Abstract: A method for measuring critical current density of superconductor wires according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes: (a) applying an external magnetic field to the superconductor wires, (b) measuring a magnetization loss of the superconductor wires according to the application of the external magnetic field, (c) normalizing the measured magnetization loss, and then calculating a fully-penetration magnetic field of the superconductor wires according to the normalized magnetization loss, (d) calculating a critical current density of the superconductor wires according to the calculated fully-penetration magnetic field. Therefore, the critical current density of parallel superconductor wires such as stacked superconductor wires may be measured without applying current to the superconductor wires directly.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor unit, a calculation unit, a switch circuit unit, and a control unit. The sensor unit has a plurality of detection electrodes each having a capacitance changed by proximity of a detection target object. The calculation unit calculates a first distance, which is a distance between the detection target object and the sensor unit. The switch circuit unit is capable of switching the detection electrodes between a first state in which a signal voltage for detecting the capacitance is supplied and a second state which is an electrically floating state, and selects at least two detection electrodes one by one switched from the second state to the first state. The control unit controls the switch circuit unit to cause a second distance, which is a distance between the detection electrodes switched from the second state to the first state, to correspond to the first distance.

Abstract: In order to process a motor signal (Ia, Um) of a DC motor (4), in particular of an adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, the armature current (Ia) and the motor voltage (Um) of the DC motor (4) are detected and used for determining the back-emf (E) of the DC motor (4), wherein the determined back-emf (E) is used to generate a useful signal (Sf, SEEL), which is in particular speed-proportional, from the armature current signal (Ia) for position sensing or for evaluating an excess force limitation.

Abstract: An impedance analysis system for characterizing an energy storage device (ESD) includes a signal vector assembler to generate a signal vector from a composition of one or more waveforms and a signal generator for generating a stimulus signal responsive to the signal vector. A signal measurement device measures a response signal indicative of a response of the ESD substantially simultaneously with when the stimulus signal is applied to the energy storage device. A load variation monitor monitors load variations on the energy storage device due to operational circuitry coupled thereto. An analyzer is operably coupled to the response signal and analyzes the response signal relative to the signal vector to determine an impedance of the energy storage device.

Abstract: Improved capacitive sensor operation is achieved with improved discrimination between environmental drift and apparent drift attributable to human proximity to the sensor. A proximity algorithm detects conditions interpreted as indicating a user is close to, but not touching, a sensor. When such proximity is detected, ambient value calibration is halted, thereby avoiding treating the human's proximity as environmental drift requiring compensation and preventing miscalculation of calibration. The proximity algorithm employs two moving-average filters (implemented in hardware or software) to monitor the CDC output values over time and to make appropriate adjustments to a signal representing the ambient, while distinguishing environmental drift from proximity-induced pseudo-drift.

Abstract: The invention provides a voltage-controlled device, method and computer device capable of dynamically regulating voltage and effectively saving energy. The voltage-controlled device receives a VID from a CPU, determines a core voltage according to a load line defined therein, and supplies the core voltage to the CPU. The voltage-controlled device has a load line register set and a write logic. The load line register set has a plurality of registers, and the values of which represent the defined load line. The write logic changes the values of the registers in the load line register set according to a write signal.

Abstract: A device and method for dynamically determining an impedance of a network is disclosed. The device includes at least a processing system for measuring a network voltage and network current when said network is determined to be in a first state, measuring a network voltage when said network is determined to be in a second state, estimating said impedance value dependent upon said measured voltages and current, adapting said estimated impedance based on at least one prior impedance value and storing at least said adapted impedance.

Abstract: A video circuit including a video amplifier adapted to generate an amplified output video signal from an input video signal; a short detection circuit adapted to generate a first signal indicative of whether there is a short present at an output of the video amplifier; and a load detection circuit adapted to generate a second signal indicative of whether there is a load coupled to the output of the video amplifier. The video circuit may further include an input signal detection circuit adapted to generate a third signal indicative of whether an input video signal is present. The third signal generated by the input signal detection circuit may be used to enable the outputting of the first and second signals in order to prevent the false indication of faults at the output of the video amplifier in the absence of an input video signal.

