Abstract: The present invention discloses a semiconductor assembly. The semiconductor assembly comprises a fully controlled power electronic device and a snubber circuit, wherein the snubber circuit is connected to the fully controlled power electronic device in parallel; the snubber circuit comprises a capacitor (C), an inductor (L), a resistor (R), a diode (D) and a half controlled power electronic device (A1); the inductor (L) and the half controlled power electronic device (A1) are connected in series and are together connected to the resistor (R) in parallel; and the diode (D) and the resistor (R) are connected in parallel and are together connected to the capacitor (C) in series.

Abstract: Systems and methods for in-band communication across a wireless power interface from a load device to a source device. The load device selectively modifies the timing of switches within a voltage rectifier coupled to an output of a receive coil within the load device that receives power from a transmit coil within the source device. The source device detects changes in the power transfer (or in the relative timing of a voltage or a current) as digital information received from the load device.

Abstract: An approach is provided for a power factor compensating method to compensate other electronic devices that use a common power source in order to improve power factor from the perspective of a power company. The other electronic device is a type of a non-linear load, and the method enables a compensator to receive a supply voltage from the power source commonly connected to the traditional electronic devices and disables a load of the compensator for a period. The period corresponds to a range that makes an overall supply current more proportional to the supply voltage.

Abstract: A two-wire load control device, such as, a dimmer switch, for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load comprise a bidirectional semiconductor switch having first and second anti-series connected switching transistors (such as, for example, field-effect transistors) that are adapted to be coupled between the source and the load, and are controlled to be conductive and non-conductive in a complementary basis. The bidirectional semiconductor switch is operable to be rendered conductive and to remain conductive independent of the magnitude of a load current conducted through semiconductor switch. The dimmer switch also comprises a drive circuit for rendering the first and second switching transistors conductive and non-conductive each half-cycle on the complementary basis, so as to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load to a desired amount of power.

Abstract: A circuit and method for generating an electrical alternating current power signal in which the alternating current signal is dropped once at a non-zero crossing point in every 540 plus N degrees, where N is a non-negative number. This manner of controlling power to a device enables wide ranges of power control while generating acceptable levels of power line harmonics and while conforming to existing international regulations governing voltage variations.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for controlling power in renewable solar energy sources. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for controlling a renewable energy solar farm, where the farm may include one or more renewable energy sources. The method may include measuring aggregate energy output of the renewable energy solar farm and measuring individual source energy output of the one or more renewable energy sources. The method may also include controlling energy production from the one or more renewable energy sources via a controller based at least in part on the measured aggregate energy output and the measured individual source energy output, where the controller facilitates communications with the one or more renewable energy sources.

Abstract: A dimmer circuit arrangement is disclosed including a second control circuit for controlling the operation of a triac for delivering current to a load, and a first control circuit for controlling the operation of an IGBT power semiconductor switch for controlling the rate of rise of load voltage. The first control circuit also controls the operation of the second control circuit.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for detecting and configuring a solid state dimmer when wired in series or parallel with a load powered by an alternating current (AC) input. The device can comprise a microcontroller configured to be powered by the AC input. A zero-cross detector in communication with the microcontroller is capable of detecting when an AC waveform crosses zero and generating a corresponding pulse signal when the AC waveform crosses zero. A pulse analyzer can be included and configured to determine when the zero-cross detector is generating pulses exceeding a pre-determined time length threshold that represents a serial wiring configuration.

Abstract: A frequency converter includes a transistor pair having a first transistor and a second transistor respectively having collector terminals commonly connected to each other and emitter terminals commonly connected to each other, the commonly-connected collector terminals of the transistor pair being connected to a power supply terminal by way of a first resistor, a third transistor having a collector terminal connected to the power supply terminal by way of a second resistor and an emitter terminal connected to the commonly-connected emitter terminals of the transistor pair, a third resistor having an end connected to the commonly-connected emitter terminals of the transistor pair, and another end grounded by way of a constant current source, and an output terminal connected to the commonly-connected collector terminals of the transistor pair.

