Abstract: An all-metal electron emissive structure for low-pressure lamps is disclosed. The all-metal electron emissive structure consisting of one or more metal is operable to emit electrons in response to a thermal excitation, wherein an active region of the electron emissive structure under steady state operating conditions has a temperature greater than about 1500 degree K, and wherein the cathode fall voltage in the discharge medium under steady state operating conditions is less than about 100 volts. A lamp including an envelope, an electrode including the all-metal electron emissive structure, and a medium, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A high intensity surface discharge pulsed light source system includes a dielectric substrate, a first electrode near the dielectric substrate, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode and near the dielectric substrate, with containment for a discharge gas. The system is electrically powered and cooled from a single end. The discharge volume is sealed from the environment for long operational life, and the surface material chosen to allow for high intensity operation. Reflective coatings are employed to increase the light available for practical use. A pulsed electric discharge circuit provides practical operation for long and safe operation.

Abstract: A power controller for use with lighting systems including a direct current voltage source, a coil of known inductance, a switch means adapted to control application of the source voltage to the coil, means adapted to select a required duty cycle for the switch such that the input power level is substantially constant, and means adapted to control operation of the switch such that this selected duty cycle is effected. A switch mode DC-DC converter is disclosed, wherein regulation occurs by manipulation of input power, without current monitoring.

Abstract: When there is a temperature difference along the length of a cold cathode tube used as a light source for a display device, a cataphoresis phenomenon occurs due to movement of mercury enclosed contained within the tube, thereby shortening the tube life. In order to solve this problem, temperature sensors are provided to detect a temperature difference between both the ends of the tube. A duty cycle of a voltage waveform to be applied from a DC/AC inverter to the tube is changed so as to cancel movement of the mercury due to the temperature difference.

Abstract: A plasma-generation power-supply device includes a transformer connected to an alternating-current power-supply, a rectifier connected to the transformer, an inverter connected to the rectifier a reactor inserted in series in a power line of an ozonizer that is supplied with power from the inverter, and a controllers that controls the inverter. The controller detects the current flowing to the ozonizer with a current detector and provides a control that keeps power applied to the ozonizer constant.

Abstract: There is provided a discharge lamp lighting apparatus including a dimmer circuit which is provided with a control means to dynamically adjust screen brightness according to an input signal, and a control means to adjust screen brightness based on a user's operation. The dimmer circuit includes: an amplitude adjusting circuit to superpose a first dimming control signal composed of a DC voltage onto a second dimming control signal composed of a pulse width modulation signal; an integration circuit to integrate an output of the amplitude adjusting circuit; and a comparison circuit to compare an output of the integration circuit with a triangular wave having a predetermined frequency thereby generating a dimming signal, wherein a burst dimming mode is performed according to the dimming signal.

Abstract: The invention comprises an auxiliary lamp controller and related circuits to operate an auxiliary lamp and circuit to light auxiliary lamps at 120 VAC and 50-60 Hz current connected to an electronic HID ballast operating at a frequency of 50-60 Hz to over 400 kHz and voltages of 120-277 VAC or connected to a magnetic HID ballast operating at 120-277 VAC and 50-60 Hz, as provided by a multitap transformer and related circuitry wherein the auxiliary lamp is illuminated during HID lamp phases of being extinguished from loss of power or other reasons, and during cool-down, start-up and warm-up phases of the HID lamp, and the auxiliary lamp is extinguished upon the HID lamp reaching full illumination phase.

Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to inductively receive power from a primary coil. The lamp assembly includes a lamp circuit including a secondary and a lamp connected in series. In a first aspect, the lamp circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with the lamp and the secondary to tune the circuit to resonance. The capacitor is preferably selected to have a reactance that is substantially equal to or slightly less than the reactance of the secondary and the impedance of the lamp. In a second aspect, the lamp assembly includes a sealed transparent sleeve that entirely encloses the lamp circuit so that the transparent sleeve is fully closed and unpenetrated. The transparent sleeve is preferably the lamp sleeve itself, with the secondary, capacitor and any desired starter mechanism disposed within its interior.

Abstract: A method for applying braking to an electronically commutated motor that includes a switching circuit electrically coupled to one or more windings is described. The method comprises operating the switching circuit to remove power from the windings of the electronically commutated motor, determining when the rotation of a rotor of the electronically commutated motor has decreased to a predetermined speed, and operating the switching circuit to interconnect the windings of the electronically commutated motor such that currents passing through the windings are dissipated through components of the switching circuit and the windings.