Abstract: An inductive loop presence detector for sensing objects, such as rail cars, containing one or more sensing loops. The inductive loop presence detector includes a backup power supply that is connected to a control unit of the detector to power the control unit during an interruption in the line voltage. The backup power supply includes batteries or capacitors that power the control unit when the line voltage is interrupted. The control unit of the inductive loop presence detector operates in a lower power mode when the control unit is supplied with power from the backup power supply. The control unit operates to auto-tune and supply power to the sensing loops to operate at the most desirable frequency based upon the inductance of the sensing loops.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for measuring potentiometric measuring probes. An exemplary method includes feeding two test voltages comprising a harmonic wave Ueg with a base frequency fg and the harmonic wave Uer with a base frequency fr into two cores of a connecting cable through voltage source impedances, respectively. The voltage between an indicating electrode and a reference electrode, and the AC responding signal resulting from the two test voltages are passed to an amplifier and further to a transfer function unit having transfer functions (Hg, Hr), an A/D converter, and a Fourier transformation unit, to calculate a potential Ux and the two test responses Ug and Ur, respectively. Two calibration responses Uehg and Uehr are determined, wherein Uehg includes a product of Ueg and Hg, and wherein Uehr includes a product of Uer and Hr.

Abstract: A shift-by-wire shift switching device and shift switching method that switch a shift range of an automatic transmission using an electric motor. The shift switching device includes a controller that determines whether a fault has occurred in a current supply line of each phase of the electric motor on a phase-by-phase basis, executes an open-loop control of the electric motor using only the phases in which it has been determined that a fault has not occurred, and determines whether a fault has occurred in the current supply line by detecting an activation state of the electric motor when the open-loop control of the electric motor is executed. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether a fault in the motor is a short-circuit fault or a break fault, without addition of a part such as a short-circuit detection sensor.

Abstract: Described herein is the method and apparatus for determining frequency of an oscillator coupled with one or more analog devices, and for determining within-die or across-die variations in an analog property associated with the one or more analog devices, the determining based on the oscillator frequency. The analog property includes output signal swing, bandwidth, offset, gain, and delay line linearity and range. The one or more analog devices include input-output (I/O) buffer, analog amplifier, and delay line. The method further comprises updating a simulation model file based on the determining of the within-die and/or across-die variations of the analog property.

