Abstract: An illumination system includes a master power supply providing power to several illumination modules. The master power supply is constructed and arranged to generate high-frequency and low-voltage electrical power provided to a primary wire forming a current loop. Each illumination module includes an electromagnetic coupling element and several light sources. The electromagnetic coupling element includes a magnetic core arranged to receive the current loop in a removable arrangement, and a secondary wire wound around the magnetic core to enable inductive coupling. The secondary wire is connected to provide current to the light sources that may be arranged in the illumination module as a DC load or an AC load.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the armature stroke in a reversible linear drive unit comprising an excitation coil and an armature displaceable in the magnetic field of the excitation coil according to a linear oscillating motion at a predefined armature stroke. The device comprising systems for detecting the current armature position, systems for measuring the actual excitation coil current and systems for adjusting the excitation coil current in such a way that the armature is exactly supplied with electric energy for obtaining the aptitude of oscillations of the armature stroke during each half-wave of the armature motion.

Abstract: An anti-pinch control utilizes certain vehicle information to adjust anti-pinch parameters used to control movement of a powered closure member. The anti-pinch control determines whether a vehicle is stationary, and identifies if an engine is “on” or “off.” A low pinch force parameter is applied when the vehicle is stationary and when the engine is “off.” A high pinch force parameter is applied when the engine is “on.” When the low pinch force parameter is being applied, other safety features could also be incorporated into the control, such as preventing release of a parking brake or preventing movement of a gear selector out of park, for example.

Abstract: A robot hand equipped with a function of gently pinching an object to be held is provided. A single degree of freedom joint for allowing bending or stretching is provided at a connecting portion between a distal phalange section 7 and a middle phalange section 9. Then, a driving mechanism for causing this joint to make a rotating motion within a predetermined angular range is provided. This driving mechanism 14 is constituted by a motor 15 for driving the joint and a speed reducer 17. The motor 15 is included in the middle phalange section 9 and generates a driving force for rotating the joint. The speed reducer 17 reduces a speed of the motor 15 and transmits the reduced speed to the joint.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a positioning device, the positioning device has a stator and mover, the mover being movable relative to the stator; a position sensor configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of the mover relative to the stator; a controller configured to receive the position signal, compare it to a setpoint signal to obtain an error signal, and generate a mover control signal on the basis of a signal component of the position signal, the controller having a variable gain. The positioning device, including the position sensor and the controller, defines a control loop. For error signals having a magnitude in a predefined range, the gain is selectively set to a value higher than a value for error signals having a magnitude outside the range.

Abstract: A disk drive controller including a differential voice coil motor control function is disclosed. The differential voice coil motor control function includes an on-chip compensation network for the inner control loop, including a resistor formed of one or more MOS transistors connected in series. The gate of the MOS transistors in the compensation network is driven with a bias voltage based on a tuning current, where the tuning current is derived so that it varies with process and temperature variations of the integrated circuit, for example with variations in an on-chip capacitor. The on-chip compensation network can be tuned with sufficient precision to properly compensate the inner control loop to provide the desired frequency response in driving the voice coil motor in the disk drive.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement (1) for generating motor characteristic curves, in particular for stabilizing the pull-out torque of a two-phase synchronous motor (2) by using a series-connected element (14). The series-connected element (14) is connected between a first line conductor (12.1) formed as a neutral conductor and the common phase (11) of the synchronous motor (2), and a second line conductor (12.2) implemented as a conductor is connected with a phase of the synchronous motor (2).

Abstract: A controller for a synchronous machine includes: a power converter; a synchronous machine driven by the power converter; a PWM modulation section for controlling the synchronous machine; a current detection section which detects a current conducted to the synchronous machine; a voltage detection section which detects a voltage applied to the synchronous machine; a current variation operation section which operates a current variation during a time interval between timings synchronized with detection sampling in the current detection section; a voltage integration operation section which operates a voltage integration value during a time interval between the same timings as the timings in the current variation operation section; a current variation operation section for a time interval in which all sets are included, defining, as one set, the current variation and the voltage integration value, and operating a current variation during the time interval in which all the sets are included; a voltage integration

Abstract: A motor control device that includes a first speed estimator estimating the rotation speed of the rotor of a permanent-magnet synchronous motor and that controls the motor so that a first estimated rotation speed estimated by the first speed estimator follows the specified speed value further includes a second speed estimator that estimates the rotation speed of the rotor by an estimation method different from that used by the first speed estimator. The motor control device detects synchronization failure based on a comparison between a second estimated rotation speed estimated by the second speed estimator and the first estimated rotation speed or the specified speed value.