Abstract: A method for emulating induction motor operation using an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described herein. The method includes receiving, at the ECM, a desired operating torque, accessing induction motor operating characteristics stored within the ECM, and calculating a new torque demand if a speed associated with the desired operating torque is greater than a breakdown speed of the induction motor. The method also includes setting an output torque for the motor substantially equal to the torque demand for the motor if the speed associated with the desired operating torque is less than the breakdown speed of the induction motor, moving the output torque toward the demanded torque if not substantially equal, and operating the motor at the output torque.

Abstract: The present invention includes a control part for controlling switching elements on diagonal lines in the upper and lower stage of an H bridge circuit respectively by different duty ratios based on a steering torque exerted on a steering system, and an electric power supply source for supplying an electric power. When the voltage of the electric power supply source is lower than a prescribed voltage, the control part causes the switching element EET 1 or FET 2 on the upper-stage side to be driven by a pulse width modulation signal PWM1 or PWM2, the switching element FET 4 or FET3 on the lower-stage side to be turned on, and the frequency of the pulse width modulation signal to be lowered to an audible frequency range.

Abstract: A torque detection portion includes a first arm having a detection coil L1 and a resistor R1, and a second arm having a detection coil L2 and a resistor R2. When a test mode is set, a reference voltage Vref having an abnormal value is outputted to a monitoring portion 13. An abnormal condition is intentionally caused in the monitoring portion 13. A main torque signal Vtm is compared with a sub torque signal Vts in the monitoring portion 13. When the reference voltage Vref set in the monitoring portion 13 has the abnormal value, a sub torque signal Vts having a level of 0 (Vts=0) is forcibly outputted inanormal condition. Then the signal Vtm is equal to the signal Vts, the monitoring portion 13 determines that a shortcircuit occurs between a main torque signal line and a sub torque signal line.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle is capable of transmitting driving forces of an engine and an electric motor to driving wheels through an automatic transmission and of releasing mechanical connection between the engine and the transmission by a clutch. A torque control unit switches between deceleration implemented only by the motor and deceleration by the engine and the motor by controlling the clutch based upon magnitude relation between a required deceleration torque and an upper limit deceleration torque generable by the motor. The required torque and the upper limit deceleration torques become equal to each other when the revolution speed of the motor is predetermined revolution speed. The predetermined revolution speed for the required deceleration torque corresponding to a forward gear related to downshift of the transmission differs from revolution speed that falls in the range of revolution speed fluctuation of the motor at the time of the downshift.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the position of a magnetic shaft are provided. N field sensors are adjacently positioned at fixed locations relative to the shaft's periodic field, corresponding to 180/N relative phase shifts. A table provides N>2 predetermined signal models and a pre-identified position associated with each. An interpolator compares a representation of the N measured sensor signals to at least two predetermined models to generate a correction signal that provides another pre-identified position. The correction signal depends on N sensors for every position of the shaft. The correction signal is used to incrementally choose said another pre-identified position from the table as an approximate position of the shaft in an iterative process to find the minimum correction signal and identify the position.

Abstract: A control circuit and a control method of controlling a rotation frequency of a spindle in an optical disc drive, the control circuit comprising: a spindle controller, electrically coupled to the spindle, for driving the spindle to rotate an optical disc according to a rotation control signal; a detector, electrically coupled to the spindle controller, for detecting the rotation frequency and for generating detecting signals; a frequency-adjusting module, electrically coupled to the detector, for adjusting at least one of the detecting signals to reduce a rotation frequency difference between detecting signals; a signal selector, electrically coupled to the frequency-adjusting module, for receiving output signals generated from the frequency-adjusting module and then outputting the rotation control signal.

Abstract: A controller including a learning control unit for determining learning data based on a positional deviation between a target-position command commanding superimposed-type motion including repetitive motion and a positional fed-back variable obtained from an output portion of an electric motor; and an operation control section for controlling the electric motor based on a corrected positional deviation. The learning control unit includes a first learning section for periodically determining, based on the positional deviation, and storing, first learning data according to a first learning period; a learning-data correcting section for correcting the first learning data to eliminate an influence of a local change included in the target-position command or the positional fed-back variable and periodically arising according to a period different from the first learning period; and a positional-deviation correcting section for correcting the positional deviation by using corrected learning data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manipulator arm and drive system that can be operated in multiple modes, including an on or off mode, referred to herein as a “rate mode” or a spatially correspondent (“SC”) mode. The multi-mode manipulator arm and drive system of the present invention can be hydraulically operated subsea.

