Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle having an idle stop function includes a measurement unit that measures the characteristic of a battery provided in the vehicle, an identification unit that identifies the type of the battery based on the measured characteristic, and a control unit that stops the idle stop function in a case where the identified type of the battery indicates that the battery is not for an idle-stop vehicle, and permits execution of the idle stop function in a case where the execution of the idle stop function is permitted by an input of a predetermined signal from an external terminal even when the identified type of the battery indicates that the battery is not for the idle-stop vehicle.

Abstract: A control device for a three-phase alternate current motor, includes: a control phase current acquisition means; a monitor phase current acquisition means; a rotation angle acquisition means; a two-phase control current value current calculation means; a one-phase current estimated value estimation means; a voltage command value calculation means; an other phase current estimation means for calculating a monitor or a control phase current estimated value; an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in a monitor phase or a control phase current sensor; and a switching means for switching between a monitoring stop mode, in which the voltage command value is calculated based on the two-phase control current value, and a monitoring mode, in which the voltage command value is calculated based on the one-phase current estimated value, and the abnormality detection means detects the abnormality, at predetermined time intervals.

Abstract: There are provided a motor driving apparatus and a motor driving method capable of decreasing power consumption by readjusting a preset duty ratio according to a voltage level of driving power. The motor driving apparatus includes: a driving power detecting unit detecting a voltage level of driving power used to drive a motor; a speed controlling unit adjusting a preset duty ratio of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal when the voltage level detected by the driving power detecting unit is equal to or less than a preset reference voltage; a driving controlling unit generating a driving signal having the duty ratio from the speed controlling unit; and a driving unit driving the motor according to the driving signal of the driving controlling unit.

Abstract: A control device for a three-phase alternate current motor includes: an inverter for driving the motor; current sensors for sensing current in the motor; and a control means having a feedback control operation part for operating a voltage command of each phase and switching the inverter based on the voltage command. When an absolute value of a sum of the current sensed values of three phases is larger than a threshold, the control means: executes a provisional current sensor system abnormality determination; generates a variation visualizing state, in which a response of a feedback control with respect to a variation in the current sensed value caused by the abnormality is delayed or stopped; and performs a phase identification processing for identifying the current sensor on a phase, in which an absolute value of a current deviation is larger than a threshold.

Abstract: A control device for a three-phase AC motor includes: an inverter having switching elements; current sensors for sensing a current in the motor; and a control means having a feedback control operation part for operating a voltage command of each phase and switching the switching elements based on the voltage command. When a positive and negative offset abnormality occurs, the control means executes a positive and negative offset abnormality detection process that the control means compares a value, which is obtained by integrating a variation in a voltage command of each phase over a predetermined detection interval, with a predetermined abnormality threshold value, the voltage command being outputted by the feedback control operation part with respect to a variation in the current caused by the positive and negative offset abnormality.

Abstract: A control device for a three-phase alternate current motor includes: a control phase current acquisition means; a monitor phase current acquisition means; a rotation angle acquisition means; a two-phase control current value calculation means; a one-phase current estimated value estimation means; a voltage command value calculation means; an other phase current estimation means for calculating a monitor or a control phase current estimated value; an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in a monitor phase or a control phase current sensor; a number-of-revolutions calculation means for the motor; a number-of-revolutions determination means for determining whether the number of revolutions is not larger than a predetermined determination value; and a switching means between a two-phase control mode when the number of revolutions is not larger than the determination value and a one-phase control mode when the number of revolutions is larger than the determination value.

Abstract: The item of furniture according to the invention has at least one movable element and an actuating system for adjusting the movable element, wherein the actuating system comprises at least one linear actuator, a power supply unit and a manual control device, wherein the power supply unit and the manual control device are electrically connected to the linear actuator and the linear actuator has a diagnostic system having at least one illuminated indicator for indicating the functioning of the three components. By means of the diagnostic system, the user himself, but at the latest the repair service, is able to determine in a simple manner which of the three components is faulty, so that specifically only the faulty component has to be replaced. In that manner, any repair costs can be reduced significantly. The replacement of one of the three components can also then be carried out without difficulty by the user or a repair service.

