Abstract: A dimmer switch for controlling a light includes a wheel assembly, a rotational motion detector and a dimmer control. As the wheel assembly is rotated, the light is dimmed. An on/off control is responsive to a push detector for detecting whether the wheel assembly has been pushed. The on/off control controls where the light is on or off.

Abstract: A test system includes a first, second, and third power converter and a data collection system. The test system performs load testing on the second and third power converters without requiring any external load. The first power converter is supplied by an Alternating Current (AC) source. During a test cycle, the first, second, and third power converters are controlled such that the second power converter is supplied by an output current of the first power converter and a feedback current output by the third power converter. The third power converter receives current output by the second power converter and outputs the feedback current onto the second power converter. The data collection system receives power converter test characteristics (voltage, current, and temperature information) during the test cycle without any power being dissipated by an external load. Test information is used to determine whether the second and third power converters are defective.

Abstract: A device is configured for installation on a wire in an electrical circuit comprises a housing including a first portion configured to close on a second portion. A wire passage configured to retain the wire of the electrical circuit is formed in the housing when the first portion is closed on the second portion of the housing. A blade is retained by the housing and configured to extend through the wire passage and sever the wire when the first portion is closed on the second portion of the housing. A first electrically conductive protrusion is configured to extend into the wire passage and engage a first end of the severed wire. A second electrically conductive protrusion configured to extend into the wire passage and engage a second end of the severed wire. A first terminal is electrically connected to the first electrically conductive protrusion and a second terminal is electrically connected to the second electrically conductive protrusion.

Abstract: An electrical connection adapter for an existing light fixture is described herein. The adapter can include a housing having at least one wall that forms a chamber disposed between a top side and a bottom side of the housing. The adapter can also include a first connection feature disposed within the top side of the housing and configured to couple to an electrical connector for the existing light fixture. The adapter can further include a second connection feature disposed within the bottom side of the housing. The adapter can be configured to couple to a light source of a retrofit light fixture. The adapter can also include a power transfer device disposed within the chamber of the housing, where the power transfer device has a first end electrically coupled to the first connection feature and a second end electrically coupled to the second connection feature.

Abstract: An improved method of collecting DC power in solar photovoltaic systems is disclosed where series string overcurrent protection is provided at distributed series string terminus locations and a tap connection is made to higher current conductors carrying the combined currents of a number of series strings. A number of related string combiner methods and embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for periodical transmission of electrical energy, with a high level of effectiveness, at low cost, with zero voltage times and heat dissipation times, using one or more alternating polarization electrical energy supply sources, to one or multiple destinations, with a form of electrical energy constituted by discontinuous monopolarized periodic sections, known as discontinuous transmission current, transmitted via transmission lines with zero voltage times and exclusive heat dissipation times, via electrical wires, for each polarity, across a transmission distance, with subsequent addition of the various discontinuous monopolarized sections, in direct form with no control, with no alteration to the qualities of the waveform and with no loss of energy or of the properties thereof in terms of the direct addition and delivery thereof, as alternating polarization periodic energy applicable to every type of voltage level, electric current density, alternating polarity waveforms and transmission

Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit, a switching circuit controls the capacity of a capacitor unit based on a control signal from a control circuit and separates a resonant frequency determined by first inductance, second inductance, and the capacity of the capacitor unit from the band area of the signal handled by an A/D converter.

Abstract: A system for use with an electrical distribution panel having a bonded neutral connection. In some embodiments, the system includes a generator having a first bonded neutral connection and a ground fault circuit interrupter. The system also includes a neutral bus that is connected to either the bonded neutral connection of the distribution panel or the bonded neutral connection of the generator. Additionally, the system includes a switch for disconnecting the neutral bus from the bonded neutral connection of the distribution panel and connecting the neutral bus to the bonded neutral connection of the generator.

