at which the utmost conversion efficiency is achievable in the first DC/DC converter. If the load current is smaller than that value, the constant current circuit supplies a surplus power to a charging battery, and if the load current is greater than that value, it receives a deficient power from the charging battery.

Abstract: A battery pack apparatus is configured with a battery pack composed of a plurality of rechargeable batteries arranged in parallel with cooling medium passages formed therebetween, and a cross flow fan which faces a distribution space formed adjacent to one side of the battery pack to supply or discharge cooling medium with respect to each of the cooling medium passages, and which is disposed such that the rotational axis thereof follows the aligning direction of the rechargeable batteries. The axial position of the fan is eccentric in the direction of movement of an impeller at an intake chamber side with respect to a center line of the distribution space, the line perpendicular to the aligning direction of the rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable batteries are uniformly cooled within a compact configuration.

Abstract: A desktop charger for a portable wireless terminal, comprising: a charger housing; a slot for receiving and holding a stationary body of the terminal, the slot being recessed a determined depth from the front side toward the rear side of the charger housing; and an opening for providing a rotation space for a rotatable body coupled to an end of the stationary body rotatably, the opening extending from a side of the slot in the transverse direction and penetrating the charger housing from its front side to its rear side. The lower body of the terminal can rotate even when the terminal is mounted on the desktop charger. Therefore, the user can perform video communication during charging by using the provided display device and camera lens unit. In addition, wireless communication modules installed at the desktop charger make the connection with an auxiliary device or data communication device easier.

Abstract: A portable emergency vehicle battery charger has a portable case, a battery and a circuit board. The battery and circuit board are mounted in the portable case. The case mainly has a power out socket connected to the battery through the circuit board, a power input socket connected to the battery and a power supply switch connected between the circuit board and the battery. The power output socket is a cigar-lighter socket. When a vehicle battery does not have sufficient charge to start an engine, the driver uses a jumper cable connected between a cigar-lighter in the vehicle and the power output socket to charge the battery. Then the driver turns the power supply switch on to provide a constant current to the vehicle battery.

Abstract: A method for extending the power duration of 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 model of battery reserve life that a function of a SOH indicator is adaptively modified responsive to intermittent capacity tests of a battery, e.g., based on reserve life estimates generated responsive to the capacity tests. The SOH indicator for the battery is monitored to generate SOH indicator values, and estimates of reserve life are generated from the generated SOH indicator values according to the adaptively modified model of reserve life. For example, a capacity test may be performed responsive to detection of a change in reserve life as estimated by the model of reserve life, and the model of reserve life may be modified responsive to the capacity test. The battery reserve life model may, for example, express reserve life as a function of a float voltage, a float current, a temperature, a charge/discharge cycling, an impedance, a conductance, a resistance, and/or a coup de fouet parameter. The invention may be embodied as methods, apparatus and computer program products.

Abstract: Using an overcurrent detector and one-shot, an AC-DC adapter interface and battery charging circuit is operative, in response to the total current being drawn from an AC-DC adapter exceeding a prescribed limit, to immediately reduce (e.g., interrupt) the supply of battery charging current for a prescribed interval, and thereafter allow the battery charging current to incrementally adjust to an acceptable level, while maintaining the total current drawn from the AC-DC adapter to less than the prescribed limit.

Abstract: An electric power generating system for a vehicle includes a generator having a field coil, a voltage regulator, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the voltage regulator, a field current restricting circuit that directly restricts field current if temperature of the voltage regulator becomes higher than a maximum level and a device that prevents temperature of the voltage regulator from further rising without directly restricting field current if temperature of the voltage regulator becomes a warning level that is lower than the maximum level.

Abstract: Pulse width modulation of the connection of a load output terminal to a power supply terminal is effected. In response to a first level of the pulse width modulated signal, the load is disconnected from the power supply terminal, steady-state load voltage is preserved on a capacitor connected between a load output terminal and a power supply terminal, and steady-state load current information is held on a capacitor within the feedback loop. In response to a second level of the pulse width modulated signal, the load is reconnected to the power supply terminal, and load voltage and current instantaneously resume at their correct steady-state values.

Abstract: In a converter device, an N-type FET is connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and an N-type FET is connected between the side of the output terminal of the N-type FET1 and a ground terminal. A smoothing circuit and a comparator circuit are connected to the side of the output terminal of the circuits. The output side of the comparator circuit is connected to an H/S driver circuit controlling the N-type FET1 through an inverter and directly connected to an L/S driver circuit controlling the N-type FET2. A reference voltage correction circuit is included in the comparator circuit, and the comparator circuit outputs an appropriate switching control signal by comparing a correction reference voltage, obtained through comparison of a divider voltage in accordance with the time average value of an output voltage with a reference voltage, with the divider voltage.