Abstract: Provided, in parallel to an electromagnetic pump in a power supply system, is an electromagnetic pump compensation power supply mechanism (10) that will perform a power-factor improving function as a synchronous machine during normal operation of a plant. The electromagnetic pump compensation power supply mechanism (10) is provided with an exciter stator permanent magnetic apparatus (45) that can switch an exciter between a non-excited state and an excited state. The exciter stator permanent magnet apparatus (45) comprises exciter stator permanent magnets (15a), springs (16) that apply force to the exciter stator permanent magnets (15a) towards positions facing an exciter rotor winding (15b), and electromagnetic solenoids (20) that make the exciter stator permanent magnets (15a) move to positions not facing the exciter rotor winding (15b) in resistance to the force applied by the springs (16).

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein provide an option to drivers of electric vehicles to charge their electric vehicles using energy generated from renewable energy sources while still meeting charging requirements of the drivers. A system may schedule an electric vehicle for charging based on a historical clean energy profile.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein provide methods and apparatus for conditioning a battery. The conditioning may be undertaken to restore charge capacity or power capability, especially when practiced on a battery having a lithium negative electrode and/or a positive electrode having a conversion material. In one embodiment, the conditioning method includes applying a substantially constant current or power until a conditioning voltage is reached, where the conditioning voltage is higher than the maximum voltage used during normal cycling. The method further includes continuing to charge the battery at the conditioning voltage until a maximum conditioning charge is reached. Next, the method includes discharging the battery to about the maximum charge voltage prior to using the battery in an end use. Also provided is a conditioning apparatus that is configured to perform the conditioning method.

Abstract: A switch-controlled energy cycling apparatus having two or more energy storage units; a control board that controls the status of each of the energy storage units and selectively cycles each between an inactive state, an active-discharging state, providing energy to a load outside of the apparatus, and an active-recharging state; and at least one sensor configured to monitor the apparatus and, at a first time period, sets the first energy storage unit to the active-discharging state and the second energy storage unit to the active-recharging state, where energy is also delivered to and recharges the second energy storage unit. At a second time period, the board automatically and in response to receiving a signal sent from the sensor indicating that one of the sensed values has reached a preprogrammed set point, cycles the charging state of the first and second energy storage units to different charging states according to a looping pattern.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus for an electric vehicle includes a main battery, a sub-battery of lower voltage, a first output circuit unit including a first output sub-unit and a second output sub-unit, a control circuit unit, and a second output circuit unit including a third output sub-unit. The first output sub-unit receives electrical power from an external power supply and outputs first electrical power for main battery charging. The second output sub-unit receives electrical power from the power supply and outputs second electrical power for sub-battery charging. The control circuit unit individually controls charging of the main battery and the sub-battery by the first electrical power and the second electrical power respectively. The third output sub-unit receives electrical power from the power supply, via a different pathway compared to the first and second output sub-units, and outputs third electrical power for driving the control circuit unit.

Abstract: Energy storage system having one or more battery packs and a system controller for controlling the battery packs. Each battery pack has rechargeable storage cells and a battery pack controller in communication with the system controller. Through the operation of the system controller, battery packs with different initial charge states can be operated in parallel during the charge or discharge process. Discharging multiple battery packs in parallel offers not only higher capacity and longer run time than is available from a single battery pack, but also offers higher peak currents than available from a single battery pack, important in motor control applications. Battery pack design including a battery pack connector with both power and control contacts supporting user replacement of the battery packs.

