Power Packs Patents (Class 307/150)
  • Patent number: 4872102
    Abstract: A DC to AC power inverter has an improved construction providing for substantially improved thermal disipation, reliability, and efficiency; the inverter has a unitary combination frame and heat diffuser with a pair of opposed U-shaped sections at right angles to each other and with a common base, a cover, a transformer, a primary internal heat sink inside of and on the frame, a plurality of power switches fastened on the internal heat sink, a printed circuit board fastened to and spaced from the heat sink with leads from the switches connected to the board, the transformer is fastened onto the frame in heat exchange relationship and part of the coil extends through the frame into an air passageway. All of the wiring access is on a field wiring end and the opposite end is a control end with the switches and circuit board; an improved arrangement of components and leads provides discrete separation of the high and low voltage components and leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Dimensions Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis L. Getter
  • Patent number: 4864468
    Abstract: A rear wall for a standard housing, which housing is adapted for receiving electronic assemblies. The rear wall is provided by an enclosure in the form of a hollow body with mounting flanges for mounting the hollow body to one end of the housing so as to form a housing rear wall. A power pack for supplying power to the electrical assemblies is mounted in the hollow body so that heat may be transferred and carried off towards the outside of the housing. Ventillators and vent openings are provided in the hollow body to enable forced ventilation cooling of the power pack as well as to enable heat transfer from the housing interior. The mounting flanges are positionally located on the hollow body so that the formed housing rear wall is provided within the housing interior and the hollow body extends from the housing rear wall outwardly so as to partially project from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: BICC-VERO Electronics GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Weiss
  • Patent number: 4847513
    Abstract: A cordless power-operated device, such as a saw 20, is powered by a low level D.C. voltage provided by battery pack cells to operate the saw in a cordless mode. The cells are housed in a container 32 which fits into a cavity 23 formed in a housing 22 of saw 20. Another container 66 includes a first section 64 which is shaped externally in the same configuration as container 32. First section 64 houses a voltage converter 62 which converts conventional A.C. voltage, such as 120 volts at 60 Hz, to the low level D.C. voltage required to operate saw 20. Container 66 can be inserted into cavity 23 of saw 20 and voltage converter 62 can be connected to a conventional A.C. source to operate the saw in a corded mode. Container 66 also includes a second section 68 which houses a cooling motor 70. Cooling motor 70 provides powered cooling of saw motor 28, the cooling motor and voltage converter 62.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Friedrich J. Katz, Salvatore R. Abbratozzato
  • Patent number: 4845650
    Abstract: A portable ticket issuing system comprises a portable electric ticket issuing machine including a keyboard and electric power means for supplying power to the ticket issuing machine, in which the power means comprises a battery unit having a battery casing separate from the ticket issuing machine casing, and including a flexible cable means for electrically connecting the battery and ticket issuing machine, and including a belt support means for mounting the battery and its casing on an operator away from his front and without the operator holding it manually and further support means for mounting the ticket issuing machine on the operator away from his front in a non-operating position where it is located at the operator's side resting on his thigh and so that it allows the ticket issuing machine to be readily moved to an operating position in front of the operator without moving the battery unit and preferably without detaching it from the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Almex Control Systems Limited
    Inventors: Roger Meade, Paul Schofield, Michael C. Wright
  • Patent number: 4842966
    Abstract: A battery holder mechanism for holding a battery in an electronic device having a package has a battery holder body adapted to be received in a receiving hole of the package. The battery holder body has a circular-arc portion extending along the circumferential direction of the battery. First and second supporting projection project from the inner peripheral edges of the circular-arc portion and support the battery from both sides. A supporting projecting portion disposed in the package within the receiving hole at a position corresponding to a circumferential interval between the second supporting projection so as to support the battery from the same side as the second supporting projection when the battery holder body is inserted in the battery receiving hole. Engagement pauls resiliently lock the battery holder body within the battery receiving hole. The battery is held by the projections from both sides, so the vertical displacement of the battery can be restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Omori, Toshinobu Banjo, Shigeo Onoda
  • Patent number: 4780618
