Abstract: A method for providing a kickstart pulse to a dimmer circuit for a light source that is slow starting. The method includes receiving an initial power signal for a light source electrically coupled to a dimmer circuit, and generating, using the initial power signal, a pulse signal. The method also includes sending, for a period of time, the pulse signal to a load control circuit for the light source. In such a case, the light source is illuminated by the pulse signal for the period of time, and the magnitude of the pulse signal is greater than the magnitude of a steady-state signal generated by the dimmer circuit for the light source. The method can be performed using discrete components, integrated circuits, software, some other electrical device, or any combination thereof. A kickstart circuit and a dimmer circuit, using substantially the method described above, is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An organic light emitting display comprises: a driving TFT comprising a gate connected to a node B, a drain connected to an input terminal of high-potential cell driving voltage, and a source connected to the organic light emitting diode through a node C; a first switching TFT for switching the current path between a node A and the node B in response to a light emission control signal; a second switching TFT for initializing the node C in response to an initialization signal; a third switching TFT for initializing either the node A or the node B in response to the initialization signal; a fourth switching TFT for switching the current path between a data line and the node B in response to a scan signal; a compensation capacitor connected between the node B and the node C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply device including a wired controller receiving AC power to generate a driving voltage, and outputting a lighting driving signal, a wireless controller wirelessly receiving a lighting control signal and outputting the lighting control signal to the wired controller, and a standby power supply unit receiving a reference standby voltage based on the driving voltage, storing the reference standby voltage, and supplying the reference standby voltage to the wireless controller as standby power. In the lighting control device based on wired/wireless communication, the power is always obtained from the super capacitor to turn on the wireless controller, so that the turn-on state of the power generator of the wired controller is not always required. The power consumption is reduced by reducing the standby power.

Abstract: In aspects of the invention, a flyback converter configuration LED drive circuit, by adopting a configuration such that anode voltages of LEDs smoothed by a smoothing capacitor on the secondary side of a transformer and a terminal of a drive IC circuit are used as a node common. Current can be supplied to the primary side of the smoothing capacitor by a start-up circuit when starting, the need for an auxiliary winding, smoothing capacitor, and rectifier diode which have heretofore been necessary to supply a power source to the drive IC circuit is eliminated. Consequently, the number of parts can be reduced, meaning that the configuration of the LED drive circuit becomes simple, thus enabling a reduction in size and cost of the LED drive circuit.

Abstract: An illumination control system includes a controller configured to set a lighting condition including a color temperature and a dimming level of a light outputted from an illumination apparatus. The controller includes: a wireless communication unit for outputting a control signal including the lighting condition, a touch panel provided on a display to sense a position touched thereon, and an image capture unit for capturing an image of the illumination apparatus, wherein when the image of the illumination apparatus is displayed on the display and the touch panel is touched to produce a touch pattern, the wireless communication unit outputs the control signal including the lighting condition set based on the touch pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a field emission lighting arrangement, comprising an anode structure at least partly covered by a phosphor layer, an evacuated envelope inside of which an anode structure is arranged, and a field emission cathode, wherein the field emission lighting arrangement is configured to receive a drive signal for powering the field emission lighting arrangement and to sequentially activate selected portions of the phosphor layer for emitting light. The same control regime may be applied to an arrangement comprising a plurality of field emission cathodes and a single field emission anode. Advantages with the invention includes increase lifetime of the field emission lighting arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light delivery device comprising a conversion element and one or several LEDs, which emit light into the conversion element. The light is then converted and emitted with a high radiant flux.

Abstract: A decoration lamp with a speaker for correspondingly illuminating and speaking has a decoration body, multiple fixtures, multiple illumination units, a translucent cover, a speaker and a control device. The fixtures are mounted on the decoration body. The illumination units are mounted in the fixtures. The translucent cover is mounted on the decoration body to cover the illumination units. The control device sequentially activates the illumination units for changing the patterns and activates the speaker making voices for the patterns. The patterns and the voices change synchronously.

Abstract: A lighting control device can include a control module and a processing module. The control module can provide a driving signal. The driving signal can modify a control voltage on a control interface. The control voltage can control a controllable ballast or driver. The processing module can determine a duty cycle of the driving signal. The control module and the processing module can receive power via the control interface and a power supply on the control device.

