Abstract: An HV-ECU executes refresh-discharging of a battery before the battery is charged from a commercial power source using an AC/DC converter. After the battery is refresh-discharged, the HV-ECU outputs a control signal to the AC/DC converter such that the battery is charged from the commercial power source by the drive of the AC/DC converter.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus using a battery and a method of detecting a time to change/recharge the battery in the apparatus.

Abstract: A charger protection device (20) includes an oscillator (201), a resistor (204) electronically connected to the oscillator, a capacitor (203) electronically connected to the resistor and a switch (202). The oscillator (201), the resistor (204) and the capacitor (203) form an oscillating circuit. The switch is electronically connected to the capacitor, and a voltage across the capacitor is input to the switch.

Abstract: An apparatus, which controls the temperature of a secondary battery formed by combination of a plurality of single cells or a plurality of battery modules each made by series connection of multiple single cells, prevents variations in the temperature or voltage of the single cells or the battery modules, which could otherwise be caused when the secondary battery is heated. A temperature control section controls the quantity of heat by means of which a heater heats a secondary battery formed by combination of a plurality of battery modules made by series connection of multiple single cells. The temperature control section detects a rate of temporal changes in an open circuit voltage of the secondary battery. When a detected rate of temporal changes in open circuit voltage has exceeded a predetermined threshold voltage value, the heater is controlled to thus diminish the quantity of heat used for heating the secondary battery.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit is used by being connected to a direct-current power source. The battery charging circuit includes a control transistor, a backflow prevention transistor and a charging controller. The control transistor is disposed in a charging path between the direct-current power source and a battery, and is configured to control a direct-current voltage from the direct-current power source, and to output controlled direct-current voltage as a charging voltage. The backflow prevention transistor is disposed in the charging path, and is configured to output the charging voltage to the battery, and to be turned off when an electric current flows backward from the battery to the direct-current power source. The charging controller is configured to turn on the backflow prevention transistor when charging of the battery starts, and to turn on the control transistor after a fixed period of time elapses from a start of the charging.

Abstract: An energy capture circuit for capturing energy in response to an input pulse. The circuit is constructed and arranged to transfer input energy in time divided portions among subcircuits. This includes a storage means, a clock means, at least two subcircuits, and at least one transfer circuit. Each subcircuit includes a first inductive means in operative communication with the input source, a rectifying means for producing a positive current in operative communication with the first inductive means, a capacitive means in operative communication with the rectifying means, and a switch means in operative communication with the capacitive means. At least one transfer circuit is in operative communication with each of the switch means of the at least two subcircuits. The output of the clock means is in operative communication with both a first switch means and an inverter means, the inverter means having an output in operative communication with a second switch means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a constant-power brushless DC motor and a generator using the same, and in particular, to a constant-power brushless DC motor and a generator using the same, which stably generates power upon load fluctuation. Since the stator is wound in parallel by phases and poles, the motor is realized to generate high power with low voltage and since the stator's winding is performed without interconnection, automatic production is realized to reduce costs and enable mass production. Accordingly, a generator constituted by using the above-described motor supplies high efficient power.

Abstract: A generator control unit (GCU) provides active damping of a synchronous generator by monitoring the speed of the synchronous generator and detecting oscillations in the monitored speed. The oscillations are indicative of torsional oscillations within the mechanical drivetrain including the synchronous generator or generators. In response to detected oscillations in the monitored speed, the GCU generates a varying set-point value that is used to control the excitation voltage provided to the synchronous generator. Varying the excitation voltage provided to the synchronous generator causes a variation in synchronous generator torque. By selectively varying the torque in the synchronous generator, the GCU provides active damping in the synchronous generator that decreases or dampens the torsional oscillations.

Abstract: A method in connection with a frequency converter for correcting the power factor of the frequency converter, and a power factor correction unit. The method includes connecting the power factor correction unit between a rectifier bridge of the frequency converter and the supplying AC voltage network, generating with the power factor correction unit DC voltage from the AC voltage of the supply network and feeding the generated DC voltage to the frequency converter via the rectifier bridge of the frequency converter.

