Abstract: A ball grid array (BGA) package includes a substrate layer having first and second sides. A semiconductor chip is attached to the first side of the substrate layer by a dielectric adhesive layer. A plurality of solder balls are attached to the second side of the substrate layer. The solder balls may be set out by rows and columns. A plurality of wires electrically connect the semiconductor chip to the solder balls. A layer of encapsulating compound is deposited over the semiconductor chip. A step cavity of a selected depth and shape is formed in the layer of encapsulating compound at or near the edge or periphery of the layer of encapsulating compound. The step cavity is separated from the solder balls by the substrate layer but spans over a plurality of selected solder balls.

Abstract: A system for harvesting footwear energy. The energy may be in a form of footwear movement which involves a compression and decompression of chambers situated in the footwear. There may be a back chamber in the heel area and a front chamber in the toe area of the footwear. The chambers may be filled with gas which moves in and out upon compression and decompression of the chambers at the heel and toe areas upon the ambulatory motion of a person wearing the footwear. The moving gas may go through a pneumatic rectifier that provides a unidirectional stream of gas to spin a micro-turbine which turns an electrical generator, or operate a pneumatic device.

Abstract: A starter control system is disclosed. In one example, the starter control system allows both automatic and manual control over an engine starting sequence. The starter control system can enhance starter control system flexibility.

Abstract: A wave power apparatus at least a part of which is permanently fixed to the sea floor or to ground, i.e. such as to a breakwater, a mole, a pier, a jetty, a cliff or an oil rig. The wave power apparatus (302) includes a plurality of rotationally supported arms (322), each of which carries a float (324) at its free end, so that a translational movement of the float caused by a wave results in rotation of the arm. The apparatus comprises power conversion means for converting power transmitted from the wave to the arms into electric power, e.g. a hydraulic system, in which a hydraulic fluid is displaced by the movement of the arms (322) to drive one or more hydraulic motors. The plurality of apparatus is arranged in a row such that a wave passing the row of arms causes the arms to successively pivot with a mutual phase shift. Thereby, an even power output may be achieved, and the need for frequency converters may be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for generating electricity by using the reciprocating motion of floats caused by waves includes a plurality of cylindrical floats each traveling on a cylinder push rod. The wave motion through the floats forces hydraulic fluid in a closed loop hydraulic system into a hydraulic motor, and converts the kinetic energy of the linear float motion to rotary motion to drive electrical generators.

Abstract: A faucet generator includes a case having water inflow and outflow ports and in which a water supply channel is formed, a rotor vane disposed inside the water supply channel, a magnet which is rotatable integrally with the rotor vane, a bearing which supports a force that the rotor vane receives from a water flow, a coil which produces an electromotive force by a rotation of the magnet, and a yoke having a base part surrounding the coil and a plurality of inductors spaced apart from each other and extending from the base part. The coil is spaced apart from the magnet in an axial direction of a rotation center axis of the magnet and is disposed to face the magnet, the magnet is magnetized on an outer circumferential face which intersects with a plane perpendicular to the rotation center axis, and the inductors are disposed outside the case to face the outer circumferential face of the magnet.

Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.

Abstract: The present patent application concerns wind turbine having a rotor with a first rotor blade and a pitch control system with a controller and a first drive system for adjusting a pitch angle of the first rotor blade, wherein the drive system is adapted to transform rotational energy of the rotor blade rotating about its longitudinal axis into another form of energy such that a counter torque against the rotating direction is induced.

Abstract: The invention is directed at an air flow apparatus for use with an electric vehicle. The air flow apparatus operates as complementary energy sources for the production of electricity to maintain battery capacity for the propulsion of an electrically powered vehicle. This is preferably achieved by combining induced air flow and the burning of a fossil fuel, such as propane, to effect generator output. In another embodiment, the use of propane is reduced as the vehicle proceeds at specific speeds.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a bedplate, a main shaft and a direct drive generator is disclosed. The main shaft pivots relative to the bedplate by a first and second bearing. The direct drive generator includes a rotor connected to the main shaft and a stator containing a hollow part like housing substantially arranged around the rotor and containing a first endplate, a second endplate and a casing element connecting the first and the second endplate to each other. The second endplate of the stator is at least indirectly attached to the bedplate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and using wind energy. The apparatus has a hub, blades extending radially outwardly from the hub, a first shaft interconnected to the hub, a generator connected to the first shaft, a first coupler, a transmission connected to a portion of the first shaft opposite the hub, a second shaft extending from the transmission, a second coupler, a first pulley connected to the second shaft, a second pulley positioned below the first pulley, a line extending around the first and second pulleys, a fluid receptacle affixed to the line, an elevated reservoir positioned adjacent the first pulley, a base reservoir positioned below the second pulley, a pump positioned between the elevated reservoir and the base reservoir, and a control valve connected to the elevated reservoir.