    Abstract: The present invention entails a power switching system for a tractor-trailer that can be selectively actuated to direct power to the tractor unit from an auxiliary power source such as a refrigeration unit mounted on the trailer. When the tractor-trailer is in a parked position, power can be furnished to the tractor and to energy consuming components thereof through an auxiliary power source carried by the tractor-trailer, thereby improving the total fuel economy of the rig. In the power switching system of the present invention, there is provided a switch assembly for operatively connecting run, accessory, start/ignition circuits to the auxiliary power source. In addition, an oil and water heater circuit can be powered through the same auxiliary power source. Finally, a trickle charge may even be directed from the auxiliary power source to the battery of the tractor engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wareman, Robert N. Binns, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4777626
    Abstract: A memory device includes a reset signal generator for generating a reset signal when the output voltage from a main power supply circuit to supply a driving voltage to a memory decreases to a first predetermined voltage, and a switching circuit for allowing a data holding voltage from a backup power supply to be supplied to the memory in place of the driving voltage from the main power supply circuit in response to the reset signal. This memory device further includes a comparator for generating an inhibiting signal when it detects that the data holding voltage from the backup power supply following generation of the reset signal is lower than the voltage necessary to hold the data in the memory, and a control circuit for setting the memory into an operation inhibition state when it detects that the inhibiting signal was generated from the comparator following the reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Matsushita, Yoshiaki Ito
  • Patent number: 4749875
    Abstract: In compact card-like equipment having an IC chip and a power source cell, an equipment case has a multilayered structure of a pair of upper and lower sheets and a pair of upper and lower panels laminated on a frame, respectively. A flexible substrate and a paper-like cell as a primary cell are provided in the equipment case. The paper-like cell has a pair of positive and negative electrode sheets and a power generating unit interposed therebetween. A sealing member seals the peripheries of the electrode sheets of the paper-like cell. The paper-like cell is received in a receptacle space formed in the frame. The flexible substrate is received in another receptacle space formed in the frame. The electrode sheets of the paper-like cell are electrically connected to terminals of the flexible substrate by means of a film-like connecting member. This compact card-like electronic equipment such as a calculator is thin and compact in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Hara
  • Patent number: 4748344
    Abstract: Portable power supply carrier comprises an internally wired belt to be worn around a user's waist, the belt having pairs of electrical connectors spaced along its length for operatively engaging a plurality of battery holders which are removably supported on the belt. In its simplest form, the power supply carrier uses conventional batteries to provide a single preselected DC voltage through the belt's wiring to a power output jack; other more complex forms of the carrier may include a converter to supply a choice of DC and AC voltages either to multiple power outlets or to a voltage selector switch controlling a single output jack. An input terminal for reenergizing rechargeable batteries while connected to the power belt carrier also may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Peter Sing
  • Patent number: 4739188
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a starter circuit case assembly having a starter section and a cap assembly. The starter section includes a starter circuit mounted on a circuit board and is securely engaged by the cap assembly. The cap assembly is mounted to and electrically connected to the light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: FL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni DeCandia, Edward B. Bilson
  • Patent number: 4731703
    Abstract: A power supply construction comprises a logic circuit section housed in a frame, a power supply section mounted rotatably on the frame in opposed to the logic circuit section for supplying power to the logic circuit section. Relay bars with an end arranged in the vicinity of the rotating axis of the power supply section are provided for supplying power to the logic circuit section. Power supply bars with an end arranged in the vicinity of the rotating axis are for outputting the voltages from the power supply section. In addition, a flexible conductor is provided for electrically connecting the relay bar and the power supply bar in such a manner that the power supply section is rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Tsukaguchi, Hiroshi Kozai, Toshio Mori, Fumiyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4724336
    Abstract: Resistance of a thermal head is stored as a digital signal in a head resistance memory. Output according to data in the head resistance memory is calculated by a head voltage calculation circuit for storing a correlation between resistance of the thermal head at a fixed normal temperature and supply voltage. The output from the head voltage calculation circuit is converted by a D/A converter to a reference voltage, which is then fed to a constant-voltage power source for applying the supply voltage to the thermal head, so that an optimum supply voltage to the thermal head may be automatically set, and temperature of the thermal head generating heat may be maintained constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ichikawa, Yoshinori Iida, Katsumi Uematsu, Noriyasu Tajima
  • Patent number: 4720642
