Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and systems for illuminating roadways, paths, tunnels, bridges, and areas adjacent to such in a manner which minimizes glare and/or other adverse lighting effects commonly experienced by night-time drivers. According to aspects of the invention, horizontal and vertical aiming of a plurality of solid-state light sources permits projected light from a fixture to be tailored to roadway features (e.g., bends in the road) and in some cases, permits the mounting height of fixtures to be reduced which can make the envisioned system a cost-effective alternative to traditional roadway lighting.

Abstract: A light source causes hollow objects to glow in the dark (GID), thereby extending the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. The light source may be provided as part of a conversion kit, enabling objects from different manufacturers to be converted to GID objects following purchase. A base unit includes the light emitter supported to illuminate the object from the inside out. The base unit further includes at least one solar panel facing into the interior of the object, and one or more batteries charged by the solar panel to power the light emitter. A device is used to couple the base unit to the rim of the object. In the preferred embodiment, the device for coupling the base unit to the rim of the object is an elastomeric ring that stretches over the rim of the object, thereby forming a seal.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing a dimmer capable of preventing malfunctions due to noise contamination or waveform distortion of the voltage of an AC power source.

Abstract: A series connected light string using LEDs connected to an AC power source is disclosed. In order to make some or all of the lights color change, twinkle, and/or flash, controllers are provided in series with all or some of the LEDs. Because the supply source AC, but the active elements are essentially rectifiers, the circuit becomes a half wave DC circuit. Half wave DC will cause unpredictable behavior in DC circuit components. This will cause the controller to shut down during the zero voltage portion of the pulsating DC cycle. To prevent this a current supplying element is placed in parallel with the controller.

Abstract: A constant voltage dimmable LED (Light Emitting Diode) driver is disclosed that is compatible with all types of dimmers, including conventional phase cut (TRIAC) dimmers, and behaves like a conventional constant voltage driver which can be connected to any size of LED load that has a matching voltage rating. The driver produces a continuous train of pulses for driving the LED load and obtains an averaged measure of the voltage at the AC input for controlling the duty cycle of the continuous train of pulses. Therefore, when the averaged measure of the voltage at the AC input is reduced by a dimmer, the duty cycle reduces, resulting in a dimmed LED. The driver can be created by adding a few components to a conventional wide input range AC-DC converter without or with very little modifications.

Abstract: The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, is directed to portable electronic devices which operate on exhaustible power sources, for example, batteries. The electronic devices of the present invention comprise at least one signal switch and a microchip in communication with the switch wherein the switch is only capable of transmitting a signal to the microchip that the switch has been activated or deactivated. The microchip is in communication with the exhaustible power source of the electronic device and controls (i) the power on/off function of the device, (ii) at least one other function of the device in response to activation and deactivation signals from the switch, and (iii) an automatic shut off function in response to the receipt of an activation signal from the switch.

Abstract: A lighting system provides for independent control of both the brightness of an LED light fixture and the perceived color of the light emitted by the LED light fixture. The LED light fixture has two LED light sources, a control circuit alternately pulses the two LED light sources and changes relative duty cycles of the light sources to alter a perceived color output of the lighting fixture, in response to a change in a control signal from a controller. Duty cycles of the light sources are a function of the control signal and vary inversely. The LED light fixture also receives a control signal for controlling a current level provided to the LED light sources to independently control the brightness of the lighting system.

Abstract: A circuit for operating at least one LED (“driver circuit”) includes input terminals to be connected to an input or operating voltage in the form of a direct current (DC) voltage or a rectified alternating current (AC) voltage, and output terminals to be connected to a load circuit containing the at least one LED. The circuit includes a clocked switch and a control circuit for clocking the switch. The control circuit is in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) and is provided with input and output pins. The control circuit generates a clock signal for the switch depending on at least two actual value signals, such that there is a control loop with the manipulated variable “clocking of the switch.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a power converter includes a signal generator and a driver. The power converter receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage to power a load. The signal generator receives a sense signal indicating a current flowing through the power converter, receives a detection signal indicating whether the power converter operates in a predetermined state, and generates a square wave signal according to the sense signal and the detection signal. The square wave signal has a first voltage level proportional to a peak level of the current when the power converter operates in the predetermined state; otherwise, the square wave signal has a second voltage level. The driver generates a driving signal based on the square wave signal to control a current flowing through the load.