Abstract: A windmill electric generator includes a support base, an inline generator assembly, a large generator, a variable blade pitch housing and a plurality of blades. The support base includes a pedestal support and a rotating support. The inline generator assembly includes a generator support structure, a plurality of inline generators and a drive shaft. The generator support structure is attached to a top of the rotating support. Large generator support members are attached to the generator support structure. The variable blade pitch housing is attached to one end of the drive shaft. The plurality of blades are pivotally retained on the variable blade pitch housing. The large generator includes a rotor and a stator assembly. The rotor is retained on the other end of the drive shaft. The stator assembly is attached to an end of the plurality of large generator support members.

Abstract: A system and method for converting heat energy released by compostable matter into electricity through the use of a compost updraft tower. A compost updraft tower comprises a collector region that contains compostable matter, one or more towers that rise up through the collector region, and one or more turbines. The air within the collector region is heated by the energy released during the composting process, and the heated air flows through the collector region toward the open first end of one or more of the towers. The heated air then rises up through one or more of the towers to the open second end of the tower. The heated air flowing through the system drives turbines that generate electricity. In one embodiment the roof of the collector region is transparent to allow solar radiation to penetrate the collector region and heat air within.

Abstract: A controlling apparatus for a motor vehicle has a high voltage direct current (dc) power supply, an inverter for converting dc power of the high voltage dc power supply into ac power, a smoothing capacitor provided between the inverter and the high voltage dc power supply, a main contactor provided between the high voltage dc power supply and the smoothing capacitor for connecting and disconnecting the high voltage dc power supply and the smoothing capacitor to and from each other, and a precharge circuit connected in parallel to the main contactor.

Abstract: A converter ECU (2) obtains allowable power total value including at least one of discharge allowable power total value ?Wout of discharge allowable power Wout1, Wout2 and charge allowable power total value ?Win of charge allowable power Win1, Win2. Then, the converter ECU (2) determines which of the allowable power total value and an actual power value is greater, If the actual power value is smaller than the allowable power total value, the converter ECU (2) controls a converter (8-1) such that an input/output voltage value Vh attains a prescribed target voltage value, and at the same time controls a converter (8-2) such that a battery current value Ib2 attains a prescribed target current value.

Abstract: The battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator includes mechanisms for applying backup battery power to an emergency communicator. Electrically operated relays may be employed to switch the backup battery in order to power the emergency communicator of a telematics device. When relays are used in the system, failure of the car battery causes normally open relay contacts to close, applying backup battery power to the emergency communications device. Normally closed relay contacts open to remove connection of the failed battery to the emergency communications device. Additional features of the battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator may include a battery charger, an uninterruptible power system (UPS), transistor switches, an emergency contact dialer, and a timer that limits application time of the backup battery.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for integrating multiple transformers on a shared core, while avoiding interference between the transformers and other potentially undesirable effects of the integration. In one embodiment, multiple transformers are wound on a shared core. Each transformer is wound on the core, so that its primary and secondary windings are magnetically coupled to each other through the core without being coupled to the windings of other transformers sharing the core. The multiple integrated transformers may then be provided in a circuit arrangement by placing only a single core element in the arrangement.

Abstract: An outlet switch socket device includes a plug, at least one socket, at least one switch, a power converter, a communication module, a microprocessor and an infrared module. Moreover, the plug is used to receive an alternating current. Each switch is respectively coupled between each corresponding socket and the plug. The power converter is coupled to the plug and converts the alternating current into a direct current, thereby supplying the direct current to the microprocessor. Moreover, the microprocessor receives the direct current from the power converter and receives a control signal from a remote control via the communication module. Furthermore, the microprocessor is used to control those switches according to the control signal and transmits the control signal to the infrared module. The infrared module is used to output an infrared signal to control an infrared device.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention relate to an integrated circuit including a first power supply domain and at least a second power supply domain. Furthermore, the integrated circuit includes a radio frequency element connected between the first power supply domain and the second power supply domain.