    Abstract: A Femto Diode responsive to light frequencies, is described. Quantum principles are utilized. The Femto Diode comprises a submicron metal cylinder with an assymetric metal-insulator-metal tunnel junction at one end and a reflecting potential step at the other end. A light photon having a quanta of energy is absorbed by an electron in the cylinder producing an energetic electron. The cylinder acts as a potential well for the energetic electron, which travels back and forth in its own conduction band without loss of energy until it passes through the junction. The kinetic energy of the energetic electron is converted to electric energy at a greater voltage on the other side of the junction. The energy conversion is reversible.The Femto Diode may be used in light to electric power conversion, a laser which converts electric power to light power, 2D and 3D displays, high speed computers, communications and other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Alvin M. Marks
  • Patent number: 4713555
    Abstract: A battery charging protection circuit for use in a power controller circuit utilizes the base emitter junction of a first NPN bipolar transistor to permit current to flow only from a backup battery input terminal to a power supply voltage output terminal of the power controller circuit. The base emitter junction and base collector junction of a second bipolar transistor are used to permit current to flow only in the direction from the backup battery input terminal to the substrate of the power controller circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Lee
  • Patent number: 4705960
    Abstract: A control device includes an electrically contactless depluggable logic module such as a computer that is used to interface between a power supply and input and output elements to process a system of control signals. There are no electrical connections to the logic module. This eliminates electromagnetic interference and conducted line interference. The power supply is magnetically coupled to the logic module. Information and control signals are optically coupled to the logic module. It is a free standing, environnmentally immune unit, electrically isolated from the outside world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Inventor: Rodger T. Lovrenich
  • Patent number: 4685028
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power entry module for supplying power from an outside source to equipment with which the power entry module is in association. The module is made up of a one piece housing divided into at least two compartments with a first compartment having means housed therein for connection to an outside power source. A second compartment includes respective fuse clips for use with different size fuses for routing power from the outside power supply through the fuses and into the equipment requiring the power. A voltage card enables selection of the outside power supply within predetermined ranges and converts the incoming voltage to that required by the equipment depending upon the position of the card. A cover is hinged to the housing and when in closed position with an outside power supply plugged into the power entry module, has means for preventing opening of the cover to prevent access to the fuse compartment to avoid the danger of shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Miller, David R. Marach
  • Patent number: 4675538
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (10) includes a backup power supply (50) mounted on a circuit board type base (30) and connected to a universal buss (40) which is also mounted on the base to be in parallel with a main power supply which is also connected to the universal buss. A plurality of voltage controllers (60) are also mounted on the circuit board and each connects the universal buss to an output terminal (64) whereby a plurality of different elements can be connected to the uninterruptible power supply and each element can have a voltage requirement which is different from the voltage requirements of the other elements. A signal control (96) is also included to visually, audibly and/or digitally indicate impending run-out of battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Inventor: Barry M. Epstein
  • Patent number: 4670664
    Abstract: In compact card-like equipment having an IC chip and a power source cell, an equipment case has a multilayered structure of a pair of upper and lower sheets and a pair of upper and lower panels laminated on a frame, respectively. A flexible substrate and a paper-like cell as a primary cell are provided in the equipment case. The paper-like cell has a pair of positive and negative electrode sheets and a power generating unit interposed therebetween. A sealing member seals the peripheries of the electrode sheets of the paper-like cell. The paper-like cell is received in a receptacle space formed in the frame. The flexible substrate is received in another receptacle space formed in the frame. The electrode sheets of the paper-like cell are electrically connected to terminals of the flexible substrate by means of a film-like connecting member. This compact card-like electronic equipment such as a calculator is thin and compact in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Hara
  • Patent number: 4645325
    Abstract: An electronic instrument, such as a camera, which is supplied with electric power from a battery and selectively receives two kinds of batteries which are different from each other in shape and output voltage. A battery chamber of the electronic instrument is constructed to commonly receive the first and second batteries such that a space of the battery chamber is commonly occupied by parts of the first and second batteries. Additionally, a member is projected into the battery chamber and determines which kind of batteries is received. In response to the result of the determination, a voltage converting means converts the output voltage of the battery to a given voltage such that an electionic circuit of the electronic instrument operates with the optimum voltage condition with the voltage supplied from either one of the batteries which are different from each other in shape and output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Inoue, Shinji Tominaga, Masataka Kashima, Ikushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4645943
