Abstract: A light performance monitoring device and optionally integrated controller includes a monitor module that directly monitors energy usage of at least one energy load to generate at least one measurement of energy usage; a storage module stores a series of baseline values of energy usage of the energy load, a comparator module compares energy measurements made at predetermined intervals with the baseline values, and a notification module notifies a designated recipient that there is a deviation from the baseline values consistent with a burned out or non-operational light fixture, including but not limited to light bulbs or ballast devices. A control module optionally integrated with the light performance monitoring device can be operatively coupled to the monitor module to control energy usage by the at least one energy load via a data link in a pre-determined manner that is based on the at least one measurement of energy usage.

Abstract: A controller is disclosed for controlling the optical output of at least one light emitting diode. The controller comprises a control unit and a power supply unit for supplying power to the at least one light emitting diode. The control unit is arranged to receive as input, first and second signals which are representative of the operating characteristics of the at least one light emitting diode, and which is further arranged to control the power output from the power supply unit to the at least one light emitting diode in dependence of the first and second signals. The first signal is representative of the current within the at least one light emitting diode and the second signal is representative of the temperature of the at least one light emitting diode so that the optical output from the at least one LED can be varied in accordance with the operating characteristics of the at least one light emitting diode.

Abstract: A bedside lamp, features for such a lamp, and associated methodology. The lamp has at least two different sets of lighting elements, each having one or more groupings of LED lamp(s), where the one or more main LED lamp(s) provide the majority of the lighting when the lamp is at full brightness and no lighting during various reduced lighting states, and the one or more “auxiliary” LED lamp(s) provide less than a majority of the lighting when the lamp is at full brightness and all of the lighting during various reduced lighting states. The lamp has the means for the user to set a dimming time for which the lights dim from a set brightness to 0% brightness, and means to gradually dim the main and auxiliary LED lamp(s) according to the above description.

Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to a circuit arrangement for operating at least one discharge lamp having a commutation device and a control device which is coupled to the commutation device. A first measuring device is used to determine in each case first measurement values, which represent a measure of the magnitude of electrode peaks of the discharge lamp, within a test operating phase in which the first electrode and the second electrode are supplied with energy in an asymmetrical manner. A second measuring device is used to determine a second measurement value which is correlated with the current through the discharge lamp at least during the test operating phase. The control device is designed to actuate the commutation device at least as a function of the determined first measurement values and second measurement values. Various embodiments further relate to a corresponding method for operating at least one discharge lamp.

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: A method of driving LED chips of same power but different rated voltages and currents includes the following steps: set a predetermined power; provide a LED chip which has a rated power accordant to the predetermined power; measure the LED chip to obtain a working current thereof while the LED chip is operated; provides a driving current to the LED chip, and maintain the driving current the same as the working current.

Abstract: A light switch plate includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting control signals to a smart light assembly. The light switch plate is placed over a conventional light switch and prevents a user from further manipulating the conventional light switch. The light switch plate includes a further switch which a user can manipulate to cause the transmitter to transmit control signals to turn on or turn off a light of the smart light assembly.

Abstract: A particle accelerator including an electrical field system and a magnetic field system that are configured to direct a particle beam of charged particles along a designated path within an acceleration chamber. The particle accelerator also includes a foil holder having a beam window and a positioning slot that at least partially surrounds the beam window. The positioning slot is dimensioned to hold an extraction foil such that the extraction foil extends across the beam window and into the path of the charged particles. The positioning slot is defined by interior reference surfaces that face the extraction foil and retain the extraction foil within the positioning slot. The reference surfaces permit the extraction foil to move relative to the reference surfaces when the particle beam is incident on the extraction foil.

Abstract: A controlled motion system having a plurality of movers controlled as they travel along both smart and simple sections of a track. The controlled motion system comprises a control system for controlling the speed of a mover as it travels along a simple section, and permits the pitch or distance between movers to increase or decrease as they travel along a simple section. In a preferred embodiment the controlled motion system includes at least one coupling feature having a driving feature on a simple section for engaging and operably driving a driven feature on each mover such that positive control of each mover is maintained throughout its transition from a smart section to a simple section.

