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

Abstract: The invention describes the use of an electrical pulse that is a single square wave to excite a piezoelectric crystal. This pulse is applied alternately to either side of the crystal at twice the nominal resonant frequency of the crystal. This method provides a significant increase in net drive power to the crystal without the need to provide a sine wave excitation of plus and minus voltage to the crystal.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator suitable for use in a high frequency band is provided, in which variation in the piezoelectric material is reduced, variation in performance is reduced, and production can be performed without the need for a polarization treatment step. In the piezoelectric resonator, a piezoelectric material made of a wurtzite structure compound crystal is disposed, the crystal epitaxially grown in such a way that a (1,1,?2,0) crystal face becomes parallel to a surface of the R-plane sapphire substrate having a (0,1,?1,2) crystal face parallel to the substrate surface, and a pair of excitation electrodes are disposed on a pair of principal surfaces opposite to each other in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric material in such a way that the pair of excitation electrodes sandwich the C plane which is a (0,0,0,1) crystal face perpendicular to the (1,1,?2,0) crystal face of the tabular piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A micro-beam friction liner adapted to increase performance and efficiency and reduce wear in a piezoelectric motor or actuator or other device using a traveling or standing wave to transfer energy in the form of torque and momentum. The micro-beam friction liner comprises a dense array of micro-beam projections having first ends fixed relative to a rotor and second ends projecting substantially toward a plurality of teeth of a stator, wherein the micro-beam projections are compressed and bent during piezoelectric movement of the stator teeth, thereby storing the energy, and then react against the stator teeth to convert the stored energy stored to rotational energy in the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy having a piezo transducer (1), which is formed from two or more layers, and having a mass/spring system (2, 3, 4), which can oscillate, in a holder (5), which is caused (6) to oscillate mechanically when stimulated, which oscillations periodically deform the piezo transducer such that an alternating voltage occurs on the connecting wires (7) of the transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic phased array transducer system comprises an ultrasonic phased array transducer having a piezo central element, concentric piezo ring elements enclosing the piezo central element, concentric sectored piezo rings having piezo sector elements enclosing the piezo ring elements; a driver/processor having a plurality of input/output ports, each input/output port in electrical communication with at least one of the piezo central element, the piezo ring elements, or the piezo sector elements; and a plurality of piezo element impedance matching circuits provided in a plurality of electrical channels connecting the driver/processor and the ultrasonic phased array transducer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive including a pair of mutually opposing vibration plates, each having a first portion and a second portion, a fixation section joined to the first portion of each of the vibration plates, and at least one piezoelectric/electrostrictive element arranged on at least one of the vibration plates. A surface of the device between the fixation section and the second portion of at least one of the vibration plates is curved.

Abstract: A microcavity color OLED device, includes at least one light-emitting layer arranged so as to produce light; a reflector and a semi-transparent reflector forming a microcavity structure for resonating the light produced in the at least one light emitting layer; and a color filter element disposed over the microcavity structure including a light-scattering material selected so as to reduce the angular dependence of the light that has passed through the color filter element.

Abstract: A flat panel display spacer has a sintered body containing A12O3, TiC, MgO, and TiO2, whereas the sintered body includes 35 to 55 wt % of MgO with respect to the total weight of A12O3, TiC, MgO, and TiO2.

Abstract: An electron emission device can include gate electrodes formed on a substrate and cathode electrodes insulated from the gate electrodes with an insulating layer interposed between them. Each cathode electrode can have a receptor at a peripheral side. Electron emission regions may be formed within the receptors and in contact with the cathode electrodes. Counter electrodes can face the cathode electrodes, can be coplanar with the cathode electrodes, and can be coupled to the gate electrodes. The shortest distance between the electron emission region and the counter electrode may be smaller than the shortest distance between the cathode electrode and the counter electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlled alignment of catalyticaly grown nanostructures in a large-scale synthesis process. An apparatus includes an electrode including: a protruding section defining an edge; and a nonprotruding section coupled to the protruding section, where the edge is adapted to deflect an electric field generated with the electrode and at least one section selected from the group consisting of the protruding section and the nonprotruding section is adapted to support a substrate for the growth of elongated nanostructures.