Abstract: An energy savings circuit comprising a means for receiving an ac voltage source; a first voltage storage device in series with the ac voltage source; a second voltage storage device electrically connected to the ac voltage source; a third voltage storage device in series with the ac voltage source; a fourth voltage storage device in series with the second voltage storage device and electrically connected to the ac voltage source; a fifth voltage storage device electrically connected to the second and fourth voltage storage devices; and a means for discharging the fifth voltage storage device into a load. After receiving a first charge each, the first voltage storage device, in combination with the ac voltage source, supplies a charge to the second voltage storage device and the third voltage storage device, in combination with the ac voltage source, supplies a charge to the fourth voltage storage device.

Abstract: In a DC—DC converter, a regulator circuit 14 acts to drive a switching element Q1 based on an error between a detected voltage obtained by a voltage divider circuit 11 and a reference voltage from a reference voltage generating circuit 12 and to output a step-up voltage by a coil L1 to an output terminal Vout. A timing generating circuit 16 acquires a driving interval of the switching element Q1 set by the regulator circuit 14 and then decides that, if the interval is long, a load is in a light load state. In this case, the timing generating circuit 16 controls to supply a driving power to an output voltage controller intermittently by driving switching unit S1, S2.

Abstract: In a complex resonance type switching power supply circuit including: a series resonant circuit formed by a leakage inductance component having a primary-side winding of an isolation converter transformer driven by switching devices formed by half-bridge coupling and a primary-side series resonant capacitor connected in series with the primary-side winding; and a partial voltage resonance circuit connected in parallel with one of the switching devices mentioned above, for effecting partial voltage resonance in timing of turning off of the switching devices, an auxiliary switching device of a series circuit connected in parallel with the primary-side series resonant capacitor and formed by the auxiliary switching device and a capacitor is operated only during a period when the switching device connected in parallel with a primary-side partial resonance capacitor is on, and during this period, the capacitor of the series circuit is connected in parallel with the primary-side series resonant capacitor.

Abstract: A power control apparatus is provided that receives an input power voltage from a power source and supplies a corresponding output power voltage to a device. The apparatus contains a counter, a processor, and a switch. The counter inputs a power control signal and outputs a count signal that corresponds to a lapsed time from when the power control signal is input. The processor inputs the count signal and outputs a time out signal. The time out signal has a first value if the lapsed time and a predetermined time have a certain relationship, and the time out signal has a second value if the lapsed time and predetermined time do not have the certain relationship. The switch receives the input power voltage from the power source and the time out signal. If the time out signal has the second value, the switch does not output the output power voltage to the device.

Abstract: A local signal of a predetermined frequency is supplied to an input terminal of a local signal input section. The local signal is applied to a control input terminal of a variable current supply and, in accordance with the local signal, a current is output from a variable current supply and sent to a phase-shifting section. The phase-shifting section includes two resonance circuits each comprised of a capacitor and inductor. The two resonance circuits are connected in parallel with a linear element constituting the local signal input section to output first and second output signals of the same frequency as that of the local signal and whose phases are shifted by a predetermined amount. The respective output signals of the phase-shifting section are output to a next stage through a signal output section comprised of two sets each of a current supply and transistor.

Abstract: An optically controlled dimmer type device which can be used to regulate the brightness of an incandescent lamp. The device can also be used to control other electrical loads such as a.c. type motors. One of the main characteristic of the device is that it is adapted to be optically controlled. The device includes a light emitting component adapted to emit light and a light receiving component positioned to receive the light reflected by an object from the light emitting component and to thereby generate an output signal. A processing circuit including a phase shift circuit is operatively associated to the light receiving component. The processing circuit is adapted to receive the ouput signal and process the output signal and thereby regulate power output to the electrical load.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for limiting the current to be switched of an electrical load, with the power input of the electrical load being controlled by means of a Triac, said Triac being connected in series with the electrical load, with a Diac being connected to the gate terminal of the Triac, said Diac being connected in series with a resistor arrangement whose resistance value is variable for the purpose of controlling the Triac, said Triac being disconnectible from the power supply by means of a first switch, wherein a second switch is provided by means of which the series arrangement comprised of the resistor arrangement and the Diac is disconnectible from the power supply, and wherein, on turning the electrical load on, the first switch is closed first, while the second switch is closed with a time delay. Advantageously, on turning the electrical load off, the second switch is opened first, while opening of the first switch occurs with a time delay.