Abstract: Circuit and method for controlling a high bridge circuit with increased efficiency is disclosed. Circuitry is provided outputting gating signals to a high side driver and a low side driver responsive to a time varying input signal. A frequency measurement circuit determines a high speed mode when the input signal is at a frequency above a threshold, and the gating signal to the high side driver is inhibited. When the input signal frequency is below the threshold, the low side driver and the high side driver gating signals switch alternately. In an exemplary implementation, the frequency measurement circuit is provided as two counters outputting signals to a decision circuit which controls the half bridge circuit. Methods are provided for efficiently providing gating signals to the drivers of a half bridge circuit based upon the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: A switching power supply circuit for generating an output voltage at an output node based on an input voltage at an input node includes a reference voltage generating circuit configured to generate a reference voltage such that during an initial start-up period of the reference voltage a voltage rise rate of the reference voltage within a first predetermined period from a start point of the initial start-up period and a voltage rise rate thereof within a second predetermined period immediately preceding an end point of the initial start-up period are smaller than a voltage rise rate thereof in a period between the first predetermined period and the second predetermined period, a coil disposed between the input output nodes, and a switch circuit configured to switch on and off to control current through the coil in response to comparison between the reference voltage and a voltage proportional to the output voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to voltage converters and especially to a control circuit with an input from the voltage converter output and arranged to control the voltage level on the voltage converter output. The problem addressed relates to the situation when there is a pre-bias voltage on the converter output at the moment it is switched on. The object of the control circuit is to increase the voltage on the converter output fast and avoiding any drain of voltage or current from the output at the start up sequence. This is performed by a comparator in the control circuit that is arranged to compare the reference voltage with a division of the output voltage and if the reference voltage is lower that the divided output voltage the reference voltage is increased at the comparator output. The comparator circuit includes an OP-amplifier.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a voltage regulator system where duty cycle value of an input voltage is measured, where the input voltage is supplied to a regulator circuit that provides a regulated output voltage. Based on a calculated ideal duty cycle, which is derived from the measure duty cycle, a determination is made as to whether the regular circuit operational mode is to be changed to achieve greater efficiency.

Abstract: A charging unit charges a capacitor that is configured to be charged and discharged to drive a load. A switching unit switches on and off between the capacitor and the charging unit. A delay control unit delays an output of a switching control signal for controlling the switching unit until an output voltage of the charging unit exceeds a voltage of the capacitor, and outputs a delayed switching control signal. An output unit receives the delayed switching control signal from the delay control unit, and outputs the delayed switching control signal to the switching unit so that the charging unit charges the capacitor.

Abstract: Control device for a switching converter structure comprising at least a first and a second interleaved converter, wherein the control device is configured to designate one converter as master and at least the other converter as slave, to set a time delay of the operating cycle of the slave converter and to synchronize the master and the at the least one slave converter.

Abstract: A controllable power supply device with a step-up function including a constant voltage generator, a programmable voltage generator, a first switch and a linear regulator is provided. The constant voltage generator is used to provide an initial voltage. The programmable voltage generator is used to receive the initial voltage and adjust the received initial voltage to boost the initial voltage to a power supply voltage. The first connecting terminal of the first switch is used to receive the initial voltage, the second connecting terminal of the first switch is used to receive the power supply voltage, and the third connecting terminal of the first switch is coupled to one of the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal. Therefore, the voltage from the third connecting terminal of the first switch is stabilized and is outputted as the output voltage of the controllable power supply device by the linear regulator.