Abstract: In a method of automatically setting the vibration suppression filter, when a vibration detection portion detects a vibration A2, a state variable frequency analysis portion analyzes the frequencies of data from a state variable trace portion to calculate a vibration frequency A3, and the frequency characteristics of the vibration suppression filter is set based on a vibration frequency A5. A vibration level store portion stores the vibration level before the automatic setting of the vibration suppression filter, a filter setting selection portion compares the vibration level after the automatic setting with the vibration level before the automatic setting A6. When the vibration level after the automatic setting is larger than the vibration level before the automatic setting, restoring of the setting of the vibration suppression filter to the state before the automatic setting A7 and/or reducing the gain of a servo control portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a controller and driving apparatus for an electric vehicle, which enables a motor to steadily output torque even when there is an increase in the rotation speed of an internal combustion engine that drives a generator. A motor control unit includes a voltage/current command generator F10. The voltage/current command generator F10 includes a base command determination unit, which determines a base command value for the output voltage of the generator and base command values for d- and q-axis currents that drive an AC motor, and power generation operating point change means, which changes the command values that are output from the base command determination unit. When an operating point of the generator approaches an unstable region where the generator unsteadily operates, the power generation operating point change means changes the generator's operating point to position it within a stable region.

Abstract: A running pattern of one cycle in a preset industrial machine is observed by a current detector and a temperature rise value estimating unit that are additionally provided in a traditional inverter device. The temperature rise value estimating unit derives a maximum temperature rise estimate value for each constituent element in the case where the running pattern is periodically repeated, on the basis of observation data of the one cycle and a temperature rise model of each constituent element of the inverter device.

Abstract: The present invention employed a motor control device including: current sensors which detect currents in each phase of a three-phase motor; a coordinate conversion device which computes a d-axis actual current and a q-axis actual current in dq-coordinates from phase currents of three phases based on detection values of the current sensors; a voltage instruction computation device which computes a d-axis voltage instruction and a q-axis voltage instruction based on a deviation between a d-axis current instruction and the d-axis actual current and on a deviation between a q-axis current instruction and the q-axis actual current; a target phase current computation device which computes target phase currents for each phase from the d-axis current instruction and the q-axis current instruction; and a current difference computation device which computes, for each phase, a current difference between the phase current and the target phase current.

Abstract: A mobile phone charger for charging a mobile phone through a power cord adapter. The mobile phone charger includes a housing unit which has a receptacle mounted therein for receiving the power cord adapter. A power source placed in the housing unit is electrically connected to the receptacle to electrically charge the mobile phone.

Abstract: A battery management system for managing a plurality of subsystem circuits and functions of a mobile communication device powered by a battery is disclosed. The battery management system includes a battery monitoring circuit a user interface, and a battery management module. The battery monitoring circuit is operable to monitor a present battery capacity and generate a battery capacity signal based on the present battery capacity. The user interface is operable to receive a user-input allocation of battery capacity among the subsystem circuits and functions. The battery management module is operable to receive the user-input allocation and the battery capacity signal, and to selectively disable each subsystem circuit or function when each subsystem circuit or function has depleted its allocation of battery capacity.

Abstract: In a charging/discharging control system for controlling an allowable power level of a secondary battery at the time of charging/discharging operations, excessive discharging or recharging of the secondary battery is prevented, and excessive suppression of the charging/discharging of the secondary battery is prevented. A vehicle ECU controls charging/discharging of the secondary battery in accordance with a predetermined allowable power level. A battery ECU detects an actual loading power level of a secondary battery; calculates a differential power level between the detected actual loading power level and an allowable power level; measures the number of times the calculated differential power level has become equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value; and downwardly revises the allowable power level when the count has become equal to or greater than a predetermined upper-limit level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for measuring the concentration of the particles contained in a fluid. The device comprises a control volume body having a predetermined effective volume. An inlet path is formed at an end of the control volume body to feed the fluid into the control volume body therethrough. An outlet path is formed at another end of the control volume body to discharge the fluid from the control volume body therethrough. Measuring instruments are provided at the inlet path and the outlet path to emit electrical signals when the fine particles pass through the inlet path and the outlet path. A computing machine receives the electrical signals transmitted from the measuring instruments, and then computes the number and the concentration of fine particles contained in the control volume body. The device is easily integrated with Micro-TAS (Total analysis System).

