Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp comprising a ceramic discharge vessel which encloses a discharge space, which is provided with an ionizable filling comprising one or more metal halides, in which a first and a second electrode are arranged, and which comprises a first and a second closing construction at respective sides of the discharge space, which closing constructions are connected to the discharge vessel and comprise a respective first and second current feed-through, at least the second feed-through comprising a capillary tube having a sintered bond to the second closing construction and an electrically conductive pin located within the capillary tube, leaving a crevice between the capillary tube and the pin, said pin and capillary tube being welded together at an end portion remote from the discharge space, wherein the capillary tube has an outer diameter of at most 1 mm, the crevice is at most 10 ?m wide and the pin and the capillary tube consist of a metal chosen from Mo, Re, W

Abstract: A polycrystalline body includes aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, and lutetium oxide. The lutetium oxide is present in an amount of at least 10 ppm of the weight of the ceramic body, and the magnesium and zirconium oxides are present at a molar ratio of from 0.5:1 to 3:1.

Abstract: A discharge lamp ballast apparatus has a reflecting mirror 2 and a power source circuit 5. The reflecting mirror 2 is disposed around a discharge light bulb 1 in such a manner as to cast light from the discharge light bulb 1 in one direction. The power source circuit 5 applies a start pulse of a negative potential with respect to the potential of the reflecting mirror 2 to an electrode 6 located at a side with the higher electric field concentration produced between electrodes 6 and 7 to which a high voltage of the start pulse is applied. This makes it possible to produce a dielectric breakdown near the electrode 6, and makes it easier to start the discharge light bulb 1.

Abstract: A light weight, bobbinless high voltage transformer and igniter module is provided that meets low-cost and high-reliability requirements for automotive HID products. A printed circuit board (112) serves as a carrier for low voltage electronic components. A high voltage bar core transformer (114) is held in a cradle (130, 130?) that accommodates potting material and has a channel (160) that receives a high voltage wire extending from the transformer for connection with a lead (104) of an HID lamp (100). Thin walls (210, 212) allow the cradle to serve as the cavity for the potting of the transformer. In addition, multi-layer dielectric material is disposed between the primary and secondary windings. Preferably, the primary winding (196) is a strap that covers a large surface area of the secondary winding (192).

Abstract: A photo detector is disclosed. The photo detector has a substrate, a semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate, an insulating layer covered on the semiconductor layer, an interlayer dielectric layer covered on the insulating layer, and two electrodes formed on a portion of the interlayer dielectric layer. The semiconductor layer has a first doping region, a second doping region, and an intrinsic region located between the first doping region and the second doping region. The interlayer dielectric layer has at least three holes to expose a portion of the insulating layer, a portion of the first doping region, and the second doping region. The electrodes are connected to the first doping region and the second doping region through two of the holes.

Abstract: The present utility model discloses an electroluminescent element driving apparatus, which mainly resolves the problems caused by insufficient supplying of an electric power to affect the service life of the apparatus in the prior art. The electroluminescent element driving apparatus disclosed by the present utility model includes a power supply, a controlling IC, an electroluminescent element driving unit, a electroluminescent cell comprised of an electroluminescent element, and a charging unit connected to the power supply. The power supply continually storage's electric power while it supplies the power to the controlling IC and the electroluminescent element driving unit, respectively, the controlling IC supplies a flash to at least one electroluminescent element driving unit, the electroluminescent element driving unit transmits a signal having the flash to the electroluminescent cell, and the electroluminescent cell displays the signal having the flash.

Abstract: An exemplary light emitting diode (LED) lamp is provided. The LED lamp includes a base, an encapsulation, a circuit carrier, a first LED chip, a second LED chip, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The base and the encapsulation cooperatively define a sealed space. The circuit board, along with the first and the second LED chips carried thereon, are received in the sealed space. The first and the second LED chips are electrically connected to the circuit board. The first LED chip is electrically connected with the second LED chip in anti-parallel. The first and the second electrodes are electrically connected to the circuit board so as to supply power to the first and the second LED chips. A LED assembly and a LED string, both employing the aforementioned LED lamp therein, also are provided.