    Abstract: A space-saving back-up power supply apparatus has length and width dimensions substantially the same as those of a conventional integrated circuit connector. The apparatus includes sockets arranged on its top for making connection to a socket-pluggable integrated circuit such as a standard CMOS RAM, and the apparatus has pins extending from its bottom for making connection to a printed circuit board or connector of a host electronic system. Control circuitry and one or more batteries are located within the apparatus. The back-up power supply is operative to provide power to the socket-pluggable integrated circuit even if the normal power supply of the host electronic system is short-circuited. The control circuitry of the back-up power supply controls the chip enable signal and performs a battery test upon power-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Smith, Jr., Francis A. Scherpenberg, Ching-Lin Jiang, Michael L. Bolan
  • Patent number: 4638178
    Abstract: A modular power system for use with a digital computer is disclosed. The following major components of the power system are mounted in a convenient removable module, with at least one module for each required power output level: a pass transistor, a power transformer, a rectifier/filter, and a feedback circuit which controls the pulse width of the pass transistor. The modules contain air channels surrounding the pass transistor, for introducing cooling air via an air duct (manifold), so that the pass transistor is efficiently cooled. The need for potentiometers is abrogated by using a precision voltage reference in the feedback circuit to derive output voltages. The modules can also be used in a battery backed-up power system, in which a power system controller monitors and controls the inputs and outputs of the modules and other major components in the system in the case of line power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Wang Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Kayser
  • Patent number: 4636703
    Abstract: A charging apparatus comprises a U-shaped cell-accommodation frame structure and a power supply casing. The cell-accommodation frame structure includes an end plate and a pair of arm plates extending from the both ends respectively of the end plate, and the power supply casing is provided with a power supply plug on one surface and cell-connection contact strips on another surface. Two communicating arcuate slots and an elongate slot are formed at the free end portion of each of the arm plates of the cell-accommodation frame structure, and lugs movably engageable with the former and latter slots respectively are formed on each of the side surfaces of the power supply casing, so that the power supply casing is rotatable and horizontally movable relative to the cell-accommodation frame structure, and cells having different lengths can be accommodated in the cell accommodation space from the both sides of the openings of the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Syoichi Tohya, Minoru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4621200
    Abstract: A control device includes an electrically contactless depluggable logic module such as a computer that is used to interface between a power supply and input and output elements to process a system of control signals. There are no electrical connections to the logic module. This eliminates electromagnetic interference and conducted line interference. The power supply is magnetically coupled to the logic module. Information and control signals are optically coupled to the logic module. It is a free standing, environmentally immune unit, electrically isolated from the outside world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Inventor: Rodger T. Lovrenich
  • Patent number: 4620110
    Abstract: A product such as a portable radio adapted for operation from either an internal battery source or an external source of relatively high voltage alternating current electric power is provided with a removable power module containing all of the high voltage components required for operation from the alternating current source. The removable power module is connected to the product by a low bulk, low voltage electrical connector through a recess in the product housing, the recess being sized to receive both the power module and the electrical connector when battery operation is desired. Because of the low bulk of the electrical connector, the size of the recess may be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Cooney
  • Patent number: 4620111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight auxiliary power supply utilizing a plurality of button cells, preferably of the zinc air type. The present invention contemplates a housing member containing a plurality of wells, each adapted to receive one or more disc shaped button cells; switch means to control the flow of oxygen to the cells; and electrical connecting means to suitably connect the power supply to the battery operated device or appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: William J. McArthur, Glenn W. Merry
  • Patent number: 4609829
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in the electrical connection and disconnection of a circuit board with an energized circuit having a power supply, a power connection electrically connected to the power supply and having a board connector for electrical connection to a circuit board to be inserted into or removed from an energized circuit, and a control circuit for controlling the power supply means. The control circuit controls the pre-charging of a circuit board to a selected voltage level prior to its insertion into a circuit, and maintains a selected voltage level on a circuit board during its removal from an energized circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory H. Milby, Richard A. Daniel, Paul M. Rostek
  • Patent number: 4608500