Abstract: A technology is provided for communicating with a microprocessor that is powering a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Information bits may be received at a microprocessor circuit coupled to the plurality of LEDs. The microprocessor may be capable of receiving voltage from a voltage source. A code sequence may be identified using the information bits. The code sequence may be associated with an action to be performed with the plurality of LEDs. The code sequence may be decoded, at the microprocessor, so that the action can be performed with the plurality of LEDs.

Abstract: The electrical switch device can operate a lighting device when a user is not present. The electrical switch device can include a housing having a number of walls forming a cavity. The electrical switch device can also include a controller positioned within the cavity and used to operate a lighting device. The electrical switch device can further include a storage repository that stores a usage history for the lighting device and memory to store instructions. The electrical switch device can further include a timer that tracks time and a hardware processor for executing the instructions, where the hardware processor is operatively coupled to the memory, the timer, and the controller. The electrical switch device can also include a control switch that has an enabled state and a disabled state, where the enabled state allows the hardware processor to control the controller based on the usage history.

Abstract: An illumination system verifies controls the operation of a luminaire without the use of any photometric data. The illumination system uses data indicative of a current time, date or latitude to determine one or more aspects of a solar event. Such aspects can include a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event. Responsive to the determination of a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event, a control subsystem can adjust the luminous output of a light source.

Abstract: The invention is a Bed Exit Night Light System designed to illuminate a hospital room if a patient leaves his bed, but is not activated by the presence of hospital staff or casual movement of equipment.

Abstract: A cyclotron that accelerates an ion using a magnetic field includes a hollow yoke and an ion source that is provided in the yoke and generates an ion. The ion source includes a conductive cylindrical body and a filament disposed in the cylindrical body. A current is supplied from a power supply to the filament, and a direction of the current supplied to the filament is changed.

Abstract: A synchrocyclotron includes magnetic structures to provide a magnetic field to a cavity, a particle source to provide a plasma column to the cavity, where the particle source has a housing to hold the plasma column, and where the housing is interrupted at an acceleration region to expose the plasma column, and a voltage source to provide a radio frequency (RF) voltage to the cavity to accelerate particles from the plasma column at the acceleration region.

Abstract: An actuating apparatus includes a first pulley to which a rotational power of a motor is transmitted, a second pulley to which a rotational power of the first pulley is transmitted through a wire, displacement encoders for detecting respective rotational angles of the first pulley and the second pulley, a slip amount calculator for calculating a slip amount of the second pulley with respect to the wire, and a motor controller for controlling a torque output from the motor based on the slip amount. The slip amount calculator calculates the slip amount based on a change in a rotational angular velocity of the first pulley, a difference between the rotational angles of the first pulley and the second pulley, and the torque output from the motor.

Abstract: A switched capacitor charge pump driver for piezoelectric actuator includes a power source, a first switching capacitor and a piezoelectric actuating circuit, wherein during being at a first state, the first capacitor is charged by the power source; during being at a second state, the first capacitor is discharged to the piezoelectric actuator in the actuating circuit. The switched capacitor charge pump driver for piezoelectric actuator can expand the application of charge controller to a broader frequency range, especially at low frequencies and effectively decrease the hysteresis of piezoelectric stack over a large frequency range even at a quasistatic state. In addition, a method for driving piezoelectric actuator by a switched capacitor charge pump is provided.

Abstract: An electronic fitness device is provided, the electronic fitness device including an enclosure having a cover, a motor positioned within the enclosure, a circuit board, a variable resistor positioned on the circuit board, the variable resistor comprising a first trace, a second trace, and a semiconductive film disposed over the first trace and the second trace, and control circuitry coupled to at least the motor and the circuit board. The cover is positioned to press the semiconductive film against the first trace and the second trace in response to a pressure applied to the cover, and the control circuitry is configured to actuate the motor in response to a change in the resistance between the first trace and the second trace resulting from the pressure applied to the cover. Also provided are a method of monitoring abdominal muscle position, and control circuitry.