Abstract: A circuit suitable for formation as a small sized IC, able to decrease the number of externally attached parts and reduce the size, and stably rotating a motor. When rotating a rotor 101 by three-phase drive signals U, V, and W generated based on a CLK signal from a VCO 7, induction voltages induced in the three-phase coils 102 are monitored and a phase deviation of a rotor phase relative to an electric phase is detected. As a result, when the rotor phase is late relative to the electric phase, a charge pump circuit 5 is driven by an up signal f_up which becomes active for exactly a time in accordance with the phase delay amount, while when the rotor phase is advanced, the charge pump circuit 5 is driven by a down signal f_down which becomes active for exactly a time corresponding to a phase advance amount.

Abstract: A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

Abstract: A battery enclosure includes an electrical circuit that allows the batteries to be inserted in an enclosure all in the same orientation.

Abstract: A battery conditioning method is disclosed. The battery conditioning method eliminates the need for a transistor that blocks power flow from an adapter when power is applied when battery conditioning occurs. According to the embodiment, the adapter/charger voltage may be controlled from a platform.

Abstract: An electrical device has an electrical device body, a rechargeable battery pack that can be removed from the electrical device body, and a fastening unit for attaching the rechargeable battery pack to the electrical device body. It is provided that the fastening unit is designed such that electrical contact between the electrical device body and the rechargeable battery pack is established during an attaching motion.

Abstract: A battery pack includes: a secondary battery; a positive electrode terminal for connecting a positive electrode of the secondary battery to an external electric device; a negative electrode terminal for connecting a negative electrode of the secondary battery to the electric device; a communicator for communicating with the electric device; a communication terminal adapted to be used in connecting the communicator to the electric device to send a signal for the communication; and an electric power receiving terminal for receiving an electric power from the electric device to operate the communicator, wherein the communicator is operated by the electric power received by the electric power receiving terminal.

Abstract: A point-of-sale non-contact charging system to charge portable electronic devices through their packaging on store shelves makes use of electromagnetic induction so that the integrity of the packaging can be maintained and the products can be freely positioned on store shelves. Since the current can be induced in a conductive coil outside of the portable electronic device, the device need not be modified to be charged through this mechanism.

Abstract: A combination battery charger is disclosed to include a housing, a first electric plug pivoted to the housing for connection to the electric socket for cigarette lighter of a motor vehicle and turnable in and out of a first outside open chamber of the housing within the range of 0 to 180° to fit different installation angles, a second electric plug pivoted to the housing for connection to a city power supply outlet and turnable in and out of a second outside open chamber of the housing, and a charging circuit board mounted inside the housing and electrically connected to the first electric plug and the second electric plug for converting city power supply/car battery power supply into a charging power supply for charging a battery being inserted into a third outside open chamber of the housing and set into contact with metal contacts of the charging circuit board that are suspended in the third outside open chamber.

Abstract: A system is provided for mechanically coupling an electrical supply unit for cordless electrical devices with a charging device, the electrical supply unit includes a housing in which at least one battery that can be recharged by the charging device is located, an associated electrical supply unit, and an associated charging device. At least one guide element is located in the front region of the housing of the electrical supply unit, which engages, for mechanical coupling with the charging device, in a corresponding receiving device on the charging device; the combination of the at least one guide rail and the receiving device functions as a flexible coupling or a slide-in, rear-engagement seat.

Abstract: In a cordless power tool system, high temperature gases created in a battery pack by the battery cells during a charging or discharging operation can be routed into a housing of one of an attached power tool or charger to reduce the temperature of the gases, prior to venting the gases externally. In an example, a battery pack has at least one vent hole for relieving pressure and a movable device covering the vent hole and configured to expose the vent hole upon a pressure set-point within the pack housing being exceeded. In another example, the pack housing includes a thin-walled section designed to break if pressure within the pack housing exceeds a given pressure setpoint. In a further example, the pack housing includes a baffle having an S-shaped cross-section for providing a vent path for gases and for preventing external fluids from entering the pack housing.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric appliance has a base body, a locking unit for locking the base body to the electric appliance, an actuating element for unlocking the base body, which element is intended to be actuated by a user in an actuating direction, and a removal direction in which it is possible to remove the base body after it has been unlocked from the electric appliance. The actuating direction has at least one component oriented counter to the removal direction.