Abstract: A drive system includes a line assembly configured to connect a power converter to an electric motor which has a brake and an encoder. The line assembly has at least two power lines and only two brake lines exclusively to provide a data transfer between the power converter and the electric motor and to transfer energy to the encoder. The power converter applies a first supply voltage of a first polarity and a second supply voltage of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity to the brake lines for supplying the brake and the encoder. The electric motor supplies the encoder with the respective supply voltage independently of its polarity and the brake with the respective supply voltage depending on its polarity.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: an inverter unit having high and low potential-side switching elements corresponding to each phase of a winding of a rotating electrical machine; a current detecting unit; and a control unit controlling the switching elements based on a PWM reference signal and a duty instruction value. The control unit includes: a phase current computing device; and a voltage instruction value computing device. The control unit computes an active voltage vector interval in first and second half periods of one or multiple cycles of the PWM reference signal to be a predetermined period or longer, and computes first and second half duty instruction values to set first and second voltage vector intervals equal to or longer than minimum time to be in the first or second half period.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes: duty calculation units that calculate a duty of a PWM signal based on a deviation between a value of a physical quantity of a motor with a command value; and a duty setting unit that performs setting of the duty based on the duty calculated by the duty calculation units. The duty setting unit maintains a present duty until new duty is input from any one of the plurality of duty calculation units, and updates the duty from the present duty to the new duty when the new duty is input from any one of the plurality of duty calculation units. A PWM signal generation unit generates the PWM signal based on the duty set by the duty setting unit and a carrier signal generated by a carrier signal generation unit.

Abstract: A load torque estimation apparatus inputs a controlling value for controlling the electric motor and an actually measured value of a rotational speed of the electric motor to a model to estimate load torque of the electric motor; and derives a mechanical time constant of the electric motor corresponding to the load torque estimated by the estimation part. The load torque estimation apparatus updates the mechanical time constant included in the model by using the mechanical time constant corresponding to the load torque estimated at an (n?1)th control period (where n denotes an integer greater than or equal to 2) and estimates the load torque of the electric motor at an nth control period by inputting the controlling value and the actually measured value acquired at the nth control period to the model acquired through the updating.

Abstract: A load torque estimation apparatus estimates load torque of an electric motor. The apparatus includes an estimation part configured to input a controlling value for controlling the electric motor and an actually measured value of a rotational speed of the electric motor to a model and estimating load torque of the electric motor; and a derivation part configured to derive a mechanical time constant of the electric motor corresponding to the actually measured value of the rotational speed of the electric motor. The estimation part is configured to update, according to a timing of acquiring the actually measured value of the rotational speed of the electric motor, the mechanical time constant included in the model by using the mechanical time constant corresponding to the acquired actually measured value and estimate the load torque of the electric motor by using the updated model.

Abstract: A drive system for a motor includes a drive stage, a control structure arranged to control operation of the drive stage to control drive current to the motor, and a sensor arranged to generate a temperature output indicative of the temperature of a stationary component of the system. The control structure is further arranged to derive from a current indicator, indicative of at least a component of the drive current, and the temperature output, a rotor temperature indicator indicative of the temperature of the motor rotor.

Abstract: A dual inverter system to drive a motor in an electronic apparatus and a method of controlling the same include a first inverter connected to one side of a stator winding of the motor to modulate a pulse width and to adjust power supplied to the motor, a second inverter connected to the other side of the stator winding of the motor to modulate a pulse width and to adjust power supplied to the motor, a first current detector connected to the first inverter to detect a current flowing in the first inverter, a second current detector connected to the second inverter to detect a current flowing in the second inverter, and a controller to control the motor by controlling a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal applied to the first inverter or the second inverter based on the current flowing in at least one of the first inverter and the second inverter.

Abstract: A numerical control device including a numerical controller, a robot controller, a servo control module and an I/O control module connected to the numerical controller and the robot controller, and an amplifier connecting bus connecting the servo control module and a servo amplifier, and an I/O device connecting bus connecting an I/O control module and an I/O interface device. The machine-tool-side and robot-side servo amplifiers are daisy-chained and the machine-tool-side and robot-side I/O interface devices are daisy-chained.

Abstract: A single degree of freedom vibration isolating device of a linear motor and a motion control method thereof. The vibration isolating device comprises a balance block, an anti-drifting driving unit, and a control unit. An upper surface of the balance block is connected to a stator of the linear motor, and a lower surface of the balance block is connected to a base. The anti-drifting driving unit is connected to the balance block for controlling the position of the balance block. Provided two motion control methods; inputting a second grating ruler signal to the control unit as feedback to perform variable stiffness and nonlinear control on the balance block; inputting a first and a second grating ruler signal to the control unit as feedback to obtain resultant centroid displacement signals of the rotor and the balance block to perform nonlinear anti-drifting control on the balance block.