Abstract: A hybrid-electric vehicle method of controlling a hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a traction battery, at least two electric-machines, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a faulted condition one of the electric-machines during a drive cycle, command the other of the electric-machines to function in a mode in which torque output is restricted to a threshold value that depends on a voltage of the battery to maintain vehicle propulsion during the drive cycle.

Abstract: A hybrid-electric vehicle and method of controlling a hybrid-vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a traction battery, at least one electric-machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to alter a voltage between the battery and the electric-machine based on a measured voltage of the battery or the high voltage bus. In response to an indication that the measured voltage is faulty during a drive cycle, the controller instead alters the voltage between the battery and the electric machine based on a substituted battery voltage signal such that the electric-machine remains operable for the drive cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus controlling an electric vehicle motor and a method to reduce torque ripple using the same are provided. A field current flowing in a rotor field coil is controlled by generating a negative phase ripple current with respect to torque ripple according to each position of the rotor, allowing torque ripple of the motor to be reduced without degrading output torque. Additionally, in an operation region of a high torque section, torque ripple is reduced by controlling a field current by increasing an AC component of a negative phase ripple current, and in an operation region of a low torque section, torque ripple is reduced by controlling a field current by decreasing an AC component of a negative phase ripple current. That is, torque ripple of a motor can be reduced by controlling only a field current.

Abstract: It is described an electronic system (50) to drive an electric device (5) of a bicycle assisted electrically (1) by means of a rechargeable battery (6). In case of detecting that the calculated human power is greater than or equal to the bicycle estimated friction power and in case of detecting that the state of charge of the battery (6) is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the processor is such to generate a driving current value for driving the electric device (5) operating as an electric motor (5) supplied from the battery (6). In case of detecting that the calculated human power is smaller than the estimated bicycle friction power, the processor is such to convert at least part of the human power into electric power by means of the electric device (5) operating as an electric generator (5), and generate therefrom another driving current value for charging the battery (6) from the electric device operating as electric generator.

Abstract: A motor control system includes a drive motor and a deck motor that are connected to a battery, an ECU, and a key switch. The key switch acquires that an operation unit has been turned on, and transmits a restart permission signal to the ECU. When SOC of the battery reaches or falls below a first threshold set in advance, the ECU performs a step of disabling all the motors, and when the restart permission signal is received, the ECU performs a step of executing a decelerated travelling mode where the disabled state of the drive motor is released and an allowed speed of the drive motor is reduced.

Abstract: A rotor position estimating device includes a voltage application unit, a current detecting unit and an estimating unit. The voltage application unit is configured to apply a d-axis voltage to an electric motor including a salient-pole rotor during a stop of the electric motor. The current detecting unit is configured to detect a q-axis current flowing through the electric motor at the time when the d-axis voltage is applied. The estimating unit is configured to estimate a rotor position during a stop of the electric motor on the basis of the q-axis current detected by the current detecting unit. The voltage application unit is configured to set a voltage application time in correspondence with peak timing at which the q-axis current reaches a peak in a transitional response characteristic of the q-axis current at the time when the d-axis voltage is applied.

Abstract: An inverter device may include a converter unit configured to receive single phase AC power to output DC power; a capacitor unit configured to absorb the DC power; an inverter unit configured to synthesize the absorbed DC power to output the drive power of a load; and a converter controller configured to control the converter unit based on the AC power and the output DC power of the converter unit, wherein the converter controller includes a converter gate signal generator configured to control a plurality of gates contained in the converter unit; and an input line harmonic voltage generator configured to output converter additional power having a predetermined multiple of the frequency of the fundamental frequency component of the AC power with the same size as that of the fundamental frequency component of the AC power to an adder connected to the input side of the converter gate signal generator.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, single phase motor drive circuit includes a counter unit, an energization pattern generation unit, and a drive unit. The unit counts a time of phase switching of a Hall signal based on a clock signal. The energization pattern generation unit generates an energization pattern based on the count result of the counter unit. The drive unit generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal based on a duty setting signal and the energization pattern signal to output an output signal to drive a single phase motor based on the PWM signal.

