Abstract: A power capacitor (30, 40) composed of a plurality of parallel-connected strings (36) of capacitor elements (33,43), wherein each string comprises a plurality of series-connected capacitor elements, said parallel strings are interconnected at their end points only and said capacitor elements (33,43) are adapted such that, in case of a breakdown, the electrodes are welded together to achieve a solid short circuit of the faulty capacitor element. (FIG.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently charging and discharging a capacitive load from a single voltage source. The system includes a first switch for selectively connecting the voltage source to the load and a second switch for selectively providing a short across the load as may be common in the art. A particularly novel aspect of the invention resides in the provision of plural capacitive elements and a switching mechanism for selectively connecting each of the capacitive elements to the load whereby the load is gradually charged or discharged. In the illustrative embodiment, the switching mechanism includes a set of switches for selectively connecting each of the capacitive elements to the capacitive load and a switch control mechanism for selectively activating the switches.

Abstract: A MOSFET wherein cell includes a MOSFET transistor having a gate connected to an input voltage signal for integration, a source grounded through a high resistance, and a drain connected to a power source. An output capacitor is connected to the source of the MOSFET transistor to complete the MOSFET cell.

Abstract: An improved charge pump circuit includes a charge pump capacitor having first and second terminals for charging in first and second polarities; a current source device for supplying current selectively to the charge pump capacitor through the first and second terminals; a clamping device for defining first and second clamping voltages for the first and second terminals, respectively; a switching device for selectively connecting the current source device to one of the terminals and connecting the clamping device to the other of the terminals; and a clamp control device, responsive to the differential mode voltage across the charge pump capacitor, for setting the clamping voltages to obtain a difference between the clamping voltages equal to said differential mode voltage and pumping equal charge into the charge pump capacitor in either polarity.

Abstract: A voltage tripler which uses a charge pump with a single charge transfer capacitor to produce the required voltage is disclosed. The voltage tripler in conjunction with an inverter is useful for producing voltages with negative polarities. The voltage tripler when used in conjunction with a variable frequency oscillator circuit is useful in optimizing the power consumption by the charge pump of the voltage tripler when the tripler is not operating under load conditions. The tripler is useful in supplying power to a combination RS232 and RS422 or RS232 and RS485 interface, as well as other monolithic interface products.

Abstract: A transformerless power conversion system including a plurality of capacitors connected in series; a charging circuit connected to the plurality of capacitors, the charging circuit charging the plurality of capacitors from a voltage source to a predetermined voltage; a circuit for inverting the polarity of the charge stored in selected capacitors of the plurality of capacitors, the polarity inverting circuit including a plurality of inductor circuits, each of which can be switchably coupled to a corresponding different one of the selected capacitors to form a resonant circuit which aids in inverting the polarity of a stored charge in that capacitor; and a discharging circuit for extracting power from the plurality of capacitors at a transformed voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new Transformerless Power Conversion System (TPCS) that allows a direct voltage step-up or step-down of DC or AC power without the use of magnetic core transformers. The operation is accomplished with solid state switching devices, capacitors, preferentially air core inductors and a switch control system.The conversion and step-up from AC to DC and the inverse process can be implemented with high efficiency and without the generation of harmonics. The transformer elimination in conjunction with high inversion frequency operation results in a low weight system without transformer core losses and third harmonic generation. For high ratio DC to DC transformation the TPCS transports the input charge directly to the output without requiring an AC link. The three distinct operations of charging, transformation, and energy discharge are typically in sequential order and allows a complete isolation between the input and output power grids.

Abstract: In a capacitor-based energy storage system, in which the capacitor charging voltage is on the same order of magnitude as the system output voltage, the time between recharges for a given energy release rate is extended by producing an intermediate regulated capacitor output of a voltage having a lower order of magnitude and then stepping that voltage back up to the system output voltage through the use of an inverter.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the power supply of an electrical load, having a device for detecting a short-circuit of the load. The detection device has a comparator which supplies a signal representative of a short-circuit state of the load when the voltage at the terminals of that load, after filtering, is below a reference voltage Vref. The device has a circuit for rapidly pre-charging a capacitor of the filter, when the load is switched on. The initial time interval during which the output signal of the comparator is not representative of the presence or absence of a short-circuit is thus reduced. The circuit is applicable to the control of actuators in motor vehicle electronics.

Abstract: The present invention is an electrostatic transformer, and more particularly an electrostatic transformer capable of electrically insulating the input and output sides thereof without using any transformer. One A of input terminals A and B is connected to one end of a first capacitor C.sub.1 via a first switch S.sub.1 while the other B of the input terminals A and B is connected to the other end of the first capacitor C.sub.1 via a switch S.sub.4 ' opened and closed simultaneously with the opening and closing operations of the first switch S.sub.1 in interlock with same. The one and other terminals of the first capacitor C.sub.1 are connected to output terminals a and b, respectively, via a second switch S.sub.2 and a switch S.sub.2 ' closed and opened conversely to the opening and closing operations of the first switch S.sub.1 in interlock with same. The inventive electrostatic transformer has the above structure, so that if the first switches S.sub.1 and S.sub.

