Abstract: A voltage converter includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit includes two or more reactors and at least one switching element. One terminal of each of the reactors is connected in parallel with respect to a power source. The at least one switching element is connected to the other terminal of each of the reactors. The second circuit includes at least one rectifier of which one terminal is connected to the electrical load. The second circuit shares with the first circuit the at least one switching element connected to the at least one rectifier. The first circuit is connected such that the power source charges the respective reactors when the at least one switching element is turned ON. The second circuit is connected such that the reactors discharge power to the electrical load when the at least one switching element is turned OFF.

Abstract: An electric braking control apparatus for controlling an electric braking apparatus which includes a brake pad, a motor which generates a rotational torque, and a rotation/linear motion conversion mechanism which causes the brake pad to generate a pressing force based on the torque. The braking control apparatus includes an inverter which converts and outputs an electric current supplied from a power supply to the motor, and a microcomputer that receives power from the power supply, detects the value of a voltage applied from the power supply to the inverter, and controls the electric current output from the inverter depending on a result of the detection.

Abstract: A motor driving device comprises: a single DC conversion unit that converts input AC into DC; a plurality of AC conversion units that convert DC output from the DC conversion unit into AC supplied to a plurality of motor units as driving electric power; an electric power consumption calculation unit of the DC conversion unit that calculates electric power consumption of the DC conversion unit from the input voltage and input current to the DC conversion unit every predetermined time period; and a maximum output calculation unit of the DC conversion unit that extracts a maximum value from the electric power consumption of the DC conversion unit calculated every predetermined time period and outputs it as a maximum output of the DC conversion unit.

Abstract: An electric motor that includes an electronic motor controller is described. The electronic motor controller includes a motor management circuit and a power supply circuit physically separate from the motor management circuit. The motor management circuit includes an insulated metal substrate, driver components operably attached to the insulated metal substrate and operable to provide output signals for application to windings of the electric motor, at least one current sensor operable for sensing an amount of current applied to the windings of and electric motor, and at least one control device operably attached to the insulated metal substrate for controlling operation of the driver components. The power supply circuit includes a composite circuit card and power processing components operably attached to the circuit card and operable to convert an input voltage into at least one output voltage to be supplied to the motor management circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a multi-winding rotary machine including an armature formed of a plurality of winding sets. In the apparatus, a command voltage calculator calculates command voltages to be applied to each winding set so as to control currents detected by a current detector to their respectively corresponding command currents. An interfering voltage calculator calculates, for each of the winding sets, interfering voltages proportional to the rotation speed of the rotary machine. An interfering voltage compensator compensates, for each of the winding sets, the command voltages for their respectively corresponding interfering voltages. An operation unit operates a voltage applicator to apply output values of the interfering voltage compensator to each winding set.

Abstract: Complete drive system, called motor-drive unit, for use in remote locations with limited radial space like downhole, narrow tunnels, pipelines and other applications with similar conditions. Given the spatial limitations the unit must have elongated shape. It includes a number of motors connected mechanically in series and a lower number of inverters, driving groups of the motors so that load is equally distributed along axis of the unit. Motors within each group can be electrically connected in series or in parallel. The motor-drive unit is supposed to be fed by DC voltage via a cable with length up to several km; therefore, it includes a buck converter for stabilization of voltage inside the unit and a power-line communication module to be controllable from the surface.

Abstract: A power-saving driving device is provided for a same load pattern device 23 that is driven by a motor 21 receiving electric power from an inverter 19 and repeatedly operated in a same load pattern. The power-saving driving device includes: an electric power amount calculator 81 that calculates an electric power amount W received by the inverter in the same load pattern; and a parameter selection and command device 83 that makes a parameter of the inverter change to a plurality of values, compares the received electric power amounts corresponding to the values of the parameter, selects the parameter value minimizing the received electric power amount and issues the selected value as a command to the inverter.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system has a high-voltage electric circuit including a high-voltage battery and a DC link coupled to first and second inverters electrically connected to first and second torque machines. A method for operating the hybrid powertrain system includes receiving a motor torque command for the second torque machine, determining a preferred DC link voltage for achieving the motor torque commanded from the second torque machine, selectively interrupting electric power flow between the high-voltage battery and the DC link to achieve the preferred DC link voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments of a trigger switch circuit are described. In some embodiments of the trigger switch circuit wasteful power consumption is suppressed without increasing the number of components by providing a changeover switch. In some embodiments, a trigger switch circuit operates in conjunction with a trigger of an electric instrument and comprises a main switch, a sliding switch, a light-emission control unit, and a rotation control unit. In some embodiments, when the trigger is in a first position, the sliding switch is connected to one of the fixed contact points, and electric power is fed to the light-emission control unit without interposing the main switch to emit light in an LED. When the trigger is in a second position, the main switch is turned on to feed the electric power into the trigger switch circuit.