Abstract: An LED driver with current limiter.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system and method are disclosed, The LED lighting system and method include an LED controller to accurately control a current in an LED system. The LED controller includes components to calculate, based on the current and an active time period of an LED current time period, an actual charge amount delivered to the LED system wherein the LED current time period is duty cycle modulated at a rate of greater than fifty (50) Hz and to utilize the actual charge amount to modify and provide a desired target charge amount to be delivered during a future active time period of the LED current time period, The LED system and method further involve components to compare the actual charge amount to a desired charge amount for the active time period and compensate for a difference between the actual charge amount and the desired charge amount during the future active time period.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit that generates current for driving an LED load includes a voltage converter circuit configured to supply a drive current to the LED load in response to a control signal, a control circuit that generates the control signal, and a bias voltage generating circuit that generates the bias voltage for the control circuit. The bias voltage generating circuit is galvanically isolated from a power supply voltage and from the LED load. The voltage converter circuit regulates a level of the drive current supplied to the LED load in response to the control signal.

Abstract: An LED lighting device is provided. The LED lighting device includes a processing unit, a sensor, a MOSFET, and an LED. When the sensor detects a frequency or voltage fluctuation, the processing unit modulates the duty cycle of the MOSFET to reduce the energy consumption of the LED light device and improve the efficiency of luminance of the LED lighting device.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a configurable light emitting diode (LED) driver/dimmer for controlling a set of light fixture loads comprising: a power circuit; a primary digital controller for controlling the power circuit; a set of output current drivers, each of the set of output current drivers connected to one of the set of light fixture loads for controlling the associated light fixture load; a secondary digital controller for controlling the set of output current drivers; wherein the secondary controller transmits LED control information to control outputs of the set of output current drivers; and wherein the secondary digital controller provides digital feedback control information to the primary digital controller.

Abstract: A display device has an NTSC ratio of higher than or equal to 80% and a contrast ratio of higher than or equal to 500 and includes a display portion. In the display portion, pixels are provided at a resolution of greater than or equal to 80 ppi, and the pixels each includes a light-emitting module capable of emitting light with a spectral line half-width of less than or equal to 60 nm in a response time of shorter than or equal to 100 ?s. Further, transient characteristics of the emission intensity of the light-emitting module have a projecting portion higher than other portions in a portion rising in response to an input signal.

Abstract: A lighting system (100) comprising a central lighting device (111), at least one satellite lighting device (121, 131), and a controller (141) for adjusting light settings, is provided. The controller is arranged for transmitting, in response to a user request (140), an association request over a first communication link (142). The central lighting device is arranged for receiving the association request and re-transmitting the association request over a second communication link by means of coded light (112). The satellite lighting device is arranged for transmitting, in response to receiving the association request, its identifier to the central lighting device. The identifier is only transmitted if an association process is enabled. The association process is enabled, in response to a user request, during a limited time period. The central lighting device is further arranged for associating, in response to receiving the identifier, the satellite lighting device with the central lighting device.

Abstract: The power supply device includes a power switch including one terminal to which an input voltage is transferred; an inductor including one terminal connected to another terminal of the power switch; a diode connected between a ground and a floating ground; a sensing resistor connected between the floating ground and the one terminal of the inductor. A switch controller compares a modulation sensing voltage depending on a sensing voltage generated from the sensing resistor with a high peak reference and a low peak reference when a LED string is connected between an inductor and the ground. The switch controller controls a switching operation of a power switch according to the comparison result. The high peak reference and the low peak reference are references for controlling an upper limit and a lower limit of an LED current flowing through the LED string, respectively.