Abstract: A stepping motor includes a housing, a stator assembly, a rotor, and a sensor portion. The stator assembly is disposed inside the housing. The rotor is rotatably disposed inside the stator assembly and includes a rotation shaft, and opposite ends of the rotation shaft are supported by the housing. The sensor portion is disposed inside the housing and detects a magnetic field of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotor core includes magnet insertion holes embedding permanent magnets and arranged in a substantially U-shape, facing an outer circumferential surface of a rotor, and includes hollow portions formed at both side surface portions in a direction orthogonal to a magnetization direction of the permanent magnets embedded in the magnet insertion holes. A permanent magnet group for each pole having the plurality of permanent magnets includes vent holes passing through the rotor core in a direction of a rotating shaft, between one of the magnet insertion holes in which the permanent magnets are embedded and adjacent one of the magnet insertion holes or between the one of the magnet insertion holes and outer circumferential portions of the rotor core. The vent holes are arranged at positions to form the substantially U-shape together with the magnet insertion holes.

Abstract: A method for setting parameters of an ECM motor, the method including: 1) energizing the motor and measuring the AC input voltage Vac; 2) allowing the motor to run according to recorded rotational direction data and rotational speed data when Vac>Vset1; 3) enabling the motor to enter a programming state of rotational direction data and rotational speed data when Vac<Vset2; 4) conducting the programming state including operating the motor in a rotational speed state, a rotational direction state, or a combined state thereof, with each state lasting for a time of T, respectively; and 5) determining that the programming state is proper when the user turns off the power; and storing the programming state in operation at the moment when the power is turned off as normal operating parameter of the motor.

Abstract: A wireless power distribution system for military applications is disclosed. The system includes a wireless power transmitter coupled with a power source. The transmitter may form pockets of energy using controlled radio frequencies. Electrical equipment coupled with an electronic receiver may utilize pockets of energy formed by the transmitter to charge or power the electrical equipment. The transmitter coupled with a power source may be used in a fixed position or may be carried in a vehicle for portability.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a methodology for wireless power transmission based on pocket-forming. This methodology may include one transmitter and at least one or more receivers, being the transmitter the sender of energy and the receiver the device that is desired to charge or power. In the present disclosures, transmitters may utilize alternate sources of energy such as solar or wind power. Furthermore, transmitters, in some embodiments, may include a battery module for storing surplus energy. Lastly, a portable assembly for providing wireless power running on alternate sources of energy may be provided.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for a first device to wirelessly charge a second device. When in a first charging mode, the first device has a first chargeable radius as a charging radius thereof. An external power source is provided to the first device. In response to the external power source providing power to the first device, the first device changes from the first charging mode to a second charging mode. In response to the first device changing to the second charging mode, the charging radius of the first device changes from the first chargeable radius to a second chargeable radius.

Abstract: A charging station which has a battery cell balancing system is disclosed. The charging station includes: a number of balancing charging units, each has: a detecting element for detecting a state of charge of a battery cell; and a charging element for processing charging to the battery cell; a power unit for providing electric power; and a charging control unit, linked to the balancing charging units, and the power unit, for controlling the electric power from the power unit to the charging element to charge the battery cell. The battery cell is linked in serial or parallel with other battery cells in a battery pack. The charging control unit stops the power unit to charge the battery cell when the state of charge of the battery cell detected by the detecting element is full or exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a single power source, multi-output battery charger configured to transition individual batteries coupled to its output from the absorption stage to the float stage independent of other batteries also coupled to its output. The power source may be any suitable power source, such as an AC/DC converter, solar panels, wind generators, alternators, etc. A programmable controller with suitable circuitry is utilized to control a voltage drop across a variable voltage drop blocking device coupled between the output of the power source and a terminal of a rechargeable battery to selectively transition individual batteries coupled to the power source output from the absorption stage to the float stage once they have reached full charge. Using the battery chargers disclosed herein, auxiliary batteries are not subjected to the full absorption voltage for an extended duration after they are charged, thereby reducing the likelihood of undesirable overcharging.

Abstract: A charging device is provided. The charging device includes a support structure and contact elements provided in the support structure. The contact elements are positioned to mate or make electrical contact with a set of contact elements of a computing device.

Abstract: A battery charging device includes: a battery housing which delimits at least one battery receiving space at least in part; at least one power electronics unit supplying a charging voltage; and an electronics housing which (i) is formed separately from the battery housing, and (ii) accommodates the power electronics unit in at least one of water-protected manner and dust-protected manner.

Abstract: A battery charging device includes: at least one power electronics unit supplying a charging voltage; at least one cooling unit cooling the power electronics unit; and an electronics housing accommodating the at least one power electronics unit in at least one of water-tight and dust-tight manner. The electronics housing is cooled from the outside by a fan of the at least one cooling unit during at least one operating mode.