Abstract: A handheld power tool has a handheld power tool base body, a battery pack that is detachable from the handheld power tool base body, and an inner cavity with a wall that constitutes a coupling region for the coupling of the battery pack to the handheld power tool base body. The wall has at least one shaped component that is oriented outward in relation to the inner cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recharging apparatus for use with portable electronic user devices such as cell phones, pagers, PDAs, as well as with portable battery powered devices such as flashlights. Charging circuitry is used to charge the user device battery from a battery of the recharging apparatus. The user is able to control the recharging process with a manual on/off switch that is part of the recharging apparatus. Optionally, a manual/automatic mode is provided that allows the user even greater flexibility over charging. Here, the user may select various conditions and options when recharging is permitted.

Abstract: A lead acid battery model suitable for programming on a motor vehicle body computer uses environmental and target battery operating variables for maintaining synchronization of the model with the target battery under actual operating conditions. The model includes a energy flow section with at least two integrators for simulating primary and recovery reservoirs of charge in the battery. An output voltage estimation signal provides a signal for comparison with measured battery voltage for synchronization. Capacity of the reservoirs is generated from manufacturer specifications measured against battery performance.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining an estimated battery state vector and an estimated battery parameter vector are provided. The method includes determining an estimated battery parameter vector indicative of a parameter of the battery at the first predetermined time based on a plurality of predicted battery parameter vectors, a first plurality of predicted battery output vectors, and a battery output vector. The method further includes determining the estimated battery state vector indicative of a state of the battery at the first predetermined time based on a plurality of predicted battery state vectors, a second plurality of predicted battery output vectors, and the battery output vector.

Abstract: Battery charge indication methods, battery state of charge monitoring devices, rechargeable batteries, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, a battery charge indication method includes first determining a state of charge of a battery at a first moment in time using a first method, second determining a state of charge of the battery at a second moment in time using a second method different than the first method, and providing information regarding the state of charge of the battery at the first and second moments in time using information of the first and second determinings.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a charging status indicator in a charging system for a device having a rechargeable power supply are provided. The charging system determines whether a device connected thereto supports remote control of the charging status indicator, and controls the charging status indicator as directed by the device where the device supports remote control of the charging status indicator.

Abstract: A battery backup system includes a control device including a power sensing device, a discharge circuit, a charging circuit, and a plurality of battery packs. A lower threshold is established representative of a minimum acceptable effective energy capacity. Each battery pack is recharged if its effective energy capacity falls below the lower threshold. Additionally, an upper threshold is established representative of the minimum acceptable effective energy capacity plus a performance margin. In a two battery-pack system, if both battery packs fall below the upper threshold, the battery with the least effective energy capacity is discharged to the minimum acceptable effective energy capacity and then recharged to the battery pack's maximum energy capacity. In this way, both battery packs are prevented from approaching the minimum acceptable effective energy capacity at the same time. This reduces the size or number of battery packs and reduces their associated cost and volume.

Abstract: A permanent magnet starter/generator subsystem configured in a fault tolerant architecture is described herein for small engine applications. The system allows for lighter system weight, improved system reliability, higher performance capability and reduced maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention focuses on the development of a high-performance solar photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion system. The power circuit of the invention is made of a two-stage circuit, connecting a step-up DC-DC converter and a full-bridge inverter in serial. The present invention uses an adaptive perturbation and observation method to increase tracking speed of maximum power position and at the same time reduces energy loss. In addition, the full-bridge inverter's output has to have the same phase with the utility power in order to achieve unit power factor and increase the system efficiency. The present invention uses voltage type current control full-bridge inverter to achieve the goal of merging into utility grid. The present invention provides an active Sun tracking system, by utilizing the character of changing in open circuit output voltage with Sun radiation strength to follow the Sun, and decreases the system cost and increases system effectiveness.

Abstract: A self-oscillating DC-DC buck converter with zero hysteresis is described. The converter comprises a comparator with a supply input, a non-inverting input to which a reference voltage is applied, an inverting input to which a feedback signal is applied, and an output to which a filter network is connected. The feedback signal is derived from the filter network and the output voltage of the converter is determined by the reference voltage. Connecting a filter network with an inductor and a capacitor to the output of the comparator and deriving the feedback signal from the filter network, results in an output of the comparator which is a DC output with a superimposed ripple. The level of the DC output is controlled by the reference voltage applied to the non-inverting input of the comparator, and the inductor current develops the ripple in the equivalent series resistance of the load circuit connected to the comparator output. The ripple can be regarded as the ramp signal in a conventional DC-DC converter.