Abstract: A method for operating an inverter, wherein the inverter can be connected to a DC voltage source on the input side for the purpose of electrical energy supply, wherein the inverter has a plurality of controllable switches which are switched alternately in order to provide a polyphase electric current on a corresponding plurality of phase lines of the inverter, in particular in order to supply an electric machine with electric current in polyphase fashion, wherein at least one electrical variable of at least one of the phase lines and at least one switch-on time of at least one of the controllable switches are detected and an input current is determined on the basis of the detected variables.

Abstract: There are a motor driving apparatus and an operating method thereof, the motor driving apparatus including: a speed sensor generating a sensor output signal of a motor; a reference signal generating unit generating a reference signal by using the sensor output signal; a pulse counting unit counting the reference signal during a pulse width period of the sensor output signal to provide a count value; and a glitch controlling unit determining whether a glitch is present or not using the count value to remove a glitch when present.

Abstract: A motor control circuit and associated techniques can adjust a phase of a motor drive to keep a rotational reference position of an electric motor at the same relative phase as a zero current in a motor winding at different motor speeds and as the motor accelerates and decelerates. In some embodiments, a particular circuit and technique can be used to detect the zero current in the motor winding.

Abstract: A vehicle, including a motor having a rotor, a resolver that detects a rotation angle of the rotor and a control device, and a control method for the vehicle are provided. The control device executes rectangular-wave control over the motor using the rotation angle of the rotor, detected by the resolver, executes zero learning for learning a deviation between an origin of an actual rotation angle of the rotor and an origin of the detected rotation angle of the rotor, corrects the detected rotation angle of the rotor on the basis of a result of the zero learning, and, when the zero learning has not been completed yet, executes avoidance control for avoiding a rapid variation in output of the motor.

Abstract: A motor control device includes an energization pattern output portion and an inverter circuit. The energization pattern output portion cyclically outputs a plurality of energization patterns. The inverter circuit selectively connects respective coils provided in a motor to a rectifier circuit according to the output energization pattern. The energization pattern output portion delays the output timing of the energization pattern according to a rotation speed of the motor.

Abstract: In a driver, a discharging module discharges, at a discharging rate, the on-off control terminal of a switching element in response to a drive signal being shifted from an on state to an off state. A changing module determines whether a condition including a level of a sense signal being higher than a threshold level during the on state of the drive signal is met, and changes the discharging rate of the on-off control terminal in response to the drive signal being shifted from the off state to the on state upon determination that the condition is met. A loosening module loosens the condition after a lapse of a period since the shift of the drive signal from the off state to the on state in comparison to the condition immediately after the shift of the drive signal from the off state to the on state.

Abstract: A maximum current value determination unit determines the maximum current value of a permanent magnet synchronous motor in order to prevent irreversible demagnetization of a permanent magnet of the permanent magnet synchronous motor that may occur by transient current occurring at the time of short-circuiting of three phases, based on one of a set of irreversible demagnetization causing current value corresponding to permanent magnet temperature and the transient current occurring at the time of the short-circuiting of three phases, and a set of irreversible demagnetization causing magnetic field intensity corresponding to the permanent magnet temperature and demagnetization field intensity of the permanent magnet of the permanent magnet synchronous motor occurring at the time of the short-circuiting of three phases. A current control unit controls the current of the permanent magnet synchronous motor so that the current value of the permanent magnet synchronous motor is less than the maximum current value.

Abstract: There is provided a motor driving apparatus capable of implementing a soft switching method using a simple circuit. The motor driving apparatus includes: a driving unit including a plurality of transistor pairs, respectively including at least two transistor units connected between a driving power terminal supplying driving power and a ground, and connected in parallel to each other, the plurality of transistor pairs being switched according to a switching control signal to drive a motor; and a driving control unit providing the switching control signal controlling switching of the respective transistor units of the plurality of transistor pairs, wherein at least one transistor unit of the plurality of transistor pairs includes a plurality of transistors connected in parallel to each other and being switched on or off in a predetermined order.