Abstract: An exemplary voltage converter includes a pulse width modulation controller chip, a pull-up transistor, a pull-down transistor, and a low pass filter. The pulse width modulation controller chip includes a plurality of pins, a power management circuit, a gate control logic circuit, a first gate driver, a second gate driver, a current source, a first resistor, an inductor current sensor, a counter and current step generator, and an oscillator. The plurality of pins include a Vcc pin, a BOOT pin, a PHASE pin, a UGATE pin, a LGATE pin, and a GND pin. The PHASE pin serves as a multi-function pin in the pulse width modulation controller chip. The current source, the first resistor, the inductor current sensor, the counter and current step generator, the oscillator, and the pull-down transistor constitute a light-load efficiency improvement circuit.

Abstract: A nonlinear PWM controller for switching power supplies.

Abstract: A system and method of use for a DC-DC conversion wherein a DC supply at one voltage is converted to a DC supply at another voltage. The DC-DC converter uses a switching circuit with a broadband transmission line transformer to change the impedance level between a square-wave generator and a [square-wave]-to-DC converter. The transformer transforms generator characteristic impedance into load characteristic impedance. The method also transforms a DC source voltage into another DC load voltage.

Abstract: A controlled, symmetrical, stable current source that can power floating resistive loads, eliminates the need to connect the load directly to either a power supply or ground and protects the load against overpower should either or both sides of the load be shorted to ground. The current source includes two operational amplifiers for providing a current through the load that is proportional to an input voltage applied across the respective non-inverting inputs of the two operational amplifiers; two current sensing resistors for providing voltage drops that are proportional to the current through the load; and four summing resistors connected to the sensing resistors for providing to the inverting inputs of the operational amplifiers voltages that offset the sum of the voltage drops provided by the sensing resistors so that the current through the load is controlled by only the input voltage.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments described here provide for accurately distributing a voltage reference to multiple cores of an integrated circuit (IC). A quasi-differential interface is used to transmit the voltage reference, and a virtual ground is established at a receiver located at each core location on the integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the receiver is an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) that converts a virtual-ground-referenced voltage input to a current. In one embodiment, the OTA converts the virtual-ground-referenced voltage into three currents via three driving current sources operating relative to the virtual ground and the local ground of the core. Negative feedback controls the accuracy of this conversion and provides a way to cancel the effects of the distribution resistance. The current is sourced across the voltage domains between the virtual ground and the VSS, which is the IC ground. An I*R drop across a resistor converts the current to a voltage referenced to VSS at the output.

Abstract: A method for producing an electricity sensing device with a one-piece, U-shaped bent current conductor of a certain length having a middle portion and two end portions and comprising in the middle portion the form of a rod having a non-rectangular conductor cross-section and featuring flats having a rectangular conductor cross-section in its end portions, and arranged in the middle portion a magnetic module comprising a lead-through for mounting the current conductor, the method comprising the steps: providing the magnetic module as well as a current conductor configured straight and rod-shaped in the middle portion and in at least one of the end portions; tin-coating the current conductor at least partly in at least one end portion; positioning the current conductor and the magnetic module relative to each other such that the current conductor is located in the lead-through of the module by its middle portion, and shaping the current conductor into a U with flattened ends.

Abstract: A self-balancing Wheatstone bridge that provides frequency and power information. The frequency information obtained can be applied to correct the power measurement to provide excellent match, excellent frequency insensitivity, good dynamic range, good frequency range, and adequate frequency accuracy. The system is highly responsive, simple, and cost effective.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an apparatus for testing a protective, measuring or metering device as a constituent part of a high or medium voltage installation, more specifically of a utility protective relay, of a generator protective device, of a current meter and so on in a high or medium voltage installation, a combined terminal and pole block (1) located in the input field of the high or medium voltage installation being connected in the protective field to the protective, measuring or metering device, said terminal and pole block (1) comprising several terminal and pole segments (2) disposed behind each other, each terminal and pole segment (2) comprising on its upper side a pole opening (5) for receiving the pole blade (7) of a plug (8), each terminal and pole segment (2) having a cable clamping apparatus (27; 31) on either side thereof, said cable clamping apparatus (27; 31) being accessible through an opening (22a) for the cable disposed in the side wall of the terminal and pole segment (2)

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a clamp jaw assembly for a clamp meter is provided. The method includes providing a clamp jaw core and a shield having a channel. The method further includes positioning the clamp jaw core within the channel of the shield such that the shield surrounds a portion of the clamp jaw core. The method also includes enclosing the clamp jaw core and the shield within a clamp jaw housing.

