Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for safe disconnection of an electrical load has at least one input for connecting a signaling device. The safety switching apparatus further has an evaluation and control unit and at least one switching element which can be controlled by the evaluation and control unit in order to interrupt an electrical power supply path to the load. The evaluation and control unit is designed to carry out functional tests at defined instances of time in order to check at least one switching function of the at least one switching element. Moreover, the at least one input for connecting the signaling device is further designed as an input for supplying a supply voltage required for operation of the at least one switching element.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism having a different magnet polarity arrangement than the conventional mechanisms is provided. The actuator mechanism 100 has a magnet unit 210 that includes magnets 30 and an electromagnetic coil unit 110 that includes an electromagnetic coil. the relative positions of the magnet unit 210 and the magnetic coil unit 110 can change. The magnet unit 210 includes a yoke member 20 and two or more magnets 30. The two magnets 30 are pulled toward the yoke member 20 in the state where identical poles face each other across the yoke member 20.

Abstract: A resonance drive actuator includes a casing; an electromagnetic drive section supported in the interior of the casing; a plunger to be reciprocatively driven at least in a rotational direction or in an axial direction by the electromagnetic drive section; an output shaft on which the plunger is fixed; and a spring which acts between the output shaft and the casing. The actuator resonantly drives a load connected to an end of the output shaft. The spring is a plate spring which integrally includes a casing inner-surface abutment portion fixedly abutting the inner surface of the casing, an output-shaft abutment portion fixedly abutting an outer surface of the output shaft, and a connection portion having the form of a strip and connecting the output-shaft abutment portion and the casing inner-surface abutment portion. The plate spring is fixed to both of the inner surface of the casing, and the output shaft.

Abstract: A magnetic compensation method for a brushless DC motor. The method of magnetic compensation for the motor provides the magnetic element disposed adjacent to the magnetic sensor to compensate the magnetic sensor for an unnecessary magnetic interference, so that the magnetic sensor provides a regular voltage difference to drive the motor.

Abstract: A suction ring is fixed to a motor base and is provided with an outer circumferential section having a first outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of a wall section of the motor base. A plurality of protruded sections each have a second outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the wall section of the motor base and protrudes outward in a radial direction from the outer circumferential section of the suction ring. The plurality of protruded sections of the suction ring are press fitted into a wall section of the motor base and secures the suction ring to the motor base. One surface of the suction ring coincides with a bottom surface of the ring magnet covering a whole range of a projected area of the ring magnet that is projected onto the surface of the suction ring.

Abstract: A hybrid induction motor comprises a stator fixedly installed in a casing, an induction rotor rotatably inserted into a center of the stator and having a shaft at a center thereof, a first synchronous rotor installed between the stator and the induction rotor in a circumferential direction of the shaft so as to be freely rotatable, and a second synchronous rotor facing the first synchronous rotor in a longitudinal direction of the shaft and installed between the stator and the induction rotor so as to be freely rotatable.

Abstract: In a stator of a rotary electric machine that includes a stator winding and a stator core having a plurality of slots, the stator winding is constituted of a plurality of series-connected regular U-shaped segments each of which has a pair of in-slot portions and a plurality of U-shaped irregular segments each of which has a pair of in-slot portions disposed in a pair of slots that is suitable to connect the regular segments to form the stator winding and a continuous crossover portion crossing over some of the regular segments. The irregular U-shaped segments extend to be in contact with the turn portions of the regular segments. Therefore, the regular segments are connected by the irregular segments that have least electric resistance.