    Abstract: An electric power unit capable of operating from different AC input power source voltages in which changes in the AC input voltage are compensated for automatically and rapidly. The power unit includes a rectifier circuit having both a voltage-multiplying rectification function and a non-voltage-multiplying rectification function. A switching circuit is provided for selecting as the operating rectification function one of the voltage-multiplying rectification function and the non-voltage-multiplying rectification function. A switching control circuit, operating with the AC input to the rectifier circuit as a reference potential, controls the switching circuit according to the value of the AC input voltage. An auxiliary power source establishes a voltage for powering the switching control circuit before the operation of the switching control circuit to select the rectification function is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation
    Inventor: Jiro Togawa
  • Patent number: 4604529
    Abstract: A radar warning receiver is provided including a plug adapted to be received within a vehicle cigarette lighter socket, wherein the plug incorporates a metal plate having (1) a foward end to which is provided a pair of outwardly bowed resilient spring arms which extend exteriorly of the plug to make electrical, physical and thermally conductive contact with the vehicle cigarette lighter socket and, (2) mounted thereto a power regulating device. The thermally conductive contact permits reduction in the size of the gripping end of the plug. Accordingly, the gripping end of the plug is sized to be conveniently gripped between the thumb and fingers of a human hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Cincinnati Microwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Richrd L. Grimsley, Gregory R. Furnish
  • Patent number: 4590943
    Abstract: A system for providing battery power to a portable defibrillator that includes a first housing having a generally vertical first sidewall (32). The system comprises battery pack (12) that includes a second housing having a second sidewall (38), battery means (80, 82) mounted within the second housing, and first electrical connector means (66) mounted in and extending through the second housing and electrically connected to the battery means. The system further comprises means forming grooves (46, 50) along the upper and lower edges of the first sidewall, and tongue means (40, 42) extending from the second sidewall, the tongue means being shaped to be slidingly received between the groove means to mount the battery pack to the defibrillator. A latch (68) is provided for latching the tongue means against lengthwise motion when the tongue means is received between the groove means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Physio-Control Corporation
    Inventors: Mike M. Paull, Jerry D. Smith, Kathleen D. Schoenberg
  • Patent number: 4527221
    Abstract: A high voltage DC power supply has a transformer rigidly mounted within a tank containing fluid and a support assembly, which houses various electrical components, detachably mounted therein. The support assembly, which forms a ladder-type arrangement, is held in a vertical position and at a distance away from any wall within the tank. A flexible strap containing plugs connects to mating sockets on the support assembly for electrically coupling the transformer to the electrical components housed in the support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: NWL Transformers
    Inventors: James P. Seitz, Rodger A. Zara
  • Patent number: 4510551
    Abstract: The portable memory module disclosed herein is constructed in a compact cylindrical form facilitating its use in oceanographic and environmental data acquisition environments. Individual integrated circuit memory components are carried and interconnected by a flexible printed circuit, the components being oriented in columns with pin lines parallel to the axis of a cylindrical battery casing to permit the circuit to be rolled around that casing. The battery casing and rolled printed circuit are then inserted in a protective outer casing, also cylindrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: ENDECO Canada Limited
    Inventor: Edward C. Brainard, II
  • Patent number: 4448444
    Abstract: In a power supply housing having an annular flange, suspension means having a central opening therein is provided to be secured to said annular flange, and said suspension means is used to secure a power supply isolating transformer to the underside thereof such that the secondary socket of said transformer is positioned in the central opening of the suspension means for direct plug-in connection of a light source without need of a bipolar cable. An integral transformer construction is also disclosed for attachment to the suspension means as described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme des Etablissements Adrien de Backer
    Inventor: Etienne G. Toussaint
  • Patent number: 4426587
    Abstract: The power supply system comprises three levels: a primary level (PRI), a secondary level (SEC), and a tertiary level (TER). The secondary level is constituted by power supply circuits (S1 to Sn) which provide galvanic isolation between the primary and the tertiary levels, and which provide at least one intermediate voltage at a fixed level relative to a system reference potential (point R). The tertiary level comprises chopper power supplies (RD), converters (CV), and inverters (OND) connected to user equipment (UT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme dite: Compagnie Industrielle des Telecommunications Cit-Alcatel
    Inventor: Christian Nouet
  • Patent number: 4395696