Abstract: A test installation for electrical filter installations has, in the interior of a housing, a dust measurement device, a converter control cabinet, a feed for the converter control cabinet, a computer, connecting apparatuses for connecting the dust measurement device to a clean and a raw-gas dust channel of the electrical filter installation, cables for connecting the converter control cabinet to a high-voltage rectifier for the electrical filter installation, as well as a power connection, and wherein the housing has recesses for passing through at least the connecting apparatuses, the cable and power supplies for the feed and for the power connection.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system comprising remote test units for measuring various voltages and currents at remote locations on a cathodically-protected pipeline. The remote test units may comprise a processor configured to store measurements taken with the voltmeter and a wireless transceiver for communicating with other test units and/or a Web server or host computer in a daisy-chain or mesh radio configuration. The remote test units may comprise an instant-off switch which electrically connects the pipeline with a buried protected coupon of the same material as the pipeline, and a voltmeter configured to measure the instant-off potential of the protected coupon when the switch is opened. The test units may also comprise a millivoltmeter configured to measure a voltage across a critical bond current shunt resistor and an ammeter configured to measure AC and DC current flowing between the pipeline and the protected coupon with the instant-off switch is closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic component for a sensor apparatus comprising a first terminal device for connecting a sensitive device which is influenceable by a target, a second terminal device for the external communication, and a control device and/or an evaluation device which provides output signals, wherein the component is programmable via the second terminal device, characterized by a first programming level in which parameters for the setup of the sensor apparatus are adjustable and a second programming level in which a characteristic curve of the sensor apparatus is adjustable, wherein the first programming level is hierarchically superordinate to the second programming level and adjustments and/or possibilities of adjustment in the second programming level are a function of adjustments in the first programming level.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic electrostatic discharge (ESD) detection system connected to a plurality of current loops. For each of the current loops, the automatic ESD detection system can detect a plurality of electrical devices connected in sequence on the one current loop, and check if the electrical devices have abnormal ESD. The automatic ESD detection system includes a micro-controller, a plurality of circuit connection ports, a metrology unit, a circuit switching unit, a prompt unit, and two ground wires, wherein when one of the circuit connection ports is switched to be connected to the metrology unit, the one of the circuit connection ports remains electrically connected to one of the ground wires.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the level of a wide range of varied surfaces or materials housed within vessels, and for detecting contact with a solid surface within the vessel is disclosed. A high precision radio frequency admittance measuring system, using capacitance to measure levels of process materials, coupled with detection element to sense contact of the detection element with a solid surface, such as a floating roof. An active element and ground element in coaxial relationship provides means for measuring the level of process materials including water, oil, kerosene, jet fuel, gasoline. Along with detecting the level of a solid surface within the vessel such as a floating roof. One preferred application of the inventive apparatus is to provide vessel or tank overfill protection. The apparatus detection element is capable of sensing level and non-level solid surfaces.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides methods and materials for observing the state of a sensor, for example those used by diabetic patients to monitor blood glucose levels. Typically a voltage such as a voltage pulse is applied to the sensor in order to solicit a current response from which for example, factors such as impedance values can be derived. Such values can then be used as indicators of a sensor's state, for example the state of sensor hydration, sensor noise, sensor offset, sensor drift or the like.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an insect/insect larvae may include, but is not limited to: a first electrically conductive crush roller; a second electrically conductive crush roller; a drive motor operably coupled to at least one of the first electrically conductive crush roller and the second electrically conductive crush roller via an electrically isolating coupling; and detection circuitry configured to detect a signal transmitted from the first electrically conductive crush roller to the second electrically conductive crush roller when a conductive material is disposed between the first electrically conductive crush roller to the second electrically conductive crush roller.

Abstract: A method implemented in a speed controller to detect a loss of one phase, two phases or three phases in a three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous motor, running or stopped at rest, said controller executing a control in closed loop operation, said method including: determining, with the speed controller, a reference flux current as a function of a reference torque current, said reference torque current being calculated from a reference speed applied to the motor and a measurement of the speed or the position carried out on the motor; applying, with the speed controller, the reference flux current and injecting currents over various phases of the motor; and measuring, with the speed controller, the currents over at least two phases and determining the loss of one phase, of two phases or of three phases from these measured currents.

Abstract: A system and method using both static and transient modeling of power cables coupled with real time measurements of distributed temperature profiles of both the cable and it's immediate environment to optimize the current loads of the power cable. The optical fibers used for measuring distributed temperature profiles can be integrated directly into the monitored power cables or be deployed alongside the power cables, including using the optical fibers deployed in optical power ground wire systems.

Abstract: A system and related method are provided for measuring conductivity/resistivity of water having high purity, including a temperature sensor and a conductivity/resistivity sensor exposed to a water source. The system further includes a computing assembly configured to receive measurement signals from the sensors and to determine change in resistivity over a change in temperature (a collected R/T slope) from the collected temperature measurements and the collected resistivity measurements. The system compares the collected R/T slope to a standardized R/T slope at a temperature value corresponding to a midpoint temperature of the temperature measurements over the prescribed time interval. Based on the comparing, the system provides providing a compensated measurement for resistivity or conductivity of the water source. As a result, the system can calibrate the sensor continually during use, in real time, resulting in highly improved accuracy.

Abstract: A distributor module serves for distributing electrical power to at least two connected measuring devices and for forwarding to at least one superordinated electronic data processing unit information concerning at least one physical, measured variable transmitted from the connected at least two measuring devices. For this, the distributor module comprises a module housing as well as an electronics module placed within the module housing.