Abstract: A heat dissipation device cooling a power adapter (50) includes first and second heat dissipation units (10), (20), at least one heat pipe (30) connecting the first and second heat dissipation units and a plurality of positioning elements (60) securing the first and second heat dissipation units on the power adapter. The positioning elements extend through the first heat dissipation unit and bottom ends of the positioning elements are screwed into the second heat dissipation unit. Top ends of the positioning elements are secured to the first heat dissipation unit. Therefore, the power adapter is tightly sandwiched between the first heat dissipation unit and the second heat dissipation unit by the positioning elements. Spring forces are exerted by the positioning elements on the first heat dissipation unit toward the second heat dissipation unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular distribution system having central distribution panel for receiving a plurality of services at an input and having a plurality of outputs each connected to an outlet at a remote location. A central region is provided in the central distribution panel having a plurality of module receiving connectors each having a first portion connected to the input and a second portion connected to one of the plurality of outlets. A plurality of modules are each separately connectable to a respective module receiving connector and configured to bridge a selected service from the first portion of the module receiving connector to the second portion of the module receiving connector.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular distribution system having central distribution panel for receiving a plurality of services at an input and having a plurality of outputs each connected to an outlet at a remote location. A central region is provided in the central distribution panel having a plurality of module receiving connectors each having a first portion connected to the input and a second portion connected to one of the plurality of outlets. A plurality of modules are each separately connectable to a respective module receiving connector and configured to bridge a selected service from the first portion of the module receiving connector to the second portion of the module receiving connector.

Abstract: Provided is a protection circuit for high speed signal communication via a two-wire connection between the two output terminals of a PECL driver and the two input terminals of a PECL receiver. The PECL driver and receiver are supplied with power from individual power supplies. The protection circuit includes two diodes connected in series with a respective wire with their cathodes electrically coupled to the respective output terminal of the PECL driver and their anodes electrically coupled to the respective input terminal of the PECL receiver, and two resistors connected between the PECL receiver power supply and the anodes of the respective diode. The resistance of the resistors ensures forward biasing of the diodes when the receiver power supply is supplying power. A capacitor may be connected in parallel with the respective diodes.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical component having an axial direction and two ends for making electrical contact with another component comprising a plurality of electrically conductive fibers in a matrix, the plurality of the fibers being oriented in the matrix in a direction substantially parallel in the axial direction of the component and being continuous from one end of the component to the other end to provide a plurality of electrical point contacts at each end of the component, wherein the component further includes magnetic particles.

Abstract: A large scale integrated circuit has a first circuit section with input terminals external of the integrated circuit connected to output terminals of a second portion of the integrated circuit for use in an environment not requiring intrinsic safety. When the circuit is to be installed in an environment requiring intrinsic safety the external connectors are disconnected from one another. An excess voltage suppression circuit is connected to the external connections of the second circuit section.

Abstract: A method of operating a redundant power supply is disclosed wherein two or more converters are separately connected to a common output node through separate diodes to isolate the converters and allow the outputs to be separately tested for diagnostic purposes. The diodes are selectively bypassed by connecting drain-to-source paths of P-channel MOS field-effect transistors separately across the diodes. During the diagnostic mode of operation, a controller shuts off the MOS transistors, so the diodes are effective in isolating the converters. During the bypass mode of operation, the transistors are turned on by the controller so the diodes are bypassed and their forward voltage drop does not appear in the circuit and so power dissipation is reduced. It is noted that the P-channel MOS transistor is connected such that it's intrinsic PN-junction diode conducts in a forward direction in parallel with the isolation diode, so that isolation during the diagnostic mode is not cancelled.

Abstract: The object of the disclosed system is the fast switching of high voltage and short duration pulses on loads which requires high instantaneous intensities, in order to provide said pulses in both directions; the system is capable in switching narrow hand signals, and therefore long duration signals. The system is based on a very lower series impedance switching channel which is comprised of two high voltage capacitors (C.sub.1) in series with two rectifying groups (GR.sub.1 and GR.sub.2) connected in opposition and whose conduction status is activated by forced injection, through said groups of a direct current controlled by a reactive network in series with a conventional low voltage unidirectional switch (CBT), thereby providing for its logical control (SL) from digital circuits TTL or CMOS.