Abstract: A dual USB port charging system that can charge at 2.1 A and also at 1 A at the same time when the power supply is only capable of 10 W. A USB port is set as a 2.1 A port via resistor network. If nothing is connected to the other USB port, it charges at 2.1 A. If a device is connected to the other USB port, it automatically detects this condition and momentarily interrupts the 5V output while resetting the USB port to 1 A (the resistor network is changed to 1 A spec). Both devices will then charge at 1 A. If the second device is disconnected while the first device is still charging at 1 A, the charging system will interrupt the output momentarily and reset the network back to 2.1 A. The first device re-registers and is now able to charge at 2.1 A again. If the second USB device is connected first while the first USB port is unused it will also set both ports as 1 A. As the standard USB port is switched between 1 A and 2.1 A network, the current limit is also automatically switched from 1 A to 2.1 A.

Abstract: A gateway apparatus includes a managing unit, an assigning unit, a receiving unit, a generating unit and a transmitting unit. The managing unit manages at least one storage battery group including a set of one or more storage battery systems selected from a plurality of storage battery systems. The assigning unit assigns a first storage battery group, which is one of the at least one storage battery group, to a first charge/discharge instruction apparatus. The receiving unit receives an instruction related to charge or discharge from the first charge/discharge instruction apparatus. The generating unit generates a first control order that is a control order for the storage battery systems belonging to the first storage battery group, based on the instruction. The transmitting unit transmits the first control order to the storage battery systems belonging to the first storage battery group.

Abstract: A high efficiency battery charger. The high-efficiency battery charger can include a first transformer to produce a charging current, a second transformer to produce a maintenance current lower than the charging current, a power feed circuit having an input for connection to a power source, and control circuitry configured to detect a depleted battery to cause the power feed circuitry to feed power to the first transformer while disabling the second transformer, and to detect a charged battery to cause the power feed circuitry to feed power to the second transformer while disabling the first transformer.

Abstract: Adaptive multi-pathway wireless charging is described. In one aspect, embodiments enable one or more wireless charging pathways to be established concurrently in a wireless charging environment. The wireless charging pathways use same or different frequencies, powers, wireless power transfer (WPT) standards, and WPT configurations. Embodiments for adaptively configuring wireless charging based on detected events or changes in WPT characteristics are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for wireless transmission of power to a battery-operated device include a power receiving apparatus featuring at least one receiving resonator and a housing dimensioned to engage with a battery compartment of a battery-operated device, and a power transmitting apparatus including: a first pair of spaced source resonators, where each source resonator in the first pair features a loop of conducting material surrounding a common first axis; a second pair of spaced source resonators, where each source resonator in the second pair features a loop of conducting material surrounding a common second axis different from the first axis; and a controller coupled to the first and second pairs of source resonators and configured to provide non-radiative wireless power transfer from the power transmitting apparatus to the power receiving apparatus by alternately activating the first and second pairs of source resonators.

Abstract: A charging arrangement includes a vehicle having a charging module in the vehicle underbody, and a stationary charging station with a charging unit, for the inductive charging of a battery of the vehicle. The charging station is disposed close to the ground or in the ground. The charging unit is floatingly disposed in the charging station, within a predefined horizontal movement area. The charging module has at least one localization magnet and the charging unit has at least one positioning magnet. The charging unit is constructed as a primary coil, and the charging module is constructed as a secondary coil.

Abstract: This communication apparatus makes it possible to have a non-contact charging module and a sheet antenna coexist, even in the case where there the non-contact charging module and the sheet antenna in the communication apparatus. The apparatus is provided with: a housing; a secondary-side non-contact charging module, which is housed in the housing, receives power by means of electromagnetic induction, and has a first coil having a conducting wire wound thereon, and a first magnetic sheet facing the first coil; and an NFC antenna, which is housed in the housing, and has a second coil having a conducting wire wound thereon, and a second magnetic sheet facing the second coil. The secondary-side non-contact charging module and the NFC antenna are not laminated to each other.

Abstract: A connector main body of a connector accommodates a contact unit, a power cut-off unit that has an electric conductor unit, and open and close a power feeding path between an electrically driven vehicle and an electric power apparatus by bringing into contact or opening electric conductor unit, and an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality that occurs on power feeding path, or receives an abnormality signal from outside, an abnormality transmission unit that, when abnormality detection unit detects abnormality or receives abnormality signal, mechanically opens electric conductor unit, and a handle that mechanically brings into contact or opens electric conductor unit in a state in which abnormality detection unit does not detect abnormality and does not receive abnormality signal. Abnormality detection unit detects at least one of a short-circuit current and an overload current that occur on power feeding path as abnormality.