Abstract: The invention provides a monolithic, highly integrated power supply circuit capable of providing various voltages for circuits on an expansion card, either from a main supply source or an auxiliary supply source. The monolithic power supply circuit preferably includes two switching converters, two low-drop-out regulators, a standby regulator, a reset circuit, and a control circuit. An associated method for providing various voltages via a monolithic power supply circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A structure compliant with non-contact power transmission includes a placement member that includes a placement side, an electronic instrument including a non-contact power transmission power receiving device being placed on the placement side, a non-contact power transmission power transmitting device, and a position detection circuit that detects the positional relationship between a primary coil and a secondary coil. The power transmitting device detects the relative positional relationship between the primary coil and the secondary coil using a harmonic detection circuit, and drives an XY stage using an actuator to automatically position the primary coil with respect to the secondary coil, for example.

Abstract: An electrical timer for plugging into an electrical wall outlet to control electrical current supplied to electrical appliances. The timer includes a housing having front and rear halves that are retained together. A display assembly includes a pushbutton switch and one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that indicate which time period is selected mounted to a circuit board. A user-operable actuator button is connected to the switch. A clear display panel is exteriorly affixed to the front half. The actuator button extends through respective button holes of the front half and the display panel. Each LED extends through a corresponding LED hole of the front half so as to be visible to users through the display panel. A thin mask is disposed on the display panel that defines an opaque area with a logo and a corresponding transparent area for each LED. An electrical plug is connected along the electrical circuit and mounted through the rear half of the housing for plugging into the wall outlet.

Abstract: An electret device includes an electret film into which charges are injected and a barrier film provided on a surface of the electret film and having an electron affinity smaller than the electron affinity of the electret film.

Abstract: An acceleration generator 20 includes: a moving member (21, 25) that performs a periodic translational motion along a particular straight line; a first operating part (24) that applies a first force that varies in magnitude depending on the relative position thereof with respect to the moving member to the moving member in a direction parallel to the particular straight line; and a second operating part (27) that applies a second force that varies in magnitude depending on the relative position thereof with respect to the moving member to the moving member in a direction parallel to the particular straight line. The moving member performs a translational motion in which the acceleration thereof in the positive direction and the acceleration thereof in the negative direction are asymmetric in one period.

Abstract: Motors having a magnetic force attenuator are described. In some embodiments, the motors comprise a stationary member having a base and a stator, a rotating assembly having a magnet and a magnetic force attenuator to attenuate the magnetic attraction force between the magnet and the base; and a fluid bearing to support rotation of the rotating assembly relative to the stationary member. The magnetic force attenuator typically comprises a material of high magnetic permeability, and modulates the magnetic attraction force between the magnet and the base of the motor.

Abstract: A machine includes an inner air-cooled rotor and an outer liquid-cooled stator, in which the stator includes a radial cooling arrangement arranged to convey a cooling liquid radially in the stator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor which includes a stator including a plurality of aluminum coils and a rotor. The rotor includes a frame including a magnetic material, and a permanent magnet attached to the frame. The permanent magnet is made of neodymium.

Abstract: The present invention enables replacement work of a wiper motor to be carried out with a link plate being fixed to an output shaft, and achieves improvement of maintainability. A diameter dimension of a through-hole of a motor bracket is set to that of allowing a tip side of a link plate with a ball joint to pass through the through-hole in a state where the link plate is inclined with respect to the motor bracket. Thus, the replacement work of the wiper motor can be carried out with the link plate being fixed to the output shaft. Alignment work of the link plate with respect to the output shaft becomes unnecessary at a time of the replacement work of the wiper motor, and maintainability can be significantly improved without decreasing positional accuracy of wiper members with respect to a front glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cylindrical rotating electric machines which comprise armature and field coils, with either the field coil or the dual armature being the rotating component. The dual armature is composed of two concentric cylindrical sets of coils with the field coil situated in the gap between the inner and outer armature sections. Relative rotational motion between the field and armature coils can be achieved by having either one be the rotor. By using two armature coil sections, one inside the field coil aperture and the other external to the field coil, the flux linkage between the armature and superconducting field coil can be approximately doubled. This is a more efficient use of the superconductor. The increased flux linkage in the invented technology produces a substantially higher power density than can be obtained with current conventional superconducting machine technology.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a composite electromechanical machine which can operate as a motor or a generator (including dynamo or alternator). In an aspect, the present composite electromechanical machine consists of at least two rotating elements (rotor) and one stationary element (stator) where the two rotating elements are coupled through a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism can combine the torque of the inner and the outer rotor, preferably using helical gears which have lower noise level and higher contact area. The gear mechanism can also act as a locking mechanism to keep the outer rotor in place. The gear mechanism can have a first gear coupled to the inner rotor and a second gear coupled to the outer rotor. In an embodiment, the first and second gears are coupled together to connect the inner and the outer rotors. The gear mechanism can further include a third gear coupled to the double-sided stator.