Abstract: A gestural control dimmer switch for controlling the illumination level of a light using hand movements comprises a dimmer panel in operative communication with a light, the dimmer panel having a plurality of hand position sensors corresponding to a spectrum of illumination levels of the light, wherein when a hand is detected by the hand position sensors the illumination level of the light is set until the hand reaches a dimmer trigger position when the switch enters a dimming mode during which the illumination level is adjusted to the illumination level corresponding to the hand position sensor the presence of the hand is detected until a release condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A light bulb includes a bulb base, a light holder, a plurality of light emitting elements, and a bulb shell. The bulb base has a connection part and an engaging part disposed opposite to each other. The light holder includes a surrounding wall connected to the bulb base at the engaging part, and an end wall connected to the surrounding wall. The light emitting elements are disposed on the surrounding wall and the end wall and are connected electrically to the bulb base. The bulb shell includes a light-transmissive shell body that engages the engaging part of the bulb base, and has a receiving space defined by the shell body and into which the light holder extends.

Abstract: Disclosed are a communication module and a lighting apparatus having the same. The communication module includes a housing provided therein with a space, and a module substrate provided in the space of the housing and provided therein with a wireless communication chip, a reset device to reset the wireless communication chip, and a display part to display the state of the wireless communication chip through the opening. The communication module is detachably coupled with an object to transmit a control signal, which is received through a wireless network, to the object. The communication module is stored when the lighting part of the lighting apparatus is replaced with new one, so that the cost is reduced. The light is discharged through the opening to display the erroneous operation of the inner part, such that the communication module is forcibly reset.

Abstract: An electric actuator has a switch, a setting unit and a resetting unit. The switch is provided in a supply path of electric power from an electricity storing body to a motor. The switch opens and closes the supply path. The setting unit is operated through receiving a supply of electric power from the electricity storing body in response to an instruction from an operator. The setting unit opens the switch provided in the supply path for electric power from the electricity storing body to the motor. The resetting unit is operated through receiving a supply of electric power from an external power supply when the external power supply has been restored from being cut off. The resetting unit closes the switching unit provided in the supply path of electric power from the electricity storing body to the motor.

Abstract: An electric actuator has a motor, an electricity storing body, a switch, a setting unit, a resetting unit and a setting-off unit. The switch is provided in a supply path for electric power from the electricity storing body to the motor. The switch opens and closes the supply path. The setting unit is operated through receiving a supply of electric power from the electricity storing body in response to an instruction from an operator. The setting unit opens the switch. The resetting unit is operated through r a supply of electric power from the external power supply when the external power supply has been restored from being cut off. The resetting unit closes the switch that is provided in the supply path. The setting-off unit sets off the supply of electric power from the external power supply to the resetting unit after a specific delay time has elapsed.

Abstract: An electric actuator has a motor, an electricity storing body, a switch and a resetting unit. The switch is provided in a supply path of electric power from the electricity storing body to the motor. The switch opens the supply path for electric power from the electricity storing body to the motor, in response to an instruction from an operator. The resetting unit is operated through receiving a supply of electric power from the external power supply when the external power supply has been restored from being cut off. The resetting unit closes the switch that is provided in the supply path of electric power from the electricity storing body to the motor.

Abstract: An embedded industrial controller with a bicycle frame shape is disclosed. The embedded industrial controller includes a casing with the bicycle frame shape having an upper tube, a lower tube, a front fork, a rear lower fork, a rear upper fork and a base tube, a motherboard, a battery module, a power electrical port and a plurality of input and output electrical ports. The embedded industrial controller with a bicycle frame shape of the present invention has significantly improved functions than the conventional industrial controller, and further meets the conventional requirements such as dust proof, vibration proof, and heat dissipation.