Abstract: An illumination device (10) that preferably includes a cold cathode fluorescent bulb (30), wherein the illumination device (10) further includes a substantially cylindrical casing (34) positioned about the bulb (30), and a reflector (32) substantially coextensive with a length of the bulb (30). An end cap (40) is provided that includes a locating surface (37) for the reflector (32), and a support for the bulb (30). A mounting member or fitting (18) is provided having a groove (19) adapted to receive a protrusion (42) from the casing (34) that allows relative rotation between the casing (34) and the fitting (18) less than 360°. A watertight fluorescent light (31) is further provided having a special four point seal that includes an O-ring (350) forming seals approximately at four radial positions about a cross sectional profile thereof.

Abstract: A flat display includes a front glass plate, substrate, cathode, gate electrode, a phosphor screen and metal-backed film, and matrix-like spacer. The front glass plate is at least partly transparent. The substrate is arranged to oppose the front glass plate through a vacuum space. The cathode is formed on the substrate and has an electron-emitting source made of nano tube fibers. The gate electrode has an electron-passing hole in a direction perpendicular to the substrate and is arranged in the vacuum space away from the cathode to oppose the substrate. The phosphor screen and metal-backed film are sequentially stacked on a surface of the front glass plate which opposes the substrate. The matrix-like spacer is stacked between the gate electrode and front glass plate and has a plurality of openings each corresponding to the electron-passing hole.

Abstract: An image display apparatus is composed of a substrate on which an electrode receiving the supply of a power source is formed. By providing an electroconductive member which adheres to the electrode through a hole and seals the hole, the formation of a hermetic lead-in terminal is made to be easy.

Abstract: A light source includes an LED that emits excitation light, a polymeric multilayer reflector that reflects the excitation light and transmits visible light, and a layer of phosphor material spaced apart from the LED. The phosphor material emits visible light when illuminated with the excitation light. The polymeric multilayer reflector reflects excitation light onto the phosphor material. The layer of phosphor material is disposed between the LED and the polymeric multilayer reflector.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an organic compound that has a bipolar property and also a light emitting property, and further has heat resistance. A quinoxaline derivative represented by a general formula (1) is provided. In the formula, A represents any one of an alkylene chain, silicon (Si), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S). R1 to R8, which may be identical or different, individually represent any one of a lower alkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group.

Abstract: Organic electroluminescent devices having improved light extraction include a light-scattering medium disposed adjacent thereto. The light-scattering medium has a light scattering anisotropy parameter g in the range from greater than zero to about 0.99, and a scatterance parameter S less than about 0.22 or greater than about 3.

Abstract: Metal halide lighting with good color during dimming may be obtained. An appropriate balance of commonly used metal halides (NaI, DyI3, CeI3, CaI2, TlI) is dosed in the lamp. No mercury is used. A higher than typical xenon fill pressure from 50 to 500 Kilopascals may be used to help control thermal properties and voltage. If necessary, modulation of the power at acoustic resonance frequencies may be used to straighten and center the arc. Efficient and pleasant white output is obtained. As the power is reduced, the chromaticity either (1) remains fairly constant or (2) drifts acceptably towards warm pinkish colors. Large factors of attenuation in output can be realized. The lumen output was reduced by at least a factor of twenty in one sample as the power was dimmed from 70 to 20 watts.

Abstract: A structure, in which the frame can be successfully fixed to the plasma display apparatus at a low cost, has been disclosed. The plasma display apparatus comprises a plasma display panel, circuit substrates having drive circuits to drive the plasma display panel, a main frame to mount the circuit substrates, and adhesive tapes to fix the plasma display panel to the main frame, and small holes are provided on the portion to which the adhesive tapes of the main frame are fixed so that they are arranged regularly at established intervals. When the adhesive tapes and the main frame are fixed, no air bubbles form between the adhesive tapes and the main frame because plural small holes are provided on the portion to which the adhesive tapes of the main frames are fixed.