Abstract: A remote power feed device for electronic equipment comprises two branches in parallel of which a first branch includes in series as many sets of Zener diodes as there are functional systems to be powered. The other or second branch includes one or more Zener diodes. Only the Zener diodes of the first branch conduct in normal operation, i.e. in the absence of any overcurrent. The supply voltage or voltages of the various subsystems of the same functional system are the voltage(s) across a common Zener diode or common Zener diodes of a common set of Zener diodes of the first branch.

Abstract: An RF signal is transformed (12 and 12') to increase its current component, while reducing its voltage component below the voltage that would damage a GaAs switching device (16 or 16'). The current and voltage transformation are selected so that the power of the RF signal remains substantially constant. Subsequent to the GaAs switching device, the signal is converted (24 and 24') to increase the voltage component while decreasing its current component to substantially recreate the original RF signal.

Abstract: When first high frequency signals from an antenna input terminal are selected to be outputted, all transistors constituting first and second switch devices are turned off and a RF modulator is also turned off. Therefore, first high frequency signals are transmitted to a TV output terminal through a first transmission line. When second high frequency signals outputted from the RF modulator are selected to be outputted, the RF modulator is turned on and transistors constituting the first and second switch devices are turned on. Consequently, second high frequency signals are transmitted to the TV output terminal through a second transmission line. On this occasion, the transistors constituting the first switch grounds the first transmission line and form a parallel resonance circuit in the first transmission line.

Abstract: A driving mechanism, preferably provided for a high-voltage isolating switch (T), contains a driving motor (M) which acts upon a moving contact of the switch via a shaft (W) and is provided with a rotor winding (R) and a stator winding (S), connected in series. To control a direction of rotation of the driving motor (M) in dependence on the position of the switch, the driving mechanism also contains a control circuit. In this driving mechanism, it is intended to keep the number of cores of a connecting cable (L) from the driving mechanism housing (K) to a control cabinet (N) as small as possible.

Abstract: An overhead wiring system for use in the suspended ceiling of a clean room includes a generally rectangular housing with closed top, side and end walls and a substantially open bottom. A plurality of movable panels are provided in the bottom to close the bottom wall, one or more of the panels having openings through which a power cord can pass. A barrier within the housing divides its interior into a wiring chamber and a power cord chamber, the wiring chamber having a terminal strip connectable with wires from an external conduit. A power cord is connected to the terminal strip, through the barrier and through one of the panels with a stress-relieving cord grip in each of the pass-through locations. The housing is supporting so as to be substantially coplanar with a suspended ceiling and without exerting stress on the ceiling.

Abstract: In a radio frequency switch, a pair of diodes is coupled in series with polarities opposed between input and output ports. A shunt diode is coupled between the junction point of the pair of diodes and a point of reference potential. A transistor has its main conduction path coupled between the junction point and the point of reference potential. When the switch is to couple a signal between the input and output ports, a control arrangement applies bias tending to forward bias the pair of diodes, to reverse bias the shunt diode and cut off conduction through the transistor.

Abstract: An antenna switching circuit which selectively transmits, to a receiver, RF signals from a plurality of antennas including RF signals of different frequency bands such as the VHF band and the MF band using a single output terminal. To prevent a level drop of RF signals of one of the frequency bands due to a common use of the output terminal, a unidirectional switching element is added to a switching circuit network by which the selection of RF signals from the different antennas is performed.A branching circuit for separating RF signals of different frequency bands is provided with an attenuation operation using a variable impedance characteristic of a semiconductor switching element which is basically on-off operated for the switching between the RF signals of the different frequency bands.