Abstract: A high speed, high power generator has its main stator configured with one or more reduced-diameter sections. The generator includes a generator housing, a main rotor, and a main stator. The generator housing has a main stator cooling flow passage formed therein that is configured to receive a flow of a cooling medium. The main rotor is rotationally mounted in the generator housing. The main stator is mounted within the generator housing and surrounds at least a portion of the main rotor. The main stator includes a stator core coupled to the generator housing adjacent the main stator cooling flow passage, and includes two or more nominal-diameter sections and one or more reduced-diameter sections. The nominal-diameter sections each have a first outer diameter, and the reduced-diameter sections, each have a second outer diameter that is less than the first diameter.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor and a stator thereof. The stator comprises an upper magnetic pole piece and a lower magnetic pole piece. The upper magnetic pole piece comprises a plurality of upper protruding portions extending toward the lower magnetic pole piece, and the lower magnetic pole piece comprises a plurality of lower protruding portions extending toward the upper magnetic pole piece. The upper protruding portions and the lower protruding portions are substantially spaced apart and alternately arranged. A positioning portion extending from a distal end of each upper protruding portion is located below the magnetic ring of the rotor, to increase the magnetic force therebetween. Alternatively, a positioning portion can be formed between the lower protruding portions of the lower magnetic pole piece and extended to the bottom of the rotor; thus, an axial attraction force can be generated to stabilize the rotor.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device configured by forming an oxide layer 2 on a piezoelectric substrate 1 composed of a lithium tantalate single crystal or a lithium niobate single crystal and having weak pyroelectric properties having a lower oxygen content than a stoichiometric composition ratio, and forming thereon an IDT electrode 3. There is no static destruction of a minute electrode due to the pyroelectric effect of the piezoelectric substrate having weak pyroelectric properties, and frequency characteristics are not degraded.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device capable of exhibiting good characteristics for a prolonged period of time and a method of manufacturing an acoustic wave device are provided. An acoustic wave device of the invention includes a piezoelectric body layer having piezoelectricity and one surface, a pair of electrodes for, when electrified, inducing acoustic vibration in the piezoelectric body layer, the electrodes arranged on the one surface of the piezoelectric body layer, and a silicon dioxide layer provided in contact with the piezoelectric body layer and/or the electrodes, the silicon dioxide layer composed of silicon dioxide as its major component, wherein the silicon dioxide layer is formed by performing sputtering with a silicon dioxide target in an atmosphere of an oxygen flow rate ratio of 60% or more.

Abstract: To provide a drive detection means for a piezoelectric actuator that can detect an amount driven without requiring adding an encoder or other component while also preventing increasing the load. A rotor is disposed eccentrically to the axis of rotation to change the pressure applied from the rotor to a contact part as the rotor is driven. When the pressure changes, the amplitude of the detection signal output from the detection electrode 18 of the piezoelectric element changes in conjunction with rotor rotation, and how much the rotor has been driven can be detected by detecting the amplitude change. Size and thickness can therefore be reduced because providing an encoder, switch, or other component is unnecessary, and current consumption can also be reduced.

Abstract: A resonator which is capable of modulating frequencies has a main body having a vibrating body and an elastic supporting body supporting the vibrating body and a frequency modulating unit having a movable contacting part that is movable between a first position away from the elastic supporting body and a second position which is contactable with the elastic supporting body. Since there is a variable vibration length of the elastic supporting body during vibration of the vibration body by the contact between the contacting part and the elastic supporting body, it is possible to change the frequency of vibration extracted from the resonator, when it is necessary.

Abstract: A method of moving a body (23) comprising: coupling a plurality of piezoelectric motors (31, 32) to the body by pressing a coupling region (48) of each of the motors to a surface of the body; controlling at least one of the motors to apply a force parallel (53) to the surface to move the body; and simultaneously controlling at least one of the motors so that its coupling region executes only vibrations that are substantially perpendicular (51) to the surface.

Abstract: This invention provides a vibration wave driving apparatus which makes it possible to reduce the localized abrasion of a contact member, and reduce the deterioration of performance due to long-term driving. This vibration wave driving apparatus has a contact member which is provided with fixed portions fixed to the lengthwise opposite end portions of the vibration expanding portion of the vibration member, and a connecting portion integrally connecting the two fixed portions together and having opposite ends fixed beam structure divided into a plurality.