Abstract: A motor drive device has a motor driver adapted to receive a first power supply voltage to drive a motor; an internal regulator adapted to generate from an input voltage an internal power supply voltage; and a power supply switcher adapted to receive both the first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage lower than the first power supply voltage to output, as the input voltage, the second power supply voltage when the second power supply voltage is normal and to output, as the input voltage, the first power supply voltage when the second power supply voltage is abnormal.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an AC rotary machine includes a control circuit, a power converter, a current detector, and a voltage detector. The control circuit includes: an activation current instruction unit which generates a current instruction for activation; and a start phase setting unit which sets an initial rotation phase for activation control, based on the rotation direction of the AC rotary machine just after activation and on the polarity of current detected by the current detector just after activation. Thus, the current amplitude and torque shock just after activation control is started can be reduced, and assured and stable reactivation is allowed without causing the protection operation.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for controlling a brushless, electronically commutated electric motor, a main AC voltage being rectified into an intermediate circuit direct voltage and this direct voltage being fed by an intermediate circuit containing an intermediate circuit capacitor to an inverter which is controlled by a motor control means for feeding and commutating the electric motor whereby the intermediate circuit direct voltage is monitored in respect of its voltage level and is compared with a predetermined limiting value and, on reaching or exceeding the limiting value, the intermediate circuit direct voltage is limited to the predetermined limiting value by clocked disconnection and reconnection.

Abstract: In a driver, a changing module changes a rate of discharging the control terminal of a switch at least between a first value and a second value lower than the first value. A measuring module measures a value of a parameter as a function of a current flowing through the conductive path of the switch during a drive signal being in an on state. A control module controls the changing module, as a function of the value of the parameter, to select the first value or the second value as the rate of discharging the control terminal of the switch upon the drive signal directing a change from the on state of the switch to an off state thereof. The control module discharges the control terminal of the switch using the selected value as the rate of discharging the control terminal of the switch.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method to reduce total harmonic distortion input into a 24-pulse autotransformer system and the autotransformer system itself. The 24-pulse autotransformer system is configured to receive an input of a first voltage and produce an output voltage of a second voltage. The system includes a pair of autotransformers coupled to an AC power source. One winding of each phase of the first autotransformer has a turn ratio to effect a decrease in the voltage across said winding over a symmetric voltage value and a second winding of each phase of the first autotransformer has a turn ratio to effect a decrease in the voltage across said winding over a symmetric voltage value, thereby reducing total harmonic distortion (THD) in the input current to the system without a zero sequence blocking transformer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor drive control device provided with a shutoff circuit employing semiconductor relays and configured to drive a motor by a duty ratio control of an inverter, which stably drives the motor even in an operation state that drive duty ratio of phases are uneven. In the motor drive control device, output lines of three phases of the inverter circuit are connected to phases of the motor and further connected to a booster circuit, an output boosted by the booster circuit at a time of drive of the motor is distributed to semiconductor relays connected to respective phases of the motor, and furthermore, a switching circuit for stopping actuation of the booster circuit to shut off drive of the motor, is interposed in a line for supplying an electric power to the booster circuit.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an AC rotary machine includes: a current detection section detecting current from a power converter to the AC rotary machine; and a control section generating a three-phase AC voltage instruction to the power converter, based on current detected by the current detection section and a torque instruction. The control section includes: an observer calculating a magnetic flux estimated value of the AC rotary machine, based on detected current and the voltage instruction; a current instruction calculation unit calculating current instruction values on rotational two axes, based on the torque instruction and the magnetic flux estimated value from the observer; and a voltage instruction calculation unit calculating the voltage instruction, based on the current instruction values from the current instruction calculation unit and the magnetic flux estimated value from the observer.

Abstract: An inverter device, a motor driving device, a refrigerating air conditioner, and a power generation system, which can reduce the recovery loss thereof, are obtained. A plurality of arms that can conduct and block current are provided. At least one of the plurality of arms includes: a plurality of switching elements each having a parasitic diode and being connected in series with each other; and a reverse current diode connected in parallel with the plurality of switching elements.