Abstract: Circuitry and methods to “capture”, recover, store and/or use electrical energy output and/or generated by the battery/cell as discharge signals of a charging sequence/operation. Such electrical energy may then be “reused” by the charging circuitry or system and/or in the system powered by the battery/cell and/or external to the charging circuitry or battery/cell. The energy output and/or generated by the battery/cell in response to discharge signals of a charging sequence/operation may (1) supply energy to the associated system being powered by the battery, (2) supply charge current to the same battery/cell or another battery/cell, (3) supply charge to one or more cells in a multiple cell battery pack that are at a lower voltage than the other cells, (4) store the charge in a different charge storing device (e.g., a capacitor and/or second battery), and/or (5) heat a battery/cell to improve charging performance.

Abstract: A robotic mower inductive charging station includes a plurality of transmitter coils mounted on a horizontal base structure in a pattern for inductive charging of a robotic mower that may enter and approach the charging station from any direction. The horizontal base structure may have a plurality of slots, perforations or holes covering at least about 50% of the base structure's surface area.

Abstract: One aspect provides a wireless power transmitter. The wireless power transmitter includes a transmit antenna configured to generate a field for wireless transmit power in both a first and second configuration. The wireless power transmitter further includes a first capacitor. The wireless power transmitter further includes at least one switch configured to selectively connect the first capacitor in one of the first and second configuration. The first capacitor can be in series with the transmit antenna in the first configuration and in parallel with the transmit antenna in the second configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a rear case for wireless charging application (10) including a metal housing (100) and an induction coil (210). The metal housing (100) has an external surface (110) and an internal surface (120) opposite to the external surface (110). A containing chamber (111) is opened on the external surface (110). The containing chamber (111) is communicating with the external surface (110) and the internal surface (120). The induction coil (210) is set in the containing chamber (111). Thereby, the induction coil (210) is not shielded by the metal housing (100).

Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless power receiver for transferring power received from a wireless power transmitter to a load. The wireless power receiver includes a reception coil to receive AC power from the wireless power transmitter; a rectifying unit to rectify the received AC power into DC power; and a charging management unit to control DC power applied to the load by comparing the DC power with a threshold value.

Abstract: A device for wirelessly charging key fobs. The device uses a cabinet with at least one support for supporting a key fob. There is also at least one inductive charging unit placed to wirelessly charge a key fob that is placed on the support. The device further includes a power supply to deliver power to each inductive charging unit.

Abstract: An improved medical device system is disclosed in which system devices communicate optically. An Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a hermetic window assembly on one side of its case, through which a photoemitter and photodetector can transmit and receive optical signals. The optical radiation in the signals is preferably visible, which permits communications from the IMD to be seen prior to implantation and even after implantation through a patient's tissue. External controllers for adjusting therapeutic operation of the IMD, external chargers for providing a magnetic charging field to charge a battery in the IMD, and combined external controllers/chargers are also disclosed that optically communicate with the IMD through the patient's tissue. The optical communication capabilities of the external charger are particularly useful in determining misalignment with the IMD.

Abstract: A power transmitting unit (PTU) transmits a power wirelessly based on a location of a power receiving unit (PRU). The PTU determines whether the PRU is located within a charging area of the PTU based on frequency information corresponding to an inflection point detected on a curve of electrical characteristics of a resonator of the PTU.

Abstract: There is provided a planar inductive battery charging system designed to enable electronic devices to be recharged. The system includes a planar charging module having a charging surface on which a device to be recharged is placed. Within the charging module and parallel to the charging surface is at least one and preferably an array of primary windings that couple energy inductively to a secondary winding formed in the device to be recharged. The invention also provides secondary modules that allow the system to be used with conventional electronic devices not formed with secondary windings.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless power transmission are described herein. In one aspect, a charging pad to transfer power wirelessly comprises a power antenna assembly configured to receive wireless power. The power antenna assembly is configured to charge the battery based on the received wireless power. The charging pad further comprises a ferrite layer assembly. The charging pad further a shielding layer defining a shape configured to receive a part of the host device and/or conform to a shape of a host device. The shielding layer can define a notch or can define a concave shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the charging of an electric vehicle battery while avoiding electric grid peak load difficulties are discussed. One such method may include generating charge instructions based on a historical load profile, forecast load profile, historical weather data, and/or forecast weather data, in the absence of real-time grid condition information.