Abstract: Provided is an electric storage device provided with: a positive electrode including a positive electrode substrate and a positive electrode mixture layer, the positive electrode mixture layer being formed on the positive electrode substrate and containing a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode including a negative electrode substrate and a negative electrode mixture layer, the negative electrode mixture layer being formed on the negative electrode substrate and containing a negative electrode active material; and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. In the electric storage device, the separator yields a triple value of standard deviation of local air resistance, as measured within a 5-mm diameter circle, of at least 20 seconds/10 cc but not more than 350 seconds/10 cc.

Abstract: A charging connector accommodation apparatus for use in a truck-type or pickup-type electric vehicle includes a box body having an opening facing an outside of a vehicle body and an opening facing an inside of the vehicle body, and a lid member. The box body includes a frame body, and a center panel disposed inside the frame body. A bent edge folded toward the outside and joined to the frame body is provided at the center panel. A highly rigid frame section enhanced in rigidity by the bent edge is disposed is provided more outward to the outside than the center panel, and a hollow frame section having rigidity lower than that of the highly rigid frame section is disposed is provided more inward to the inside than the center panel of the box body.

Abstract: A load system includes a power supply input unit for load test of an external power supply, a charging circuit or a charger to which electric power from the power supply is supplied via the power supply input unit, a plurality of loads to which the electric power from the charging circuit or the charger is supplied, and a control circuit that switches selectively and connects the plurality of loads to the charging circuit or the charger. The plurality of loads is a plurality of storage batteries as a load resistance. The control circuit is configured to switch selectively and connect the plurality of storage batteries to the charging circuit or the charger such that the storage battery connected to the charging circuit or the charger among the plurality of storage batteries is charged by the charging circuit or the charger.

Abstract: A charging device installed in a motor vehicle is connected via a connection device to an AC mains. The connection device includes a residual current circuit breaker incapable of detecting at least one residual current type, in particular a DC residual current. A communication signal is transmitted between a control unit on the side of the charging device and a control unit on the side of the connection device. A residual current detector in the charging device detects a residual current of the undetected residual current type and transmits a residual current signal indicating the residual current to the charging-device-side control unit, which then modifies and/or interrupts the communication signal based the residual current signal so as to cause the charging device to be disconnected from the AC mains.

Abstract: A vehicle is capable of charging a power storage device mounted thereon using electric power from two power paths of an external DC power supply and AC power supply. The vehicle includes a DC charger for converting electric power from the DC power supply into charging electric power for the power storage device, and an AC charger for converting electric power from the AC power supply into charging electric power for the power storage device. A vehicle ECU selects an electric power path to be used for charging based on the state of the power storage device and efficiency of the DC charger and the AC charger.

Abstract: A traveler charger kit includes a storage housing having an access opening, and a receiving cavity, a charger cover, a charging circuitry, a power input plug provided on the storage housing to electrically connect to the charging circuitry, and a charging terminal received in the receiving cavity and is electrically connected to the charging circuitry. The traveler charger kit is arranged to operate between a carrying mode and a charging mode, wherein in the charging mode, the charging terminal is extended to selectively and electrically connect to at least one electronic device for charging thereof, wherein in the carrying mode, the charging terminal is selectively disposed in the receiving cavity which is detachably covered by the charger cover so as to reduce the traveler charger kit into a compact size for convenient carrying.

Abstract: A device configured to be worn around the wrist of a user and operable to charge an electrical device is provided. The device includes a cover and a band. The band is adapted to be worn around a wrist of a user. The cover may be adapted to mount onto the band. The band having a storage space configured for holding electrical components operable to store and discharge electrical power from a battery. The device further includes an output operable to connect the battery to an electrical device so as to charge the electrical device.