Abstract: In a driver, a charging module stores negative charge on the gate of a switching element via a normal electrical path to charge the switching element upon a drive signal representing change of an on state to an off state. This shifts the on state of the switching element to the off state. An adjusting module changes a value of a parameter correlating with a charging rate of the switching element through the normal electrical path as a function of an input signal to the driver. The input signal represents a current flowing through the conductive path, a voltage across both ends of the conductive path, or a voltage at the gate. A disabling module disables the adjusting module from changing the value of the parameter if the drive signal represents the on state of the switching element.

Abstract: A vehicle power system including an unregulated alternator; a saturable reactor receiving an output AC voltage from the alternator and generating a reduced AC voltage in response to a bias signal; and an active rectifier rectifying the reduced AC voltage to a DC voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a trigger signal in response to the commutation of a mechanically commutated electric motor (1). The method comprising the steps of providing a mechanically commutated electric motor (1), providing a power supply for said mechanically commutated electric motor via electrical supply leads (10, 11) from power supply circuitry, providing a filter (15) connected to said electrical supply leads (10, 11), detecting with said filter (15) a voltage spike occurring at commutation, outputting from said filter (15) said trigger signal.

Abstract: Motor drive apparatus and methods are presented in which a standby controller uses at least one switching device to power an inverter in a normal mode and to remove power from the inverter and other motor drive components during a standby mode for improved energy efficiency.

Abstract: A method for testing rotation speed of a fan receives a duty cycle ratio related to the fan sent from a dial switch on a test board connected to the fan. The method transmits a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal based on the duty cycle to the fan to power rotation of the fan, then detects the PWM signal transmitted to the fan and a tachometer (TACH) signal transmitted from the fan. The method gathers the duty cycle ratio related to the fan from the PWM signal and an actual rotation speed of the fan from the TACH signal, and displays the duty cycle ratio and the actual rotation speed together on the test board.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for starting an electronic drive circuit for the windings of an electric motor. A control unit, which is connected to a voltage source, is provided as well as a capacitor connected via a system switch element to the connecting terminals of the voltage source. The capacitor is connected across the input terminals parallel to the drive circuit. An operating circuit controls the system switch element. In order to start the motor, the operating circuit closes the system switch element and charges the capacitor and after the charging of the capacitor, opens the system switch element again. A test step is then started by the control unit, the drive circuit being supplied exclusively by the capacitor voltage (UC) during the test step.

Abstract: A motor control device includes a rectifier, an inverter connected to the rectifier via the DC link, a power failure detecting unit detecting power failure, a voltage detecting unit detecting a DC voltage at the DC link, an electric storage unit storing DC power, a charging unit that can make charging by boosting to a voltage higher than the DC voltage, a discharging unit discharging DC power, a resistance discharge device that performs resistance discharging of DC power at the DC link when the DC voltage after power failure is equal to or higher than a predetermined start level and that does not perform resistance discharging when the DC voltage is equal to or lower than a predetermined stop level, and a discharging operation determining unit operating the discharging unit when the DC voltage at the DC link after power failure is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A MG drive computer switches off system relays when a collision or a possibility of collision is detected. The computer also executes the revolution speed reduction control for reducing the revolution speed of a rotating electric machine and the discharge control for discharging a smoothing capacitor. In the revolution speed reduction control, the second control for switching on switching elements of three phases of an upper arm or lower arm of an inverter and switching off all other switching elements is performed when the revolution speed of the rotating electric machine is equal to or less than a second threshold. When the revolution speed is higher than the second threshold, the first control for switching on a switching element of one phase of the upper arm or lower arm and switching off other switching elements is performed.

Abstract: Accurate power consumption is calculated without raising cost, or making the device bigger. Power consumption (P) upon driving a motor is calculated from an input voltage (Vdc), a switching duty factor of a switching device (SW1) of a chopper circuit (ch), which is provided with the switching device (SW1) and a reactor (Ldc), a reactor current (Idc), motor winding reactance (Lm), and motor rotation speed (N), in a motor driving device wherein: the input voltage (Vdc) inputted to the chopper circuit (ch) is stepped down by the chopper circuit (ch); DC power outputted by the chopper circuit (ch) is converted to AC power by driving an inverter (INV) with 120-degree conduction, and outputted to a motor (M); and surge voltage to be generated when the inverter (INV) undergoes commutation is clamped to the input voltage (Vdc), by a diode (D1) connected in inverse-parallel to the chopper circuit (ch).