Abstract: The invention provides a signal transmission device that transmits a signal applied to a pair of input terminals to a pair of output terminals insulated electrically from the pair of input terminals while reducing the influence of an external noise magnetic field. The signal transmission device has a pair of coils, a pair of magnetic sensors and a signal output section. Each of the coils is connected between the pair of input terminals. Each of the coils generates a magnetic field respectively in response to the input signal applied between the pair of input terminals. A direction of the magnetic field generated by one of the coils is opposite to a direction of the magnetic field generated by the other of the coils. Each of the magnetic sensors corresponds to one of the coils exclusively. Each of the magnetic sensors detects the magnetic field generated by the corresponding coil, and outputs a detection signal in response to the detected magnetic field.

Abstract: A method is described to provide temperature compensation and self-calibration of a current sensor based on a plurality of magnetic field sensors positioned around a current carrying conductor. A reference electrical current carried by a conductor positioned within the sensing window of the current sensor is used to correct variations in the output signal due to temperature variations and aging.

Abstract: A method is described to provide temperature compensation and self-calibration of a current sensor based on a plurality of magnetic field sensors positioned around a current carrying conductor. A reference magnetic field generated within the current sensor housing is detected by a separate but identical magnetic field sensor and is used to correct variations in the output signal due to temperature variations and aging.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a device inspection apparatus that is capable of judging the functions of operating control buttons on a cellular phone or like device automatically and easily. [Solution] The device inspection apparatus comprises an adapter unit 2 on which a cellular phone 1 is mounted; a camera 4 for picking up the image of an LCD panel 3, which serves as a display section for the cellular phone 1; a plunger unit 7, which has a plurality of releases 6 for pressing a key button 5 on the cellular phone 1; a computer 8 for controlling the operation of the plunger unit 7 and exercising control, for instance, for judging the contents of the LCD panel 3; and a monitor 9 for displaying an LCD panel image and an image based on a signal from the computer 8. A still picture, motion picture, or audio output, which is acquired when a release 6 presses a key button 5, is compared against a predetermined expected image or sound to judge the functionality of the cellular phone 1.

Abstract: A portable electronics testing device for use in testing automotive electronics. There is a housing, including: a shell; a handle; and a wheel. There is an electronics module coupled to the housing, configured to test an electronic device, and including: a speaker module configured to produce audio; a speaker connection module coupled to the speaker module and configured to provide an interface for driving the speaker module; a power module configured to provide electrical power; and a receiver module configured to receive radio frequency information.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for cleaning contactors equipped with contact pins such as pogo pins include steps which may be performed in concert with common semiconductor device testing processes using automatic test equipment and associated handlers. The preferred embodiments of the invention include method steps for mounting a surrogate cleaning device in a tester load board socket and applying the contact pins associated with automatic test equipment to the surrogate cleaning device for cleaning.

Abstract: An inspecting circuit layout according to the present invention is provided. The inspecting circuit layout is adapted for inspecting panel units group by group, each of the panel units having a plurality of first and second signal lines. The inspecting circuit layout includes a multiplexer (MUX) and an inspecting pad. The MUX is electrically connected with at least one of the first or second signal lines of the panel units, and the inspecting pad is electrically connected to the MUX. The MUX is adapted for selectively connecting the inspecting pad with the first or second signal lines of a group of panel units.

Abstract: A plurality of switch circuits are disposed so as to correspond to a plurality of circuit blocks, respectively. Each of the plurality of switch circuits is connected between a power supply terminal of a corresponding circuit block and a power supply line. A setting circuit is disposed to set each of the plurality of switch circuits to be in a valid or invalid state. A switch control circuit turns on each of the plurality of switch circuits according to a first control signal for indicating an operation state of the plurality of circuit blocks when each of the plurality of switch circuits is set in a valid state by the setting circuit and turns on each of the plurality of switch circuits regardless of the first control signal when each of the plurality of switch circuits is set in an invalid state by the setting circuit.