Abstract: In a switch mode power supply, a mains supply voltage source is coupled to a rectifier for producing an input supply voltage. The rectified input supply voltage is coupled unfiltered to an input of the SMPS. A switching power transistor having a controllable duty cycle is controlled by a duty cycle modulated signal for producing a regulated output supply voltage from the rectified input supply voltage. The periodic waveform of the mains supply voltage is used to establish the timings of the duty cycle modulated signal. In each cycle, current flow is initiated in the transistor, when the transistor is already fully turned on and a voltage developed between its main current conducting terminals is low or close to zero volts. When the output supply voltage attains the required level the transistor is turned off. Hysteresis is provided for preventing the transistor from turning on again in the same cycle, after it has been turned off.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to improve efficiency in the step-up/down mode and eliminate ringing in the output voltage when switching between the step-up mode and the step-up/down mode. This DC-DC converter has a local feedback control pre-processing circuit 12 arranged between voltage input terminal IN and one of the terminals of choke coil 10 or node Nx as well as an output feedback control booster circuit 14 arranged between the other terminal of choke coil 10 and the voltage output terminal OUT. Pre-processing circuit 12 has switching elements 16 and 18 and control circuit 20 that turns on/off switching elements 16 and 18 in a complementary manner. Control circuit 20 has error amplifier 22, reference voltage generating circuit 24, PWM comparator 26, inverter 28, and low-pass filter (LPF) 30.

Abstract: Voltage booster converter comprising a pair of input terminals A and B for connecting a DC input voltage Vin between these two terminals; a pair P0 of switches SB, SH in series connected by the switch SB to the input terminal B, the input terminal A being connected across an input inductor Lin to the connection point between the two switches SB and SH in series, each switch SB, SH comprising a control input so as to be placed simultaneously, one in an on state the other in an isolated state; a pair of output terminals C and D, for powering, by an output voltage Vout, a load Rout, the output terminal D being connected to the input terminal B; K other additional pairs P1, P2, . . . Pi, . . . PK?1, PK of switches in series between the output terminal C and the free side of the switch SH with i=1, 2, . . . K?1, K, the two switches of one and the same additional pair Pi being connected across an energy recovery inductor Lr1; K input groups, Gin1, Gin2, . . . Gini, . . .

Abstract: A low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator for generating an output voltage is disclosed. The voltage regulator includes a startup circuit, a curvature corrected bandgap circuit, an error amplifier, a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) pass device and a voltage slew rate efficient transient response boost circuit. The MOS pass device has a gate node which is coupled to the output of the error amplifier, and a drain node for generating the output voltage. The voltage slew rate efficient transient response boost circuit applies a voltage to the gate node of the MOS pass device to accelerate the response time of the error amplifier in enabling the LDO voltage regulator to reach its final regulated output voltage when an output voltage drop occurs in the LDO voltage regulator.

Abstract: A voltage regulator has an output transistor connected between a power supply and an output terminal, and a voltage amplifying circuit that compares a feedback voltage with a reference voltage to control the output transistor. A transient response improving circuit has a detecting portion that detects fluctuations in the power supply voltage and controls the operating current of the voltage amplifying circuit based on the detected fluctuation level of the power supply voltage thereby improving the responsiveness and reducing power consumption of the voltage regulator.

Abstract: Circuits and methods to provide an LDO output stage implemented with low-voltage devices and still allowing higher voltage levels have been achieved. The output stage has been built using two low voltage MOS devices in series. During the time the regulator is in active mode the second MOS device acts as a small resistor in series to the pass device. During power down this second device actively protects the MOS pass device and itself from high voltage stress levels. This is achieved by a robust regulating mechanism that compensates leakage currents. These leakage currents normally determine the different potentials of the output stage during power down. Although the second transistor presents a resistive obstacle during active mode the total chip area required is smaller compared to a single pass device tolerating e.g. 5 Volts.

Abstract: A DC power supply capable of obviating undue resetting and malfunction of CPU, immediately after starting the operation of a switching regulator, by inputting sleep signals input asynchronously during a switching cycle of the switching regulator. In the DC power supply adapted to apply a DC voltage to an output terminal by selectively switching between a first voltage from a switching regulator and a second voltage, the switching regulator includes a first switching element and a inductor serially connected between an input terminal for receiving an input voltage and an output terminal, and a second switching element for use in synchronous rectification between the first switching element and the ground, together with a first drive circuit for driving the first switching element, a second drive circuit for driving the second switching element, and a control circuit for controlling the first and second drive circuits.