Abstract: In the inverter device that receives DC power from the DC common bus and drives a load, the configuration is such that the switching element is arranged on the first current path in which current flows through the positive-side DC terminal during powering, the reverse-connected diode is arranged on the second current path in which current flows through the positive-side DC terminal during regeneration, the charging resistor is arranged on the third current path in which current flows through the positive-side DC terminal when the smoothing capacitor of the smoothing unit is initially charged, and the brake resistor is connected externally between the positive-side DC terminals such that the positive-side DC terminal becomes an end whose potential is the same as that of the positive-side bus of the DC common bus.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling operation of an electric motor through use of an additional power storage arrangement connected across the DC busses of a motor drive and controlling the speed of the motor. The additional power storage arrangement includes an additional capacitor arrangement and a rate limiting arrangement in a series circuit relationship with one another.

Abstract: On a vehicle, a converter converting and outputting a voltage, an inverter converting DC power output from the converter to AC power, and a motor driven by AC power supplied from the inverter are mounted. A control device for this vehicle controls the inverter in a control mode selected in accordance with a degree of modulation of the inverter, selects a target control mode of the inverter, and varies an output voltage from the converter such that a degree of modulation of the inverter varies until the control mode switches to the target control mode when a current control mode is different from the target control mode.

Abstract: A voltage control operation unit receives, from a subtraction unit, a value obtained by subtracting a detection value of a voltage from a voltage command value, and performs a control operation for setting the voltage to be equal to the voltage command value. The voltage control operation unit outputs the calculated control amount as a current command value. A current control operation unit receives, from a subtraction unit, a value obtained by subtracting a detection value of a current from a current command value, and performs a control operation for setting the current to be equal to the current command value. A driving signal generation unit generates a signal for driving a boost converter based on a duty command value received from the current control operation unit.

Abstract: A control apparatus is for use in a power conversion system including a DC/AC converter circuit connected to an electric rotating machine at output terminals thereof and to a DC power source at input terminals thereof through a switching means, a capacitor being connected across the input terminals of the DC/AC converter circuit. The control apparatus includes a current supply means configured to perform current supply control to supply a current to the electric rotating machine in order to discharge the capacitor by manipulating the DC/AC converter circuit in a state where the switching means is set open, and a speed lowering means configured to apply a brake force to a rotating shaft of the electric rotating machine to reduce a rotational speed of the electric rotating machine prior to the current supply control being performed by the current supply means if the rotational speed exceeds a specified speed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a power conversion system to power a variable impedance load with a variable power source, the power conversion system comprising a power converter including input terminals adapted to receive variable power from the variable power source and output terminals providing a converted power to the variable impedance load based on the variable power received at the input terminals. The power converter increases the input voltage to an output voltage. The power converter is configured to reflect a source impedance of the variable power source to the variable impedance load.

Abstract: In the inverter device that receives DC power from the DC common bus and drives a load, the configuration is such that the switching element is arranged on the first current path in which current flows through the positive-side DC terminal during powering, the reverse-connected diode is arranged on the second current path in which current flows through the positive-side DC terminal during regeneration, the charging resistor is arranged on the third current path in which current flows through the positive-side DC terminal when the smoothing capacitor of the smoothing unit is initially charged, and the brake resistor is connected externally between the positive-side DC terminals such that the positive-side DC terminal becomes an end whose potential is the same as that of the positive-side bus of the DC common bus.

Abstract: A converter controls a system voltage, which is a DC link voltage of an inverter, in accordance with a voltage command value. The inverter outputs a rectangular wave voltage having the system voltage as amplitude to an AC motor during application of rectangular wave voltage control. During application of rectangular wave voltage control, a voltage command value for the system voltage is modified such that a current phase on a d-q plane of the AC motor is brought closer to a target current phase line. The target current phase line is set on an advance side relative to an optimal current phase line which is a set of current phases at which output torque is maximized for the same amplitude of a motor current in the AC motor.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an electric motor provided with a rotator having a permanent magnet and with a stator for generating a rotating magnetic field by an applied voltage and revolving the rotator includes: a rectangular wave inverter that applies a rectangular wave voltage onto the stator of the electric motor to drive the electric motor; a voltage converting section that raises or lowers an output voltage of a direct-current power supply and applies the voltage onto the rectangular wave inverter; an electrical angle acquiring section that acquires an electrical angle of the rotator of the electric motor; and an output voltage command generating section that generates a command for instructing the voltage converting section to output an electrical-angle synchronized voltage whose amplitude ripples in synchronization with a change of the electrical angle of the rotator acquired by the electrical angle acquiring section.