Abstract: A method of generating an output DC voltage of a gas discharge process voltage supply unit, in which in a first voltage transformation stage a first DC voltage is transformed into a second DC voltage of a predetermined voltage range, and the output DC voltage is generated from the second DC voltage in a second voltage transformation stage. A switching element of at least one boost converter is switched with a controlled pulse-duty factor for generating the output DC voltage in the second voltage transformation stage. This method permits striking and maintenance of a plasma process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit arrangement for supplying a lamp wattage to a high-pressure discharge lamp (Lp) in the form of an alternating current having an operating frequency. The alternating current is generated by a full bridge that is composed of two half-bridge branches. The lamp wattage can be adjusted via the phase which the two half-bridge branches have relative to each other. The lamp wattage is modulated by means of the transmission function of an interface if the operating frequency is frequency-modulated. Said modulation of the lamp wattage can be compensated by adequately correcting the phase.

Abstract: There is provided a LED array driving apparatus for driving a light emitting array having a plurality of LEDs connected to one another, including: a DC-DC converting part; a current/voltage detecting part detecting a magnitude of a first current flowing through a switching transistor of the DC-DC current converting part to correspondingly output a first current detection voltage, detecting a magnitude of a both-end voltage of the LED array to correspondingly output a LED array detection voltage, and detecting a magnitude of a current flowing through the LED array to correspondingly output a second current detection voltage; and a constant current controlling part controlling an on/off duty of the switching transistor according to the magnitude of the first current detection voltage, the second current detection voltage and the LED array detection voltage detected by the current/voltage detecting part.

Abstract: A lighting control system is operable to be coupled to a security system and is pre-programmed such that the control devices of the lighting control system behave out-of-box in a predetermined manner in response to the security system. The lighting control system comprises a contact closure input that is operable to be simultaneously coupled to both a momentary contact closure output and a maintained contact closure output of the security system. Preferably, the lighting control system enters a first mode of operation when the contact closure input detects a closure, enters a second mode of operation if the contact closure input continues to detect the closure after a predetermined amount of time, and enters a third mode of operation if the contact closure input no longer closed. Accordingly, the lighting control system is responsive to either the momentary contact closure output or the maintained contact closure output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting system (1) with a user interface (3) for controlling the lighting color and/or intensity of a lighting unit (2) determining the lighting conditions in a room. The user interface (3) is based on a system comprising a detection device (4) and transponders (6). Bringing the transponders (6) within the detection device (4) so that they will be detected causes the transponders (6) to send a response signal, which signal controls the lighting color and/or intensity of the lighting unit (2). Each transponder (6) is programmed to control a particular color or a specific light intensity.

Abstract: A backlight unit comprising a boost circuit and a backlight element. The boost circuit is coupled to a voltage source and controlled by a PWM signal and a switch signal. When the backlight unit operates in a normal mode, the boost circuit is supplied by the voltage source according to the PWM signal and the switch signal to drive the backlight element to emit light. When the backlight unit operates in a standby mode, the voltage source stops supplying the boost circuit according to the PWM signal and the switch signal, and the backlight element stops emitting light.

Abstract: A bulb detection circuit is associated with a dimmer circuit for a lighting system. The bulb detection circuit is operable to detect whether an incandescent or a fluorescent bulb is received in an electric light socket. The socket may be hardwired to the circuit, or could be plugged into an electrical outlet. The bulb detection circuit may utilize a separately inventive method of measuring the resistance by looking at an RC circuit time constant. Further, the bulb detection circuit may utilize a separately inventive method of identifying a short circuit by again looking at the RC circuit time constant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ignition module for a gas discharge lamp, said ignition module comprising: a first module for generating a first series of pulse from a low frequency driving signal, a second module for generating a second series of pulse from a high frequency driving signal, and a superposing and boosting module for boosting module for superposing and increasing said first series of pulse and said second series of pulse so as to generate an output pulse intended to break down the gas in said gas discharge lamp. Via this invention, a high effective OCV can be easily obtained without increasing the DCBUS, and the ignition of the gas discharge lamp is improved.