Abstract: Almost only choice by a secondary electron emission layer/protection layer covering the dielectric layer of an AC type PDP has been magnesium oxide (MgO) that is unstable during the production process and difficult to form, thus posing a serious production problem. An AC type PDP constructed such that, instead of covering the surface of a dielectric layer with a dielectric material such as MgO, an insular electrode is made by forming a conductive material such as nickel, aluminum, magnesium and lanthanum hexaboride into an insular shape, and the insular electrode is allowed to capacity-couple with a lower-layer bus electrode by means of an electrostatic capacity formed by a dielectric layer to operate the insular electrode as a sustained electrode.

Abstract: A plasma display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other to provide a discharge space between the first substrate and the second substrate, a scan electrode and a sustain electrode both provided on the first substrate, a dielectric layer for covering the scan electrode and the sustain electrode, and a protective layer provided on the dielectric layer. The protective layer includes magnesium oxide and magnesium carbide. This plasma display panel performs stable discharge characteristics, such as a driving voltage, thereby displaying an image stably.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plasma display panel filters, and more specifically the present invention is in the field of multiple layer plasma display panel filters comprising a PVB layer. Also included are methods of filtering plasma display panel radiation and plasma display panel devices utilizing plasma display panel filters of the present invention.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent device includes first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other, the first and second substrates including a pixel region; a gate line on an inner surface of the first substrate; a data line crossing the gate line; a switching thin film transistor connected with the gate line and the data line; a driving thin film transistor connected with the switching thin film transistor; a power line connected with the driving thin film transistor; a first electrode on an inner surface of the second substrate; a first sidewall and a second sidewall on the first electrode at a boundary of the pixel region, the first sidewall and the second sidewall spaced apart from each other; an electroluminescent layer on the first electrode in the pixel region; a second electrode on the electroluminescent layer in the pixel region; and a connection electrode electrically connected to the first and second substrates.

Abstract: A high-intensity discharge lamp connected to a lighting device has various superior emission properties such as efficiency. The discharge lamp includes a translucent ceramic discharge vessel, in which a pair of electrodes and a discharge medium are inserted. The lamp further includes an outer jacket, in which the arc tube is disposed, and a pair of feeder members. The discharge medium has metal halides including those of Na, Tl and Tm or Na, Tl, In and Tm, and the ratio (MTm/M) of the weight of the gross sealed mass M of the metal halides to the filled mass MTm of the Tm halide is about 0.4?MTm/M?0.9. The deviation in chromaticity (d.u.v.) on the x-y chromaticity coordinates (CIE 1931) for the overall operating position during the life of the lamp is within the range of about ?0.006 to +0.010.

Abstract: A high-power relativistic magnetron wherein the cathode geometry is shaped to form a DC electric field that has a non-negligible azimuthal component causing preferential selection of the pi mode at startup (suppression of mode competition), a significant increase in radiated power output and time integrated efficiency when compared to standard relativistic magnetron cathode designs.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp has incorporated a circuit board within a recess in the bulb, wherein the circuit board contains connections and circuitry to control power to the lamp filament while maintaining the attachment of the bulb to the metal base, wherein the completed lamp assembly including the circuit board and the metal base maintains the external physical dimensions to fit into standard incandescent light fixtures. The circuitry on the circuit board contains performance-modifying or performance-monitoring electronic circuitry configured to reflect the restrictive size and thermal considerations while employing designs and manufacturing processes most typically found in such products.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, an electrical transformer that surrounds the vacuum chamber to induce an electromagnetic field within the vacuum chamber, and an ignition circuit. The electrical transformer induces an electromagnetic field within the vacuum chamber. The transformer includes a primary winding and a plasma loop coupled to the vacuum chamber to perform as a secondary winding. The ignition circuit is coupled to an ignition core section of the vacuum chamber to ignite the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: The continuity of a series-wired, lamp circuit is restored after interruption caused by failure of a lamp filament by providing a control relay that is wired in parallel with each lamp. A power resistor having a resistive load substantially the same as that of a lamp filament is arranged in series with the relay contacts, which are normally open. The failure of a lamp filament causes a high voltage to be impressed across the coil of the relay, causing it to pick up and its contacts to close, thus substituting the resistor for the lamp filament and restoring continuity to the circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit and to a method for operating a lamp. In this case, a reactance for the purpose of detecting the lamp voltage, a zero point detection device for the purpose of determining the zero crossing of the current through the reactance and a current measuring device and, finally, a track-and-hold circuit triggered by the zero point detection device are used to measure the lamp current in such a way that the influence of parasitic capacitances is still ruled out.