    Abstract: A portable, lightweight and inexpensive emergency power pack to be hooked up to the lighting system of a vehicle trailer, such as a semi-trailer, camper, mobile home or the like, for the purpose of flashing all or some trailer lights on and off while the trailer is unhitched on the side of a road so as to warn passing motorists of its presence. The device includes a battery, an on-off switch, a flasher and an illuminating light. The case for supporting the battery and other components is made of a unitary, molded plastic piece, and includes a cylindrical housing on one side thereof that contains an adapter plug for connecting to a mating plug in the vehicle trailer. Auxiliary warning lights may also be strung from a special connector on the unit, while an alternate embodiment may be utilized in the shop to test the various electrical systems on the trailers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Inventor: Roger O. Menard
  • Patent number: 4381458
    Abstract: A back-up electrical power supply module provides a back-up supply for a plug-in volatile electrical device such as a memory module. The memory module has a dual-in-line pins which engage socket openings of a standard dual-in-line circuit board connector. The back-up supply module is mounted on top of the memory module and has dual-in-line pins which contact corresponding ones of the pins of the memory module and corresponding socket openings. In this way the back-up supply module and the memory module can be unplugged as a unit and when unplugged, the back-up supply will maintain the contents of the volatile memory module intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1983
    Assignee: Racal Microelectronic Systems Limited
    Inventors: Michael J. Anstey, David F. Brown
  • Patent number: 4376250
    Abstract: An apparatus providing a source of alternating power for power devices is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a frame member having a plurality of ground engaging wheels for transporting the frame member along the ground. The frame member carries a plurality of DC storage means therein. A transformer means carried on the frame has a low voltage center tapped winding, a line voltage winding, and a high voltage winding. The low voltage center tapped winding is in communication with the DC storage means, and the line voltage winding is operable to produce an AC output voltage suitable for powering devices. A plurality of controllable rectifier means is in communication with both the high voltage winding and the low voltage center tapped winding. The rectifier means are operable to alternately provide a conduction path for said DC storage means through both halves of the low voltage center tapped winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1983
    Assignee: Dynamote Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Baker, Jr., Paul W. Hodge, Franklin R. Schneider
  • Patent number: 4366388
    Abstract: An energy utilization circuit and method energizes a.c. loads with a.c. power of conventional voltage and frequency characteristics. A coverter responsive to an energy source, typically a wind or solar driven generator, converts the energy to d.c. electrical power. An inverter alters the d.c. power to a.c. power. An a.c. wave generator, such as an alternator, is connected to the output of the inverter. The alternator is operated to impress its voltage and frequency on the output of the inverter so as to lend conventional characteristics to this output. Excess power from the inverter maintains the operation of the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Inventor: Alan W. Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 4363975
    Abstract: A direct current power supply for receiving power input from a high voltage transmission line and providing direct current power to an electrical load operated at or near the potential of the transmission line and remote from electrical ground is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Assignee: Saskatchewan Power Corporation
    Inventor: Jay E. Beattie
  • Patent number: 4352991
    Abstract: A life support system for field use or use on a vehicle has a plurality of separate electrically operable life support units and a support structure supporting same. The support structure carries a DC power supply, and each life support unit is adapted to receive power both from the DC power supply and the vehicle power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Inventor: Arthur Kaufman
  • Patent number: 4331883
    Abstract: The unit comprises a casing in the form of a portable box in which there are contained a pneumatic compressor and an electric motor for driving the compressor. The motor is a low voltage d.c. motor and in the casing there is also contained a transformer - rectifier combination for supplying both the motor and low voltage external utilizers. The shaft of the electric motor extends perpendicular to a wall of the casing and has, at an end accessible through an opening in this wall, a power take-off connectable to a mechanical utilizer. The shaft of the compressor is coaxial to the shaft of the motor and is coupled to the latter by means of a clutch. There are provided means for disengaging the clutch to prevent the shaft of the compressor being turned by the motor shaft when a mechanical utilizer is coupled to the power take off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Grenco S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Vitaloni
  • Patent number: 4309622
    Abstract: A portable power pack for starting and operating automotive engines includes a transformer having a primary winding provided with wires to be plugged into a standard 110 volt 60 hertz electrical supply and a center-tapped secondary winding connected to a pair of silicon controlled half wave rectifiers to provide a direct current output at approximately 16 volts. A remotely operable trigger or gate circuit is provided to cause the silicon controlled rectifiers to fire only at the time it is desired that electrical power be fed to the automotive engine which is to be started or operated. With the exception of the electrical leads from the standard source of alternating current, to the automotive engine, and to the point of remote operation of the trigger circuit, the entire power pack is potted in a solid, thermally stable, thermally conductive material to rapidly dissipate the heat generated within the potted electrical elements of the power pack when it is delivering electrical power to an automotive engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Inventor: Gerald G. Cottrell