Abstract: Control of delivery of current through one or more discharge lamps. Methods include alternately switching on and off switching elements that control a fluorescent lamp, in response to receiving input, until the brightness of the lamp decreases to a threshold. Further, methods include providing control signals at complementary duty cycles to further decrease the brightness and alternating the duty cycles of the signals applied to the filaments of the fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lighting apparatus using one or more fluorescent lamps. The lighting apparatus according to the present invention includes one or more sockets, a board, a ballast, and a Direct Current (DC) power supply. The sockets accommodate the fluorescent lamps. The board supports Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for emitting green light in a wavelength range of 498 to 530 nm, LEDs for emitting red light in a wavelength range of 620 to 700 nm, and LEDs for emitting bluish green at 495 nm. The ballast provides a ballast function to the fluorescent lamps. The DC power supply supplies DC power to the LEDs.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) backlight module includes a light emitting matrix, M row signal lines, N column signal lines, a row driver and a column driver. The light emitting matrix has multiple LED units arranged in M rows and N columns. The row driver in use outputs M row-driving signals to sequentially enable M rows of the LED units via the M row signal lines. The column driver in use sequentially outputs 1st to Mth rows of data signals corresponding to the M row signal lines to the N columns of the LED units via the N column signal lines for generating backlight of intended luminous intensity.

Abstract: To avoid acoustic resonance in a gas discharge lamp, a lamp current constituted of a number of frequencies is supplied to said lamp. Using a number of frequencies, the total power supplied to the lamp is distributed over said number of frequencies. Since the power per frequency is relatively low, the possibility of occurrence of an acoustic resonance is low irrespective of the characteristics of the gas discharge lamp. The current may comprise a number of frequencies by applying a number of sinusoidal currents or by using a non-sinusoidal current.

Abstract: A remote dimmable energy-saving device (fluorescent lamp) (20) comprises a remote control transmitter and a dimmable electronic ballast (30) with a built-in remote control receiver (38), wherein said receiver and the dimmable electronic ballast are integrated together and arranged in the T4/T5 tube adapter for T8/T10 tube batten or a fluorescent tube batten. A signal processing circuit of the remote control receiver (37) and a ballasting control circuit (35) of the dimmable electronic ballast are integrated into a single dimming control integrated circuit to control the lamp brightness to any level in the full brightness range.

Abstract: A ballast controller integrated circuit which executes a specific set of instructions via an integrated state diagram architecture to control a fluorescent lamp or high intensity discharge lamp and protect the ballast. The state diagram architecture controls powering up and down of the IC and the half-bridge circuit driven by the IC, preheating and striking of the lamp, running of the lamp, sensing for numerous possible fault conditions, and recovering from these fault conditions based on the normal maintenance of a lamp, while requiring fewer internal and external components than previous electronic ballasts.

Abstract: A system and method for limiting peak power demand of a controller (26) for an electromechanical actuator A motor current command is limited to at least one of a positive current limit or a negative current limit, the positive and negative current limits being a function of motor velocity. A motor drive signal is output to the motor in accordance with the limited motor current command.

Abstract: An oscillation device capable of generating a drive signal waveform with a sufficiently small number of harmonic components is provided. The oscillation device includes an oscillation system, a supporting unit configured to support the oscillation system, a drive unit configured to drive the oscillation system, and a drive control unit configured to control the drive unit by supplying a drive signal. The oscillation system includes a torsion spring and an oscillator. The drive control unit includes a drive-signal generating circuit configured to generate the drive signal using an address generator configured to generate an address to which a predetermined variable is added at a frequency higher than a frequency of the drive signal and using a trigonometric-function table indexed by an output of the address generator. The frequency of the drive signal is adjusted by adjusting the predetermined variable.

Abstract: A block switch controller for a linear motor is disclosed, the block switch controller having a motor current threshold profile controlling the switching of a plurality of block switches in a linear motor. Also, a block switch controller for a linear motor comprising a closed loop vector current controller that incorporates a delay state having a feedback gain is disclosed. Additionally, a method of switching a plurality of block switches that minimizes switching transients is provided. Finally, an article of manufacture containing computer code implementing a modeling and simulation program for modeling a linear motor system is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a circuit for regulating the speed of a commutator series-wound motor, especially a universal motor (10), which is supplied with a current from an a.c. voltage source (22) by means of a semiconductor switching element (18) mounted in series with an armature winding (12) and a field winding (14, 16) and controlled by a control unit (28) according to a nominal speed value. The control unit (28) receives, as input signals, signals corresponding to the total voltage drop (Umot) when the motor (10) is supplied with a current, and a substitute signal for the intensity of the motor current (I), corresponding to the voltage drop (Ua, Ufa) on the armature (12) alone or on the armature (12) and on a part (14) of the field winding (14, 16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device of a vehicle seat for controlling a first drive and a second drive and for detecting jamming of a body part or of an object by means of an adjusting movement of an adjusting part, which can be adjusted in a first adjusting direction by means of the first drive and in a second adjusting direction by means of the second drive, of the vehicle seat, wherein the control device is configured to detect the jamming by means of a combined evaluation of at least one first force variable which is dependent on the adjusting movement and of a second force variable which is dependent on the adjusting movement.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a housing configured with a working element. The device also includes a motor configured for urging motion of the working element. The device also includes a power control module which may be electrically connected with at least one of the motor, a first power source configuration and a second power source configuration. Electric current is provided to the motor by the first and/or the second power source configurations. The first power source configuration may be electrically connected to a battery assembly having a DC power output. The second power source configuration may be electrically connected to a power inverter which may receive AC power and output DC power to the second power source configuration. The motor may be one of a permanent magnet DC (PMDC) motor, a universal motor and an induction motor, the motor receiving power via the power control module from at least one of the first power source configuration and the second power source configuration.