Abstract: A rotor of an electric motor includes lamination core formed by laminating a plurality of individual cores, and at least one pair of magnet members that generate rotating torque by electromagnetic interaction with a stator, are provided at the lamination core such that a magnetic sensor can sense magnetic flux, and have magnetic poles opposite to each other, such that a position of the rotor of the electric motor can be accurately detected and a process of manufacturing the electric motor can be simplified.

Abstract: A rotating electric machine comprises a stator having stator salient poles, three-phases windings would around said stator salient poles, a rotor rotatable held inside the said stator, and permanent magnets inserted into said rotor and positioned opposite to said stator salient poles. The three-phase windings are concentratively wound around each of the stator salient poles, with windings of each phase wound around at more than one stator salient pole. The windings of each phase have a phase difference of voltage between at least one of the windings and the other.

Abstract: In a rotor for a rotating electrical machine, a flange of an insulating bobbin is formed with a first hook portion and a second hook portion. The first hook portion directs a lead of a field coil both against the winding direction of the field coil and radially inward. The first hook portion has a first groove in which is hooked a proximal portion of the lead. The second hook portion directs the lead axially outward. The second hook portion has a second groove which has an open end on a radially inner periphery of the second hook portion, a closed end positioned radially outward of the open end, and a neck between the open and closed ends. The second hook portion has an intermediate portion of the lead hooked in the second groove between the neck and closed end of the second groove.

Abstract: The invention relates to a generator, especially for motor vehicles, which comprises a generator stator (36) having winding slots and subcoils (10 21) lying in said winding slots (35). The subcoils (10 21) are connected to each other via a bridge circuit (3) in order to produce a DC voltage from a multiphase AC voltage produced by a rotary field. The generator is configured as a multiphase generator (30), preferably a three-phase or six-phase generator (30). The aim of the invention is to reduce magnetic nose and torque ripple merely by modifying the subcoil wiring. For this purpose, the subcoils (10 21) are connected to an angular ring and the bridge circuit (3) connected to the ring has a lower phase number than corners of the angular ring circuit (1).

Abstract: A pump is driven by a compact electric motor in which a coil is disposed in a ring form around and along a stator core which has a plurality of claw magnetic poles that extend alternately from both ends of one member of the stator core toward the end of the other member thereof. A stator core can be made from a compressed powder core by molding with resin, with the molded portion able to serve as a partition separating pump and motor units.

Abstract: A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) system uses a modulation technique to increase cMUT sensitivity. An AC carrier signal is applied to the cMUT through a modulation signal port to modulate the signal. The higher frequency of the AC carrier signal carries the real signal to a high frequency range to increase the output current signal level. The real signal is later recovered by demodulation. The technique is applicable in both the reception mode and the transmission mode.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a LiNbO3 substrate and is constructed such that a reflection coefficient of an IDT is not only high but the electromechanical coupling coefficient K2 is also high, and the range of Euler angles of the LiNbO3 substrate which obtains a wide range of the electromechanical coupling coefficient K2 is increased. A plurality of grooves are provided in the upper surface of the LiNbO3 substrate, and an IDT including a plurality of electrode fingers is provided and defined by a metal material filled in the plurality of grooves, and the metal material is made of Ag, Ni, or Cr or an alloy primarily including at least one Ag, Ni, or Cr.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a LiNbO3 substrate and is constructed such that the reflection coefficient of an IDT is not only high but the electromechanical coupling coefficient K2 is also high, and the range of Euler angles of the LiNbO3 substrate can be increased to realize a wide range of the electromechanical coupling coefficient K2. A plurality of grooves are provided in an upper surface of the LiNbO3 substrate, an IDT including a plurality of electrode fingers is provided by filling a metal material in the plurality of grooves, and the metal material is Pt or W or an alloy primarily including at least one Pt or W.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The moving portion is driven by equalizing a constant expanding speed of the electro-mechanical transducer with a constant contracting speed of the electro-mechanical transducer and by setting a constant rest time interval after one of contraction of the electro-mechanical transducer and expansion of the electro-mechanical transducer.

Abstract: Improved acoustic attenuation materials and applications are provided. An improved acoustic attenuation material may include a woven layer of fibers made of porous polymers, such as porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), that include interstitial space. An improved acoustic attenuation material may include sheets of porous polymers interleaved with layers of epoxy. The sheets of porous polymers may include through holes. An embodiment of an ultrasonic transducer that includes a backing with woven layers of porous PTFE fibers is provided. The ultrasonic transducer that includes a backing with woven layers of porous PTFE fibers may be used in a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging apparatus. An embodiment of an ultrasonic transducer that includes a plurality of sheets of porous PTFE interleaved with layers of epoxy is provided. The ultrasonic transducer that includes a plurality of sheets of porous PTFE may be used in an ultrasonic imaging catheter.