Abstract: A voltage boost circuit and a method of boosting voltage using a voltage boost clock signal with varying frequency, in which the voltage boost circuit includes a boost voltage generator that responds to a voltage boost clock signal in order to boost an input voltage and outputs the boosted input voltage as an output a boost voltage; and a boost voltage frequency control unit that responds to the result obtained by comparing a level of the output boost voltage and a level of a target boost voltage so as to change the boost voltage frequency of the voltage boost clock signal and outputs the voltage boost clock signal having the changed boost voltage frequency. The voltage boost circuit and the voltage boosting method can prevent a waste of the operating current during the boosting of the voltage.

Abstract: Voltage regulator for providing an output voltage (Vout) to a load (Zload) having an output transistor (T1), an operational amplifier (OA), and a first reference voltage source (VS). The negative input of the operational amplifier (OA) is connected to a feedback line (FL) to receive an input voltage derived from the output voltage. The first reference voltage source (VS) provides a reference voltage (Vref) to the positive input (IN2) of the operational amplifier (OA). The output (O1) of the operational amplifier (OA) is connected to a floating voltage source (FVS; C1). The other side of the floating voltage source is connected to a gate terminal (G) of the output transistor (T1). The floating voltage source (FVS) provides a voltage level (Vg) at the gate terminal of the output transistor (T1) higher than the output voltage of the operational amplifier (OA).

Abstract: A boost regulator includes a diode D connected between a node VX and an output node VOUT. The node VX is connected to ground by a first switch M1. A second switch M2 and an inductor L are connected in series between the node VX and an input node VIN. The regulator has an enabled state and a disabled state. In the enabled stage, a control circuit turns the second switch on and drives the first switch using a PFM, PWM or other strategy. In the disabled state, control circuit turns the second switch off to prevent current passing through the regulator to the load.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated voltage regulator comprising a switching regulation and an additional regulation mechanism. The additional regulation mechanism permits better control of the voltage regulator to enable improved performance. The present invention integrated voltage regulator provides an output voltage Vout in the form Vout=(Vin?Vamp)*(Duty Cycle)?Vslew where the additional regulation mechanism comprises an amplitude modulation Vamp to modulate the input voltage Vin, a slew rate modulation Vslew to modulate the output voltage Vout, or a combination of amplitude modulation and slew rate modulation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated voltage regulator comprising a switching regulation and an additional regulation mechanism. The additional regulation mechanism permits better control of the voltage regulator to enable improved performance. The present invention integrated voltage regulator provides an output voltage Vout in the form Vout=(Vin?Vamp)*(Duty Cycle)?Vslew where the additional regulation mechanism comprises an amplitude modulation Vamp to modulate the input voltage Vin, a slew rate modulation Vslew to modulate the output voltage Vout, or a combination of amplitude modulation and slew rate modulation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated voltage regulator comprising a switching regulation and an additional regulation mechanism. The additional regulation mechanism permits better control of the voltage regulator to enable improved performance. The present invention integrated voltage regulator provides an output voltage Vout in the form Vout=(Vin?Vamp)*(Duty Cycle)?Vslew where the additional regulation mechanism comprises an amplitude modulation Vamp to modulate the input voltage Vin, a slew rate modulation Vslew to modulate the output voltage Vout, or a combination of amplitude modulation and slew rate modulation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated voltage regulator comprising a switching regulation and an additional regulation mechanism. The additional regulation mechanism permits better control of the voltage regulator to enable improved performance. The present invention integrated voltage regulator provides an output voltage Vout in the form Vout=(Vin?Vamp)*(Duty Cycle)?Vslew where the additional regulation mechanism comprises an amplitude modulation Vamp to modulate the input voltage Vin, a slew rate modulation Vslew to modulate the output voltage Vout, or a combination of amplitude modulation and slew rate modulation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated voltage regulator comprising a switching regulation and an additional regulation mechanism. The additional regulation mechanism permits better control of the voltage regulator to enable improved performance. The present invention integrated voltage regulator provides an output voltage Vout in the form Vout=(Vin?Vamp)*(Duty Cycle)?Vslew where the additional regulation mechanism comprises an amplitude modulation Vamp to modulate the input voltage Vin, a slew rate modulation Vslew to modulate the output voltage Vout, or a combination of amplitude modulation and slew rate modulation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated voltage regulator comprising a switching regulation and an additional regulation mechanism. The additional regulation mechanism permits better control of the voltage regulator to enable improved performance. The present invention integrated voltage regulator provides an output voltage Vout in the form Vout=(Vin?Vamp)*(Duty Cycle)?Vslew where the additional regulation mechanism comprises an amplitude modulation Vamp to modulate the input voltage Vin, a slew rate modulation Vslew to modulate the output voltage Vout, or a combination of amplitude modulation and slew rate modulation.