Abstract: In an electrostatic spray gun, particularly a hand spray gun, for coating workpieces with liquid or powdery coating material, the integrated or atached high-voltage cascade comprises a carrier plate of sintered ceramic that is printed with interconnects and capacitor surfaces. The diodes of the high-voltage cascade can also be printed onto a corresponding carrier plate.

Abstract: Circuitry for extending the sustain time of a computer power supply in the event of interruption of commercial A.C. power includes a capacitor bank, an associated charge path for controllably charging the capacitor bank during stable operation of the commercial A.C. power source, and discharge and disconnect paths for discharging the energy stored in the capacitor bank to sustain operation of the computer during interruption of the commercial A.C. power source and for disconnecting the capacitor from the computer power supply when the voltage across the capacitor bank has discharged below a threshold level.

Abstract: A power connect safety and connection interlock system is shown for use with inverters and other DC loads (16) which include capacitor filter banks (14) at their DC inputs. A safety circuit (20) operates a spring (26) biased, solenoid (22) driven mechanical connection interference (24) which prevents mating and therefore electrical connection between the power contactor halves (11, 13) of the main power contacts (12) until the capacitor bank is safely precharged through auxiliary contacts (18). When the DC load (16) is shut down, the capacitor bank (14) is automatically discharged through a discharging power resistor (66) by a MOSFET transistor (60) through a discharging power resistor (66) only when both the main power contacts and auxiliary contacts are disconnected.

Abstract: A direct current power supply for instantaneously providing tens of kilows of electrical energy for brief periods, such as 100 ms, during momentary power interruptions between a load and an electrical power source having a supply voltage includes a capacitor having an initial voltage charge preferably greater than the supply voltage. The cathode of a zener diode is operably coupled to the capacitor. The anode of a second diode is operably coupled to the anode of the zener diode. A solid state switch has a power input operably coupled between the capacitor and the cathode of the zener diode, a power output operably coupled between the anodes of the zener diode and second diode, and an enabling input, so that the switch may be triggered to conduct electrical power whereby voltage from the capacitor is conducted through the switch to the anode of the second diode when an enabling signal is provided to the enabling input.

Abstract: A circuit (FIG. 1) for generating a current impulse comprises an avalanche transistor 2 which responds to a stimulus to apply an electrical impulse to the bases of a plurality of further avalanche transistors 3, 6. The further transistors respond to the impulse to discharge respective equal capacitors 9-12 through a laser diode 7. Further equal capacitors 22-25 connect the emitters of the transistors to the common junction of the transistor 2 and an impedance 21 to generate the electrical impulse when the transistor 2 responds to the stimulus. The arrangement of the further capacitors ensures that once one further transistor begins to conduct, the electrical stress on the others is increased, thus ensuring the further transistors simultaneously avalanche.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement having a purely capacitive power supply, at least one power consumer, and a control element for causing power to be supplied to the power consumer. The power supply, the power consumer and the control element form a series circuit. The power consumer has a relay activated by a switching transistor, the switching transistor is connected to the control element. The purely capacitive power supply has a series capacitor for defining the current flow in the series circuit. The circuit arrangement may have a plurality of power consumers connected in series with each other and in series with the power supply and the control element.

Abstract: A self contained electronic timer device for controlling the length of time that a peripheral device connected to the timer will operate. The timer has a novel way of use a capacitor bank with charge ladling so that a precision time can be selected with a minimal of cheap components.

Abstract: First and second switches such as transistors are connected to a charge storage member such as a capacitance. The capacitance is charged through the first transistor from a positive supply when the transistor becomes conductive. The capacitances is discharged through the second transistor to a reference potential such as ground when the second transistor becomes conductive. The conductivities of the first and second transistors are controlled by pulses from a pulse source such as a transformer. The transformer primary produces a pulse of one polarity upon the occurrence of the leading edge of an input signal and a pulse of an opposite polarity upon the occurrence of the trailing edge of the input signal. Two secondary windings are respectively connected in opposite polarities to the bases of the first and second transistors to provide for the conductivity of only one of the transistors at any one time.