Abstract: An electronically commutated asynchronous motor (12) features a stator (202), a short-circuit rotor (204), a controller (FOR 20) for field-oriented regulation of the motor (12), a sensor magnet (274) in thermally conductive connection with the short-circuit rotor (204), a rotor position sensor (14A; 18; 18?) arranged at a predetermined distance (d) from the sensor magnet (274) to generate an output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2) that is dependent upon the spatial orientation of the sensor magnet (274), and a temperature evaluation apparatus (CALC_T 44) configured to ascertain, during operation, from the sensor output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2), a temperature value (T) that characterizes a temperature (T_SM, T_S) in the motor (12).

Abstract: A servo control system micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)-based motion control system (and method therefor), includes a motion generator having an inherent stiffness component.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for diagnosing faults in multiple, associated motor-resolver systems. One apparatus includes a swapping circuit coupling a first resolver to a first or second decoder, and a swapping circuit coupling a second resolver to the first or second decoder. One method includes applying a signal from a resolver to a first decoder to determine that the first decoder is malfunctioning if the first decoder continues to generate a fault signal, and applying a signal from a different resolver to a second decoder to determine that a motor associated with the first decoder is malfunctioning if the second decoder generates a fault signal. Another method includes transmitting a signal from a resolver to first and second decoders, transmitting a signal from a different resolver to the first and second decoders, and determining if the first decoder, second decoder, a first motor, or a second motor is malfunctioning.

Abstract: A power converter is provided with a rectifying circuit, an inverter circuit, and a common mode filter including a common mode choke coil and a capacitor. The switching frequency of a PWM rectifying circuit is set at three times the switching frequency of a PWM inverter. Alternatively, the resonance frequency of the common mode filter is set at twice the carrier frequency of the rectifying circuit or the PWM inverter circuit or more.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for driving a 2-phase SRM capable of individually performing an initial driving by an initializing sensor and a normal driving by a driving sensor, and capable of controlling a rotation speed of the SRM by delaying a phase signal by a half period and then generating a pulse width modulation signal based on the period. The apparatus comprises: a driving sensor which detects a position of a rotor thus to generate a driving sensor signal based on a result of the detection; a microprocessor which generates a 1-phase signal and a 2-phase signal based on a rising time and a falling time of the driving sensor signal at the time of a normal driving; an oscillator which generates first and second pulse width modulation signals delayed by a preset time; and a multiplying unit which multiplies the 1-phase and 2-phase signals with the first and second pulse width modulation signals, and generates 1-phase and 2-phase driving signals based on a result of the multiplication.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power converter that can be used to interface a motor 4 that requires variable voltage at variable frequency to a supply network (bus) providing a nominally fixed voltage and nominally fixed frequency. The power converter includes a first active rectifier/inverter 10 electrically connected to the stator of the motor 4 and a second active rectifier/inverter 14. Both the first and second active rectifier/inverters include a plurality of semiconductor power switching devices. A dc link 12 is connected between the first active rectifier/inverter and the second active rectifier/inverter. A filter 16 is connected between the second active rectifier/inverter and the supply network and includes network terminals. The power converter includes a first controller 18 for the first active rectifier/inverter and a second controller 20 for the second active rectifier/inverter.

