Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices include providing a substrate including a layer of semiconductor material on a layer of electrically insulating material. A first metallization layer is formed over a first side of the layer of semiconductor material. Through wafer interconnects are foamed at least partially through the substrate. A second metallization layer is formed over a second side of the layer of semiconductor material opposite the first side thereof. An electrical pathway is provided that extends through the first metallization layer, the substrate, and the second metallization layer between a first processed semiconductor structure carried by the substrate on the first side of the layer of semiconductor material and a second processed semiconductor structure carried by the substrate on the first side of the layer of semiconductor material. Semiconductor structures are fabricated using such methods.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for increasing the usable surface area of electrical contacts within a device, such as a thin film solid state device, through the implementation of electrically conductive interconnects. Embodiments described herein include the use of a plurality of electrically conductive interconnects that penetrate through a top contact layer, through one or more multiple layers, and into a bottom contact layer. The plurality of conductive interconnects may form horizontal and vertical cross-sectional patterns. The use of lasers to form the plurality of electrically conductive interconnects from reflowed layer material further aids in the manufacturing process of a device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device with an improved yield ratio and reduced height and manufacturing cost; and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device including a substrate, a semiconductor element that is flip-chip connected to the substrate, and a molding portion that seals the semiconductor element. The side surfaces of the semiconductor element are enclosed by the molding portion. An upper surface of the semiconductor element is not enclosed by the molding portion. Damage to the side surfaces of the semiconductor element caused by an external impact when the semiconductor device is stored is minimized, because the molding portion protects the side surfaces of the semiconductor element. Accordingly, the yield ratio of the semiconductor device is improved.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip capable of realizing reduction in cost when the semiconductor chip is mounted over a package substrate, miniaturization of the package substrate, and optimization of an interconnect pattern. The semiconductor chip includes a first electrode pad group provided in the semiconductor chip, and comprised of at least one electrode pad, and a second electrode pad group provided in the semiconductor chip, and comprised of at least one other electrode pad capable of outputting a signal identical to a signal outputted by the one electrode pad. Further, either the one electrode pad of the first electrode pad group, or the one other electrode pad of the second electrode pad group, closer in distance to one other electrode pad of one other semiconductor chip is coupled to the one other electrode pad of the one other semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A low-noise flip-chip package, comprising: a carrier substrate having first and second opposing main faces; and a flip-chip substrate connected in a face-down manner onto the first main face of the carrier substrate via a connection array, wherein: the flip-chip substrate comprises at least first and second circuitry portions spaced apart from one another; the flip-chip substrate comprises a substrate-contact boundary located between the first and second circuitry portions; and each of the first circuitry portion, the second circuitry portion and the substrate-contact boundary has its own separate signal-reference connection extending via a respective connection of the connection array through the carrier substrate to a respective electrical contact at the second main face of the carrier substrate for connection to a common signal-reference element in an external circuit.

Abstract: A micromechanical assembly for bonding semiconductor substrates includes a semiconductor substrate having a chip pattern having a plurality of semiconductor chips, each having a functional region and an edge region surrounding the functional region. There is a bonding frame made of a bonding alloy made from at least two alloy components in the edge region, spaced apart from the functional region. Within the part of the edge region surrounding the bonding frame between the bonding frame and the functional region, there is at least one stop frame made of at least one of the alloy components, which is configured such that when a melt of the bond alloy contacts the stop frame during bonding, the bonding alloy solidifies.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an adhesive sheet that can capture cations mixed in from outside during various processes of manufacturing a semiconductor device to prevent deterioration in electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device to be manufactured and to improve product reliability. It is an adhesive sheet for producing a semiconductor device, in which when 2.5 g of the adhesive sheet is soaked in 50 ml of an aqueous solution containing 10 ppm of copper ions, and the solution is left at 120° C. for 20 hours, the concentration of copper ions in the aqueous solution is 0 to 9.9 ppm.

Abstract: A Karman vortex street generator including a shell (1), permanent magnets (3, 6), a vortex generating body (4), and a metal winding (5). Both ends of the shell (1) are respectively provided with an inlet end (2) and an outlet end (7). The permanent magnets (3, 6) are respectively located on two corresponding surfaces inside the shell (1), and the N pole of the permanent magnet on one surface corresponds to the S pole of the permanent magnet on the other surface so as to form a magnet field in the shell (1). The vortex generating body (4) is provided in the vertical center position near the inlet end (2) in the shell (1) so as to generate a Karman vortex when a fluid flows. The metal winding (5) located in the magnet field is able to regularly cut magnetic lines of force under the action of the Karman vortex and makes magnetic flux passing through the metal winding (5) change so as to generate an induction current.