Abstract: A dimmer circuit uses a triac for controlling application of power to a hot terminal where a load will be connected. A DC power supply develops DC power for powering a control circuit which includes a zero crossing detector circuit connected to an integrated circuit chip which develops a timer pulse at the appropriate time to dim the light. The timer pulse is output to a pulse stretching circuit which actually drives the triac. The pulse stretching circuit stretches the pulse to a maximum of one-half of a cycle. This ensures that the triac will be turned on even if the inductive current delays the establishment of adequate latching current. This creates a more symmetrical waveform and results in a reduced DC offset.

Abstract: A time delay apparatus configured to connect in parallel with a common single pole switch. For time delay operation the switch is toggled on and off again within a short time span defined as the trigger window period. This triggering results in the circuit providing power to the load for a period of time predetermined by the user, after which the circuit automatically interrupts power to the load. For manual operation the switch is turned on and left on longer than the trigger window period, after which turning the switch off results in interruption of power to the load similar to a standard wall switch.

Abstract: A phase switched power controller connects a load to a alternating current source for a proportion of each half cycle selected by the user. A first full wave rectifier is connected to the voltage source and produces an unfiltered full wave rectified output signal varying between zero and a predetermined peak. A low pass filtered full wave rectified signal is preferably obtained from a second full wave rectifier, the filtered voltage and unfiltered voltage being applied as inputs to a voltage comparator, the output of which triggers a timer. The timer determines the phase delay until a further pulse is triggered for activating a triac, applying power to the load during the remainder of each half cycle.

Abstract: A switched-mode power supply circuit for converting a DC input voltage into a DC output voltage comprises a series arrangement of a controllable power switch and an inductive element coupled between the input voltage terminals. Control means are provided for rendering the power switch alternately conducting and non-conducting and a rectifier is coupled to the inductive element for making the output voltage available. The inductive element and a capacitor coupled thereto form a part of a resonant circuit in which a voltage oscillation is present in the time periods when the switch and the rectifier are currentless. The circuit further comprises means for interrupting the oscillation present in the resonant circuit at an instant when the voltage across the inductive element or the current through the capacitor is substantially zero. In one embodiment, the dissipation in the circuit is reduced and the circuit is synchronized.

Abstract: A heating apparatus measures the operation time and the inoperative time using an operation equation to switch the magnitude of the thermal supply of the heating apparatus in accordance with the calculated values. The heating apparatus includes a heater as a heating thermal supply, a heating chamber to be heated by the heater, a driving device for controlling the supply energies to the heater, a parameter operation device for calculating, in accordance with a given operation equation, the parameter corresponding to the supply energies to the heater, an output deciding device for comparing the parameter operation value obtained by the parameter operation device with the given target value to decide the output level of the heating thermal supply.

Abstract: A relay control circuit which is capable of reliably controlling the transmission of electrical power in very small time increments. Specifically, the present invention features a proportional firing circuit which will create an SCR firing signal whose pulse timing is proportional to the magnitude of a variable input signal. The control circuit varies the conduction time for the SCRs by varying the time between firing signal pulses of fixed duration.

Abstract: A forced air gas heating furnace system includes a thermostat having a transformer for converting the typical household 115Vac to a 24V thermostat ac control voltage, and a switch, the thermostat elements connected to the junction of an ac to dc converter, a digital control circuit and a TRIAC. The dc output is connected to a dc voltage regulator which outputs Vcc for a digital control circuit. The gate of the TRIAC is connected to the output of the digital control circuit, and operates in response thereto for selectively triggering the TRIAC for passing the 24Vac transformer control power to a solenoid operated gas valve.

Abstract: To supply various loads connected to a uninterruptible bus, a power supply system N is connected (when functioning normally) by means of a mechanical switch, keeping an energy storage unit charged by means of a static converter which also functions preferrably as a phase shifter to stabilize the supply voltage. In the event of a power system malfunction, the storage unit is discharged by means of the static converter arrangement, and the mechanical switch is opened. The opening of this switch is not critical since between the switch and uninterruptible bus there is an inductance arrangement and an auxiliary switch. In case of a power system malfunction (auxiliary switch open), a large inductance and its large corresponding impedance of the inductive impedance arrangement becomes effective which during proper operation of the power system is shunted.

Abstract: A two terminal control switch having a main switch and a saturable current transformer whose primary winding is series connected with the main switch. A center tapped full wave rectifier has a capacitor connected between its DC sides, such capacitor also being connected to a junction between the primary winding and the main switch.