Abstract: A method for charging an intermediate circuit capacitor in a precharging unit includes charging the intermediate circuit capacitor via a current source and adjusting the supplied current in such a manner that a constant power loss is produced in the current source during the entire charging operation. A circuit arrangement includes a battery which is connected to a current source which is connected to an intermediate circuit capacitor via a switch. An adjusting circuit is arranged in parallel with the current source and can be used to adjust the current for charging the intermediate circuit capacitor. The current is adjusted in such a manner that a constant power loss is produced in the current source during the entire charging operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method wherein the speed of the rotor of an electronically commutated synchronous machine is determined or controlled by means of one or more rotor position sensors, in particular, three rotor position sensors that are fixed to the stator, and a time measuring device, wherein the angle traveled by the rotor and the time lapsed during the travel are measured, wherein the measured angle traveled by the rotor is corrected by means of one or more first correction constants, in particular a differential for correcting for the influence of non-uniform positioning or expansion of the position marking of the rotor, and a circuit configuration for actuating an electronically commutated synchronous machine.

Abstract: Energization to armature windings of a brushless motor in a driven state is interrupted when an energization pattern of the energization shifts to a specific energization pattern determined in advance among a plurality of energization patterns to stop the brushless motor. Also, the brushless motor that has been stopped is started by energizing the armature windings of the brushless motor in the specific energization pattern.

Abstract: A motor driving device for protecting inrush current is disclosed, where the motor driving device includes a resistor, a capacitor, an electronic switch, a rectifier and a driving circuit. The capacitor is connected to the resistor in series. The electronic switch is connected to the resistor in parallel. The rectifier is connected to the resistor and the capacitor in parallel and is electrically connected to a power source. The driving circuit is connected to the resistor and the capacitor in parallel and is electrically connected to a motor.

Abstract: A DC link is provided, which includes a capacitor connected in parallel to an output of a converter circuit, and outputs a pulsating DC link voltage. An inverter circuit is provided, which converts an output of the DC link to AC by switching, and supplies the AC to a motor connected thereto. A controller is provided, which controls switching of the inverter circuit so that motor currents pulsate in synchronization with pulsation of a power-supply voltage. The controller controls the switching of the inverter circuit in accordance with a load of the motor or an operational state of the motor, and reduces pulsation amplitude of the motor currents.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a switching control apparatus for two phase switched reluctance motor and a method thereof. The switching control apparatus includes a rectifier rectifying commercial power; and an active converter including a pair of common switches commonly connected to two phase windings of two phase SRMs, a pair of first phase switches bridge-connected to the pair of common switches at any one of the two phase windings, a pair of second phase switches bridge-connected to the pair of common switches at the other one of the two phase windings, and a plurality of current feedback diodes each connected to the switches, wherein the active converter is operated in operation modes 1 to 3 to drive the two phase SRM.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling a brushless motor associable to an electric power source by means of a rectifier. An actuator assembly is operatively associated to the motor and rectifier. The rectifier is arranged to provide a continuous busbar voltage (Vbar) and a continuous reference voltage (Vref) to the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes switches (SW1-6) arranged to energize two phases of the motor simultaneously. The system also comprises a voltage observer, operatively associated to the motor and to the actuator assembly, permitting monitoring of an induced voltage in a non-energized phase of the motor. The system includes a control unit associated to the voltage observer. The control unit is arranged to command the opening of a switch of the actuator assembly for a time interval to interrupt the power supply to the motor, when the reading of the induced voltage in the non-energized phase presents a value within a voltage interval (dV).

Abstract: A pumping set includes an electric motor, which exhibits a stator, a rotor and a can arranged between the stator and rotor, and at least one impeller linked with the rotor, wherein the electric motor has engine electronics designed for electronically commutating the electric motor, and the electric motor and commutation are configured in such a way that, in a state where the rotor chamber inside the can and/or the impeller is not filled with liquid, the rotor is shut down.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor, a gear mechanism that changes the speed of an output of the motor, a drive circuit including a switching element that controls power supplied to the motor, a housing that accommodates the motor, a fixture that fixes the motor to the housing, and a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the switching element. The drive circuit stops supplying power to the motor when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature. The fixture functions to radiate heat from the switching element.