Abstract: Ultrasonic probe comprising an elongate body having a first end and a second end, an ultrasonic transducer attached to the probe at or adjacent the first end, and an enlarged support section intermediate the ultrasonic transducer and the second end, wherein the enlarged support section has an equivalent diameter greater than an equivalent diameter of the body at any location between the enlarged support section and the ultrasonic transducer. The probe may be used to introduce ultrasonic energy into ultrasonic cleaning systems.

Abstract: A laminated-type piezoelectric element 1 is provided, which comprises a first external electrode layer 33, which is located at a side area of the laminated-type piezoelectric element 1, is electrically continuous to internal electrode layers 21, and comprises plural expansible and contractible opening portions 33a in a stacking direction of the laminated-type piezoelectric element 1. As the first external electrode layer 33 is connected to the laminated-type piezoelectric element 1 with an electrically conductive adhesive member 32 and the electrically conductive adhesive member 32 is narrower than the first external electrode layer 33, the electrically conductive adhesive member 32 penetrates into the opening portions 33a of the first external electrode layer 33 to form connections in a shape of an anchor. Therefore, the first external electrode layer 33 is firmly connected to the laminated-type piezoelectric element 1.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transducer including a multi-layer transformer arranged between a backing block and piezoelectric layer on each of which at least one matching layer is arranged. The transformer includes a substrate having an electronic circuit, one or more acoustically active layers and an interconnect layer interposed between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate. The properties of the substrate, each acoustically active layer and the interconnect layer are selected and then the acoustic impedance of the transformer at a side of the piezoelectric layer adjacent the transformer is determined. The properties are then varied, e.g., using a computer simulation, until values for these properties are obtained which provide a desired acoustic performance characteristic at the side of the piezoelectric layer adjacent the transformer. The electronic circuit is thus considered in the determination of the acoustic impedance of the transformer.

Abstract: A broadband vibration energy harvesting apparatus and method. In one embodiment, a straight piezoelectric beam and a straight biasing beam are disposed parallel to one another and axially compressed by a support structure such that both of the beams are slightly bowed. This buckles and reduces the axial stiffness of both of the beams. The piezoelectric beam is secured to an external vibrating structure and supported by the structure. The flexing motion of the piezoelectric beam generates electrical signals that can be used to power a wide variety of devices. The apparatus is especially sensitive to small amplitude vibration signals and is able to harvest vibration energy over a wide range of frequencies, and is not limited to vibrations at discrete resonant frequencies. The apparatus is especially well suited for use in powering remotely located electrical sensors and actuators employed in automotive, aircraft and aerospace applications.

Abstract: To provide a piezoelectric vibrator, an oscillator, an electronic part, an electronic apparatus, a method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrator and a method of fabricating an electronic part capable of swiftly and easily providing a plurality of electrodes for applying a voltage to a piezoelectric vibrating piece while maintaining airtightness at inside of a hermetically sealed vessel, there is provided a piezoelectric vibrator including a hermetically sealed vessel 2 constituted by overlapping a lid member 6 and a base member 7 in a plate-like shape, a piezoelectric vibrating piece 3 provided at inside of the hermetically sealed vessel 2, a lead-out electrode 16 provided at an overlapping face 6a of the lid member 6, electrically connected to the piezoelectric vibrating piece 3 by way of a connecting portion, and extending the connecting portion 15 to an edge portion of the overlapping face 6a of the lid member 6, an external electrode 27 electrically connected to the lead-out electrode 16 from a side face

Abstract: The piezoelectric actuator comprises: a plate-shaped piezoelectric body which has a portion polarized in a thickness direction of the piezoelectric body and a portion polarized in a direction oblique to the thickness direction; and a pair of electrodes which are disposed on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric body facing each other in the thickness direction across the piezoelectric body, have plane-symmetrical portions and plane-asymmetrical portions in relation to the piezoelectric body, are used as polarization electrodes for polarizing the piezoelectric body so that the portion polarized in the thickness direction and the portion polarized in the direction oblique to the thickness direction are formed in the piezoelectric body, and are used as drive electrodes for inducing strain in the piezoelectric body.