Abstract: System and method for secure charging of a motor vehicle battery. Method of secure charging of the battery (3) of a motor vehicle from a network (2) estimating the resistance between the earth and the neutral of the network (2), comprising at least one injection of pulses of current into the network (2), measurements of voltage between the earth and the neutral of the network (2) in response to each pulse, and a determination of the earth resistance from the measured voltages.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a power aggregation system. In one implementation, a method includes establishing a communication connection with each of multiple electric resources connected to a power grid, receiving an energy generation signal from a power grid operator, and controlling a number of the electric resources being charged by the power grid as a function of the energy generation signal.

Abstract: An automated charge preparation method periodically determines critical parameters for the set of relevant operating conditions, determines whether fast charging is possible, applies fast charging when possible, otherwise applies a dynamically scaled charging rate that is optimized based upon current critical parameters (while optionally heating the individual battery cells as long as fast charging is not available) to reduce/eliminate a risk of lithium-plating.

Abstract: A method of charging a battery and a battery charging system, which has a relatively high charging speed while having a relatively low level of battery deterioration. The charging method includes charging a battery cell with a first current in a first constant current mode; charging the battery cell with a first voltage in a first constant voltage mode; idling the charging of the battery cell for a first idle period (t); charging the battery cell with a second current different from the first current in a second constant current mode; and charging the battery cell with a second voltage different from the first voltage in a second constant voltage mode.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system includes a clock input terminal, a data input terminal, a communication control circuit receiving the clock signal and the data signal from the clock input terminal and the data input terminal, respectively, a main power regulator controlled by the communication control circuit to supply and stop supplying main power, a charge circuit charged by the clock signal, and a sub power regulator started by a charge voltage of the charge circuit to supply a sub power to the communication control circuit. The communication control circuit controls the main power regulator with the data signal when the sub power is received from the sub power regulator.

Abstract: In an equalization device for equalizing voltages of battery cells connected in series, each battery cell is provided with an equalization switch and a level shift section. The level shift section includes at least one level shift circuit. Each level shift circuit operates on a power supply voltage supplied from a series circuit of a predetermined number of adjacent battery cells. The level shift circuits are arranged so that potentials of the power supply voltages are different from each other in sequence. In the level shift section, a first level shift circuit outputs a pair of drive voltages by level-shifting a pair of control signals inputted from a second level shift circuit adjacent to the first level shift circuit, and a last level shift circuit outputs the pair of drive voltages as a control voltage for a corresponding equalization switch.

Abstract: A regulating device includes: a generating means for generating an output voltage from an input voltage; a plurality of first switches, respectively corresponding to the plural storage battery units connected in parallel, with each of said first switches interposed between the corresponding storage battery unit and the input side of the generating means; a plurality of second switches, respectively corresponding to the plural storage battery units, with each of said second switches interposed between the corresponding storage battery unit and the output side of the generating means; a detecting means for detecting the voltage of each of the plural storage battery units; and, a control means that, referring to the result of detection from the detecting means, identifies first storage battery units whose voltages are higher than the average value of voltage of the plural storage battery units and second storage battery units whose voltages are lower than the average value, from the plural storage battery units,

Abstract: A battery management method and apparatus. In one embodiment of the method, a source current is divided into Ic and Icr. Ic is transmitted to and charges a battery. A first voltage is generated that is related to Icr. The first voltage is converted into a first digital signal. A processing unit receives and processes the first digital signal in accordance with instructions stored in a memory. The transmission of Ic to the battery is interrupted in response to the processing unit processing the first digital signal. Current provided by the battery is divided into Idc and Idcr. Idc is transmitted to a device. A second voltage is generated that is related to Idcr. The second voltage is converted into a second digital signal. The processing unit receives and processes the second digital signal in accordance with instructions stored in the memory. The transmission of Idc to the battery is interrupted in response to the processing unit processing the second digital signal.

Abstract: A power control device includes a relay switch, a controller, a sensor and a battery controller. The relay switch is configured to turn electricity on and off between a battery for supplying a load with electric power and the load. The controller predicts load power characteristics indicating characteristics of power consumed by the load over time, and predicts, based on the predicted load power characteristics, charge/discharge power characteristics indicating characteristics of charge/discharge power of the battery over time. The sensor detects voltage between the terminals of the battery. The controller specify a voltage detection period from the charge/discharge power characteristics that was predicted, over which the charge/discharge power of the battery is equal to or less than a prescribed power over a prescribed period. The battery controller turns off the relay switch and detects the voltage between the battery terminals during the voltage detection period.

Abstract: A magnetically connected universal computer power adapter is presented. The computer power adapter provides a power supply, a power cord, a cord connector, and a charging plug. The cord connector and charging plug each contain a magnet that magnetically couple the cord connector to the charging plug. The cord connector may couple with more than one type of charging plug, allowing the universal computer power adapter to be used with many different computer models.