Abstract: With a MOS power element is associated at least one CMOS pilot circuit supplied by a condenser charged with a voltage taken from the power circuit during the interdiction phases of the power element. The entire device is preferably enclosed in a single monolithic chip except for the condenser which remains outside.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controlled source of current (1) having an inductive load (3), particularly a gradient coil adaptable to a nuclear spin imaging assembly. In order to cut down the reversal time of a current flowing in the load, the circuit is provided, according to the invention, with controlled energy storage instruments (2) connected in series with source of current (1) and inductive load (3) for increasing the rate of conversion of energy stored in said inductive load (3). Said instruments (2) preferably comprise capacitor means (C1, C2) and switch means (F1 . . . F4) for controlling the capacitors, facilitating a quick transfer of energy into or out of load (3). Said switch means (F1 . . . F4) are controlled by means of instruments (6) sensing a current flowing in inductive load (3), the conversion of energy being thus accurately controlled.

Abstract: A charging circuit is provided to decrease the settling time of a reference capacitor storing a reference voltage for data acquisition circuits. The charging circuit includes one or more comparator circuits for comparing the voltage across the reference capacitor to the reference voltage provided by a reference source. If the voltage from the reference source deviates by a predetermined amount, one or more buffer circuits rapidly charge the reference capacitor to a voltage substantially equal to the new reference voltage. The reference source is then coupled directly to the capacitor to complete the charging of the capacitor to the new reference voltage.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved capacitor multiplier which can be applied in both floating coupling and in grounded decoupling applications.

Abstract: In a reactive power compensator used for capacitive or inductive reactive powers in alternating-voltage networks, a capacitor is connected to an alternating-voltage network for a short time by means of a thyristor switch. In order to reduce the voltage load on the thyristor switch, a discharge circuit is connected in parallel with the capacitor. Via this circuit, the capacitor can discharge, after being disconnected from the alternating-voltage network, with such a speed that the voltage occurring at the thyristor switch is no greater than about 1.5 times the maximum network voltage. In the discharge circuit, a variable inductive reactive resistance can be a discharge circuit choke having an iron core or the primary winding of a transformer. When the capacitor is connected to the alternating-voltage network, the discharge circuit choke is unsaturated and its reactive resistnace is large (or the transformer secondary is open) so that no significant leakage current can flow via the discharge circuit.

Abstract: A controlled supply device for a capacitive load with high voltage signals includes a circuit that produces an alternate low voltage control signal, an input capacitor which displays a capacitance which is much lower than that of the capacitive load, a non-linear high voltage element comprising an active tripole with a control dipole, where one of the poles of the control dipole is connected to the input capacitor while the other pole of the control dipole is connected to the output capacitive load, and a quick low leak, low capacitance diode which is connected between the two poles of said control dipole so as to comprise a closed circuit with the latter which accepts a current that flows in only one direction under normal operating conditions. The device enables real time control of the high voltage signal that is applied to the capacitive load.

Abstract: A charging/discharging circuit is formed of transistors Q1, Q2; resistors R1-R4; and a capacitor C. The series resistors R1, R2 are connected between the power supply line +Vcc and the circuit ground. The series resistors R3, R4 are connected between the line +Vcc and the circuit ground. The collector of NPN transistor Q1 is connected to +Vcc, the base thereof is connected to the junction between R3 and R4, and the emitter thereof is coupled to the junction between R1 and R2. The collector of PNP transistor Q1 is connected to the circuit ground, the base thereof is connected to the junction between R3 and R4, and the emitter thereof is coupled to the junction between R1 and R2. Capacitor C is connected in parallel to R2. The charged voltage of C is used as a reference potential VR for another linear circuit. Suppose that R1=R2, R3=R4 and +Vcc=10 V. When +Vcc rises from 0 V to 10 V but VR does not reach to 5 V, Q1 is forwardly biased so that C is quickly charged by the emitter current of Q1.

Abstract: An electric energy storage element having a housing and at least two ion pervious graphite electrodes connected by an ion-containing electrolyte. The storage element may be used as a secondary battery or as a condenser. During charging, the ionic component of the electrolyte forms ions which are implanted in the graphite electrodes.

Abstract: A signal transmitting system including a spurious radiation preventing circuit which comprises a differentiating circuit coupled to a signal line connected to a signal source for differentiating an original signal for emphasizing high frequency components of the signal, an adder circuit for adding the output from the differentiating circuit and the original signal, and a current booster for boosting the output from the adder circuit. The output from the current booster is applied to an output device through a high cut filter, so that spurious radiation from the signal line connecting the signal source with the output device is reduced.

Abstract: A capacitor for use in microwave transistor, comprises a dielectric material layer and conductive layers covering both sides of the surfaces of the dielectric material layer. A plurality of points on the surface of one of the conductive layers are connected by conduction wires. Each of the conductive wires has a length less than .lambda..sub.0 /2.sqroot..epsilon..sub.r, where .lambda..sub.0 is the minimum wavelength of electric signals applied to the capacitor element, and .epsilon..sub.r is the dielectric constant of the dielectric material layer. The middle portion of each of the conductive lines is separated from the above-mentioned one of the conductive layers. The conductive wires prevent the capacitor element from becoming extremely inductive even when the frequency is high.