Abstract: An impedance measurement circuit comprises a current source arrangement, a voltage measurement arrangement and a processor. The circuit is operable in a two-point measurement mode and a four-point measurement mode and the processor as is adapted to derive the impedance to be measured by combining the measurement voltages from the two-point and the four-point measurement modes. This combines the results of both two-point and four-point measurement techniques to provide improved accuracy. In particular, the two results enable the effect of the electrode resistance to be cancelled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a charged particle concentration in an analyte (100), the method comprising steps of: i) determining at least two measurement points of a surface-potential versus interface-temperature curve (c1, c2, c3, c4), wherein the interface temperature is obtained from a temperature difference between a first interface between a first ion-sensitive dielectric (Fsd) and the analyte (100) and a second interface between a second ion-sensitive dielectric (Ssd) and the analyte (100), and wherein the surface-potential is obtained from a potential difference between a first electrode (Fe) and a second electrode (Se) onto which said first ion-sensitive dielectric (Fsd) and said second ion-sensitive dielectric (Ssd) are respectively provided, And ii) calculating the charged particle concentration from locations of the at least two measurement points of said curve (c1, c2, c3, c4).

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing leakage current of a battery includes a voltage distribution node installed on a first conductive line connecting both terminals of a battery; first and second switches installed between the voltage distribution node and positive/negative terminals of the battery; an insulation resistance and a current sensing resistance installed on a second conductive line connecting the voltage distribution node to a ground; a DC voltage applying unit for applying positive/negative DC voltage to a ground-side end of the current sensing resistance to induce potential difference between the voltage distribution node and the DC voltage applying node; and a leakage current determining unit for sensing magnitude of electric current flowing through the current sensing resistance according to the induced potential difference in turning-on state of the switches, and then determining leakage current by checking whether the magnitude of electric current is out of standard level over threshold value.

Abstract: An industrial process transmitter for transmitting a process variable on a two-wire process control loop include, a loop current control to control a loop current level on the two-wire process control loop that is related to the process variable. Power is provided to primary circuitry of the process transmitter. A secondary current control circuit limits current delivered to secondary circuitry.

Abstract: A contactless sensing device comprises a magnetic stripe fixed on a tested object, a detector and a processor. The magnetic stripe has arranged plurality of N-pole and S-pole blocks. The detector includes a fixed magnetic layer with fixed magnetic direction, a free magnetic layer with changeable magnetic direction influenced by external magnetic field, and an insulating layer separated the fixed magnetic layer from the free magnetic layer. While the object is moving to make the magnetic stripe pass through the detector, the magnetic direction of the free magnetic layer is influenced by the N-pole and S-pole blocks, such that the magnetic direction of the free magnetic layer is parallel or anti-parallel to the fixed magnetic layer. The induced change of the magnetoresistance further result in the obvious change of the output signal to the processor, and then the information of the object is sensed and calculated from the processor.

Abstract: A method for identifying an electrical device connected to a mains grid is provided, the method comprising measuring at least one electrical characteristic on the mains grid with a sensor connected to a socket of the mains grid; comparing the at least one electrical characteristic with a plurality of stored candidate electrical characteristics each corresponding to one of a plurality of candidate electrical devices; and identifying the electrical device based on the stored candidate electrical characteristic that is closest to the at least one electrical characteristic. A corresponding system and a corresponding sensor are provided as well.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating resistance characteristics of a battery includes a data storing manager for obtaining and storing battery voltage, current and temperature data of a battery, whenever estimating a battery resistance characteristic; an open circuit voltage calculator for calculating battery open circuit voltage from a battery voltage variation pattern measured at the present and in the past; a weighted mean resistance calculator for calculating a battery resistance parameter from a battery current and a difference between the battery open circuit voltage and a battery voltage, and calculating a weighted mean resistance from battery resistance parameters calculated at the present and in the past; a weighted mean resistance convergence calculator for calculating a weighed mean resistance convergence value by repeatedly calculating a weighted mean sequence using the weighted mean resistance as an initial condition; and a resistance characteristic estimator for estimating a battery resistance from the w

