Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer in which electrodes can be easily and positively joined to a multiplicity of micro-fabricated vibrators and electric wiring can be easily and positively provided. The ultrasonic transducer has a vibrator arrangement having vibrators provided in a predetermined arrangement, each vibrator having first and second electrodes; an interlayer board for holding the vibrator arrangement in which through-holes are respectively formed in positions corresponding to the second electrodes of the vibrators; and a wiring board having a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the second electrodes of the vibrators through the through-holes formed in the interlayer board, respectively.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive porcelain composition capable of being manufactured at a comparatively low firing temperature is provided, as well as a piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic or a piezoelectric/electrostrictive portion which is dense and superior in crystallinity and which has superior piezoelectric/electrostrictive characteristics and durability even under high temperature and high humidity conditions. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive porcelain composition includes a piezoelectric/electrostrictive component containing lead titanate zirconate, and 0.5 to 5% by mass of glass component containing 8% by mass or less of silicic acid.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric member and a pair of electrodes, and for piezoelectric constants d33 and d31 of the piezoelectric member, the following relational expression (I) is established: 0.1?|d33/d31|?1.8.

Abstract: A spark plug is disclosed having at least one main electrode and at least one secondary electrode. The gaps associated with the secondary electrodes are between one third and two thirds the optimum gap distance. Resistors associated with the secondary electrodes control the current flow and therefore the voltage on the electrodes.

Abstract: A flat panel for a cathode ray tube includes a faceplate portion, a skirt portion and a blend round portion joining the faceplate portion with the skirt portion. A point where an external contour of the faceplate portion meets an external blend round contour of the blend round portion is defined as a first point and a point where an external contour of the skirt portion meets the external blend round contour is defined as a second point. The external blend round contour is formed between an imaginary arc whose end points coincide with the first and second points and a line segment whose end points coincide with the first and second points, or is the line segment. The imaginary arc is smoothly connected to the external contours of the faceplate portion and the skirt portion at the first and the second point.

Abstract: An electron beam pumped laser including a surface-emitting laser faceplate oriented at a non-perpendicular angle. Embodiments are described in which a bending coil bends the electron beam, or in which the faceplate is situated in the direct path of the e-beam emission but with a non-zero orientation angle. The faceplate may include a substantially opaque substrate, and an opaque heat-removing structure may be attached to the substrate to provide high heat transfer, thereby allowing high electron-beam pumping intensity and providing more light emission from a smaller package. In some embodiments the partially reflective mirror comprises a metal layer that has a plurality of openings. Multiple laser faceplates (e.g., red, green, and blue) may be placed in the same tube, to provide a continuous light source for projection television. The substrate may be connected to ground to provide an exit path for electrons from the laser gain layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a field emission display in which a gate plate having a gate hole and a gate electrode around the gate hole is formed between an anode plate having phosphor and a cathode plate having a field emitter and a control device for controlling field emission current, wherein the field emitter of the cathode plate is constructed to be opposite to the phosphor of the anode plate through the gate hole. According to the present invention, it is possible to significantly reduce the display row/column driving voltage by applying scan and data signals of the field emission display to the control device of each pixel, And the present invention is directed to improve the brightness of the field emission display in such a manner that the electric field necessary for field emission is applied through the gate electrode of the gate plate to freely control the distance between the anode plate and the cathode plate, so that a high voltage can be applied to the anode.

Abstract: An electroluminescent display device includes first and second substrates facing each other and having a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area. An array element is formed on the first substrate and an electroluminescent diode is formed on the second substrate. The electroluminescent display device further includes gate and data pad electrodes in the non-display area. The exposed portions of the gate and data pad electrodes are formed of a conductive material having a tolerance to corrosion.