Abstract: A portable battery-powered power supply or charger for use with electronic devices containing a primary or secondary battery. In order to control the current flow into and out of its battery, the portable power supply uses a bidirectional charge controller. The battery is installed in a housing which preferably has a single connector port to which a flexible current lead may be plugged. The bidirectional charge controller enables the battery either to supply current to the electronic device, to charge the device's internal battery, or it allows the battery, if it is a secondary battery, to be charged by connection to an externally powered charger, such as a wall mains adapter. Both of these functions are achieved through a single connection port.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith a multi-functional power storage and supply device for providing power to a variety of portable electronic devices includes a housing having a battery mounting surface. A battery pack is electrically and detachably attached to the battery mounting surface of the housing. At least one rechargeable battery is disposed within the battery pack, and is provided with a pair of outputs. A power charging circuit connectable to an external power source is arranged to charge the rechargeable battery with a charging voltage via a charging circuit once the device is connected to a power source. And at least one USB port is connected to the power charging circuit, and which is in turn connected to the outputs of the battery via a boosting circuit for charging an electronic device coupled thereon with the external power source or the power stored in the battery.

Abstract: A battery pack for a sterilizable instrument, such as a medical endoscope. The battery pack includes batteries removably positioned within an enclosure which mounts a first grouping of electrical contacts engaged with the battery contacts. The enclosure includes an outer end wall which sealingly encloses the first grouping of contacts. The outer end wall mounts a second grouping of electrical contacts which are normally resiliently maintained in a first position spaced from the contacts of the first grouping. The contacts of the second grouping sealingly penetrate through the outer end wall. When the battery pack is engaged on the instrument, the contacts of the second grouping engage third contacts on the instrument, causing the contacts of the second grouping to move into a second position where they directly engage contacts of the first grouping to provide electrical power to the instrument.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The battery pack and the power tool can have complementary grooves and rails or L-shaped surfaces that aid in aligning the positive and negative blade terminals of the battery pack to the positive and negative tool terminals, respectively, of the power tool.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a charger (104) and a portable appliance such as a flashlight (102). The flashlight includes first and second flashlight electrical contacts. The charger includes first (122a) and second (122b) flashlight supports or jaws that support the flashlight in a flashlight receiving region of the charger (104). The flashlight supports (122) include a tapered surface that varies a dimension of the battery receiving region as a function of a longitudinal position of the flashlight supports (122). The charger (104) also includes a light source (120) that indicates when the flashlight (102) has been correctly inserted in the charger (104).

Abstract: A cell controller with excellent reliability in which noise and soon are suppressed is provided. The cell controller includes, corresponding to the number of cell packs, a plurality of ICs each having a voltage detecting circuit detecting voltages of respective cells of a cell pack in which four cells are connected in series, a switch control circuit controlling conduction and a blocking operation of a plurality of switch elements connected in parallel to the respective cells via capacity adjusting resistors, a LIN1 terminal for inputting control information, a LIN2 terminal for outputting control information, a Vcc terminal and a GND terminal, and a LIN2 terminal of a higher-order IC and a LIN1 terminal of a lower-order IC are connected in a daisy chain.

Abstract: An energy saving type feeder voltage compensation apparatus improved in availability at low temperatures, wherein when a electric energy storage apparatus is lower in temperature than a predetermined value, an output voltage output to a feeder side is made equal to or higher than a no-load output voltage of a substation connected in parallel. Power is supplied to a power running rolling stock preferentially from the electric energy storage apparatus. The heating value of the secondary battery is increased and the battery temperature is raised by this discharging, whereby internal resistance of the electric energy storage apparatus is lowered, and the charging and discharging loss is suppressed, and the efficiency and availability of the energy saving type feeder voltage compensation apparatus as a whole are improved.