Abstract: A power supply device comprises: a voltage converting portion that converts a voltage generated from a power supply portion into an output voltage to be supplied to a load; a voltage divider circuit that generates an output voltage setting signal for providing a set value of the output voltage; a set value changeover portion that turns on/off set value changeover switches to change a voltage divider ratio of the voltage divider circuit to change the set value; a storage device that stores a state appropriate for each set value changeover switch for keeping the value of the output voltage within a specified range; a set value changeover switch control portion that controls the set value changeover switches so as to bring each set value changeover switch into a state as stored in the storage device when the voltage is supplied from the voltage converting portion to the load; and an output voltage control portion that controls the voltage converting portion so as to make zero a deviation between the value of the

Abstract: A step-up DC/DC converter uses N-channel field-effect transistors as both an output transistor and a synchronous-rectification transistor and includes a first driver making the gate voltage of the output transistor pulsate between a ground voltage and an input voltage and a second driver making the gate voltage of the synchronous-rectification transistor pulsate between a switching voltage and a bootstrap voltage equal to the switching voltage plus at least the ON threshold voltage of the synchronous-rectification transistor. With this configuration, the converter opeates with improved power efficiency and performs synchronous rectification unhindered even with a small input-output voltage difference.

Abstract: Feedforward compensated systems and methods for their use.

Abstract: A correction circuit for use in a switched power supply wherein the correction circuit provides a correction signal indicating a duty cycle adjustment necessary to modify pulse width modulation of the power supply such that the output inductor current matches the load current drawn by a load connected to the power supply. The correction circuit may be used in conjunction with feed forward and/or feed back control circuits. The correction circuit may be implemented using either digital or analog circuit components.

Abstract: A bias generator comprises a first transistor and a second transistor having a control port connected to a control port of the first transistor and to an input port of the second transistor, where a second current through the second transistor is greater than a first current through the first transistor. The current through the bias generator is minimized by providing the different currents through the transistors having a similar size.

Abstract: An inverting negative voltage DC-DC power supply circuit comprises a first resistor having one end connected to an output terminal for converting a change in output voltage into a current. A zero-volt clamp circuit is connected to the other end of the first resistor and comprises a first and second transistor. A current mirror circuit comprises a third and fourth transistor and is connected to the zero-volt clamp circuit for causing a current of the same value as that of a current flowing in the zero-volt clamp circuit to flow. A second resistor is connected to the current mirror circuit for converting a change in current flowing from the zero-volt clamp circuit into a voltage.

Abstract: In a driver circuit constructing a switching power supply device that switches power transistors passing a current through a coil by a PWM mode, a current detection transistor, which is smaller in size than the low-potential side power transistor, and a current detection resistor are provided in parallel to the low-potential side power transistor. The same control voltage as the power transistor is applied to the control terminal of the current detection transistor. An operational amplifier is formed, that has the potential of the connection node between the current detection transistor and the current detection resistor applied to its inverse input terminal and a feedback loop, so as to make a pair of input terminals of the operational amplifier be at the same potential. A signal produced by the current detection resistor is thus outputted as a current detection signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a converter of the multiphase interleaving type. According to the method, there is detected when a change of the load applied to an output terminal of the converter occurs by detecting the derivative of a voltage signal of the output terminal. All the phases of the converter are simultaneously driven by zeroing a driving interleaving phase shift on the basis of the detected load transient, and the driving interleaving phase shift is recovered to restart a normal operation of the converter. A controller for carrying out such a method is also provided.

Abstract: Time-resolved emission can be used to measure loop-synchronous, small-signal voltage perturbation in integrated circuits. In this technique the measurements are completely non-invasive and so reflect the true device behavior. The time-dependant propagation delay caused by Vdd modulation also shows the expected qualitative signature. This technique should find applications in circuits with relatively fast clock-like circuits where loop-synchronous voltage pickup is limiting circuit behavior.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating electromagnetic interference that may be employed, for among other things, to evaluate electronic system immunity to radiated electromagnetic fields and/or to identify particular electronic system areas that are susceptible to electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Relay devices, systems and methods for obtaining an accurate representation of a current monitored with a Rogowski coil, without integration of the Rogowski coil output voltage signal in the time domain.