Abstract: A top-emitting OLED device with improved off-axis viewing includes a substrate; a reflective, substantially opaque, and conductive anode including a metal or metal alloy or both formed over the substrate; at least one organic layer formed over the anode and including an electroluminescent material; a cathode including a semitransparent metallic layer provided over the organic layer wherein the semitransparent metallic layer includes a low reflectivity metal; an light transmissive layer provided over the cathode; and the cathode and light transmissive layer being selected to reduce the color shift with respect to an off-axis viewing angle.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent display device includes first and second substrates bonded together, the first and second substrates having a plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of driving elements on an inner surface of the first substrate within each of the plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of connection electrodes contacting the driving elements, a black matrix on an inner surface of the second substrate at a boundary of each of the plurality of pixel regions, a color filter layer including red, green, and blue color filters on the inner surface of the second substrate, each of the red, green, and blue color filters corresponding to each of the plurality of pixel regions, a first electrode on the black matrix and the color filter layer, an organic electroluminescent layer on the first electrode, and at least one second electrode on the organic electroluminescent layer, wherein the at least one second electrode contacts the connection electrodes.

Abstract: Provided is an organic light emitting device that includes a bypass transistor between a cathode layer and an anode layer and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A light-emitting device and an electronic apparatus, which are capable of preventing reduction of the amount of current flowing through light-emitting elements and which have an excellent display characteristic, are provided. Cathode wiring lines 13 connected to a cathode 12 are provided to surround an effective area 2a outside the effective area 2a where a plurality of pixels 103R, G and B having light-emitting elements are provided. First to third power source lines 103G, 103B and 103R connected to pixel electrodes are provided between the cathode wiring lines 13 and the effective area 2a.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicular lamp that can inform walkers or drivers in the other vehicles of the existence of the moving vehicle even where the circumference of the vehicle is bright by emitting a light amount larger than that of normal times when the circumference is bright. The vehicular lamp that is used for a vehicle includes a semiconductor light-emitting element, and a current controlling unit operable to increase an electric current flowing into the semiconductor light-emitting element according to a signal output from a sensor depending on a brightness of the circumference of the vehicle when the circumference of the vehicle is bright.

Abstract: A plasma accelerator (300) is disclosed that has three separate sections of coils (301-316) disposed outside the plasma chamber (321). The separate sections of coils include an initial discharge section (309-316), an acceleration section (303-308), and a nozzle section (301-302). Each section of coils is driven by signals of a different frequency to more efficiently discharge and accelerate a plasma in the plasma accelerator (300).

Abstract: A protection control circuit for discharge lamps aims to control protection signals input to a load at a rear end of a high voltage output zone that are generated during abnormal conditions. The high voltage output zone has a control unit and a driving unit, and a switch device interposed between them to receive a first voltage distribution signal output from the control unit and output a plurality of second voltage distribution signals corresponding to the number of the driving devices. Each of the driving devices is connected to a high voltage output zone line of the discharge lamp that feeds back a protection signal to the switch device. The switch device determines a first electricity condition or a second electricity condition of each high voltage output zone line of the discharge lamps that is connected to the individual driving device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic ballast for discharge lamps, for example low-pressure discharge lamps, having a converter having a switching element and a two-part lamp inductor which is connected upstream and downstream of the discharge lamp. An electronic ballast according to the invention has a smoothing circuit which reduces voltage jumps caused by switching operations in the converter at the lamp terminals.

Abstract: A floating driving device for illumination includes a illumination unit having a first terminal and a second terminal. A first driver is electrically coupled to the first terminal of the illumination unit, for applying AC voltages to the first terminal. A second driver is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the illumination unit, for applying AC voltages to the second terminal in such a manner that the AC voltages at the first terminal and the second terminal are out of phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to smart lighting devices bearing processors, and networks comprising smart lighting devices, capable of providing illumination, and detecting stimuli with sensors and/or sending signals. Sensors and emitters can, in some embodiments, be removed and added in a modular fashion. Smart lighting devices and smart lighting networks can be used for communication purposes, building automation, systems monitoring, and a variety of other functions.

Abstract: A motor vehicle comprising at least one electric motor, an energy storage device for providing drive energy for the electric motor, a plug connector connected to the energy storage device for connection to a current source and a control means for controlling the flow of current from the current source to the energy storage device characterized in that the control means permits a flow of current from the energy storage device to the electric power network, and that there is provided an inverter, in or outside the vehicle, by means of which the electrical power of the energy storage device can be fed in the form of alternating current into the electric power network.