Abstract: In one form of the present preferred embodiment of the present invention it relates to a two-position feed-thru electric line cord piercing switching combination, of the rotary and even the rocker type, which saves electric energy by use of a half-wave diode rectifying means. The electric energy saving, two-position, combination switching means having only two electrical passing switching positions and thereby having no electrical "off" position. The switch will alternatingly provide either an electrical half-wave "dim" or an electrical full-wave "on" illumination to a single filament lamp, string of Christmas tree lamps and the like, and will even provide eight separate combinations, of one OFF and three separate illuminations, when electrically connected ahead of a, for example, conventional LEVITON rotary 4-position lamp socket switching means which uses a conventional 3-way incandescent lamp member which is removable inserted into the lamp socket portion thereof.

Abstract: An improved high frequency signal changeover switch is provided for use especially as a horizontal-vertical selection switch in an artificial satellite broadcast receiving system for the purpose of selectively delivering either vertical or horizontal polarization signals received at its two inputs, respectively, from its single output. This inventive switch has such a significant feature over the prior art switches in that no mismatch occurs among all of these terminals.

Abstract: A disc designed to be placed between a light bulb and the bottom of a mating Edison socket into which the light bulb is screwed is capable of attenuating power by rectifying alternating current to the bulb in one mode and in another mode is capable of passing full current to the bulb. Thus, by lightly screwing the bulb into the socket, the bulb glows dimly, its power being supplied through the rectifier. When the bulb is more tightly screwed into the socket, the disc is compressed and the device applies full power to the bulb. The switching is accomplished by offsetting the rectifier and allowing pressure exerted between the light bulb's center contact and the bottom of the socket to operate a switching mechanism, preferably located at the center of the disc. The switching mechanism shunts the rectifier in the full-power mode of operation.

Abstract: A d.c. power transmission line comprises two wire-type systems providing for lightning protection of line conductors (2,3). One of the wire-type systems comprises at least two wires (9) in a spaced relation to each other and is located above a line conductor (2) connected to a negative pole (6) of a d.c. power supply (7). A second wire-type system comprises a single wire (11) and is located above a line conductor (3) connected to a positive pole (8) of the d.c. power supply (7).

Abstract: A thin disc-like device for attachment to the base end of an incandescent light bulb to provide an auxiliary voltage reducing circuit interfaced between the central base contacts of the light bulb and its cooperating lampholder for purposes of extending the rated life of the light bulb. The device is made up of a generally annular insulator base, which protectively houses, locates and mounts a laminated contact assembly made up of a pair of registeringly disposed brass or copper foil electrical conductor contact plates separated by an intervening sheet insulator; the conductor plates having interfacial soldered connections with an interposed flat leaderless silicon rectifier chip. A compressible annular mounting gasket is adhesively secured to the upper side of the contact assembly, its base housing and the base of the light bulb.

Abstract: The limit switch includes a diode which is connected through a spring-operated switch in circuit with a d-c motor such that, when the motor is commanded to operate in one direction and its limit is reached, the diode is placed in blocking direction in the circuit but, upon reversal of polarity of supply to the motor to reverse its direction, the diode becomes conductive so that a closed circuit is immediately established therefor, the conductive direction of the diode being maintained until a reverse limit is reached, at which time the then conductive diode will be connected in blocked direction. During operation in the normal operating zone of the motor, the diode is short-circuited. The switches themselves can readily be constructed to be cam-operated, for example from a rotating shaft which, selectively, connects the diode in a double-pole, double-throw, center-ON circuit arrangement.

Abstract: This invention relates to the transmission of electric power and in particular provides an electric power-transmission system having reduced vector regulation, voltage drop, and power loss through the inclusion of capacitance in the cable in series between the generator and load by utilizing electric conductors, i.e., connective links, having capacitance distributed along the length of the cable. Such capacitance is achieved by dividing a conductor into two parts which are separated by dielectric material such that the two conductor parts are in capacitive relation along the length of the cable and by connecting one conductor part to the generator and the other conductor part to the load such that the distributed capacitance is in series with the generator and load.