Abstract: In a vehicle, a control apparatus controls a power converter supplying a rotary machine which can operate as a drive motor of the vehicle, and controls a cooling apparatus for circulating a coolant fluid through the rotary machine and the power converter. When a temporary condition occurs immediately after commencement of the circulation, whereby the temperatures of the coolant fluid and of switching elements in the power converter are judged to concurrently exceed respective specified temperature thresholds, the control apparatus limits the maximum power that can be supplied from the power converter to a lower value than is normally available. When the temperature of the coolant fluid is judged to no longer exceed the corresponding temperature threshold, the limiting is released.

Abstract: The present application discloses an apparatus including: a motor model that reflects a characteristic of a motor and includes at least inputs pertaining to a first quantity of state and a second quantity of state and an output pertaining to a third quantity of state; a comparator that calculates a difference between the third quantity of state in an actual motor and the third quantity of state output from the motor model; and an amplifier that amplifies an output of the comparator at a predetermined gain. The first quantity of state in the actual motor is input into the motor model as the first quantity of state, and an output of the amplifier is input into the motor model as the second quantity of state. The apparatus then uses the output of the amplifier as an estimated value of the second quantity of state in the actual motor.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus is equipped with switching devices to perform power conversion of input AC power supplied from an AC power supply to output AC power having a predetermined voltage and a predetermined frequency, and to supply the power to a motor connected thereto. The apparatus includes a controller controlling switching of the switching devices, a capacitor smoothing a ripple generated by the switching of the switching devices, a current controller controlling a current flowing to the motor, and a voltage distortion corrector detecting a harmonic component caused by distortion in motor input power, and superimposing compensation values on an output of the current controller in accordance with a value of the harmonic component.

Abstract: A method controls an operation of an actuator. A first control signal is determined to change a position of a moving element of the actuator according to a trajectory of the moving element. A second control signal is determined to compensate for a first component of an error of the operation due to uncertainty of a model of the actuator. A third control signal is determined to compensate for a second component of the error of the operation due to an external disturbance on the actuator. The operation of the actuator is controlled based on a combination of the first control signal, the second control signal, and the third control signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a position control system comprising a moving portion that is movable, a position-detection portion that detects a position of the moving portion, a drive portion that applies driving force to the moving portion thereby moving the moving portion, a control portion that controls the driving force of the drive portion, and an input portion for inputting a drive target position for the moving portion, characterized in that the control portion is operable to determine the driving force to be applied to the drive portion based on a correction coefficient acquired based on a first deviation that is a difference between the drive target position inputted into the input portion and the reference position, and a second deviation that is a difference between a position detected by the position-detection portion and the drive target position inputted into said input portion.

Abstract: A motor control device includes: an acceleration/deceleration processing unit that generates a servo command according to an acceleration/deceleration parameter; a servo control unit that controls a motor drive torque to drive a control target machine motor according to the servo command; a power supply unit that supplies electric power of a predetermined power supply capacity from a commercial power supply to the servo control unit; an electrical storage unit that supplies electric power supplementing the electric power; and an acceleration/deceleration parameter setting unit that computes maximum power that can be used for acceleration/deceleration based on a power storage amount in the electrical storage unit, the power supply capacity, and all energy required for acceleration, computes an acceleration/deceleration parameter that causes electric power at a time of acceleration/deceleration to be equal to or lower than the maximum power, and sets the acceleration/deceleration parameter.

Abstract: A device for improving efficiency of an induction motor soft-starts the motor by applying a power to the motor that is substantially less than the rated power of the motor then gradually increasing the power while monitoring changes in current drawn by the motor, thereby detecting when maximum efficiency is found. Once maximum efficiency is found, the nominal motor current is found and operating ranges are set. Now, the phase angle between the voltage and the current to the motor is measured and power to the motor is increasing when the phase angle is less than a minimum phase angle (determined during soft-start) and power to the motor is decreased when the phase angle is greater than or equal to the minimum phase angle as long as the voltage does not fall below a minimum voltage determined during soft-start.