Abstract: During normal operation of a hard disk drive, control logic controls a plurality of switching elements to provide electrical power to a spindle motor and head motor of the disk drive from a voltage source coupled to first and second voltage supply nodes (e.g., Vcc and ground), the spindle motor has a set of motor windings to which the electric power is applied to rotate the spindle motor, and the control logic is configured to enter a regenerative braking state during normal operation where the switching elements are controlled to isolate the spindle motor from the first voltage supply node and cause regenerative braking of the spindle motor so that kinetic energy due to rotation of the spindle motor is converted to electrical power that is supplied to the head motor by virtue of inductance of one or more motor windings in the set.

Abstract: A motor control circuit for controlling a motor, the circuit comprising a switched mode power supply operable to drive a full bridge switching transistor arrangement and to provide a stable voltage to the motor control circuit, wherein the switching transistor arrangement is connectable to the windings of the motor to be controlled, and wherein the switching transistor arrangement comprises: a first set of transistors in an upper part of the full bridge and a second set of transistors in a lower part of the full bridge, the first set of transistors being driven by a first output of the switched mode power supply and the second set of transistors being driven by a second output of the switched mode power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of starting an electric motor (having a rotor that rotates in a given direction during steady state operation from the at rest position) generates a preliminary signal that causes the rotor to rotate in an opposite direction to that of the given direction. The method and apparatus also begin rotation of the rotor in the given direction after the rotor rotates in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A vehicular windshield wiping apparatus has a temperature sensor for sensing temperatures outside of the vehicle, a humidity sensor for sensing humidity outside of the vehicle, windshield wipers moved by a motor, an HVAC control module, and a wiper control module. The wiper control module activates the windshield wipers when the moisture level is at or above a threshold value and the temperature sensor senses a temperature at or below a threshold value. The wiper motor has a first wiper park position and a second wiper park position. The first wiper park position is approximately horizontal and the second wiper park position is at an angle to the first wiper park position, in a heated windshield zone. The second wiper park position allows the wipers to remain free of ice and snow when the outside temperature and moisture levels are beyond specific thresholds or a wiper stalk switch is activated.

Abstract: An opening and closing body control device includes an actuation device for actuating an opening and closing body which operates relative to a body, a speed detection device for detecting moving speed of the opening and closing body, and a control device for driving the actuation device based on detected results from the speed detection device. The control device conducts anti-pinch transaction when an object is pinched between the opening and closing body and the body. The control device includes a speed difference calculation device for calculating speed difference between latest speed and speed at predetermined time earlier, a speed difference memory device for memorizing predetermined number of the speed differences, an accumulation device for calculating accumulation value by accumulating predetermined number of speed differences, and a pinch detection device for conducting anti-pinch transaction by comparing the accumulation value and reference value for occurrence of pinch.

Abstract: The rotor position of a synchronous motor is determined, in that for a plurality of current vectors distributed over one electrical rotation of the synchronous motor, the amount of the current vector which is necessary to attain a defined deflection of the rotor is determined. The position of the rotor may be calculated from the position of the minima of the amounts thus determined, taking into account the direction of rotation of the rotor. The engagement of a brake may ensure that grooving forces and machine vibrations play no role for the method to determine the rotor position.

Abstract: An AC power controller system applies three-phase AC operating power to an induction motor that drives a non-linear mechanical load. A primary low pass filter is connected in series between branch phase conductors and a power controller of the type that uses gate-controlled switching thyristors for controlling power to the motor. KVAR capacitors connected between the power controller and the induction motor phase windings form a secondary low pass filter across the controller output terminals. The primary and secondary low pass filters isolate the power controller and induction motor with respect to spurious noise and harmonics generated by local as well as remote sources, and also improve real power transfer efficiency from the power generating source to the induction motor by transforming the effective impedance of the power source and the induction motor load.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating AC power using a synchronous reluctance machine (12) or a salient-pole synchronous machine (102) and a power converter (110). The present invention can be used to achieve power production for a synchronous reluctance machine (12), or can be used to achieve AC power from a traditional salient-pole synchronous machine/starter (102) without dependence upon a rotor current which is subject to failure. In the power generation system, the control system and method can include a power converter (110), controlled by a voltage command and at least one of a measured AC bus (125) current and voltage, and a DC link (120) voltage, for use with a synchronous reluctance machine (102) and a prime mover (116), such that movement of the rotor of the synchronous reluctance machine (102) can be used to produce at least partial AC power generation on the AC bus (125).