Abstract: A hardware description language (HDL) design structure for performing device-specific testing and acquiring parametric data on integrated circuits, such that each chip can be tested individually without excessive test time requirements, additional silicon, or special test equipment. The HDL design structure includes a functional representation of at least one device test structure integrated into an IC design which tests a set of dummy devices that are identical or nearly identical to a selected set of devices contained in the IC. The test structures are integrated from a device under test (DUT) library according to customer requirements and design requirements. The functional representations of selected test structures are further prioritized and assigned to design elements within the design in order of priority. Placement algorithms use design, layout, and manufacturing requirements to place the selected functional representations of test structures into the final layout of the design.

Abstract: To provide a rotation angle detecting device, in which undesirable noises from an angle calculating circuit can be reduced to increase a detection accuracy, outputs of four linear magnetic sensor arrays arranged on a non-rotatable member confronting a magnetic generating element and arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the sensor arrays being arranged along four sides of an imaginary rectangular shape, are read out by signal read-out circuits, and then converted into digital signals by AD converting circuits in order to calculate an angle of rotation of the magnetic generating element by an angle calculating circuit. The signal read-out circuits and the AD converter circuits are arranged outside of the magnetic sensor arrays arranged in a generally rectangular pattern, and the angle calculating circuit is arranged inside of the magnetic sensor arrays, all being mounted on a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A magnet is contained in a display housing and is supported by a slidable operating member. A control housing contains a magnetoresistance effect element. Slidable shifting of the operating member causes an external magnetic field in a positive (+) direction and an external magnetic field in a negative (?) direction to enter the magnetoresistance effect element from the magnet at different timings, thereby changing the electric resistance of the magnetoresistance effect element. Accordingly, when the operating member is slidably shifted, a switching operation between predetermined modes is performed on the basis of a change in the resistance of the magnetoresistance effect element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-lineal statistical independent component (ICA) analysis methodology for calculating T2 or T1 distributions of nuclear magnetic resonance logs. In one aspect, the invention employs a classical blind source separation (BSS) approach with the input data (T2 or T1 distributions) being considered not only horizontally (in relaxation time units), but also vertically (in depth). The statistical variations are used for separating the principal independent components and their corresponding weighting matrix. The result of such ICA based BSS is an efficient separation of T2 components correlative to the presence of particular conditions (e.g., clay bound water, heavy oil, capillary bound water, free water, mud filtrate (water and oil), and noise). Individual saturation of estimated fluids can be calculated from the weighting matrix generated in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: Methods and systems in a parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system utilize sensitivity-encoded MRI data acquired from multiple receiver coils together with spatially dependent receiver coil sensitivities to generate MRI images. The acquired MRI data forms a reduced MRI data set that is undersampled in at least a phase-encoding direction in a frequency domain. The acquired MRI data and auto-calibration signal data are used to determine reconstruction coefficients for each receiver coil using a weighted or a robust least squares method. The reconstruction coefficients vary spatially with respect to at least the spatial coordinate that is orthogonal to the undersampled, phase-encoding direction(s) (e.g., a frequency encoding direction).

Abstract: A shim support guide jig includes a shim support guide pipe in which a guide passage for guiding the movement of a shim support is formed. In a state where a superconducting magnet has generated a static magnetic field, the designated shim support can be drawn out from the internal space of the superconducting magnet through the guide passage, and the designated shim support for which magnetic material shims have been arranged and adjusted can be inserted into the internal space through the guide passage. A magnetic field generation apparatus has the magnetic material shims arranged and adjusted using the shim support guide jig, and a magnetic resonance imaging equipment employs the magnetic field generation apparatus. Magnetic field adjustment methods for the magnetic field generation apparatus and for the magnetic resonance imaging equipment are performed using the shim support guide jig.