Abstract: A power source apparatus mounted to a vehicle is equipped with a lead-acid battery and a lithium battery. An open circuit voltage and an internal resistance of each of the batteries are determined to satisfy the following conditions (a1), (a2), and (a3): (a1) In the use range of SOC of the lead-acid battery and the use range of SOC of the lithium battery, there is an equal voltage point Vds at which the open circuit voltage V0 (Pb) of the lead-acid battery becomes equal to the open circuit voltage V0 (Li) of the lithium battery; (a2) The relationship of V0 (Li)>V0 (Pb) is satisfied in the upper limit side of the use range of SOC of the battery; and (a3) A terminal voltage Vc (Li) of the lithium battery is not more than a set voltage Vreg of a regulator when a maximum current flows in the lithium battery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage device (101) for storing electrical energy, having a storage cell (103) that is chargeable using an electric charging current, having a charging circuit (105) connected to the storage cell (103) for charging the storage cell (103), having a discharging circuit (107) connected to the storage cell (103) for discharging the storage cell (103) and a monitoring device (109) for monitoring a physical variable in the storage cell (103), a switching element (111) controllable by the monitoring device (109) for interrupting the charging circuit (105) being formed as a function of the monitored physical variable. The invention also relates to a method for operating a storage device (101) for storing electrical energy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for allocating identifiers to multi-slaves in a battery pack. The method for allocating identifiers, in which a master battery management system (BMS) allocates identifiers to N (N is an integer of 2 or above) number of slave BMSs through a communication network, includes (a) by each slave BMS, generating an initial identifier by combining digital voltage measurement values of battery cells included in a battery module managed by the slave BMS and transmitting the initial identifier to a master BMS; and (b) by the master BMS, allocating identifiers again according to the initial identifier received from each slave BMS and then transmitting the identifiers to slave BMSs. Therefore, it is possible to allocate identifiers without inputting an identifier to a multi-slave BMS in advance or using a separate hardware configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-BMS identifier allocation system. The multi-BMS identifier allocation system according to the present invention comprises a master BMS and N slave BMSs (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) which are connected to a series communication network and a parallel communication network, wherein the master BMS comprises at least two first and second master communication channels which form a communication interface with the series communication network and selectively output a forward or backward enabling signal and allocates unique communication identifiers to the slave BMSs through the parallel communication network, and the first to Nth slave BMSs start enabling in response to the forward or backward enabling signal received through the series communication network, are allocated the identifiers from the master BMS through the parallel communication network, and output an enabling signal to an adjacent slave BMS along a transmission direction of the enabling signal.

Abstract: A method for conducting an operation including a power tool battery pack. The battery pack can include a housing, a first cell supported by the housing and having a voltage, and a second cell supported by the housing and having a voltage. The battery pack also can be connectable to a power tool and be operable to supply power to operate the power tool. The method can include discharging one of the first cell and the second cell until the voltage of the one of the first cell and the second cell is substantially equal to the voltage of the other of the first cell and the second cell.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium to dynamically manage heat in an electric energy storage system, such as a battery pack or ultra-capacitor pack system in an electric vehicle.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for generating a regulated boosted load voltage. A comparator may use reduced versions of a reference voltage, a supply voltage, and a fed-back output load voltage to determine whether the output load voltage requires adjustment. If so, a controller may responsively vary the number of voltage boosting charge pumps connected in parallel to the load to best match a target voltage. The target voltage may be the reference voltage plus the supply voltage. A counter may track the number of active charge pumps, and may increment or decrement the number more slowly than the charge pumps operate. Loop gain may be limited by an integrating filter to prevent oscillation. The embodiments are of particular utility for signal conversion circuitry as they eliminate difficulties arising from gate-source voltage inadequacies and differences in switch transistors. A wider range of reference voltages may be accommodated.