Abstract: An AC resonant charger for a capacitive load, such as a PFN, is provided with a variable repetition rate unrelated to the frequency of a multi-phase AC power source by using a control unit to select and couple the phase of the power source to the resonant charger in order to charge the capacitive load with a phase that is the next to begin a half cycle. For optimum range in repetition rate and increased charging voltage, the resonant charger includes a step-up transformer and full-wave rectifier. The next phase selected may then be of either polarity, but is always selected to be of a polarity opposite the polarity of the last phase selected so that the transformer core does not saturate. Thyristors are used to select and couple the correct phase just after its zero crossover in response to a sharp pulse generated by a zero-crossover detector. The thyristor that is turned on then automatically turns off after a full half cycle of its associated phase input.

Abstract: A solid state switching circuit using a capacitive feedback that creates a positive differential. This positive differential overcomes any half-wave operation of the solid state switches caused by lack of symmetry in its gating circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for energizing flash-tubes of beacons by means of the capacitive energy extracted from an insulated section of the overhead wire of power transmission lines. The supply system comprises a circuit for transforming the AC capacitive energy from the overhead wire into DC voltage, the latter feeding at least one flash-tube and a regulation circuit shunted across the transforming circuit for controlling a DC voltage threshold value supplying the tubes. Such regulation is achieved by detecting the predetermined DC voltage threshold value across the lamp terminals and by switching to the earth any capacitive energy extracted from the overhead wire exceeding that threshold value. Moreover, a circuit delivers a pulse at predetermined time intervals to control the firing of each flash-tube when the latter is subjected to a DC voltage corresponding to the predetermined threshold value and regulated by shunt switching.

Abstract: A statistically enhanced ratio-matched network in a circuit chip is disclosed. The network may be either a resistance network or a capacitance network. In a ratio-matched resistance network, such as an R-2R resistance ladder, a plurality of resistances in a circuit chip have a rational ratio of resistance values to each other. All of the resistances each consists of an integral number of simultaneously fabricated resistors of approximately uniform dimensions, and certain critical resistances each consists of a series-parallel combination of the resistors for statistically enhancing the accuracy of the rational ratio of the critical resistances to each other.

Abstract: A trigger pulse generation system capable of delivering a multiplicity of isolated 100 kV trigger pulses with picosecond simultaneity.

Abstract: An electromagnetic force (EMF) machine with a universal portable power supply is disclosed. The universal portable power supply energizes either a multiple turn flux concentrator or a single turn flux concentrator. The flux concentrators produce magnetic fields that create an outward tension force adapted to perform non-destructive bond tests (tension proof loading) and/or dent removal operations on panels or the like. The power supply includes a slow current pulse subsystem; a fast current pulse subsystem; slow and fast crowbars; and, a firing control. The firing control controls the production of pulses by the slow and a fast current pulse subsystems, and, the operation of the slow and fast crowbars. The slow pulse subsystem, via the flux concentrator, slowly creates a magnetic field that penetrates the panel; the fast pulse subsystem, via the flux concentrator, rapidly decreases the magnetic field, whereby a negative field gradient is produced across the panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply circuit utilizing a DC input tied to the primary windings of two transformers. A pulse source drives either primary through a selector switch which selects the desired primary to produce a pulsed transformer output of desired polarity. The transformer secondary windings produce a voltage output discharged by a load supplying capacitor. The voltage output is maintained at a desired polarity and at a peak level by periodically pulsing the load supplying capacitor with the same amount of energy taken by the load.

Abstract: A stabilizing circuit which increases the effective value of a capacitor and the structure of a monolithic capacitor are disclosed. The stabilizing circuit includes a transistor having a base electrode connected to the capacitor and an emitter electrode connected to a point at which it is desired to provide an increased effective capacitance. The capacitor structure is suitable for being included in monolithic integrated circuits having diffused isolation regions. A first plate of the capacitor is formed by a metallization layer, the second plate of the capacitor may be formed by an emitter diffusion into the isolation diffusion. A base diffusion which is conductively connected to the emitter diffusion and to the isolation diffusion facilitates connection of the second plate of the capacitor to the substrate.

Abstract: A single phase controlled capacitive filter with a smaller, more efficiently used filter capacitor than conventional capacitive filters is connected between rectifier terminals and supplies voltage to an active load producing dc output voltage. The charge and discharge intervals of the filter capacitor are controlled by gate controlled thyristors or other devices such that discharge occurs when the instantaneous rectified line voltage falls below the dc output voltage. The filter capacitor during discharge is placed in series with the load or can remain in parallel with the load in a simpler arrangement.