Abstract: A battery jumper cable assembly (15) including a pair of solenoids (100,200) connected to provide an interlock preventing the direct connection of two batteries (10,20) in series with each other by means of such cable assembly is disclosed. The operation of the cable assembly under various operating conditions is described. The essential features of the solenoids and the interconnection of alternate types of switch elements in the cable assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: A control circuit including at least one switch and a plurality of rectifiers for selectively applying a-c utility power to either or both of two remote electrically-powered apparatus at respective first and second states of rectification by means of a conventional two-wire interconnection cable. Where one of the apparatus is of a type, such as a motor, adapted to be powered by a full-wave a-c, the control circuit includes a relay and relay switch responsive to switch-selectable half-wave a-c for connecting the motor to receive full-wave power. In one disclosed embodiment, the two apparatus comprise a composite smoke detector and lamp fixture, and the control circuit provides continuous power at a first state of rectification to the smoke detector portion of the fixture and switch-selectable power at a second state of rectification to the fixture lamp.

Abstract: In one form of the present preferred embodiment of the present invention it relates to a three-position feed-thru electric line or wire cord piercing switching combination of the rotary type which at least saves electric energy by use of a half-wave diode rectifying means. The electric energy saving, three-position, combination switch having one "off" and two electrical passing switching positions.

Abstract: A high voltage power supply is regulated using a light dependent resistor. A feedback circuit from the load controls the input to a light emitting diode which is optically coupled to a light dependent resistor connected in series with the load. Increases in the load current tend to reduce illumination on the light dependent resistor, thereby increasing the resistance of that circuit element which reduces the load current. The converse is also true. Regulation may be applied to a D.C. power source or to an A.C. power source by developing a signal indicative of average current level and applying it to the light emitting diode to control the light dependent resistor. The high voltage power control of the invention is particularly useful in regulating corotron voltage levels in a xerographic reproduction device.

Abstract: An improved electric energy saving incandescent lamp socket combination having in one embodiment a two-position electric "off-on" switching means, and in another embodiment having a four-position electric "off", low, medium and high switching means for a 1-way and a 3-way incandescent lamp respectively. The lamp socket houses therein a subcombination means that comprises a conventional two-position switching means having at least one single throw "off-on" electrical switching position and a half-wave, electric rectifying, diode which is electrically short-circuitingly connected to any two of generally three electrical terminals which project from at least one surface portion of the conventional two-position switching means.

Abstract: Alternating current energized appliances, particularly lamps, are extinguished in delayed fashion with the power delivered to the appliance being sharply reduced during at least the last portion of the extinction cycle. Delayed interruption of power is accomplished by means of a first circuit, including a series connected diode and heater, connected in parallel with the appliance and a second circuit, including a series connected diode and temperature responsive switch, connected in parallel with a main power switch. The heater and temperature responsive switch are mounted in proximity to one another and the diodes are arranged in opposition.

Abstract: Means for connecting an electrical load system to a voltage source of a predetermined first voltage level for the operation of said system at optionally one of said first voltage level and a lower second voltage level, said means comprising an electrical plug element comprising a housing member, electrical conductor prongs extending from said housing member, and electrical conductor means electrically connected at one end thereof to said load system, said conductor means comprising separate first and second conductor paths electrically connected to respectively first and second said conductor prongs, said first conductor path comprising parallel first and second circuit paths electrically connected to said conductor prong associated with said conductor path, one of said circuit paths comprising an electrical rectifier element and another of said circuit paths comprising switching means that is open when said plug element is at a first orientation at said voltage source and closed when said plug element at a s

Abstract: A power supply system which reduced total power consumption during high-line operation by providing a portion of the load current normally supplied by the series regulator of a series type regulated power supply from a lower voltage source through a passive device.