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for determining capacitive signature validity of a powered device (PD) attached to power sourcing equipment (PSE) having (i) an isolated side with a primary coil and (ii) a line side with a secondary coil connected to the PD. The method includes determining, on the isolated side, a first time T1 and a corresponding first voltage V1 across the PD. Then generating, on the isolated side, a switching signal used to generate an electrical current through the primary coil. Then determining, on the isolated side, a second time T2 and a corresponding second voltage V2 across the PD, wherein a difference between V2 and V1 is related to the electrical current provided to the primary coil. Then determining the capacitive-signature validity of the PD based on T1, T2, V1, V2, and a resistive signature of the PD.

Abstract: An embodiment of a magnetic-field sensor has a plurality of sensor elements connected to form measurement arrangements, each measurement arrangement having a measurement tap, and a control circuit formed to perform an embodiment of a method of calibrating the magnetic-field sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the non-destructive testing of electrically conductive components such as wellbore tubulars, which is suitable for testing the components in situ a wellbore installation. The method comprises the steps of performing a remote field eddy current test phase and at least one of a conventional direct-field eddy current test phase and a partial saturation eddy current test phase. A measurement data set from each of the test phases is obtained and the combined measurement data is processed to evaluate a condition of the test component.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking insulation of a cell module assembly composed of a plurality of pouch cells includes a first probing unit electrically contacted to an electrode of the cell module assembly; a second probing unit electrically contacted to aluminum films of selected ones of the pouch cells in the cell module assembly; and a measuring unit for measuring an insulation resistance between the first probing unit and the second probing unit. This apparatus may measure insulation resistances of a plurality of pouch cells of the cell module assembly at once, thereby ensuring faster insulation checking.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing a compressible interconnect for allowing electrical communication between an electronics unit and an analyte sensor in an on-body analyte monitoring device. In other embodiments, systems and methods are provided for reducing the Z-height of an on-body analyte monitoring device by utilizing novel interconnects.

Abstract: Improved methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood.

Abstract: Embodiments of power management are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a device correct a temperature-dependent length change of an actuator unit (3) disposed in a housing (2) of a fuel injector (1). A known method of maintaining an idle stroke (L) formed between the actuator unit (3) and a control valve of the fuel injector involves compensating for a temperature-dependent length change by measuring the capacity of the actuator unit (3) and thereby determining the temperature (Ta). However, in the process an additional test impulse is used to trigger the actuator unit (3). Therefore, it is proposed to forego the use of a test impulse and to measure the capacity (CA-PA) directly at an active trigger impulse. The method is much more precise and reliable since the current operating parameters, such as fuel pressure, fuel temperature and actuation energy, among others, are taken into account.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus is capable of separately measuring at least one of the purely resistive component and the reactance component of a measured circuit. The measuring apparatus applies an AC voltage to the measured circuit and detects a current flowing in the measured circuit. When doing so, a first detection signal whose amplitude changes in accordance with an amplitude of a real component of the current and a second detection signal whose amplitude changes in accordance with an amplitude of an imaginary component are generated. The at least one of a purely resistive component and a reactance component of the measured circuit is then calculated using the first detection signal and the second detection signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating between electric field sources. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a mobile detection system comprising a sensor probe for remotely measuring an electric field generated by an electric field source in a patrolled area; and a processor, coupled to the sensor probe, for processing data received from the sensor probe to generate a first field strength and at least a second field strength for determining whether the electric field source is potentially hazardous.