Abstract: A discharge lamp, and particularly a high-pressure gas-discharge lamp (an HID (high-intensity discharge) lamp or UHP (ultra-high performance) lamp), having a reflector and a cooling means is described. The cooling means comprises at least one nozzle (3) by which a flow of gas can be directed onto the discharge lamp, the at least one nozzle (3) being so arranged that it does not extend, at least to any substantial degree, into a beam path produced by the lamp (2) and the reflector (1). In this way, the cooling means does not produce any obstacles on the beam path for the light. With preferred embodiments, it is possible to produce a turbulent flow that surrounds particularly the discharge vessel (21) of the lamp and that considerably increases the effectiveness of the cooling means. Further embodiments also allow the discharge lamp to be operated in a plurality of different positions without individual regions of the lamp being too little or too severely cooled.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display apparatus in which the change over time of its electron source characteristics is small, and in which uneven brightness and color shift of an image is almost unnoticeable. To achieve this object, the present invention is directed to an image display apparatus containing an electron source substrate having a plurality of electron-emitting devices arrayed thereon, an image forming substrate arranged so as to face the electron source substrate and having a phosphor film and an anode electrode film, and magnetic field generating means, wherein a component parallel to the electron source substrate of a magnetic flux density of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means is not greater than 0.01 Tesla at any location of the electron-emitting devices.

Abstract: Electric lamp with a base at one end, having an inner vessel surrounded by an outer jacket, a base with electric connections supporting the inner vessel and the outer jacket, having the following features: a) the base has a base insulator with a central opening with a surrounding collar in which the inner vessel is held without cement; b) the base insulator has a circular, radially projecting segment with an associated upper and lower plateau with reference to the base; c) the outer jacket has a circular opening on the base side with a radially projecting edge that has an upper and lower contact surface with reference to the base, the lower contact surface of the edge being compatible with the upper plateau of the circular, radially projecting segment at the base insulator; and d) the outer jacket is fastened on the base by a cementless mechanical holding mechanism.

Abstract: A high pressure gas discharge device and methods of using the device as a UV gas discharge light source are disclosed. The device has a cathode covered partially with a dielectric layer which separates the cathode from an anode. A discharge device utilizes one or more microhollows in the uncovered part of the cathode. Methods of utilizing the discharge devise as a gas discharge light source for producing ultrapure water.

Abstract: Cathode structure for cathode ray tube comprising an eyelet in two separate parts positioned such that one of the parts covers, in the longitudinal direction and at least partially, the second part. The two parts are linked to each other at the shouldered ends. This structure reduces the heat losses of the cathode and reduces its consumption while it is operating.

Abstract: In a flat display panel wherein two plates made of a brittle material are adhered to each other, at least one of the two plates has a plane on which a scribing line is formed, and the plane of the at least one of the plates on which a scribing line is formed is opposed to a plane of the other of the at least one of the two plates on which no scribing line is formed. In one case, the two plates have planes on which scribing is performed, while in another case, only one of the two plates has a plane on which scribing is performed. In the latter case, scribing may be performed on the other of the two plates after the two plates are adhered.