Abstract: In an inverter generator having a first, second and third inverters, a first, second and third controllers adapted to control turning ON/OFF of switching elements thereof and to operate the first inverter as a master inverter and the second and third inverters as slave inverters, a three-phase output terminal, a single-phase output terminal, and an engine control section adapted to send an output of a selector switch to the first controller and so on, thereby outputting three-phase or single-phase AC through control of turning ON/OFF of the switching elements, so that the outputs from the first, second and third inverters become in the three-phase or single-phase AC in response to the output of the selector switch making the output from the first inverter as a reference.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating electricity from a liquid flowing in a generally vertical direction down a borehole. There is a turbine disposed at a subsurface position and having an intake and a discharge, the turbine being mechanically coupled via an output shaft to an electric generator such that rotation of the output shaft drives the generator to produce electric power. A control valve assembly is positioned below the turbine, the control valve assembly including a valve adapted to receive water discharged from the turbine and a control system operatively connected to the valve for throttling the valve in response to the rate of flow of liquid to the turbine to maintain the rotation of the turbine in a predetermined RPM range.

Abstract: A power supply system, particularly to be used in maritime oil/natural gas production includes at least one data transfer/voltage conversion unit arranged above sea level and one electrical means such as a choke, gate valve, production tree, power control/communication unit and the like arranged below sea level, which are electrically connected via a cable connection at least for power supply. To improve such a power supply system in a manner that this system has a simple structure and each data transfer/voltage conversion unit can also provide higher powers over a predetermined period of time or during continuous operation, a plurality of data transfer/voltage conversion units are arranged modularly, and one additional power supply module can be connected thereto to increase the power supply, and the electrical power, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes: a master chip and at least one slave chip configured to be stacked one on top of another; and a through-silicon via (TSV) configured to penetrate and electrically couple the master chip and the at least one slave chip, wherein the at least one slave chip receives a reference voltage generated from the master chip via the TSV and independently trims the reference voltage and then generates an internal voltage with the trimmed reference voltage.

Abstract: A converter to supply an AC voltage and current from three DC voltages comprising two switching units provided with first switching means connected between an input and a switching output, said converter comprising, for each switching unit, second switching means connected between said switching unit and a modulated signal output, and a switching aid circuit, said converter comprising control means acting on the second switching means associated with the switching unit that is connected to the voltage input of opposite sign to the sign of said AC voltage to establish turn-off of said second switching means when said AC voltage and said AC current are of opposite signs. An uninterruptible power supply comprising the converter described above.

Abstract: A method and a modular direct current power distribution system. A distribution panel may receive alternating current power with a voltage range between 200 volts and 15000 volts. A modular rectifier may convert the alternating current power from the distribution panel to direct current power with a range of 250 volts to 600 volts. An end feed box may receive alternative energy power from an alternative energy power source. A power pathway module may distribute the direct current power from the modular rectifier to a set of information and communication technology equipment. An electrical protection system may guard against electrical damage.

Abstract: A control system for a two-wire power and communication system is described herein. A gateway connects to an irrigation controller and at least two wires that are further connected to a plurality of decoders. The gateway includes an H-bridge circuit that creates an alternating potential at the same potential or lower than the nearby ground. In this respect, when one of the at least two communication wires are damaged, little or no wire corrosion will occur.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for providing backup power to a load are disclosed. A power converter may comprise a capacitor array comprising a plurality of capacitors and configured to store a charge from an input during a charge mode of operation and provide a charge to an output during a discharge mode of operation. Further, the power converter may comprise a controller configured to selectively couple the capacitor array to the input during a portion of the charge mode of operation and selectively couple the capacitor array to the output during a portion of the discharge mode of operation.

Abstract: Various aspects of invention provide portable power manager operating methods. One aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a power manager having a plurality of device ports for connecting with external power devices and a power bus for connecting with each device port. The method includes: disconnecting each device port from the power bus when no external power device is connected to the device port; accessing information from newly connected external power devices; determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus without power conversion; if not, determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus over an available power converter; and if so, configuring the available power converter for suitable power conversion.