Abstract: A ventilation apparatus with a two-section feedback compensation control and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The ventilation apparatus includes a power conversion unit, a driven circuit, a DC motor, a current-sensing unit, a voltage compensation unit, and a control unit. The power conversion unit receives and converts an AC power voltage into a DC power voltage. The driven circuit receives the DC power voltage and outputs a driven voltage. The DC motor is driven through the driven voltage. The current-sensing unit senses an output current of the DC motor. The control unit receives the output current to compare to a threshold current value, thus controlling the voltage compensation unit. Accordingly, the DC power voltage is adjusted to adjust the speed of the DC motor.

Abstract: An embodiment of a motor controller includes first and second supply nodes, a motor-coil node, an isolator, a motor driver, and a motor position signal generator. The isolator is coupled between the first and second supply nodes, and the motor driver is coupled to the second supply node and to the motor-coil node. The motor position signal generator is coupled to the isolator and is operable to generate, in response to the isolator, a motor-position signal that is related to a position of a motor having at least one coil coupled to the motor-coil node. By generating the motor-position signal in response to the isolator, the motor controller or another circuit may determine the at-rest or low-speed position of a motor without using an external coil-current-sense circuit.

Abstract: There is provided a power factor correction device including, a first switch switching input power to adjust a phase difference between a current and a voltage of the input power, a second switch switched on before the first switch is switched on to form a transfer path for residual power in the first switch, a first inductor charging and discharging energy according to switching of the first switch, and a second inductor adjusting an amount of current flowing through the second switch according to switching of the second switch, wherein the first inductor and the second inductor are inductively coupled.

Abstract: A method and arrangement are disclosed for a vehicle inverter drive having a voltage distribution block and two or more inverters, intermediate circuits of which are connected in parallel to the voltage distribution block for supplying voltage to the intermediate circuits, in which the intermediate circuits of the inverters are interconnected with a coaxial cable to minimize inductance in the parallel connection.

Abstract: A controller includes a voltage determination module, a bus voltage command module, and a power factor correction (PFC) control module. The voltage determination module determines a desired direct current (DC) bus voltage for a DC bus electrically connected between a PFC module and an inverter power module that drives a motor. The voltage determination module determines the desired DC bus voltage based on at least one of torque of the motor and speed of the motor. The bus voltage command module determines a commanded bus voltage based on the desired DC bus voltage. The PFC control module controls the PFC module to create a voltage on the DC bus that is based on the commanded bus voltage.

Abstract: Provided is an integrated-inverter electric compressor with suppressed self-noise interference in an inverter unit, simplified electrical connections between an inverter circuit and a filter circuit, and fewer welded positions. A housing (2) has, on the periphery thereof, an inverter box (5) accommodating the inverter circuit (21) and a junction box (6) communicating with the inverter box (5) and accommodating a plurality of high-voltage components constituting a noise-suppression filter circuit (27). The plurality of high-voltage components accommodated in the junction box (6) are electrically connected via a busbar (33). The busbar (33) includes branched busbars (34) branched off near connections with a high-voltage component installed close to the inverter circuit (21), and the branched busbars (34) are connected to P-N terminals (25) of the inverter circuit (21) in a communicating section (12) between the junction box (6) and the inverter box (5).

Abstract: A motor drive device (1) of the present invention includes a converter unit (10) and an inverter unit (30). The converter unit (10) includes: power supply voltage monitoring unit (3) for detecting a power failure; DC link voltage detecting means (4); capacitor total capacity calculating means (6) which calculates total capacity of DC link smoothing capacitors (17, 18) and calculates a DC link low-voltage alarm detection level for an instantaneous power failure; DC link low-voltage alarm detection level setting means (8) which varies the DC link low-voltage alarm detection level for an instantaneous power failure as necessary; and alarm generating means (7) which monitors the DC link voltage and generates an alarm to protect the converter unit. In the case where a power failure is detected, the DC link low-voltage alarm detection level is increased in accordance with the total capacity of the DC link smoothing capacitors (17, 18).