Abstract: A switching power supply unit is provided, in which core loss in a transformer or a level of heating due to AC resistance of the transformer can be reduced. A switching power supply unit has a transformer, an inverter circuit and a rectifier circuit. In a secondary side of the transformer, secondary wirings are connected to each other. In a primary side of the transformer, primary wirings are connected in series to each other, and connected to the inverter circuit to allow them to be driven in a time-divisional manner in phases opposite to each other in response to operation of the inverter circuit. The rectifier circuit has diodes connected to the secondary wirings to allow the secondary wirings to be driven in a time-divisional manner in phases opposite to each other in response to operation of the inverter circuit.

Abstract: A radiometer includes a housing and an RF board carried by the housing. A hybrid and amplifier circuit receives an unknown signal and a known reference signal. A switch receives signals as inputs from the hybrid and amplifier circuit and switches between the inputs. A detection circuit receives and detects the signal from the switch forming a detected signal. A controller board is carried by the housing and an integration circuit and processor receive the detected signal and produces a digital output.

Abstract: A probe apparatus disclosed for use in a separable connector includes an insulating body and spaced apart first and second electrical conductors in contact with the insulating body. The first and second electrical conductors have adjacent surfaces configured such that when an electrical potential is applied between the conductors, an electric field is formed between the conductors. The insulating body has an opening positioned between the conductors and adapted to receive a sensor such that a portion of the sensor is subjected to the electric field. A separable electrical connector system is described including the probe apparatus, as is a voltage sensing system including the probe apparatus and a voltage sensor positioned within the opening of the insulating body.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the likelihood of a phase to phase or phase to neutral arcing failure, or a flashover in an electrical power consumption monitoring device. The method includes generating a reduced voltage from either a single phase or two phases of the electrical service provided, and utilizing the reduced voltage to supply the power supply circuits of the watthour meter and/or the data transmission circuits. A step-down auto-transformer may be used to generate the reduced voltage to thereby not only reduce the voltage available to the monitoring and data transmitting circuits of the watthour meter, but also limiting the current carried to those circuits. Because the total available power is reduced, the likelihood of a catastrophic failure caused by arcing within the watthour meter or a MOV failure is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A test arrangement for testing the interconnections of an electronic circuit (100) and a further electronic circuit is provided. A first selection of I/O nodes (120), which are arranged to receive input data in a functional mode of the electronic circuit (100), and which are coupled to a test unit in a test mode of the electronic circuit (100). The test unit has a combinatorial circuit (160) for implementing a multiple-input XOR or XNOR gate. The test unit also provides interconnections between the first selection of I/O nodes (120) and a second selection of I/O nodes (130) via logic gates (141–144). These interconnections increase the interconnect test coverage of the electronic device (100), because the interconnects with the further electronic circuits that are associated with I/O nodes (131–134) become testable as well.

Abstract: A semiconductor test apparatus comprising a test apparatus main body for generating a test pattern provided to a semiconductor device, a test head which contacts the semiconductor device and provides the test pattern generated by the test apparatus main body for the semiconductor device, a cable for delivering the test pattern to the test head from the test apparatus main body and a movable supporting unit for moving in a direction to release tension when tension occurs in the cable while holding the cable.

Abstract: A TFT-LCD source driver with a built-in test circuit includes N driving units and P test units. Each driving unit receives digital data and generates an analog output signal according to the digital data. Each test unit receives the analog output signals, selects one of them as a test signal according to a select signal, and compares the test signal with a high reference voltage and a low reference voltage to output an indication signal. The indication signal is set to indicate an abnormal state as the voltage of the test signal is higher than the high reference voltage or lower than the low reference voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for testing the processing electronics of a detector module for an X-ray computer tomograph. To provide a measurement environment which is as noise-free as possible, the processing electronics to be tested are tested when they are DC decoupled from a current source and a measurement and tapping apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and systems formulate the impedance for decoupling capacitors of a multiple power supply printed circuit board considering plane capacitance, series resonant frequencies, parallel resonant frequencies and impedance. The impedances are evaluated at anti-resonant frequencies, which have been found to be the problematic frequencies and potentials for high impedance. Once such impedance at selected frequencies have been determined, they can be compared to target values, set for example by various system integrity or EMI standards or design parameters, to assess whether a particular DC power supply system performs properly from signal integrity or electromagnetic radiation points of view. This ability to readily assess a high probability of compliance theoretically will reduce research and development time and budget, reducing possibly many iterations of board designs and trials and error physical testing.

Abstract: A measuring device including a Hall sensor arranged in a centrally and axially movable manner in a magnetic tube. Each half of the magnetic tube includes a north and south pole that are diametrically opposed, wherein the north pole on the first half of the tube is also diametrically opposed to the north pole on the second half of the tube, and the south pole formed on the first half of the tube is also diametrically opposed to the south pole on the second half of the tube.