Abstract: Improved methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for testing LGA devices. One example embodiment include vertical routing of test nest assembly cooling lines in order to minimize the test nest footprint and increase available test sites on a single test card. Another example embodiment includes isolating and adjusting external loads and moments into the heatsink/cold plate, wherein these loads and moments involve controlling the centroid to restore more ideal thermal performance of the heatsink/chip interface. Still another example embodiment includes a nest architecture facilitating easy and low-cost replacement of LGA sockets. Finally, another example embodiment includes efficient condensation control of test nest assembly parts by using dry-air exhaust.

Abstract: Improved methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for testing LGA devices. One example embodiment include vertical routing of test nest assembly cooling lines in order to minimize the test nest footprint and increase available test sites on a single test card. Another example embodiment includes isolating and adjusting external loads and moments into the heatsink/cold plate, wherein these loads and moments involve controlling the centroid to restore more ideal thermal performance of the heatsink/chip interface. Still another example embodiment includes a nest architecture facilitating easy and low-cost replacement of LGA sockets. Finally, another example embodiment includes efficient condensation control of test nest assembly parts by using dry-air exhaust.

Abstract: Improved methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for testing LGA devices. One example embodiment include vertical routing of test nest assembly cooling lines in order to minimize the test nest footprint and increase available test sites on a single test card. Another example embodiment includes isolating and adjusting external loads and moments into the heatsink/cold plate, wherein these loads and moments involve controlling the centroid to restore more ideal thermal performance of the heatsink/chip interface. Still another example embodiment includes a nest architecture facilitating easy and low-cost replacement of LGA sockets. Finally, another example embodiment includes efficient condensation control of test nest assembly parts by using dry-air exhaust.

Abstract: To provide a bearing with integrated rotation sensor capable of detecting the rotational speed and the origin position without being affected by an external magnetic field, the bearing includes a rotating ring, a magnetic encoder 7 mounted on the rotating ring, and a stationary ring. The magnetic encoder 7 includes a ring shaped rotational speed to-be-detected member 7A having a plurality of magnetic poles alternating with each other, and a origin position to-be-detected element 7Ba arranged axially in a portion of the circumferential direction of the to-be-detected member 7A. Rotational speed and origin position magnetic sensors are mounted on the stationary ring so as to respectively confront the rotational speed and origin position to-be-detected elements. A magnetized restoration element 7Bb is disposed in a circumferential portion of the magnetic encoder 7, where it confronts the origin position magnetic sensor, and except the second to-be-detected member 7Ba.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device to mechanically secure in position a magnetic linear position sensor that includes a support (4) equipped with detection cells that are sensitive to magnetic induction and a target slide (5) fitted with magnetic elements and mounted to slide on the support in relation to the detection cells. According to the invention, the device includes: mechanical locking resources (12) between the target slide and the support, in order to place the target slide in a reference position in relation to the support, and resources (13) for controlling the locking resources so that the latter can pass from a locked position to an unlocked position of the target slide (5) in relation to the support (4), and vice versa.

Abstract: A method of arranging a resolver comprises the steps of: a, setting stator magnetic poles number of the resolver Ns as a number being in integral multiples (t) of a phase number q; b, figuring out rotor magnetic pole number Nr based on a formula; c, arranging the stator and the rotor based on the stator magnetic poles number of the resolver NS and the rotor magnetic pole number Nr, and producing signals with phase differences.

Abstract: A method for initializing a rotational angle detector detecting rotational angles of two driven gears mated with a drive gear, rotated integrally with a detection subject, and obtaining rotational angle of the detection subject from the detected rotational angles. The method includes obtaining a first error and second error in each rotational angle of the driven gears when the drive gear is rotated in forward and rearward directions, obtaining an average value of the first and second errors, obtaining a difference between the average value and a theoretical rotational angle for the two driven gears when the rotational angle of the drive gear is 0°, and storing the difference as correction data added to each actual rotational angle of the two driven gears when obtaining the rotational angle of the detection subject.

Abstract: A head holder includes a first and second blocks connected each other with a predetermined gap between the blocks by a flexible coupling portion. The second block supports the first block swingably by increasing a width of either one of spaces of the predetermined gap on opposite sides of the coupling portion and narrowing the other space by bending the coupling portion by a piezo actuator. A magnetic head is dynamically moved in a direction crossing a track by swinging a head assembly fixed to the first block.