Abstract: A conveyor system and a method for driving a conveyor are disclosed. In the method, electric power is supplied to the drive machinery of a conveyor depending on the power requirement with a supply device to be selected from at least two different adjustable supply devices, and the supply device supplying power to the drive machinery is changed on the basis of the power requirement of the conveyor.

Abstract: An arrangement for recharging a rechargeable backup battery of a telematics unit associated with a vehicle is disclosed herein. The arrangement includes, but is not limited to, an electrical device electrically coupled with the rechargeable backup battery. The electrical device is configured to convert light energy into electricity. The arrangement further includes a charge controller that is configured to direct an electric current from the electrical device into the rechargeable backup battery to recharge the rechargeable backup battery when the vehicle is in an off state.

Abstract: A system for recharging a battery converts ambient thermal energy into electricity and then converts the electricity to a form that can recharge the battery. The battery is preferably used to power a device including the system.

Abstract: A battery system has battery cells, a transformer which has a first winding which can be connected parallel to the cell arrangement, and a plurality of second windings. Each second winding can be connected parallel to one of the battery cells. The transformer includes a third winding, which is provided for feeding energy from an external energy source to the battery system.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a first charging port. A peripheral device connected to the first charging port can be sensed. The first charging port can be electrically connected to a battery charger of the electronic device by a first connection and configured to provide a charge to the battery charger through the first connection. The first charging port can be further electrically connected to a battery of the electronic device by a second connection and configured to receive a charge from the battery by the second connection. A charge (i.e., power) can be provided to the peripheral device from the battery through the second connection. A charge on the first connection can be directed away from the battery charger.

Abstract: A system including a first cell, a second cell, a first switch, a second switch, an inductance, and a control module. The first cell and the second cell are connected in series to each other and respectively output a first voltage and a second voltage. The first switch and the second switch are connected in series to each other and are connected across the first cell and the second cell. The inductance is connected between the first switch and the second switch, and between the first cell and the second cell. The control module generates control signals to control the first switch and the second switch, and to transfer charge between the first cell and the second cell via the inductance until a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is not equal to zero.

Abstract: An electric generator powered by the opening and closing of a user's jaw. In one embodiment, a portion of an electric generator is mechanically stressed by a user's teeth when the user opens or closes his jaw. The mechanical stress is converted to electric energy and may be stored in a battery or power an electric device. In another embodiment, a magnet is passed through a coil when the user opens or closes his jaw to generate electric energy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a charge controlling system, including: a control apparatus; and a plurality of battery units connected to the control apparatus, wherein the control apparatus includes an acquisition section configured to acquire sensor information from at least one of the battery units, and a control section configured to set a magnitude of charge current for each of the battery units in response to the sensor information, and the battery units individually include a battery, a charge controlling section configured to charge the battery with the charge current of the magnitude set by the control section, and a sensor for acquiring the sensor information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a battery charging method, related to the field of electronic technologies and invented to shorten the charging time. The method includes: determining, by a mobile terminal, a specification parameter of a battery to be charged; determining, by the mobile terminal, a charging parameter corresponding to the specification parameter according to the determined specification parameter; and charging, by the mobile terminal, the battery to be charged according to the determined charging parameter. Embodiments of the present invention also provide a corresponding mobile terminal. The present invention is applicable to charging of a mobile terminal.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for saving power and electricity in a charging device including external power supplies and battery chargers having a primary circuit and a secondary circuit where a switch is located in the primary circuit and a current sensing device in the secondary circuit to sense when there is a drop in current in the secondary circuit or no current in the secondary circuit because the load such as a cell phone or tablet is charged and when this occurs the switch in the primary circuit is opened and the primary circuit no longer draws power from the source of power until the switch in the primary circuit is closed by activation of a user of the charging device.