Abstract: A method for driving a BLDC motor comprising at least three stator windings, comprising: a) determining a time period, and energizing during the time period two of the windings and leaving a third winding un-energized, based on a first motor state; b) measuring a first voltage representative for the back-EMF generated in the un-energized winding shortly before expiry of the time period; c) applying a commutation at expiry of the current time period; d) measuring a second voltage shortly after the commutation, and calculating a subsequent time period; e) repeating steps b) and c). An electrical circuit and a controller are provided for performing these methods.

Abstract: A motor control circuit and associated techniques detect a zero crossing of a current in a motor winding by detecting a revers current in a half bridge circuit used to drive the motor winding.

Abstract: A rotation detector provided in a motor unit according to an embodiment includes a first support and a second support, a pair of magnetic field generator, at least one magnetic field detector, and a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The pair of magnetic field generator is provided on the first support in a manner facing the second support, and has opposite polarities. The magnetic field detector is formed by winding a coil around a magnetic element whose magnetized direction changes in the longitudinal direction, and is provided on the second support in such a manner that a longitudinal-direction side of the magnetic element faces the first support. Each of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member is made of a magnetic material, and covers a longitudinal-direction end of the magnetic field detector facing the first support.

Abstract: A detection control system includes a sensing unit, a control module and a driving module for a motor including a rotor and a stator. The sensing unit electrically connects the motor to sense a first and a second magnetic pole of the rotor cross a chip disposed between the rotor and the stator; a third magnetic pole is alternated to a forth magnetic pole of the stator to generate a sensing signal. A detection unit of the control module detects a kickback voltage value generated by a first current value changing to a second current value to calculate a minimum current value to generate a detecting signal. A timing unit receives the sensing and the detecting signal to calculate a first and a second period of time, and a discharging time. The driving module drives the rotor by receiving a control signal the control unit generates by controlling an alternating time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (12) for actuating a pulse-controlled converter of an electric drive system, having: an open-loop/closed-loop control circuit (12a) which is configured to generate pulse-width-modulated actuation signals for switching devices of the pulse-controlled converter; a fault logic circuit (12b) which can detect fault states in the drive system and which is configured to select a switching state or a sequence of switching states for the switching devices of the pulse-controlled converter which are assigned to the corresponding fault state; and a protection circuit (12c) which is embodied in hardware and which comprises a signal delay device (15), which is configured to delay the actuation signals in order to implement a minimum protection time, and a locking device (16a, 16b) which is configured to lock two complementary switching devices of a bridge branch of the pulse-controlled converter with respect to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a speed of a motor, includes: a first duty change detection unit detecting a change in duty of a PWM signal supplied from the outside; a speed conversion unit converting a speed indication (command) having the PWM signal into an actual speed value (RPM value) based on the change in duty detected by the first duty change detection unit; a speed control unit generating a new speed indication value to be applied to a motor and determining the duty value of PWM signal based on the new speed indication value; a second duty change detection unit detecting the change in the duty value of PWM signal determined by the speed control unit; and a PWM generation unit generating the PWM signal actually applied to the motor based on the change in the duty value detected by the second duty change detection unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a method for controlling a speed of a motor. An apparatus for controlling a spaced of a motor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a PWM conversion unit detecting a hall sensor signal from a motor to output a pulse width modulated signal corresponding to the detected hall sensor signal; a duty detection unit detecting a duty value of the pulse width modulated signal output by the PWM conversion unit; an error calculation unit comparing a PWM duty input from the outside with a duty detected by the duty detection unit to obtain an error; and a speed control unit controlling a speed of a motor based on an error obtained by the error calculation unit.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for regulating fraction motor temperature via control of a traction motor blower. In one embodiment, a method comprises adjusting a speed of a traction motor blower based on ambient temperature, traction motor loss, and one or more traction motor temperatures.

Abstract: A fan speed control circuit is provided. The circuit includes a control chip. The control chip stores a relationship table recording a number of duty cycle intervals and a number of rotational speeds of a fan. Each duty cycle interval corresponds to one rotational speed of the fan. The control chip obtains a preset number of PWM signals outputted by a processing chip; determines the average value according to the duty cycle of the obtained preset number of PWM signals; determines which duty cycle interval the average value is in, according to the relationship table; determines the rotational speed of the fan corresponding to the determined duty cycle interval according to the relationship table; and controls the fan to rotate according to the determined rotational speed.