Abstract: An eddy current probe includes a plurality of deformable substrates each having a pair of coils wound coaxially thereabout in spaced relation and a housing supporting said plurality of substrates adjacent to each other with each substrate compressed in a direction laterally to the axis of the pair of coils wound thereabout. Desirably, the axis of each pair of coils is positioned spaced from a longitudinal axis of the housing and parallel to a tangent to an exterior surface of the housing.

Abstract: “A method of determining the thickness of a conductive film is disclosed. The method employs measured voltage and current responses that have been temperature-compensated to determine the thickness of the conductive film. The temperature compensation uses a temperature compensation factor obtained from a calibration substrate different from the target substrate on which the conductive film being measured is disposed. The calibration substrate has a conductive film formed of a conductive material that is substantially similar to the conductive material of the target substrate.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element which is used in a magnetic sensor is disclosed. The magnetoresistance effect element includes a soft layer whose magnetization easy direction is changed by a direction of an external magnetic field, and a magnetization fixing layer whose magnetization direction is fixed by having a magnetic layer and an anti-ferromagnetic layer. A magnetoresistance effect is generated by a change of electric conduction which is caused by a relative angle between the magnetization easy direction of the soft layer and the magnetization direction of the magnetization fixing layer. When the magnetic sensor includes two or more magnetoresistance effect elements for having two-axis or more vectors of the magnetization directions, the two or more magnetoresistance effect elements are adjacently disposed.

Abstract: A laser-based atomic magnetometer (LBAM) apparatus measures magnetic fields, comprising: a plurality of polarization detector cells to detect magnetic fields; a laser source optically coupled to the polarization detector cells; and a signal detector that measures the laser source after being coupled to the polarization detector cells, which may be alkali cells. A single polarization cell may be used for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) by prepolarizing the nuclear spins of an analyte, encoding spectroscopic and/or spatial information, and detecting NMR signals from the analyte with a laser-based atomic magnetometer to form NMR spectra and/or magnetic resonance images (MRI). There is no need of a magnetic field or cryogenics in the detection step, as it is detected through the LBAM.

Abstract: Disclosed is a probe unit for nuclear magnetic resonance. The probe unit includes a cylindrical outer conductor, a cylindrical central conductor concentrically disposed in the outer conductor, and fluid paths guiding the flow of fluid in the space between the central and outer conductors. By applying a RF current between the outer and central conductors, a sensing magnetic field is generated in a radial direction. Accordingly, it is possible to detect in real time and in situ, variations of characteristics of a fluid under reaction and/or passing through the fluid paths as well as spatial distribution changes of the sample fluid species in the space between the central and outer conductors.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes an imaging signal acquisition unit, a motion signal acquisition unit, a motion amount determination unit, a motion correction unit and an image reconstruction unit. The imaging signal acquisition unit acquires MR signals as imaging signals. The motion signal acquisition unit repetitively acquires MR signals having PE amount less than that of the imaging signals as motion signals. The motion amount determination unit obtains a motion amount using the motion signals. The motion correction unit performs correction processing of the imaging signals in accordance with the motion amount. The image reconstruction unit reconstructs an image using the imaging signals after the correction processing.

Abstract: The present invention improves measurement of the formation induction response in the presence of the primary magnetic field generated by a logging tool's transmitter. A structure is provided having a new combination of electrical and mechanical design features which provide logging tool for internal calibration and checking of antenna performance and characteristics before during and after well logging operations.

Abstract: A relay controller for connecting a power source includes at least one relay having at least two contacts. The relay controller includes a processing device operable to selectively switch the relay contacts, and a feedback circuit adapted to identify an actual state of the relay contacts. The processing device is configured to recognize a fault contact condition of a disparity between an expected state of the relay contacts and the actual state of the relay contacts. The processing device is also configured to responsively communicate information relating to the relay fault condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for monitoring the function of a fill level measuring apparatus, and particularly of a vibration level switch, comprising a first piezo-electric vibration device (SP) as a transmitting device, a second piezo-electric vibration device (EP) as a receiving device, an oscillator circuit (O), the input (P0) and output (P4) of which during normal operation are connected to the vibration devices (EP, SP), the second connections of which devices are at common ground potential, and a monitoring circuit for monitoring the function.