Abstract: A method detects a working voltage collapse by use of an electric component, in which the exceeding of a critical characteristic of the working voltage is monitored and an excess is detected as a collapse. Accordingly, in order to recognize the collapse breakdown in a simple trouble-free manner, a model voltage generated by a model circuit is used as the critical characteristic.

Abstract: A control circuit for a DC motor, has: a first and second input ports for connection to a DC source; a H-bridge driving circuit, having first and second switches connected in series between the input ports, and third and fourth switches connected in series between the input ports, a first output port between the first and second switches and a second output port between the third and fourth switches, and a shunt circuit and/or a blocking circuit. The motor is connected between the first and second output ports. The shunt circuit is connected between the first second output ports and has a resistance that will decrease in response to BEMF generated by the motor. The blocking circuit is connected in series with the motor between the output ports and has a resistance that increases in response to BEMF generated by the motor.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a multi-phase converter with dynamic phase adjustment is provided. In some embodiments, a controller may include circuitry to control how many phase legs are active based on output current and also which phase legs are to be enabled.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a charge pump circuit. The charge pump circuit comprises a plurality of terminals, a plurality of switches for selectively coupling the plurality of terminals, and a control circuit. A first input terminal receives a first reference voltage and a second input terminal receives a second reference voltage. First, second, third, and fourth flying capacitor terminals and the first and second input terminals are selectively coupled together in different configurations. The control circuit selects the switches to actuate according to a cycling of at least three phases of configuration. The cycling shifts the first and second reference voltages to provide dual power supply rails.

Abstract: A power supply control unit for a lamp having a luminous means and an at least partly electrically conductive lamp housing comprises a first and a second line via which a power supply signal can be applied to the luminous means and which are insulated from the lamp housing. The electrical power to be applied to the luminous means is switched or controlled by means of a switching device in the first or second line. A control circuit comprises an oscillator and an evaluation circuit, the oscillator issuing at an output thereof a signal which in terms of frequency differs from the power supply signal and is electrically coupled to the lamp housing. To control the switching device, the evaluation circuit responds to frequency and/or amplitude changes of the oscillator signal brought about by contacting of the lamp housing.

Abstract: A dimmer control system includes two discrete silicon controlled rectifiers which respectively energize a lamp load during alternate half cycles of the input AC voltage. The separate placement of the SCRs ensures that much lower temperatures are reached than would occur if a single triac were used to energize a lamp during both half cycles. The system also includes a pair of diacs which energize the respective SCRs when a respective capacitor directly connected to each diac discharges through one of them. The system further includes a respective capacitor charging circuit for each capacitor, each of the two charge circuits including a series connections of the gate to cathode junction of the SCR other than the one which the capacitor being charged discharges through, a diode, a common fixed resistor, and a common variable resistor.

Abstract: A two-terminal A.C. device is described which can be series connected with a lighting fixture to prevent overheating of the fixture in an overload condition, namely, when a lighting element exceeding the power rating of the fixture is installed. In broad terms, the device includes a bidirectional, self-extinguishing switch which can be triggered to conduct current between the two terminals of the device, and control circuitry operable from the voltage difference and current between the two terminals occurring in use to regulate the triggering of the switch. The control circuitry includes triggering circuitry which generates triggering signals from the voltage difference across the terminals of the device and normally applies the triggering signals to the control terminal to permit a predetermined measure of conduction.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for full-wave power control comprising a triac (2), the control electrode of which is preceded by a trigger diode, the control voltage being taken from an RC section having at least one potentiometer (9), which effects a phase shift in the firing time as a function of the position of the potentiometer (9), is improved by the RC section (9, 10) being connected to a constant voltage source. This consists of two Z diodes (6) which are connectd in opposition and which are advantageously bridged by means of an adjustable voltage divider (7, 8), in such a manner that the RC section (9, 10) is connected to an adjustable part voltage. Instead of bridging the triac (2) for full drive, as usual, the trigger diode (11) is connected to a special bias resistor by means of a switch (13). According to a preferred embodiment, the resistors of the switching arrangement consists of a low-temperature thick-film paste printed on a hard paper board (see drawing relating to this).

Abstract: An electrical feed and control circuit for a drive arrangement of the pump piston of a spray gun which comprises a coil and an oscillating armature, employs an input for connection to an alternating current network, an output leading to the oscillating armature coil, a half-wave suppression circuit optionally connectible by way of a transfer switch, a phase-angle control circuit connectible and disconnectible by the transfer switch in common with the half-wave suppression circuit, the phase-angle circuit including a timing element comprising a fixed resistor and a capacitor, and a second phase-angle circuit -having a timing element containing a variable resistor.