Abstract: A motor driving device includes a motor driving circuit, an element temperature sensor, a control circuit, an ambient-temperature estimator, and an overheat protection processor. The motor driving circuit has a plurality of switching elements. The element temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of each of the switching elements. The ambient-temperature estimator is configured to estimate an ambient temperature around the control circuit based on a temperature of at least one of the switching elements detected by the element temperature sensor if the at least one of the switching elements is not performing the switching operation. The overheat protection processor is configured to execute a first overheat protection process to protect the control circuit from overheating if the ambient temperature around the control circuit estimated by the ambient-temperature estimator exceeds a first overheat criterion temperature.

Abstract: There are provided a motor driving device and a method of controlling the same. The motor driving device includes a controlling unit; a plurality of unit circuits provided within the controlling unit and controlling driving of a motor; and a time slice controller provided within the controlling unit and periodically generating a wake-up signal, wherein some unit circuits among the plurality of unit circuits are operated for a certain operation time upon receiving the wake-up signal, thereby allowing for effective power consumption of the motor.

Abstract: An ECU having two inverters outputs AC currents, which have the same amplitude and a phase difference of 30°. When motor magnetic fluxes include distortion component of fifth harmonic, a torque ripple of sixth harmonic is generated in a torque of each drive system. The torque ripples of sixth harmonic are cancelled out in a sum of torques of the two drive systems. A fifth harmonic current having a frequency of fivefold are superimposed on base components of currents so that peak values of the base wave currents are reduced. As a result, heat generation arising from current peak values can be reduced.

Abstract: A fan motor, including: a variable speed motor and a motor controller. The motor controller includes: a microprocessor, an inverter unit, a gear detection unit, and a power supply unit. The power supply unit supplies power for each circuit. The gear detection unit is connected to a plurality of power input lines. Each power input line receives AC power from an AC power supply. The gear detection unit includes: a plurality of voltage detection circuits, and a plurality of thermal resistors. Each power input line is connected to a thermal resistor in series and matches up with a voltage detection circuit. Each voltage detection circuit includes a thermo-sensitive resistor that is bound to the corresponding thermal resistor via a thermal conductive element. The thermo-sensitive resistor detects a temperature signal of the thermal resistor and adjusts the voltage of the output end of the voltage detection circuit.

Abstract: An actuating apparatus has an actuator including a link having a plurality of joints and a plurality of motors for actuating the joints, and a controller for controlling the actuator. The controller controls the motors with a control torque m_?_cntrl calculated according to the equation: m_?—cntrl=M·(I?mEff)?1·(dd?—cntrl?mEff·dd?—cntrl—p)+C—cmpn from a target angular acceleration dd?_cntrl, a preceding target angular acceleration dd?_cntrl_p, a displaceable member torque response matrix Eff, an inertial matrix M, and a dynamic corrective force C_cmpn.

Abstract: A motor control system (10) which includes a difference calculating part (31) which calculates a difference between a first position detection value of a moving part and a second position detection value of a driven part, a judging part (32) which judges if a moving part has engaged with the driven part when the moving part is made to move from any initial position in a first and second drive directions, a holding part (33) which holds the difference as initial difference linked with the first or second drive direction, when the moving part has engaged with the driven part, and a correction amount calculating part (34) which calculates a backlash correction amount, the correction amount calculating part using the difference based on the current positions of the moving part and the driven part and the initial difference to calculate the backlash correction amount.

Abstract: Provided are multiple switched reluctance motors and excitation control methods for same. Motors with various structures are provided having the same structural characteristics, a stator formed of an even number of salient pole pairs and a rotor formed of an even number of salient pole pairs. The salient poles of the stator salient pole pairs are arranged opposite the salient poles of the rotor salient pole pairs, with minimal air gaps left between said salient pole pairs, thus leaving the shortest magnetic return paths between the stator salient pole pairs and the rotor salient pole pairs arranged opposite one another, thus satisfying the minimum reluctance principle of the switched reluctance motor. In addition, due to the magnetic isolation between each stator salient pole pair, the performance of the magnetic pole of each stator salient pole pair is controlled by an excitation control power source and changed independently.