  • Patent number: 4300087
    Abstract: A portable power supply includes a rechargeable battery in a casing. Power is supplied from the battery to a socket by means of a D.C./A.C. voltage converter and a step-up transformer. When the socket is connected to an external source of power, the battery is charged by means of an additional winding in the transformer and a rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Alfred Meisner
  • Patent number: 4298892
    Abstract: A switching regulator for a television display apparatus includes a controllable switch coupled to a source of unregulated direct voltage. The switch is operated at the deflection rate to produce a pulsating direct voltage. A filter including a series choke and a shunt capacitor has its input coupled to the switch for filtering the pulsating direct voltage to form a direct voltage for operating the television display apparatus. An integrator has its input coupled to the input of the filter for averaging the pulsating direct voltage.A feedback voltage control circuit has an input coupled to the integrator and an output coupled to a control electrode of the controllable switch for maintaining the average of the pulsating direct voltage constant over a wide range of unregulated direct voltage and load current variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Howard M. Scott
  • Patent number: 4296461
    Abstract: A battery package having a casing which contains at least one electrochemical cell electrically connected to a DC to DC converter. A pair of electrical connections are located on the casing to electrically connect the battery package to a load. The converter conducts and the cell discharges only when a load is present across the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventors: Henry R. Mallory, Steven J. Nichols
  • Patent number: 4282474
    Abstract: A life-prolonging device for ear level hearing aid batteries and the like in which an electrical circuit mounted on a platform in a box-type housing sends an electric current from a larger battery through a hearing aid battery when an actuating switch lid is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Laura May Usher
    Inventor: Andrew Wyzenbeek
  • Patent number: 4274126
    Abstract: A housing for a flash apparatus with at least one socket arranged on the housing of the apparatus for connection with flash tubes, which includes a condenser provided in the housing. On the housing there is arranged an adjustable locking device which includes at least one adjustable latching member for locking or blocking the socket for the flash tube, and also includes at least one control element which is adjustable together with the latching member. In the path of movement of the adjustable control element there is arranged a control pin of a network switch which is preferably a microswitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Assignee: Bron Elektronik AG
    Inventor: Walter Haberthur-Heilig
  • Patent number: 4232377
    Abstract: A memory preservation and verification system is provided in which memory contents are verified as being valid following an interruption and subsequent reapplication of operating power. A backup power supply is provided to maintain the status of the memory contents during the interruption or loss of a main power supply. First and second mathematically related numbers are generated and stored in memory locations. These numbers are subsequently retrieved and the mathematical relationship therebetween checked to provide the verification of the status of data in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Tallman
  • Patent number: 4229665
    Abstract: A programmable power supply system which supplies all of the power requirements of a telephone subscriber's loop circuit in a digital telephone switching system. An associated processing unit generates digital control signals to select a particular power supply which generates power, of a particular magnitude in response to the control signals and applies same to a telephone subscriber's loop circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: GTE Automatic Electric Laboratories Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry M. Tiedt
  • Patent number: 4217624
    Abstract: A single circuit board, having a communication interface adapter circuit including I/O and power supply connectors, switches and indicators mounted directly thereto, is mounted to the rear panel of a first housing portion via stand-off and fasteners. The front and rear panels of a first housing portion are parallel to the printed circuit board and include apertures to allow external access to the connectors, switches and indicators. A power supply in a separate housing is mounted to the rear panel of and external to the first housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Inteq, Inc.
    Inventor: Winfree P. Tuck
  • Patent number: 4214172
    Abstract: A mechanical interlock for a hand held data processing device which prevents removal of an alternate electric power source when a separate power source is disengaged from the device and the electronic circuitry powered by it.The technical problem addressed by this invention is that of preventing adverse effect on electronic circuitry, such as loss of data stored in memory, due to removal of all electric power therefrom by assuring an uninterrupted source of electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: Telxon Corporation
    Inventor: Gary G. See