Abstract: This invention concerns an inductive proximity switch having an oscillator and a resonant circuit which is dampable by outside objects, as well as an electronic switch controllable by the voltage across the resonant circuit. From the signal of the electronic switch a switching hysteresis is derived. A device for changing the frequency, when the resonant circuit is damped, as a function of the signal of the electronic switch allows the adjustment of the hysteresis in such a way that there is essentially no effect on the sensitivity of the oscillator.

Abstract: A touch operated switch for control of electrical lighting, appliances, machinery and equipment which requires non sparking fail-safe operation. The switch utilizes digital complementary metal oxide semi-conductor technology which requires nearly insignificant standby power and incorporates a unique count down reset circuit which prevents extraneous operation from static discharge, radio frequency (RF) signals or power line transients. The switch will only respond to the electromagnetic flux generated by the power source that the controlled load is connected to. All other signals or pulses of differing frequencies are ignored by the switch thereby preventing inadvertent operation. Due to the limited number of discreet components utilized the total cost of manufacture will be extremely low and is expected to be less than the present manufacturing cost of the standard wall-type light switches that this invention will replace.

Abstract: A circuit for varying the current to a load and, simultaneously, limiting the output of the load to a predetermined time interval. A timer chip having an RC network receives rectified current from an AC voltage source and responds thereto with a high output, which is used to bias an NPN transistor. The transistor permits the flow of rectified current to a logic triac, thereby triggering the logic triac and enabling current from the AC voltage source to flow to a variable resistor in series connection with a gating/AC timing capacitor, thereby triggering a diac. The diac responds to the controlled current flow from the variable resistor by operating the gate of a power control triac and permitting the desired current flow between the load and the AC voltage source through the power control triac.

Abstract: This patent presents a touch-responsive switch which incrementally varies AC voltage supplied to an electrical apparatus. The invention includes digital circuitry which compares a control pulse train with a touch affected pulse train to create a switching pulse. The switching pulse is synchronous with the line frequency and controls truncating of individual cycles of line power to regulate voltage applied to an appliance as a function of the number of times a touch plate has been touched. The switching pulse also provides on/off switching as one of the available incremental steps. The circuit components are incorporated in an interface assembly which connects the appliance receptacle to a source of AC voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stabilizing an output of a D.C. power source by using a micro-computer to regulate an input voltage to provide an output voltage according to a controlling signal. The invention further utilizes a periodic interruption process in the program sequence which moniters the output voltage, compares it to a predetermined level and regulates the output voltage in accordance with the monitered voltage.

Abstract: A reverse-phase-control power switching circuit provides for controlling the flow of current through a load, from an A.C. source, and includes circuitry for limiting the in-rush current for a load having a variation of resistance due to initial turn-on phenomenon. Load current is enabled to flow at each zero crossing of an A.C. source, connected in series with the load and the switching circuit of the present invention. Load current is terminated at a time, prior to the next source waveform zero crossing, to either maintain a substantially constant current conduction angle for a load with a substantially-constant steady-state resistance, or to limit load instantaneous current to a maximum level, set to a value somewhat greater than the desired normal load current, during low-load-resistance in-rush time intervals.

Abstract: A system of controlling the operation of an AC load with a switch placed in series with the load, which switch is itself operated by dc control logic powered by power loss experienced by the switch which the logic controls. Numerous elements in the control system perform multiple functions allowing the control logic to remain alive during both the on and off mode of the switch without power being provided to the logic by separate conductors to the AC power source, such that the control system is completely self powered and self regulated by simply placing the system, with two wires, into a series loop with the AC power source and the load.

Abstract: An electrical timing circuit for controlling the activation and deactivation of an electrical load by setting a predetermined time period for which the load will be on and for providing one or more short warning periods wherein the load is deactivated prior to the expiration of the predetermined time period. The invention may be used as a switch for a light whereby the light may be actuated to remain on for an hour, but just prior to the expiration of hour period the light will momentarily go off for one or more warning periods prior to the light being turned completely off so that the switch may be reactuated to start another timing period. Momentary switches (12) control a set-reset circuit (16) which sends a signal to a NAND gate (18). A timing circuit (20) is responsive to the momentary switches (12) to provide a plurality of time spaced-signals.