Abstract: There is provided a process for operating a switch mode power supply circuit (Switcher) connectable to a load, the circuit having a first buck switch, a second boost switch and an inductor in a buck boost circuit, the process including applying input voltage to the circuit, selectively activating each of the buck switch and boost switch, and selectively limiting the ON-time of the buck switch, for accelerating discharge of the inductor.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter in which the DC output set voltage can be raised includes a switching transistor arranged to input an external power supply voltage, a smoothing circuit, a switching control circuit to which the internal power supply voltage is supplied and arranged to control the switching transistor, a comparison circuit arranged to compare the DC output voltage with a first reference voltage and to output a selecting signal, first and second linear transistors arranged to input the external power supply voltage or DC output voltage in accordance with the selecting signal, and to output the voltage according to the internal power supply control voltage as the internal power supply voltage, and an error amplification circuit arranged to input the internal power supply voltage, compare the internal power supply voltage with the second reference voltage, amplify the error thereof, and output the internal power supply control voltage.

Abstract: Techniques for an adaptive synchronous switch in switching regulators are described, one aspect of which is to achieve a more optimal on/off timing of a synchronous switch that is controlled by the comparator in a feedback control loop and thereby improves power conversion efficiency and system performance; One approach samples a node in the output of the switching regulator and generates a sampled error signal that is analyzed to determine if the current comparator offset is too high or too low relative to a target switching regulator output value at least in part based on the sampled error signal value, and accordingly generates a compensated feedback error signal and applied to the compensated feedback error signal to an input of the comparator to have the effect of a comparator offset adjustment signal.

Abstract: A reference voltage generating circuit with ultra-low power consumption, which includes: a constant current circuit part generating a first constant current from a supply voltage; a current mirror circuit part mirroring the constant current and supplying a second constant current; a voltage control circuit part receiving the second constant current and generating a first reference voltage by using substrate transistors driven by a PTAT (Proportional To Absolute Temperature) voltage and MOS transistors driven by a CTAT (Complementary To Absolute Temperature) voltage; and an output circuit part amplifying an output voltage from the voltage control circuit part to generate second to fourth reference voltages, and feeding back at least one of the second to fourth reference voltages to the voltage control circuit part so that the magnitude of an output voltage is adjusted.

Abstract: An electric power usage and reporting system for collecting electric power demand readings from multiple properties which may be either commonly owned or leased by the same company, processing the demand data to generate KWH and KW information on an individual property basis and on a combined properties basis and generating a report including the KWH usage and KW demand information. The report includes information on electric power KWH usage and KW demand in the aggregate and with respect to each property and includes information on coincident KW demand in the aggregate and with respect to each property.

Abstract: A current sensing circuit has a transformer where a current to be measured induces a magnetic flux into a magnetic core. The magnetic core has a magneto-electric converter for sensing DC to low frequency current signals and a secondary winding for sensing higher frequency current signals. The magneto-electric converter generates an output that is coupled via an amplifier to a non-inverting input of a transimpedance amplifier. The inverting input of the transimpedance amplifier is coupled to the secondary winding of the transformer. A current signal path having a transimpedance resistor couples the inverting input to the output of the transimpedance amplifier. The transimpedance amplifier functions as a power amplifier for coupling a nulling current to the transformer for DC to low frequency current signals and functions as a transimpedance gain amplifier for higher frequency signals.

Abstract: A first spring 54 is provided between a support member 51 driven in the Z-axis direction and a heat block 53, and biases the support member 51 and the heat block 53 in the direction of separating them from each other. A second spring 57 is provided between a first pusher 55 for pressing a die 81 of an IC device 8 and a second pusher 56 for pressing a substrate 82 of the IC device 8, and biases the first pusher 55 and the second pusher 56 in the direction of separating them from each other.