Abstract: In a cooling device for arrangement between two gradient coil windings of a gradient coil for dissipation of the heat (arising upon feeding current to the gradient coil windings) by means of a coolant flowing through one or more coolant channels in the cooling device, two films made of thermoplastic material are connected with one another, and are preformed in a thermal reshaping procedure to form coolant channel sections that are complementary to one another to form an inherently stable coolant channel after the connection.

Abstract: A local coil arrangement for magnetic resonance imaging has a number of supporting connection devices for placement of the local coil arrangement on a patient bed, with each supporting connection device embodying a vibration damping device.

Abstract: A radio frequency coil unit includes a plurality of surface coils and a distributing/combining unit. The plurality of surface coils are arranged in a body-axis direction. The distributing/combining unit distributes and combines reception signals output from the plurality of surface coils to generate a new reception signal.

Abstract: To provide an RF coil of an MRI apparatus and improve the irradiation efficiency and the reception sensitivity of a circular polarized magnetic field with a simple structure. An RF coil has a set of input/output terminals and two loops. The two loops are disposed and capacitors in the loops are adjusted so that the linearly polarized magnetic fields generated and detected by the loops are perpendicular to each other, and the combined magnetic field of the linearly polarized magnetic fields is a circular polarized magnetic field.

Abstract: Discriminating between a cable locating signal and a false cable locating signal is described. A reference signal, which contains a locating signal frequency impressed on it, is transmitted in a way which provides for detection of a phase shift between the locating signal and the false locating signal. Based on the phase shift, a receiver is used to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an induction resistivity tool includes an induction transmitter and an induction receiver located along the length of the tool. The transmitter is located adjacent at least one induction bucking coils of the tool. When activated the bucking coils are configured to direct a field transmitted by the induction transmitter away from the tool at an angle from the central axis of the tool.

Abstract: A multi-component field source for surveying subsea formations includes at least two electrodes having a direction of motion, wherein the at least two electrodes are configured to produce an electric dipole in an orientation that is not parallel to both the direction of motion of the electrodes and the seafloor. A method for logging subsea formations includes transmitting electromagnetic energy into the subsea formations with at least two electrodes having a direction of motion and configured to produce an electric dipole in an orientation that is not parallel to both the direction of motion of the electrodes and the seafloor; and receiving signals that comprise electromagnetic energy that has traversed the subsea formations.

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

Abstract: This invention relates to a device of electrodes for measuring water content in foundry sand, an apparatus for measuring water content in foundry sand, and a method and an apparatus for supplying water to a sand mixer. When the prior art device for measuring water content in the foundry sand is disposed in it, the size or shape of the device of the electrodes is limited.

Abstract: A network interface includes a physical layer (PHY) device that provides an interface to a cable. The PHY device includes an autonegotiation module that selectively performs autonegotiation to establish a link with a link partner based on link parameters and a cable test module that performs a cable test before the autonegotiation begins, that determines a cable performance parameter during the cable test, and that compares the cable performance parameter to a predetermined threshold. The autonegotiation module selects at least one of the link parameters based on the comparison.

Abstract: An automatic multi-cable continuity tester. The multi-conductor electrical continuity tester includes a controller that is configured to generate a first serial stream of input test signals. The first serial stream of input test signals includes a plurality of signals equal in number to a plurality of conductors in a cable. A data input module is configured to convert the first serial stream of input test signals into a first parallel stream of test signals. A data output module is configured to receive and convert the first parallel stream of test signals to a first serial stream of output test signals.