Abstract: A power conversion device has a series circuit of a main switching element and a sub-switching element connected to both ends of a DC power supply, an insulating transformer, and control circuits. The main switching and sub-switching elements are alternately turned on and off by the respective control circuits such that voltage generated in the secondary coil is subjected to smoothing rectification and supplied to a load. The insulating transformer includes a primary coil, and the main control circuit takes voltage of the primary coil as signal voltage to cause the main switching element to turn on and off such that DC voltage supplied to the load is constant. The sub-control circuit turns on the sub-switching element when the voltage at both ends of the sub-switching element becomes lower than a reference voltage or when the voltage of the primary coil exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A power control circuit includes a power switch unit operable so as to enable and disable supply of an input voltage from an external power source to an LC circuit, a voltage detecting unit for generating a first voltage signal in accordance with an output voltage applied to a load and outputted by the LC circuit, and a current detecting unit for generating a second voltage signal in accordance with a current flowing through the power switch unit. A driver receives a pulse width modulation signal from a comparator in accordance with a comparison result between a summation of the first and second voltage signals and a reference voltage, and outputs a driving signal to a control input unit of the power switch unit so as to control a duty cycle of the power switch unit, thereby controlling rated power supplied to the load to correspond to the reference voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a LED driver for controlling the brightness of the LED. An inductor and a switch are connected in series with the LED for controlling the current of the LED. A diode is coupled in parallel to the inductor for freewheeling the energy of the inductor through the LED. A control circuit is developed to generate a control signal for switching the switch in response a reflected signal of inductor and the LED current. The LED current is further adjusted in response to the reflected signal. The value of the reflected signal is correlated to the LED temperature. Therefore the LED current can be programmed in accordance with the LED temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a LED driver for control the brightness of the LED. An energy-transferred element and a switch are connected in series with the LED for controlling the current of the LED. A diode is coupled to the energy-transferred element for freewheeling the energy of the energy-transferred element through the LED. A control circuit is developed to generate a control signal for switching the switch in response to the LED current. The LED current is further adjusted in response to a voltage signal of the LED. The value of the voltage signal is correlated to the LED temperature. Therefore the LED current can be programmed in accordance with the LED temperature.

Abstract: An inverter capable of switching working frequency for activating a lamp. The inverter comprises a voltage converter, a feedback circuit, a control unit and a frequency switcher. The voltage converter transforms a DC input voltage into a second AC voltage according to a control signal. The lamp is activated and generates a feedback current. The circuit converts the feedback current into the feedback voltage. The control unit for generating a first working frequency includes a resonance circuit having a specific resistance and capacitance, and a control device for generating the control signal according to a reference voltage, the first working frequency and the feedback voltage in a predetermined period. Then, the switcher changes the specific resistance and/or capacitance for enabling the control unit to generate a second working frequency. The control device outputs the control signal according to the second working frequency and the feedback voltage.

Abstract: An alignment stage apparatus including a vacuum chamber, a linear motor including a plurality of coils to drive a stage, a coil selector which selectively energizes the plurality of coils, and a storage box arranged to store the coil selector. The interior of the storage box is connected to the outside of the vacuum chamber. The linear motor and the storage box are arranged in the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A turn-on interlock for propelling a vehicle, in particular a magnetic levitation train (maglev), along a track is disclosed, as well as a drive incorporating the turn-on interlock. A stator of a linear motor forming the drive and extending along the track is divided into a plurality of stator sections which can be sequentially connected to an electric power source for propelling the vehicle. Each stator section has one or more feed switches for connecting the stator section to an electric power source, and signaling elements ganged with the feed switches. The turn-on interlock prevents more than one stator section from being connected to the power source at any given time. A stator section can only be connected if all signaling elements or all signaling elements of at least a predetermined subset of the signaling elements indicate an “open” switching state of the feed switch.