Abstract: A spread-spectrum switching regulator for eliminating modulation ripple includes high gain amplifier that is responsive to reference voltage and feedback voltage of feedback loop to generate differential voltage, the feedback voltage being one of output voltage of the spread-spectrum switching regulator and a fraction of the output voltage; compensation circuit, coupled to the high gain amplifier, that maintains stability of the feedback loop to generate error level voltage in response to differential voltage; ramp generator that generates ramp waveform with slope adaptable to switching frequency to maintain duty cycle at constant value; pulse width modulator, coupled to compensation circuit and ramp generator, that compares error level voltage and ramp waveform to generate pulsed waveform; driver circuit, coupled to pulse width modulator, that drives the pulsed waveform to alternately switch a pair of transistors; and LC network, coupled to the pair of transistors, to average pulsed waveform to the output vo

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include a low-dropout (LDO) linear power supply system. The system includes a pass-element configured to generate an output voltage at an output based on an input voltage. The system also includes a compensation amplifier stage coupled to the output and configured to provide frequency compensation and provide a desired frequency response of the output voltage. The system further includes a gain amplifier stage interconnecting the compensation amplifier stage and the pass-element and configured to provide DC gain scaling to generate the output voltage substantially proportional to the input voltage within a given range of the input voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator capable of suppressing an overshoot with low current consumption. A comparator of an overshoot detection circuit is activated only when a power supply fluctuation occurs, and the comparator outputs a signal for reducing an overshoot occurring in an output voltage. In a steady state, the comparator of the overshoot detection circuit is turned off to prevent the current from being consumed.

Abstract: A voltage regulator permits reduced current consumption by promptly and timely stopping the operation of an inrush current protection circuit immediately after the voltage regulator is started up. The voltage regulator has an output voltage detection circuit, which issues a detection signal to actuate the inrush current protection circuit when a low voltage at an output terminal is detected at the time of starting up the voltage regulator. When it is detected that the voltage at the output terminal has reached a predetermined level, the operation of the inrush current protection circuit is stopped and a power path of the output voltage detection circuit is cut off.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a controlling method for a switching regulator, can include: (i) detecting an output voltage and an inductor current of the switching regulator; (ii) determining if there is a transient change on a load of the switching regulator by using the output voltage and a first reference voltage; (iii) generating a control signal using the output voltage, the inductor current, and a second reference voltage; (iv) controlling a switch of the switching regulator to maintain the output voltage substantially constant when no transient change is determined on the load; and (v) deactivating the control signal to keep the inductor current changing along with a variation tendency of an output current of the switching regulator when a transient change is determined on the load.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a reference voltage generation circuit to which a power source voltage is applied; an output terminal for outputting an output voltage; a determining circuit connected to the reference voltage generation circuit and the output terminal for generating the output voltage according to a determination target voltage; and a constant electric current source connected to the determining circuit and a ground potential for generating a constant electrical current.

Abstract: A reference voltage generator including a reference voltage generating unit is provided. The reference voltage generating unit receives a first bias voltage current and a first mirror current and generates a reference voltage. The reference voltage generating unit includes a first metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor, a second MOS transistor, a first impedance providing element and a second impedance providing element. The first and the second MOS transistors operate in a sub-threshold region so as to generate a first gate-source voltage and a second gate-source voltage having a negative temperature coefficient. The first impedance providing element is configured to generate a first current having a positive temperature coefficient. The second impedance providing element is configured to generate a first voltage having a negative temperature coefficient at its first terminal. The reference voltage is equal to a sum of the second gate-source voltage and the first voltage.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein feature a housing defining an interior cavity, a flexible cable including an electrically conductive body extending from a first end to a second end, at least a portion of the first and second ends of the cable configured to be held within the interior cavity, a locking assembly disposed in the interior cavity and configured to secure the cable to the housing, an electrical circuit disposed in the interior cavity, and a monitoring sub-system disposed within the interior cavity and configured to monitor an electrical state of the cable.