Abstract: This apparatus can limit the power by limiting the duty cycle of current carried by a pair of lines. These lines intermittently conduct electrical power. A clock can provide a periodic timing signal. This clock is resettable to change the phasing of the timing signal. A switch serially coupled to at least one of the lines can periodically interrupt current of the lines with a period proportional to the period of the periodic timing signal. A resetter coupled to at least one of the lines can reset the clock in response to the average magnitude of voltage across the lines increasing by a predetermined extent.

Abstract: This apparatus can apply electrical power to a supply terminal from a pair of lines having a variable current and voltage. The apparatus has a voltage tapper and a series device. The voltage tapper is coupled to the lines and to the terminal for applying to the latter power drawn from the lines when their voltage difference exceeds a predetermined value. The series device is serially coupled into a given one of the lines for producing a voltage drop. The series device is coupled to the supply terminal for supplying power thereto as a predetermined function of the voltage drop of the series device.

Abstract: Apparatus can limit power by limiting the duty cycle of current carried by a pair of lines. The lines intermittently conduct electrical power. The apparatus has a clock, a converter and a switch system. The clock can provide a timing signal. The converter is driven by the lines and can convert its intermittent electrical signals to uninterrupted power and can supply this uninterrupted power to the clock. The switch system responds to the timing signal and can periodically interrupt at least one of the lines.

Abstract: In a lighting installation comprising light sources each connected to an A.C. supply system, a control device including: power variation circuits connected to the different sources and each comprising means for varying the electrical power supplied to the respective source, in response to magnitude variations of an electrical quantity, and control circuits associated to the different sources and each comprising a clock circuit, an illuminating programme circuit in which is recorded a programme representing desired timed variations of the illuminating power for a given period, a selection circuit receiving clock pulses from the clock circuit and connected to the programme circuit for selecting an illuminating power dependent on the elapsed time from the beginning of said period, and an output circuit for converting said selected power to a particular magnitude of said electrical quantity.

Abstract: An electric power source device for electrolytical production or coloring of alumilite, wherein pulses are generated at a predetermined phase of A.C. source, the pulses are frequency-divided by a non-contact circuit and, depending on the results of the frequency division, analogue switches respectively comprising a non-contact circuit are driven to actuate rectifier units for rectifying the A.C. source. Outputs of alternately reversed polarities with distinctly sharp rising and falling are provided.

Abstract: The control circuit is preferably provided in an integral unit with a momentary on-off switch, preferably inside a switch housing box and adapted to replace a common wall switch to provide for the automatic turn-off of the light or other load operated by the switch after a presetable period of time. The circuit is constructed so as not to require a third wire (usually a power lead) at the unit. The use of low power logic circuit controls, employing preferably CMOS chips enables use of a capacitor storage element of manageable size, with very low power consumption of the circuit in its "off" state. The "on" duration of the light is adjustable over a suitable time range and the circuit is further characterized by a "flashing" period preceding total turn-off.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling power delivery to different AC inductive loads, which loads create different respective lag angles between applied voltage and delivered current up to a known maximum lag angle. Included is a switching circuit, typically including silicon-controlled rectifiers, connected to the load. The switching circuit is trigger-pulse-switched into conduction, and thereafter maintained in conduction so long as current through the load exceeds a certain minimum value. Additionally, a trigger-pulse generator connected to the switching circuit operates in two modes. In one mode, the conduction angle is less than a predetermined maximum width which is no less than the maximum lag angle. In this mode, a pulse is generated whose width is essentially equal to the conduction angle. In the other mode, the conduction angle is no less than the maximum width, and the generated pulse has a fixed width substantially equaling the maximum width.

Abstract: An SCR circuit is provided in a high-voltage supply for energizing a magnetron that is assembled in a microwave oven. The high-voltage supply circuit includes a voltage step-up transformer. This transformer is arranged with a low-voltage secondary winding which is connected across the heater-cathode electrode of the magnetron and a high-voltage secondary winding which is coupled in series with a capacitor. The series combination of the capacitor and the high-voltage secondary is connected across the cathode and anode electrodes of the magnetron; and importantly, the high-voltage SCR circuit includes a number of series-connected SCR's electrically in shunt of the magnetron. A triggering circuit gates the high-voltage SCR circuit to the current-conducting state during a selected phase portion of an applied AC potential, in order to control the amount of power being supplied to the magnetron.