Abstract: A material properties detection system (100). The system can include an antenna (120) that is tuned for operation within a frequency band over which the antenna transmits. The system also can include a transmitter (210) that generates electromagnetic energy across the frequency band and forwards the electromagnetic energy to the antenna. An impedance measurement circuit (215) can be provided. The impedance measurement circuit can measure an input impedance of the antenna over the frequency band and generate measured impedance data (225). The system can include a material characterization application (230) that processes the measured impedance data to generate a material characterization for a structure (110) to which the antenna is proximate. The material characterization can include a dielectric constant, a permittivity, a loss tangent and/or a permeability.

Abstract: A method for determining a characteristic of earth formations from measurements taken on the formations, includes the following steps: producing a data base that includes a multiplicity of data points, each data point representing a stored formation characteristic output related to a stored input measurement; deriving, from the data base, a mapping function; deriving an input formation measurement value; and determining an output formation characteristic value from the data base, the mapping function, and the input formation measurement value.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image from undersampled, parallel MRI data sets acquired with a pulse sequence that samples k-space along radial trajectories includes the synthesis of training k-space data from the acquired data. The training k-space data is produced by reconstructing training images from the fully sampled, central k-space region of the acquired MRI data sets, and the training k-space data is used in a radial GRAPPA image reconstruction method to produce an image frame.

Abstract: An MR image (14) is reconstructed from MR signals (1, 2, 3, 4) that are acquired in parallel by a plurality of receiving coils (5, 6, 7, 8) with incomplete sampling of the spatial frequency space. The reconstructed MR image (14) is calculated iteratively as the solution of a system of linear equations. To provide a more highly developed method for parallel SENSE imaging, an iteration process (15) begins with a starting image (9) which approximates to the MR image to be reconstructed (14), in such a way that undersampling artifacts are suppressed in the intermediate solutions of the system of equations that are obtained during the course of the iteration process.

Abstract: Methods for providing practical magnetic resonance imaging systems that utilize non-homogeneous background fields, B0, as well as, possibly non-linear, gradient fields G1, G2 to make non-invasive measurements to determine, among other things, a spin density function. Two types of non-homogeneous background fields are considered: background fields B0 in which the function |B0| does not have a critical point within the field of view, and background fields B0 such that the function |B0| has a single critical point within the field of view. In the first case, an MR-imaging device may be constructed by using the permanent gradient in the background field, B0, as a slice select gradient, so long as particular criteria are met. In the second case, magnets may be constructed so that |B0| has an isolated non-zero local minimum. Using selective excitation, one can excite only the spins lying in a small neighborhood of this local minimum.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method comprises generating an indicator of an anticipated time-averaged power for a radio-frequency (RF) pulse set, and anticipatively adjusting a cooling supplied by a cryogenic cooling fluid to an RF coil according to the indicator of the anticipated time-averaged power. The cryogenic cooling adjustment may be performed using a cryogenic fluid heater and/or a mass flow controller disposed in the cryogenic fluid path. The time difference between the start of the cooling adjustment and the start of the RF pulse set is set to be equal to the difference in timescales between the cooling effect of the cooling adjustment and the heating effect of the RF pulse set on the RF coil.

Abstract: A method for reducing acoustic noise in a medical imaging system is described. The method includes attaching a material to an area affected by an acoustic noise generated by the imaging system. The material is configured to bend upon receiving an electrical signal.

Abstract: A system wirelessly supplies electrical power to an RF coil and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for an MRI system. The system supplies power to at least operate the RF coil and ADC without the use of a battery and without use of a wired connection external to the bore of the magnet.

Abstract: An above ground locator includes an apparatus for determining the strength of the locating signal at a selected point relative to the boring tool. The apparatus includes an antenna arrangement configured for measuring the strength of the locating signal at the selected point along first and second orthogonally opposed receiving axes to produce first and second received signals. A phase shifting arrangement phase shifts the first and second received signals in a predetermined way to generate first and second phase shifted signals, respectively. Thereafter, a summing arrangement adds the first and second phase shifted received signals to generate an output signal which is a vector sum of the first and second received signals. In one feature, third and fourth signals derived from the first and second signals are used to eliminate balance point ambiguity which is present using the first and second signals alone.