Abstract: A rotor for a synchronous reluctance machine wherein a torque ripple behaviour of the machine is optimized by altering the geometry of insulating barriers of the rotor. A q-axis pitch angle is used as a design variable instead of setting its value equal to the rest of the rotor slot pitches or binding its value to the stator slot pitch. The resulting rotor has a non-regular slot pitch across the q-axis and substantially regular slot pitch otherwise. Synchronous reluctance machines that employ rotor discs and rotor assemblies in accordance with the present invention may exhibit low torque ripple without sacrificing high torque values.

Abstract: An electromechanical device includes a central shaft; a rotor having a rotor magnet disposed along the periphery of the central shaft; a stator disposed on the periphery of the rotor; and a rotation mechanism connected to the rotor and used for transfer of a rotational driving force, wherein in the rotor, between the central shaft and the rotor magnet, a space which opens in at least one of an axial direction of the central shaft and houses at least part of the rotation mechanism is formed.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor including a rotor, a magnet provided to the rotor, a pair of bearings to rotatably support the rotor, a stator assembly that at least partly surrounds the rotor and magnet thereof and adapted to control movement of the rotor, and a bearing tube having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a tube interior. The stator assembly is provided along the exterior surface of the tube and the bearings are provided along the interior surface of the tube to support the rotor and magnet within the tube interior. The motor has sample application for use in PAP devices for delivery of positive airway pressure therapy for users or patients.

Abstract: A motor may include: a rotor case having a coupling hook extending downward in an axial direction, secured to a shaft, and performing rotation; a sleeve supporting the shaft; and a sleeve housing having a projection provided at a front end portion of an upper part thereof in the axial direction and a guide passage provided along the projection such that the coupling hook moves along the guide passage while the sleeve is pressed and inserted into an inner circumferential surface thereof.

Abstract: An electromagnetic structure comprises a rotor assembly having at least one circular magnetic structure. The structure has opposing first and second surfaces that extend around a peripheral boundary region. A plurality of emission regions are disposed along said peripheral boundary region, with each emission region presenting poles having opposite polarities of a first polarity and a second polarity on the opposing first and second surfaces of the circular magnetic structure. Adjacent emission regions have alternating pole orientations such that each emission source having the first polarity is between two emission sources having the second polarity and each emission source having the second polarity is between two emission sources having the first polarity. A rotational element rotates the at least one circular magnetic structure about a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the opposing first and second surfaces.

Abstract: In connection with a permanent magnet rotary machine comprising a rotor comprising a rotor core and a plurality of permanent magnet segments embedded in the rotor core and a stator comprising a stator core having a plurality of slots and windings therein, the rotor and the stator being disposed to define a gap therebetween, or a permanent magnet rotary machine comprising a rotor comprising a rotor core and a plurality of permanent magnet segments mounted on the surface of the rotor core and a stator comprising a stator core having a plurality of slots and windings therein, the rotor and the stator being disposed to define a gap therebetween, the rotor wherein each of the permanent magnet segments is an assembly of further divided permanent magnet pieces, and the coercive force near the surface of the magnet piece is higher than that in the interior of the magnet piece.

Abstract: A series-wound DC motor is disclosed comprising a stator having at least two poles and an armature, each pole comprising at least one field winding which is connected in series with an armature winding, and further comprising at least one permanent magnet arranged on each pole, whose magnetic field is superimposed on the main field produced by the at least one field winding.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator made up of individual segments disposed in the circumferential direction, each individual segment including a core stack around which a winding is provided and at whose axial terminal regions end caps are provided, the winding being produced by a winding wire, an end cap including at least one dome, in particular for delimiting the region of the winding, a wire inlet duct for rerouting the winding wire being provided in the base region of the dome, grooves being provided on the end cap, the distance of one groove with respect to the radially following groove and the diameter of the curvature of the respective groove being smaller than the diameter of the winding wire.

Abstract: A stator structure, including strip shaped stator cores and end insulators. The end insulators are injection molded with the strip shaped stator cores, as a whole. A wire duct is arranged on top of a yoke of each strip shaped stator core and at the bottom of each end insulator. Two ends inside the wire duct are projected with bosses. Coil windings wind around the bosses and pass through the wire duct. The stator structure is simple and easy to mass produce. It can make full use of the slot filling ratio of the strip shaped stator. The invention solves the puncture problem.