Abstract: In a voltage measurement apparatus high—i.e. un-attenuated—voltages are connected to an attenuator 12, which then feeds attenuated voltage waveforms to a microprocessor-based analogue-digital converter/voltage measurement circuit 14. A representative digital voltage signal 16 and a synchronising signal 18 are then sent across an optical isolation barrier 20, and are then output to metering circuits 22. The metering circuits 22 receive analogue current inputs 24 which are sampled in synchronism with the digital voltage signals for an accurate measurement of power. Safe outputs 26 are provided which are isolated from any dangerous voltage.

Abstract: A system capable of identifying various possible technical malfunctions with an uninterruptible power supply system by detecting AC ripple on a power bus of the UPS system. A battery monitor is positioned on the terminal posts of one or more batteries of the UPS system. The monitor, since it is connected with the power bus, is configured to measure and/or record AC ripple on the power bus. At the monitor or by way of communicating the AC ripple to a remote database and server, excessive ripple changes may generate an alert when such changes exceed a threshold or may be viewed through a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A flex circuit for creating artificial defects uses a thin conductive layer with rectangular slots therein representing defects. A thin insulating over-layer is used to protect the conductive layer as well as an eddy current probe. The flexible circuit is then temporarily attached to the surface of the part or material to be inspected. A feature of the described system is that it is directly scalable to an electric discharge machined (EDM) notch. In an embodiment, a thin conductive layer is used which is scalable to a thicker lower conductive layer like a conventional EDM notch. In this way, a thin conductive artificial defect can electromagnetically represent a thicker albeit less conductive EDM notch. The flexible circuit makes it easier to place multiple notches in complex part geometries, and allows for more accurate relative positioning between slots, e.g., for array and wide coverage probes.

Abstract: A target or rotor blade clearance measurement device is disclosed for indicating an interaction of a measurement probe with a target or rotor blade. In a preferred embodiment, the measurement device comprises a measurement probe containing a coil, a frequency source arranged to apply an input alternating signal to the measurement probe, and a frequency regulator arranged to regulate the input alternating signal at a frequency below the resonance frequency of the measurement probe. A detector is arranged to detect an output signal from the measurement probe at a frequency of the frequency source which varies in amplitude with an admittance and resonance frequency of the measurement probe. A circuit is arranged to scale the amplitude of the output signal detected by the detector according to the amplitude of the input signal provided by the frequency source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an inductive proximity switch, in which an enclosure is formed from a single piece of a non-ferromagnetic metal and electronic components are inserted into the enclosure, and to a corresponding proximity switch. The electronic components comprise a coil configured to be supplied with transmitting current pulses and a processing circuit configured to generate an output signal based on received voltages induced in the coil after the duration of the transmitting current pulses. In order to fabricate a proximity switch with an improved robustness by maintaining its proper functionality, the invention suggests that forming of the enclosure comprises the step of deep drawing a sheet of the non-ferromagnetic metal to a tubular element with a front wall covering its front end and a side wall delimiting an inner space for receiving the electronic components.

Abstract: With a metal foreign object detecting method, a metal detection circuit arranged in a contactless power supply device transmits an oscillation signal to a modulation circuit of an electric appliance. The modulation circuit generates a square wave pulse signal from the oscillation signal. The cycle of the oscillation signal received by the modulation circuit changes in accordance with whether or not a metal piece is present. The modulation circuit modulates the square wave pulse signal to generate a modulated wave signal and transmits the modulated wave signal to the metal detection circuit of the power supply device. The metal detection circuit demodulates the modulated wave signal and determines whether or not a metal piece is present based on the cycle of the demodulated signal corresponding to the square wave pulse signal.

Abstract: A current detector includes a magnetic core that is molded by sintering powder made from a magnetic material, and a current detection busbar. The current detection busbar is a conductor including a penetrating portion that penetrates a hole portion of the magnetic core in a first direction in which a current flows, and terminal portions that are in connection with the penetrating portion on both sides in the first direction. The width of the terminal portions is larger than the maximum width of the hole portion, and the minimum width of the cross-sectional contour of the penetrating portion is larger than the thickness of the terminal portions. An insulating casing holds the magnetic core, the current detection busbar, and the Hall element, while keeping them from coming into contact with each other.