Abstract: A pair of pads is formed on an insulating layer formed on a top surface of a substrate, and a plurality of through-holes is laid out at equal intervals between the pads. Adjoining through holes are connected alternately by upper-layer wire interconnect lines exposed on the insulating layer or lower-layer wire interconnect lines buried in the insulating layer, thus constituting a check pattern. A DC power supply is connected between the pair of pads, and a constant current is supplied to a chain pattern of the through holes. Two probes move on a chip surface along the chain pattern of the through holes while keeping a given interval spacing. The probes sequentially scan the upper-layer wire interconnect lines exposed through the chip surface of the chain pattern of the through-holes.

Abstract: Chemical analysis of impurities in buffer gas is provided at various pressures up to atmospheric. Identification of the impurities is carried out by analyzing energy of electrons releases via ionization of the impurity atoms or molecules in their collisions either with excited atoms of buffer gas or with monochromatic photons. To produce excited metastable atoms a pulsed plasma is ignited between plane anode and cathode, and electrons energy is measured in afterglow by determining second derivative of electric current in dependence of voltage applied between these electrodes. Another way, electrons energy can be analyzed by positioning a grid between anode and cathode and by using an external radiation source to ionize the impurities in equipotential space between the grid and the anode. Inter-electrode gap and gas pressure must be chosen so that distortions in the electrons energy distribution due to collisions with buffer gas should not exceed a prescribed value.

Abstract: A three or four pole low-voltage power switch is disclosed wherein the switch is partly provided with a device for detecting ground faults. For this purpose, the current vectorial sum must be produced in the three or four conductors of a monitored network. For the switches of this type, output signals received from Rogowski coils are directed via resistances to an integration capacitor whose voltage forms an input signal of another measuring amplifier representing the current sum of a monitored network. The output signal of the measuring amplifier is, afterwards processed in a known manner in the microprocessor of an excess-current trip.

Abstract: A directional bridge for measuring propagated signals to and from a source device to a load device where both the source device and load device are in signal communication with the directional bridge is disclosed. The directional bridge may include a first bridge circuit network and a first sensing element in signal communication with the first bridge circuit network. The first sensing element may produce a first measured signal that is proportional to the propagated signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to measurement of conductivity. A microwave oscillated by an oscillator using a Gunn diode is applied through an isolator, a circulator, and a horn antenna to a silicon wafer. The isolator is used for reducing the standing wave influencing the operation of the instrument. The reflected wave is received by the same horn antenna, detected by a detector connected to the circulator, and outpufted in the form of a voltage. The detector produces an output voltage proportional to the square of the amplitude of an electric field. Since the amplitude of the reflected wave from a silicon wafer is proportional to the absolute value of the reflectance, the output voltage is also proportional to the square of the absolute value of the reflectance. The reflectance is in a certain relationship with the conductivity, the conductivity of the silicon wafer can be determined.

Abstract: A contactor configured to be electrically connected to the terminals of an electronic component is disclosed. The connector includes multiple contact electrodes contacting the terminals of the electronic component and multiple elastic electrodes each composed of an electrically conductive elastic body. The elastic electrodes generate a pressing force for pressing the contact electrodes against the terminals of the electronic component. The contact electrodes are separable from the elastic electrodes.

Abstract: A monitor system and method for characterizing semiconductor processes including ion implantation processes is provided. The system includes a test wafer which has a plurality of sensors formed on its surface. The test wafer may be loaded into the process chamber of a process system and exposed, for example, to an implant. During implantation, electrical signals may be transmitted from the sensor to circuitry external of the chamber to evaluate a variety of ion beam and/or wafer properties. The property data may be displayed in real-time with the implant process so that processing parameters may be adjusted accordingly. The monitor system may be used, in particular, to determine properties related to beam and wafer surface charging which can provide an assessment of the efficiency of beam charge neutralization processes.