Abstract: A rotating electrical machine includes a rotor and a stator including an annular stator core formed by helically stacking a plurality of core pieces that are connected to each other by connecting portions, the rotor being disposed inside an inner periphery of the stator core. The connecting portions are linearly arranged along a stacking direction of the stator core so that grooves that extend in the stacking direction of the stator core are formed in an outer peripheral surface of the stator core at positions where the connecting portions are provided.

Abstract: A vibrating element includes: an element plate that has a vibrating portion that performs thickness-shear vibration, a peripheral portion that is integrally formed with the vibrating portion, and a protruding portion that is provided at the peripheral portion; and an excitation electrode that is provided at the vibrating portion. When a side length of the vibrating portion is Mx, when a side length of the excitation electrode is Ex, and when a wavelength of flexure vibrations of the element plate is ?, the relationship of (Mx?Ex)/2=?/2, and Mx/2={(A/2)+(¼)}? (where, A is a positive integer) is satisfied, and when a length of the protruding portion is Dx, and when a distance between the vibrating portion and the protruding portion is Sx, the relationship of Dx=?/2)×m, and (?/2)×n?0.1??Sx?(?/2)×n+0.1? (where m and n are positive integers) is satisfied.

Abstract: An ultrasonic oscillating device with a detachable ultrasonic oscillating assembly is mounted inside a case having a detachable lid and applied in a humidifier. The ultrasonic oscillating device has a circuit board, a supporting board, a connecting structure and the ultrasonic oscillating assembly. The detachable ultrasonic oscillating assembly is placed between the supporting board and the lid. The connecting structure is mounted on a bottom of the lid and electrically connected to the ultrasonic oscillating assembly and the circuit board. When the ultrasonic oscillating assembly is broken, users easily replace the broken ultrasonic oscillating assembly by the detachable ultrasonic oscillating assembly and the detachable lid of the case, so other unbroken parts remain useful.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for an electric motor and an electric motor including said actuator. The actuator includes one or more body formed from a dielectric elastomer, each body having at least one active region that is directly or indirectly coupled to a drive means. The active regions are arranged such that, in use, actuation thereof causes driven means to move with components in at least first and second directions, preferably within a plane of the body.

Abstract: A multilayer piezo actuator is specified, in which piezoelectric layers and electrode layers are arranged to form a stack. Electrical contact is made with the electrode layers via two external electrodes which consist of wires which are woven with one another. The external electrodes are in this case connected over their entire area to the side surfaces of the stack. A method is also specified for fitting an external electrode.

Abstract: A stage comprises a linear guide rail (2) for guiding a movable table (4), a driven bar (12), a linear drive actuator in contact with the driven bar (12) to transmit driving force to the driven bar (12), and parallel plate springs (30) for holding opposite ends of the driven bar (12). A drive transmitting surface of the linear drive actuator is provided so as to be separated from the movable table (4), and this prevents the accuracy of positioning from being reduced. Also, the parallel springs (30) reduce deforming forces applied to sections supporting the driven bar (12), and this prevents the driven bar from being damaged. The configuration makes the stage highly accurate and highly reliable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting armature or light generator, comprising a housing, a light source and drive electronics for driving the light source, wherein the having cooling fins made of a plastic composition having an orientation averaged thermal conductivity of at least 2.0 W/m·K.

Abstract: A conduction structure includes a cooling plate and conductive members. A circuit board and a lamp panel are fixed at two sides of the heat cooling plate. The circuit board forms conductive areas. The cooling plate forms conductive areas and first holes with conductive inner faces. The lamp plate defines second holes. The lamp plate forms conductive areas around the second holes on the side away from the heat cooling plate. The conductive areas of the cooling plate contact with the corresponding conductive areas of the circuit board. Each conductive member includes a head and a rod. The rod engages in a corresponding first hole and a corresponding second hole in a transitional fit manner. The head electrically contacts the conductive area of the lamp plate. An LED illumination device using the same conduction structure is also provided.