Abstract: An exemplary battery charging apparatus for charging a storage battery includes a power input configured for receiving power from a voltage source, a zener diode, a voltage divider, a driving circuit, a switching circuit, and a power output. The cathode of the zener diode is connected to the power input, the anode of the zener diode is connected to ground via the voltage divider. The driving circuit has an input connected to an output of the voltage divider, an output connected to a first terminal of the switching circuit, a second terminal of the switching circuit is connected to the power input, a third terminal of the switching circuit is connected to the power output which is connected to the storage battery. The battery charging apparatus can protect the storage battery from being charged by over voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling the operating point (AP, AP1, AP2) of a battery (1), such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium polymer battery. The charging state (SoC1, SoC2) of the battery (1) is recorded as a state variable which determines the current operating point (AP1, AP2) of the battery (1). The current operating point (AP1, AP2) is set by a corresponding set value (SoCAP1, SoCAP2) for the charging state (SoC1, SoC2) which is continuously adjusted depending on the temperature (T) and/or on the age state (SoH) of the battery.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To efficiently charge a battery via a charger at a higher possible charging current that is within the range where no trouble due to the temperature occurs in the charger. [Solution] There is provided a charger 10 that can charge a battery 3 of a vehicle 1 with a charging current A from a power source 8, and that is not mounted on board. In charging the battery 3, charging modes M1 to M4 are switched sequentially at a plurality of predetermined timings H1 to H5 as a charging time H elapses. Generally over the entire charging time H, values of the charging current A for the respective charging modes M1 to M4 are reduced as the charging time H elapses.

Abstract: A battery charging apparatus connects secondary batteries of the battery pack, plurality of charge terminals and two discharge terminals to form plurality charge paths and a discharge path, which has a main switch provided on the discharge path, a main controller connecting the battery pack and the main switch, plurality of sub switches provided on the charge paths, plurality of sub controllers connecting secondary batteries of the battery pack and corresponding sub switches, a thermal controller connecting the main controller and a temperature switch. The temperature switch connects the sub switches. The main controller and sub controllers monitor charge state and discharge state of the battery pack to set the main switch and sub switches cut off the discharge path and the charge paths. The thermal controller monitors temperature of the battery pack and main switch to set the main switch and the sub switches cut off the discharge path and the charge paths.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a case; a revolution body rotatable with respect to the case; an electric generator converting rotational kinetic energy of the revolution body into electrical energy; a gear assembly transferring rotational force of the revolution body to the electric generator, and including at least one gear; and a secondary cell storing the electrical energy generated by the electric generator.

Abstract: A primary cell and a secondary cell are distinguished from each other. A microcomputer of a digital camera determines a first cell (a primary cell) and a second cell (a secondary cell) as a built-in cell. When a dedicated charging device is connected to a digital camera, a microcomputer activates transistor switches to thus detect a terminal voltage of the second cell. When the terminal voltage shows a finite value, the second cell is determined to be incorporated. When the terminal voltage shows a value of essentially zero, the transistor switch is activated to thus apply a predetermined voltage. When a voltage drop attributable to a resistor has arisen, the second cell is determined to be overcharged. When both a terminal of the second cell and a terminal of the first cell show finite values, a short circuit is determined to have arisen.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an apparatus that includes a battery system, which includes at least one cell and a charge enable device to couple the at least one cell to a charging voltage. The apparatus also includes an excessive voltage detector to output a signal to control the charge enable device. The signal prevents charging of the at least one cell if an excessive charging voltage is detected based on an activation of a clamping component.

Abstract: The vehicle-use power supply control apparatus includes a first battery supplying electric power to a load, an alternator driven by a vehicle engine, a second electric accumulator parallel-connected to the first battery, an electric power converter performing two-way power transmission between the first and second batteries, and a power supply control unit. The power supply control includes a function of setting a target power generation efficiency index, a function of setting a target power generation amount of the alternator on the basis of the target power generation efficiency index, while referring to a map defining relationship between a power generation efficiency index and a power generation amount of the alternator, and a function of controlling an amount and a transmission direction of transmission power of the electric power converter in order that an amount of electric power generated by the alternator becomes equal to the target power generation amount.

Abstract: A generator system that includes a three-phase AC machine and an active rectifier bridge employing low on-resistance MOSFET switches for converting the AC current from the machine to a DC current. The system also includes a switch control circuit to switch the MOSFET switches in synchronization with the three-phase current flow. The system determines the phase-to-ground voltages of the machine as inputs to the switch control circuit. The control circuit calculates the phase-to-phase voltages from the phase-to-ground voltages. The control circuit then determines if each of the phase-to-phase voltages is above or below first and second predetermined threshold voltages, where if the phase-to-phase voltage is above the first threshold voltage, the control circuit closes the switch, and if the phase-to-phase voltage is below the second threshold voltage, the control circuit opens the switch.

Abstract: A highly reliable control device for an AC generator without using a transistor and diode having high withstand voltage is provided.