Abstract: In the vehicle of the invention, when the temperature of an inverter 42 for driving a motor MG2 linked to front wheels 62a and 62b reaches or exceeds a preset restriction start temperature, the drive control of the invention controls the inverters 42 and 43 to gradually decrease the output torque of the motor MG2 simultaneously with a gradual increase in output torque of a motor MG3, which is linked to rear wheels 64a and 64b. Such torque control ensures output of a torque demand required for the vehicle. When the temperature of the inverter 42 reaches or exceeds a preset frequency switchover temperature, which is higher than the restriction start temperature, the drive control of the invention controls the inverters 42 and 43 to lower a switching frequency of transistors T1 to T6 in the inverter 42 and to ensure output of the torque demand. Such drive control effectively relieves the load of the inverter 42, while decreasing the frequency of lowering the switching frequency of the inverter 42.

Abstract: A control circuit of rotational speed of a fan is provided, wherein by a switching of a switch unit, a PWM (Pulse Wide Modulation) unit can output a sampling pulse whose period is changing. A voltage is also changing following the period after taking a sample to an AC voltage by the control unit. The voltage after sampling serves as a working voltage of a load unit, so as to enable a fan device and a lamp device of the load unit to achieve effects of adjusting speed and brightness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the speed of a DC electric motor receives a periodic commutation signal having a fixed duration on cycle and an off cycle. The commutation signal then is modified to form a periodic modified commutation signal having substantially the same period duration as the commutation signal. The modified commutation signal has a single on cycle per period. The method and apparatus then determine a desired speed of the motor, and vary the duration of the on cycle of the commutation signal to form the on cycle of the modified commutation signal. The on cycle of the modified commutation signal has a duration that is less than the fixed duration. By varying in this manner, the rotor rotates at substantially the desired speed.

Abstract: A motor control system has a rotary member, a motor for imparting a torque to the rotary member, a motor driving circuit for supplying power to the motor, and a drive control circuit for controlling a motor current supplied to the motor. An upper limit value of the motor current supplied to the motor is set so as to be variable. At the start of the motor, the drive control means controls the motor current by using the upper limit value as a set value.

Abstract: A brushless dc motor includes a PWM drive IC member, a Hall IC member, a PWM converter circuit and a Rotational Detection (RD) signal line. The PWM drive IC member electrically connects with the Hall IC member, the PWM drive IC member further includes a pin electrically connected with the PWM converter circuit. The RD signal line connects between the pin of the PWM drive IC member and the PWM converter circuit, and further connects with a RD signal source to supply RD signals to the pin of the PWM drive IC member. When the motor is jammed, the jammed RD signals can build a predetermined voltage which can determine the PWM drive IC member to be restarted or operated at a predetermined-speed mode. In this circumstance, no inrush current of the jammed motor will occur.

Abstract: A voltage for driving a cooling fan is usually output from a fan voltage control circuit. Whether to cause the fan voltage control circuit to output the drive voltage or not is controlled by a system management utility (software) and a bridge controller (hardware) on the basis of temperature data from a temperature sensor. To provide for the occurrence of a failure in the system management utility or the bridge controller, a temperature comparator monitors the temperature data from the temperature sensor and instructs a fan voltage control circuit to output a drive voltage for the cooling fan in the case where the temperature rises above a given value.

Abstract: A multiple axis servo control implements a multi-tasking PWM control unit to provide PWM signals for multiple axes in a single unit. A time slice mechanism provides axis selection signals based on a system clock signal to permit control parameters of the selected axis to be processed to control the selected motor drive axis. The single unit PWM control mechanism eliminates complex and costly multiple axis networks typically associated with independent servo motor controls for each axis in a multi-axis system. A single PWM unit implementation also permits the reduction of components for closed loop current control and closed loop velocity control in the multi-axis servo control system.