Abstract: A spark plug includes a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a noble metal tip. The noble metal tip is joined to an object member of at least one of two electrodes via a fusion zone. A projected overlap region of the noble metal tip and the fusion zone accounts for 70% or more of a projected region of the noble metal tip. The object member contains at least Si out of Al and Si such that the amount of Si is 0.4% by mass or higher and such that the total amount of Al and Si is 0.5% by mass. Multi-fusion spots exist on the surface of the fusion zone. Segments of a baseline which pass through the respective multi-fusion spots have a total length of a predetermined percentage of the length of the baseline. Joining strength to the noble metal tip can thereby be greatly improved when the member to be joined contains Si.

Abstract: An organic light emitting display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the organic light emitting display device includes: i) a substrate having a transmitting region and a plurality of pixel regions separated from each other by the transmitting region, wherein the substrate has first and second surfaces opposing each other; ii) at least one thin film transistor formed in each of the pixel regions over the first surface of the substrate and iii) a passivation film covering the thin film transistors. The device may further include a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the passivation film, wherein each of the pixel electrodes is electrically connected to and formed substantially directly above the corresponding thin film transistor, wherein each of the pixel electrodes is formed only in the corresponding pixel region, and wherein the pixel electrodes are separated from each other. The device may further include a solar cell active layer formed below the second surface.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescence device having two electrodes and a plurality of organic layers between the two electrodes, in which the organic layers include a light emitting layer that emits light when an electric field is applied between the two electrodes. The device further includes a plurality of metal fine particles, which generates a local plasmon by light emitted from the light emitting layer, inside of at least either one of the electrodes or adjacent to a side of the electrode facing the organic layers and inside of a conductive organic layer, and at least some of the plurality of metal fine particles are disposed adjacent to the light emitting layer. Here, as the metal fine particles, particles having a scattering cross section ?S which is larger than an absorption cross section ?A thereof with respect to light emitted from the light emitting layer are used.

Abstract: The invention relates to an organic optoelectronic device, such as a display, lighting or signalling device, that is protected from the ambient air by a sealed encapsulation in the form of a thin film, and to a method for encapsulating such a device. An optoelectronic device (1) according to the invention is coated with a sealed multi-layer encapsulation structure (20) comprising alternating inorganic layers (21a to 26a) and organic layers (21b to 25b). According to the invention, the device is such that at least one of said organic layers consists of a crosslinked adhesive film (21b to 25b) based on a glue that can be crosslinked thermally or by electromagnetic radiation, the or each adhesive film having a thickness uniformly lower than 200 n, said thickness being obtained by passing the film, which is deposited and not yet cross-linked, through a vacuum, such that the total thickness of the encapsulation structure is minimized.

Abstract: An LED bulb, which includes a shell, a filler material within the shell of the bulb, at least one type of phosphor dispersed inside the filler material and at least one LED within the shell.

Abstract: The multi-micro hollow cathode light source has a cathode plate, an insulation plate, an anode plate, and metal pieces. The insulation plate is sandwiched by the cathode plate and the anode plate. The cathode plate is made of copper. The centers of the cathode plate, insulation plate, and anode plate, are provided with holes, respectively. The holes form a penetrating though-hole. Linear slots are disposed in the cathode plate continuously extending from the hole in a cross shape. Each slot penetrates the cathode plate. Four metal pieces made of materials different from one another are inserted and buried in the four slots.

Abstract: A terahertz radiation source includes: a cathode configured to emit an electron beam, an anode configured to focus the electron beam emitted from the cathode; a collector facing the cathode and configured to collect the emitted electron beam focused by the anode; an oscillating circuit positioned between the anode and the collector and configured to convert energy of a passing electron beam into electromagnetic wave energy; and an output unit connected to the oscillating circuit and configured to externally emit the electromagnetic wave energy.

Abstract: A wireless light sensor, being part of a lighting system, has a sensor element generating a light measuring signal, a microcontroller coupled to the sensor element, and a radio communication device coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller has an active mode and a sleeping mode. The light sensor further has a wake-up circuit which determines a rate of change of the light measuring signal, when the microcontroller is in the sleeping mode. The wake-up circuit brings the microcontroller from the sleeping mode into the active mode, when the rate of change of the light measuring signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Lead frames for light emitting device packages, light emitting device packages, and illumination apparatuses employing the light emitting device packages. The lead frame including a plurality of mounting portions on which a plurality of light emitting device chips are mounted; a plurality of connection portions for circuit connecting the plurality of light emitting device chips; a terminal portion extended from the plurality of connection portions. The light emitting device package is formed by directly mounting the plurality of light emitting device chips on the lead frame and packaging the mounted light emitting device chips on the lead frame. The lead frame includes a plurality of connection portions for circuit connecting the plurality of light emitting device chips and a terminal portion in which a part of a circuit thereof is exposed.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) modules in series are monitored. When an LED module is detected as failing or operating inadequately, a bypass switch removes the particular LED module from the series and the voltage provided to the series is modified. When the LED modules are detected as having too high of a temperature, the current provided to the LED modules is limited.