Abstract: A field emission display device with flexible gate electrode and method for manufacturing the same. The field emission display device includes a cathode plate, a gate electrode and an anode plate. The cathode plate includes a cathode substrate and supports on both sides of the cathode. A recess is defined on outer bottom face of the support. The gate electrode includes a flexible mesh and a plurality of fixing tabs on both sides of the flexible mesh. The fixing tab is locked into the recess. The flexible mesh is arranged on the supports in stretching manner. The anode plate includes an anode substrate. A sealing spacer is arranged on the peripheral of the anode substrate and connected to the peripheral of the cathode substrate. The sealing spacer presses the fixing tabs evenly against the cathode substrate to induce a tension force to the flexible mesh.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a light emitting device in which burden on a light emitting element having low luminous efficiency is relieved, and the deterioration of a light emitting element, the reduction in color reproduction due to the deteriorated light emitting element, and increase in electric power consumption can be suppressed. A light emitting device according to the invention has light emitting elements each of which emits one of colors corresponding to three primary colors. Further, one feature of the light emitting device according to the invention has a light emitting element which emits a neutral color. The light emitting device according to the invention has a structure in which a plurality of pixels having light emitting elements each of which emits one of colors corresponding to three primary colors, and a light emitting element which emits a neutral color as one group, are arranged.

Abstract: Disclosed are oxynitride phosphor compositions having the formula (RE1-xCex)3Ala-y-z-wSiyGazScwO12-yNy, where RE is at least one of Lu, Gd, Y, and Tb, 0.001?x?0.10, 0?w?2, 0.001?y?0.50, 0?z?4.999, and 4.5?a?5.0. When combined with radiation from a blue or UV LED, these phosphors can provide light sources with good color quality having high CRI over a large color temperature range. Also disclosed are blends of the above oxynitride phosphors and additional phosphors.

Abstract: An organic EL device with a voltage applied across an anode and a cathode so that holes are moved in a hole transport layer and electrons are moved in an electron transport layer, and the holes and the electrons are recombined in a light emitting layer to emit light. The light emitting layer is formed of light emitting material having one or more kinds of metallic impurities. By using such a light emitting material, the decrease of light-emission luminance of the organic EL device can be suppressed.

Abstract: A method of making an OLED display having at least first, second, and third differently colored pixels includes providing a first light-emitting layer over a substrate for the first and second pixels and a providing a second light-emitting layer over the substrate for the third pixel wherein the first and second light-emitting layers produce light having different spectra and the light produced by the first light-emitting layer has substantial spectral components corresponding to the light output desired for the first and second pixels, and forming a first color filter in operative relationship with the first pixel and no color filter corresponding to the second pixel.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent element formed on a substrate has a layer structure in which organic layer including an organic electroluminescent layer is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. A film formation region of an emission layer which is made of a uniform film forming material in accordance with one opening of a film forming mask is formed by plural layers including a first emission layer and a second emission layer. The layers are formed at each setting of the film forming mask.

Abstract: The three-dimensional electroluminescence display comprises a main body (1) and an electroluminescence device (20). Said electroluminescence device (20) comprises a film (2) and an electroluminescent arrangement (10) which together form a whole. The surface of the film (2), facing the electroluminescent arrangement (10) is provided with the motifs (9) for display. The electroluminescent arrangement (10) comprises a front electrode (11) and a back electrode (12), between which a dielectric (13) is located. The front electrode (11) is provided with the layer which produces the motif (9) and is embodied in one piece with the same. A supply source (15) is arranged within the surface of the electroluminescence device (20), which contacts the electrodes (11,12) of the electroluminescence device (20).

Abstract: An image display panel formed from a matrix of electroluminescent cells is described. The display panel has a front array of electrodes and a rear array of electrodes, an electroluminescent element, a photoconductive element and an element that provides optical coupling between the electroluminescent element and the photoconductive element. The electroluminescent element includes at least one electroluminescent layer and the photoconductive element includes at least one photoconductive layer. A shunt element connects at least one electroluminescent element in parallel to an electrode of the front array.