Abstract: A monitoring device to detect an indication of reverse power flow across a monitored transformer. The monitoring device adapted to handle a series of phase angle differences between a monitored current and a monitored voltage and establish a baseline phase angle difference after the network protector closes to connect the monitored transformer to a distribution network. The monitoring device working to establish a baseline phase angle even when a measured value for the magnitude of the monitored current has a reversed polarity from an actual current flowing from the monitored transformer or when the monitored current and the monitored voltage are not taken from the same phase from the monitored transformer. The monitoring device adapted to detect a significant change in phase angle difference from the baseline phase angle difference as an indication of reverse power flow. This abstract is intended as a tool to help others locate a relevant disclosure and not as a guide to the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A system for detecting and locating a leak through a membrane that includes a detector array and computer. The detector array includes a boundary wire loop, sensors, and leads. The boundary wire loop surrounds the area to be tested and generates electrical tension on the surface of the membrane. The sensors are laid out in a sensor array and are placed on top of a membrane and within the boundary wire loop. The sensors are encased in a plastic covered cable or individual wires which have open ends for their terminations forming a cable so that the sensors made by the open terminations form a chain. Each sensor communicates individually with the computer and the signals from the sensors are used by the computer to perform vector mapping that detects and locates leaks through the membrane.

Abstract: A system and method for identification of complex permittivity associated with a transmission line dielectric is proposed. A network analyzer measures scattering parameters over a specified frequency band for at least two line segments of different length and substantially identical cross-section filled with a dielectric. A first engine determines non-reflective (generalized) modal scattering parameters of the difference segment based on the measured scattering parameters of two line segments. A second engine computes generalized modal scattering parameters of the line difference segment by solving Maxwell's equations for geometry of the line cross-section with a given frequency-dependent complex permittivity dielectric model. A third engine performs optimization by changing dielectric model parameters and model type until the computed and measured generalized modal scattering parameters match. The model that produces generalized modal S-parameters closest to the measured is the final dielectric model.

Abstract: A method for determining at least one characteristic of a multiphase fluid including the steps of applying alternating energy of a predetermined amplitude to a portion of a multiphase fluid and measuring the electrical impedance spectrum across the portion of multiphase fluid whereby a characteristic of the multiphase fluid can be determined from the measured electrical impedance spectrum.

Abstract: Control of delivery of current through one or more discharge lamps. Methods include alternately switching on and off switching elements that control a fluorescent lamp, in response to receiving input, until the brightness of the lamp decreases to a threshold. Further, methods include providing control signals at complementary duty cycles to further decrease the brightness and alternating the duty cycles of the signals applied to the filaments of the fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and managing electrical power transmission and distribution networks through use of a deterministic, non-iterative method using an holomorphic embedding and algebraic approximants for determining the real-time load flow in a power generating system having an electrical grid. Such method may be employed for real-time or off-line applications for electric power systems reliability assessment, and is capable of determining whether or not a physical solution to the load flow problem exists, or if the system is in a state of voltage collapse.

Abstract: A system for power hardware in the loop testing is described. The system includes a power system and a control system, the power system connected to a power converter of a device under test, the control system being in communication with the power system and the power converter. The control system determines the voltage input to the power system by utilizing the voltage output of the power converter, the voltage input determination being made by a control algorithm comprising.

Abstract: A configurable semiconductor device includes at least one select pin configured to connect to one of a plurality of impedances. The impedances are external to the configurable semiconductor device and have impedance values within predetermined tolerances. A measurement circuit is connected to the at least one select pin. The measurement circuit is configured to measure electrical characteristics of the plurality of impedances, correlate the electrical characteristics to respective predetermined ranges of impedances, and generate digital output values corresponding to the correlation. A controller is configured to control a characteristic of the configurable semiconductor device based on the digital output values. Spacing between the respective predetermined ranges of impedances is based on the predetermined tolerances.

Abstract: A method to determine a limit torque associated with an electro-mechanical transmission includes determining electric motor torque constraints and battery power constraints. A limit torque function and a standard form of the limit torque function are determined. The limit torque function and the motor torque constraints and the battery power constraints are transposed to the standard form to determine a limit torque.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the power damping compliance of a power generation unit comprises a measurement unit that is configured to be coupled to a power generation unit to identify the voltage, current, and frequency values associated with power output therefrom. A processing system maintaining a model-based filter processes the voltage, current, and, frequency values to estimate the total amount of damping provided by the power generation unit. The estimated total damping is compared to prior historical values maintained in a database using various statistical techniques to determine if a power system stabilizer (PSS) provided by the power generation unit is being operated in a manner complying with predetermined guidelines.