Abstract: A discharge lamp ballast and method of operation are provided for generating a DC component in an output voltage during a lamp starting operation having a predetermined duration. The ballast includes an inverter having four switches arranged in a full-bridge configuration, a resonant circuit having a resonant frequency, and a control circuit. The method includes a step of sweeping an inverter operating frequency within a predetermined frequency range including the resonant frequency, wherein a high voltage is generated for igniting the lamp. The method further includes periodically and alternately repeating a first state of turning on a first set of diagonally positioned switching elements and turning off a second set of diagonally positioned switching elements, and a second state of turning on only one of the second set of switching elements and turning off the remaining three switching elements, respectively.

Abstract: In the case of an electronic ballast (1) for operating a lamp (10) or an operating device for illumination means, having mains terminals (5) for connecting the ballast (1) or operating device to a current supply, output terminals (6) for connecting a lamp or light source to the ballast (1) or operating device and a control unit (4) for controlling and/or regulating an operating voltage delivered to the lamp (LA) or light source via the output terminals (6), external control information (Vprog) for programming or configuring the operating behavior of the operating device is delivered to the control unit (4) via a programming input, and stored in a memory (4a) associated with the control unit (4). In accordance with the invention, the programming input is formed by means of the mains terminals (5) and/or the output terminals (6) of the ballast (1) or of the operating device (2), which are connected internally with the control unit (4).

Abstract: A light-emitting element drive circuit system for driving a light-emitting element includes a current circuit section that drives the light-emitting element at a preset drive current value, and a current value setting section. The current value setting section sets the drive current value so that the drive current value is changed during a preset transition period from a first current value to a second current value that is not equal to the first current value, and changed during a preset transition period from the second current value to a third current value that is not equal to both the first current value and the second current value.

Abstract: A lamp ballast is provided for igniting and operating an HID lamp. A buck inverter circuit includes a pair of high-frequency and a pair of low-frequency switches. A capacitor and an inductor are series-connected between a first node between the low frequency switches and a second node between the high frequency switches. A lamp igniting circuit is coupled between the first node and a first lamp output terminal, and a second lamp output terminal is coupled to a third node between the capacitor and the inductor. A control circuit turns on and off the switches to regulate low frequency square wave voltage generated across the lamp output terminals to be less than an input DC voltage from the positive rail, wherein the buck inverter operates in either of a critical discontinuous mode or a discontinuous mode during an open circuit operation, and in a critical discontinuous mode during other operations.

Abstract: A two-terminal current controller having a current limiting unit and an adjusting unit regulates a first current flowing through a load according to a load voltage. When the load voltage does not exceed a first voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a first mode for conducting a second current associated a rectified AC voltage, thereby limiting the first current to zero and adjusting the second current accordingly. When the load voltage is between the first voltage and a second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a second mode for conducting the second current, thereby limiting the first current to zero and limiting the second current to a constant value larger than zero. When the load voltage exceeds the second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a third mode for turning off the current limiting unit. The adjusting unit can adjust the predetermined value and the second voltage.

Abstract: Control apparatus for controlling an aspect of an apparatus are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the control apparatus comprises a dimmer that includes a variable impedance. In certain embodiments of the invention, the dimmer may be a TRIAC dimmer having a voltage at a gate electrode of the TRIAC that is always below a trigger voltage for the TRIAC such that the TRIAC never turns on and the remaining components within the TRIAC dimmer can be used as discreet components in a larger circuit. In the control apparatus, the dimmer may be coupled to a signal generation circuit that may generate an output signal whose frequency (period) is dictated at least in part by an impedance of the variable impedance. The output signal may be used to control an aspect of an apparatus such as the intensity, color or color temperature for a lighting apparatus.