Abstract: An ECU sets target value of a system voltage based on an electric power loss of a motor generator and an inverter and controls a voltage boost converter. The ECU calculates the target value of the system voltage using a function expression generated, for each operating point of the motor generator, by approximating a loss characteristic which represents change of the electric power loss with respect to change of the system voltage, by a quadratic expression or a linear expression of the system voltage.

Abstract: An AC-AC power converter supplies AC power to an AC motor having a plurality of motor windings and a case connected to a ground. The AC-AC power converter architecture includes an asymmetric phase shift autotransformer/rectifier unit (ATRU) that converts an AC input to a DC output, wherein the asymmetric phase shift ATRU generates a common-mode AC voltage across the asymmetric phase shift ATRU. The common mode voltage is diverted to ground through motor case parasitic capacitance via a common-mode voltage pull-down circuit connected between each phase of the ATRU AC input and the ground.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a first chip and a second chip sealed in a single package. The first chip includes a regulator which generates an internal voltage from a supply voltage, a reset circuit which monitors the supply voltage and the internal voltage to generate a reset signal, and a controlled circuit which operates by being supplied with the supply voltage. The second chip includes a controlling circuit which generates a control signal for the controlled circuit by being supplied with the internal voltage. The reset signal is fed to both the controlling circuit and the controlled circuit.

Abstract: A motor control system includes a host ECU and a motor control device. The host ECU controls a wheel driving unit. A power supply to the ECU is halted when an IG switch is turned OFF. The motor control device receives a PWM command signal from the host ECU and controls a motor of a cooling blower. The host ECU modulates a duty ratio of pulses of the PWM command signal by a target rotating speed of the motor, modulates a period of the pulses of the PWM command signal by a continuous operation time of the motor, and transmits the result to the motor control device. The motor control device reconstructs both the target rotating speed and the continuous operation time, and controls rotating speed of the motor from the received PWM command signal. Moreover, the motor control device halts rotation of the motor when a signal-unreceiving time period of the PWM command signal becomes larger than the continuous operation time.

Abstract: Multiple inverter motor drives are interconnected in parallel to provide a common output to a motor. Common control circuitry is coupled to all parallel drives via optical cables and provides signals to power layer circuitry of each inverter for generation, at the power layer, of timing for gate drive signals for the respective inverter power electronic switches. The resulting timing exhibits a high degree of synchronicity such that very little imbalance occurs in the outputs of the paralleled drives, resulting in very low circulating currents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a current source inverter device which controls the power factor in an arbitrarily configurable manner without a magnetic pole position detector. The device is provided with a current source inverter; a motor supplied with alternating current power from the current source inverter; and a control means which detects the terminal voltage of the motor, calculates the motor's internal induced voltage and the motor current that flows in the motor based on the detected terminal voltage, and controls the current source inverter. The control means calculates the phase difference (?c) between the terminal voltage and the motor current, the phase difference (?x) between the motor current and the internal induced voltage, and the phase difference (?v) between the terminal voltage and the internal induced voltage.

Abstract: A relay device includes: an electromagnet constituted by a metallic core and an electrical winding associated therewith; and a mobile anchor associated with a traction spring and suitable for oscillating around a respective axis of oscillation in response to the combined action of an electromagnetic attraction force, generated by the electromagnet and intended to attract the anchor towards the core, and an elastic recovery force, exerted by the spring and intended to move the anchor away from the core and make it return to an initial position, so as to open or close selectively via the anchor a contact or switch of an external electrical circuit, wherein the anchor has a balanced or equilibrium configuration in which its center of gravity is arranged substantially along the axis of oscillation, and thereby the masses of various portions anchor portions are distributed in a balanced manner around the same axis of oscillation.

Abstract: Methods, program products, hybrid, and non-hybrid vehicles are provided for providing diagnostics for a direct current (DC) converter of the hybrid, and non-hybrid vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine, a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), the direct current (DC) converter, and a controller. The engine is automatically turned on and off based on driver inputs in accordance with an auto-stop feature. The RESS at least facilitates turning on the engine. The DC converter is coupled to the RESS. The controller is coupled to the DC converter, and is configured to determine a status of the engine, receive a DC converter voltage value from the DC converter, and provide diagnostics for the DC converter based on the engine status, RESS voltage, and the DC converter voltage.