Abstract: A PDP (plasma display panel) includes: a first substrate; a second substrate arranged opposite to the first substrate; first barrier ribs arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate and formed of a dielectric material; second barrier ribs arranged between the first barrier ribs and the second substrate and formed of a dielectric material, the second barrier ribs partitioning discharge cells together with the first barrier ribs; first discharge electrodes arranged within the first barrier ribs to surround the discharge cells; second discharge electrodes arranged within the second barrier ribs to surround the discharge cells; phosphor layers arranged within the discharge cells; and a discharge gas injected in the discharge cells, in which sides of the first and second barrier ribs form concave portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma display panel that suppresses discharge sustain voltage, and reduces brightness degradation of a phosphor. In the plasma display panel, as protective film (14) made of magnesium oxide (MgO) formed on dielectric glass layer (13), protective film (14) made of magnesium oxide (MgO) with oxide added with an electronegativity of 1.4 or higher, is formed to suppress impure gas adsorption by protective film (14), stabilizes discharge sustain voltage, and reduces brightness degradation.

Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent lamp (1) has feedthrough pins (5) made from molybdenum or a molybdenum alloy that form a glass-metal seal (6) with a glass composed of 55-75 wt. % SiO2, 13-25 wt. % B2O3, 0-10 wt. % Al2O3, 5-12 wt. % alkali oxides, 0-3 wt. % alkali earth oxides, 0-5 wt. % ZrO2, 0-10 wt. % TiO2 und 0-5 wt. % remaining oxides. The lamp has hollow cathodes (4) made from a material of the group molybdenum, molybdenum alloys, niobium, niobium alloys, and the lamp is manufactured in a compact form using conventional manufacturing parameters, and the resulting lamp has crack free, long-term vacuum-tight glass-metal seals.

Abstract: A microwave generator having a central electrode (14) which at the front end has a radiating element (22) and an external electrode (18) which coaxially surrounds the central electrode (14) along an axially extending resonator portion (16), wherein the two electrodes (14 and 18) are of a rotationally symmetrical configuration and define a spark gap (62) which sparks across when a high voltage is applied and radiates microwaves by way of the resonator portion (16) and the radiating element (22) of the central electrode (14). The spark gap (62) is in the form of an annular spark gap, which is determined by a connection element (26) which projects at the rear end axially centrally away from the central electrode (14) and an annular edge (44) of the external electrode (18), the edge being provided coaxially with respect to the connection element (26). The central electrode (14) and the external electrode (18) are arranged in a housing sleeve (12) of an electrically insulating material.

Abstract: A system and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of light sources (102,103,104,105) in an electronic device (100) is provided. In one embodiment, the plurality of light sources (102,103,104,105) is used to backlight an illuminated display (101). As switching multiple light sources on simultaneously can cause output voltages of power sources (219) to drop, thereby potentially affecting the overall operation of the electronic device (100), an illumination controller (107) distributes actuation times associated with illumination control signals (204,205,206,207) such that each actuation time is unique. A control signal generator (201) produces a control signal (202) having light source actuation information stored therein. The illumination controller (107) then generates a plurality of illumination control signals (204,205,206,207) that are capable of actuating the plurality of light sources (102,103,104,105).

Abstract: Apparatus for safely connecting a lamp to an equipment voltage ground, includes a rectification circuit for rectifying the power supply alternating voltage into a direct voltage, and an oscillating circuit for converting the direct voltage into alternating voltage for driving the lamp to work. The oscillating circuit includes a DC-blocking capacitor, a oscillating inductor and an oscillating capacitor orderly connected in series, and one end of the DC-blocking capacitor is connected to the output rectification voltage of the rectification circuit, and another end is connected to the oscillating inductor, while one end of the oscillating capacitor is connected to the equipment voltage ground, and another end is connected to the working voltage terminal of the lamp. The ground terminal of the lamp is electrically connected to the equipment voltage ground through a parallel circuit formed of a switch and a high impedance capacitor.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a ballast and a projector. In one embodiment, a ballast comprises an igniter circuit. The igniter circuit is configured to apply a first voltage and a second voltage having opposite polarities to a base electrode and a leading electrode of a high-pressure discharge lamp. At a start of a lighting of the lamp an absolute value of the first voltage applied to one of the electrodes of the lamp is larger than an absolute value of the second voltage applied to the other of the electrodes of the lamp.