Abstract: An electro-static discharge (ESD) detection circuit is provided. The ESD detection circuit includes: a first power pad for receiving a first supply voltage; a second power pad for receiving a second supply voltage; an RC circuit having an impedance component coupled between the first power pad and a first terminal and having an capacitive component coupled between the first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the second terminal is not directly connected to the second supply voltage; a trigger circuit couples to the first power pad, the second power pad, and the RC circuit, for generating an ESD trigger signal according to a voltage level at the first terminal and a voltage level at the second terminal, and a bias circuit coupled between the first power pad and the second power pad for providing a bias voltage to the second terminal.

Abstract: A system for testing the safety of electricity includes steps as following. First step is inserting a testing apparatus into a socket of utility power. Second step is providing a first amplifier and rectifier unit for measuring a first voltage wave as no-loading. Third step is providing a signal capturing unit at driver circuit for capturing an instant load cycle current wave. Fourth step is providing a second amplifier and rectifier unit for simulating a second voltage wave according to the instant cycle current wave. At least, a processing unit provides for comparing the first voltage wave with the second voltage wave. Therefore, the above-mentioned method is provided for determining the quality of household electricity wire and further improving the electricity safety.

Abstract: Delay associated with each of two signals along respective transmission paths is accurately measured using a delay measurement circuit that is fabricated in situ on the actual device where the circuitry for propagating the two signals is fabricated. Thus, the measured delay associated with each of the two signals is subject to the same fabrication-dependent attributes that affect the actual circuitry through which the two signals will be propagated during operation of the device. The skew between the two signals is quantified as the difference in the measured delays. Coarse and fine delay modules are defined within the transmission path of each of the two signals. Based on the measured skew between the two signals, the coarse and fine delay modules are appropriately set to compensate for the skew. The appropriately settings for the coarse and fine delay modules can be stored in non-volatile memory elements.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the moisture and salinity of a material is disclosed herein. The sensor preferably includes a soil moisture circuit, a soil salinity circuit and a probe structure. The soil moisture circuit includes a high frequency oscillator, a voltage meter and a reference capacitor. The soil salinity circuit includes a low frequency oscillator, a voltage meter and a reference resistor. A third voltage meter allows for voltage outputs to be measured to calculate soil moisture and soil salinity values.

Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit includes a current source, a switch, and a comparator. The current source is coupled to drive a current through a circuit node. The switch is coupled to the circuit node to switch the current into a device under test (“DUT”) capacitor. The comparator includes first and second input ports. The comparator is coupled to compare a first voltage received on the first input port against a reference voltage received on the second input port. The first voltage is related to the current driven through the circuit node, a frequency at which the switch is switched, and a capacitance of the DUT capacitor.

Abstract: In the present invention, a position detecting substrate having a capacitive sensor is supported on a transfer arm and transferred by the transfer arm and mounted on a mounting part. The capacitive sensor on the position detecting substrate then detects a position of a target object on the mounting part to detect a mounting position of the position detecting substrate on the mounting part. Based on the mounting position of the position detecting substrate, the moving position of the transfer arm when transferring a substrate is then adjusted.

Abstract: Provided is a detector having a transistor or resistor structure. When an electrode is exposed to a detected solution, such as blood, a variation in current flowing through the detected solution may be greater than a variation in the electrical characteristics of the detector caused by a variation in the physical properties of semiconductor so that it is difficult to detect whether a bio-particle is contained in the detected solution. In order to solve this problem, a detection portion and an electrical measurement portion are separately formed, and the detection portion is processed with the bio-particle and then post-processed. Subsequently, the detection portion and the electrical measurement portion are bonded to each other using, for example, a laminating process, and the detector measures a detection value.

Abstract: A capacitance sensing structure includes a substrate, a sensing electrode layer, at least one stack layer and a conductive body. The sensing electrode layer is formed on or in the substrate. The stack layer is formed on the sensing electrode layer. The conductive body is disposed over and corresponding to the sensing electrode layer and the stack layer.