Abstract: The invention provides for the monitoring and control of a system, such as a linear electro-mechanical transducer, e.g. a linear electric motor, particularly when driven in a reciprocating manner. A dynamic model of the linear motor and its load is used to calculate from the input drive to the motor a predicted response of the motor. The predicted response is compared to a measured response and the model parameters are varied by global optimisation until the two match as closely as desired. The drive may be the voltage input to the electrical motor and the response may be the electrical current in the motor coils. The parameters and variables of the model, after optimisation, can be taken as good estimates of the actual operating parameters and variables of the linear motor. This gives a measurement of such quantities as the stoke and offset of the linear motor. The invention is particularly applicable to the use of linear motors to drive compressors, for instance in Stirling cycle coolers.

Abstract: A method and system of compensating wave reflections in transmission lines is provided. The system includes a compensator that transforms a transmission line (which connects an actuator and a motor) into a delay transfer to remove wave reflections, by exploiting a scattering variables representation of the transmission line. The compensator can be a filter with delays that transforms the transmission line into a delay transfer through appropriate linear combinations of delayed or un-delayed voltages and currents. The filter may admit a discrete-time finite-dimensional realization that preserves the wave reflection removal properties for signals. A back-to-back rectifier-inverter or hybrid filter implementation may realize the filter.

Abstract: A method of controlling the speed and position of a motor includes receiving a pulse train indicative of the speed of the motor, and a periodic signal at a frequency greater than the pulse train. The number of cycles of the periodic signal per cycle of the pulse train is counted, and compared to a predetermined number. The speed of the motor is adjusted to match the count to the predetermined number, thus effecting speed control. A command position signal defining a plurality of sampling points is generated. The number of cycles of the periodic signal between a sampling point of the command position signal and an operative edge of the pulse train is counted and compared to a predetermined number. The speed of the motor is further adjusted to match the count to the predetermined number, thus effecting position control.

Abstract: A position-sensorless motor control device has a superposer that superposes, on the drive current with which the motor is driven, a superposed current having a different frequency than the drive current, a superposed component extractor that extracts, from the motor current fed to the motor, the ?-axis and ?-axis components of the superposed current, and a controller that controls the motor so that the direct-current component of the arithmetic product of the extracted ?-axis and ?-axis components of the superposed current converges to zero.

Abstract: A single-phase induction motor and a method for reducing noise in the same, which can eliminate unbalance between magnetomotive forces of main and auxiliary windings in a stator of the motor, thereby implementing a low noise, low vibration motor, and can also achieve balance between the magnetomotive forces of the stator windings in the entire running range of the motor, and can further achieve balance between the magnetomotive forces of the stator windings on the basis of temperature increase of the motor as it runs. The amplitude of a main-winding current flowing through the main winding in the stator is controlled to be equal to the amplitude of an auxiliary-winding current flowing through the auxiliary winding in the stator, and the phase difference between the main-winding and auxiliary-winding currents is controlled to be maintained at a predetermined value.

Abstract: A controller of a pulse width modulation signal-driven device, includes: an instruction input of operating the pulse width modulation signal-driven device; a control section generating a control clock which operates the pulse width modulation signal-driven device; a frequency modulator frequency-modulating the control clock, to thereby give to the control clock a frequency variation in a predetermined frequency range; a frequency varier generating a modulation signal inputted to the frequency modulator; and a first switching member driving the switching element which flows a predetermined drive current to the pulse width modulation signal-driven device based on the frequency-modulated control clock. The frequency varier includes: a first signal generator setting a range of diffusing a switching noise in a frequency range, and a unit for shifting a frequency band of the switching noise by giving a predetermined offset voltage to an output voltage of the first signal generator.

Abstract: A charging and discharging strategy for a rechargeable battery pack is disclosed. The strategy involves monitoring and learning the battery pack's condition (a cycle life parameter) in terms of its progression through its life cycle. The life cycle parameter may be determined as a function of both time (i.e., the battery pack's age) as well as the number of discharge/recharge cycles. The strategy intentionally under-utilizes the battery during the initial stages of its life, based on the cycle life parameter, by charging it to a first level less then the maximum state of charge. This approach reduces charge voltages, reducing stress on the battery's active materials, thereby increasing its life.