Abstract: A driving method is for a driving apparatus including an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end surfaces opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end surface of the electro-mechanical transducer, a moving member frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, and a vibration transfer member disposed between the second end surface of said electro-mechanical transducer and an end surface of said vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving member in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The driving method includes subjecting the electro-mechanical transducer to reciprocating displacement in a sawtooth waveform and transferring the reciprocating displacement of the electro-mechanical transducer to the vibration friction portion through the vibration transfer member, thereby linearly driving the moving member in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a cylindrical casing having a bottom portion. The casing has a piezoelectric element on a bottom surface thereof. A substrate is attached to an end surface of an opening portion of the casing with a damping member provided therebetween such that the damping member covers the opening portion. Pin terminals are arranged so as to extend through the substrate and the damping member and are electrically connected to the piezoelectric element with lead wires. An inner space of the casing is filled with foamable resin.

Abstract: A MEMS structure having a temperature-compensated resonator member is described. The MEMS structure comprises an asymmetric stress inverter member coupled with a substrate. A resonator member is housed in the asymmetric stress inverter member and is suspended above the substrate. The asymmetric stress inverter member is used to alter the thermal coefficient of frequency of the resonator member by inducing a stress on the resonator member in response to a change in temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides a (Li, Na, K)(Nb, Ta, Sb)O3 type piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition excellent in the electric field-induced strain at the time of high electric field application. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive film of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator is a sintered body of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition comprises a perovskite type oxide comprising as A site elements, Li, Na, and K and as B site elements, Nb and Sb and having a ratio of the total number of atoms of the A site elements to the total number of atoms of the B site elements greater than 1 and not less than 1 mol % and not more than 10 mol % of the number of Sb atoms in the total number of atoms of the B site elements and a Mn compound added to said perovskite type oxide.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic includes forming a film which includes a complex oxide material having an oxygen octahedral structure and a paraelectric material having a catalytic effect for the complex oxide material in a mixed state, and performing a heat treatment to the film, wherein the paraelectric material is one of a layered catalytic substance which includes Si in the constituent elements and a layered catalytic substance which includes Si and Ge in the constituent elements. The heat treatment includes sintering and post-annealing. At least the post-annealing is performed in a pressurized atmosphere including at least one of oxygen and ozone. A ceramic is a complex oxide having an oxygen octahedral structure, and has Si and Ge in the oxygen octahedral structure.

Abstract: An actuator element formed from an actuator composition is described, along with transducers including the same. The composition comprises: (i) a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer, the copolymer comprising at least one flexible midblock, and at least two glassy or semicrystalline endblocks; and (ii) a liquid modifier that selectively solvates the at least one flexible midblock.

Abstract: An image intensifier includes a microchannel plate (MCP) having an output surface, and a ceramic substrate having an outer surface. The output surface of the MCP and the outer surface of the ceramic substrate are oriented facing each other. An imager is substantially buried within the ceramic substrate, and an input surface of the imager is exposed to receive electrons from the output surface of the MCP. The input surface of the imager and the outer surface of the ceramic substrate are oriented in substantially the same plane. The input surface of the imager and the outer surface of the ceramic substrate are disposed at a very close distance from the output surface of the MCP. The imager includes input/output pads, and the ceramic substrate includes input/output pads. A conductive epoxy connects a respective input/output pad of the imager to a respective input/output pad of the ceramic substrate.

Abstract: An ignition anode for an ignition device of a reignitable rocket combustion chamber. The anode includes an ignition anode body having an ignition anode frontal area. The ignition anode frontal area has a plurality of edges.

Abstract: A carbon film is coated over the surface of a spacer. The carbon film has the following three features when the binding state of carbon is analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy: (a) an integral area of a region of 284.5 eV or below is 27% or less of an integral area attributed to carbon, (b) an integral area of a region of 286.0 eV-287.0 eV is 18% or less thereof, and (c) an integral area of a region of 287.0 eV or above is 9% or more thereof.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a display panel having a face plate, a rear plate, and a frame member, forming a vacuum container, a plurality of plate-like spacers arranged between the face plate and the rear plate in an interior of the vacuum container to maintain an internal space of the vacuum container, and a support member that supports a rear surface of the display panel. The support member includes a plate-like member having a plurality of protruding portions with a linear shape, and a longitudinal direction of the protruding portions and a longitudinal direction of the spacers are substantially parallel to each other.