Abstract: A circuit for driving the current for inductive loads such as a electron beam deflection coil for an x-ray generator system. The circuit includes two selectable voltage levels which are provided by a high level voltage source and a low level voltage source or, alternatively, by a low level voltage source and a boosting converter. A plurality of switches for selecting the voltage source allow only one voltage source to be connected to the load at any given time, and for selecting the polarity of the current through the coil. The high level voltage source is selected when the load is charging or discharging. The low level voltage source is selected when the load is operating in a constant current mode, where a high frequency switching device uses the low level voltage source to generate a pulse width modulation waveform according to a reference current duty cycle to control the voltage across the load.

Abstract: A circuit board on which the electronic components providing power to a series of light sources is positioned as near as possible to light sources in order to minimize parasitic energy losses which would be introduced by lengths of wiring. The light sources are usually elongate tubular Cold Cathode Fluorescent Tubes arranged parallel to one another in a single plane and the circuit board may be mounted directly over the light sources, towards one end of the tubes. Standard PCB board-to-board connectors may be provided at an edge of the circuit board and a further circuit board provided with a series of conductive tracks may provide both a mechanical and electrical connection between the circuit board and the light sources. A power distribution method is also disclosed in which both current and temperature of the light sources are monitored and regulated in order to extend the lifetime of the light sources and to stabilize their brightness.

Abstract: An inductive power supply system for providing power to one or more inductively powered devices. The system includes a mechanism for varying the physical distance or the respective orientation between the primary coil and secondary coil to control the amount of power supplied to the inductively powered device. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an inductive power supply system having a primary coil and a receptacle disposed within the magnetic field generated by the primary coil. One or more inductively powered devices are placed randomly within the receptacle to receive power inductively from the primary coil. The power supply circuit includes circuitry for adjusting the power supplied to the primary coil to optimize operation based on the position and cumulative characteristics of the inductively powered device(s) disposed within the receptacle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for balancing currents passing through multiple parallel circuit branches and in some cases through parallel fluorescent lamps. Single transformers with multiple-leg magnetic cores are wound in specific manners that simplify current balancing. Conventional three-legged EE-type magnetic cores, with disclosed windings are used to balance current in circuits with three or more parallel branches, such as parallel connected Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFLs).

Abstract: A discharge-lamp lighting apparatus includes first and second cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) and first and second transformers. The first transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding receives an AC voltage generated by turning on/off a first switching element pair that is connected to a first DC power source. The second transformer has a primary winding, a first secondary winding, and a second secondary winding. The primary winding of the second transformer receives an AC voltage generated by turning on/off a second switching element pair that is connected to a second DC power source. Polarities of the first and second secondary windings of the second transformer are set so that a voltages of each of the first and second secondary windings becomes additive to a voltage of the secondary winding of the first transformer.

Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting circuit 1 includes an electric power supply part and a control part. The control part generates a control signal (Sc) for controlling the magnitude of electric power based on a lamp voltage (VL) of a discharge lamp. The electric power supply part supplies the electric power based on the control signal (Sc) from the control part to the discharge lamp. The control part has a differential computation part for differentiating a lamp voltage corresponding signal (VS) with respect to time and generating a first differential signal Sd1 (=dVS/dt), and an integral computation part for integrating a second differential signal (Sd2) which monotonously increases and decreases as the first differential signal (Sd1) increases and decreases with respect to time and generating a first integral signal (Si1), and generates the control signal (Sc) so that the electric power decreases with an increase in the first integral signal (Si1).

Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting circuit includes an emission acceleration controller for detecting a voltage for a discharge lamp and for supplying power exceeding a rated value when the discharge lamp is initially lighted, and thereafter gradually reducing the power to shift the discharge lamp to a steady state. While the value of the power supplied when the lighting of the discharge lamp is started is employed as the maximum, the power supplied to the discharge lamp is controlled. Thus, the speed at which the power is reduced during a period of transition to the steady state is increased in consonance with an increase in the discharge lamp voltage.