Abstract: A method of electrical device characterization comprises: providing an array of electrical devices arranged in rows and columns, wherein each electrical device has a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal; clamping a first voltage at a first terminal of a selected electrical device via a first buffer or an first external voltage source; clamping a second voltage at a second terminal of a selected electrical device via a second buffer or a second external voltage source; controlling a third buffer to couple the third terminal of the selected electrical device to a first terminal or a second terminal of at least one non-selected column of electrical devices; and deriving a characterization result via the third terminal of the selected electrical device; wherein the array of electrical devices, the first buffer, the second buffer and the third buffer are on a same die or a same module.

Abstract: A current transforming harvester (“CTH”) is capable of producing power from a conductor on a preexisting power grid without alteration of the conductor or the preexisting power grid. The CTH includes a current transformer (“CT”) that captures energy via magnetic flux from the conductor. The CT is substantially circular and includes two halves called a “split core,” which allow the CT to easily attach to the conductor without opening the circuit in which the conductor operates. A clamping mechanism of the CTH may secure the CTH to the conductor via a pair of spring-biased clamp pads. The CTH includes circuitry that converts the magnetic flux energy captured by the CT into electrical energy suitable for consumption by an electrical device.

Abstract: An electric potential is applied to first and second electrodes on opposite sides of a gap between an electronic component and a heat spreader. At least one of a thermal interface material in the gap, the electronic component and the heat spreader is subjected to a changing physical condition. The electrical capacitance between the electrodes is monitored during the changing physical condition. Such a method can be practiced using an array of components sharing a common heat spreader. An assembly for testing thermal interfaces includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of electronic components mounted to and operatively associated with the printed circuit board, a heat spreader positioned for absorbing heat generated by the electronic components, a first electrode associated with the heat spreader, a plurality of second electrodes associated, respectively, with the electronic component, and a device for monitoring electrical capacitances between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A method of measuring a capacitance (C) of a sensor having a working electrode that is coated by an insulating layer and a ligand forming an affinity surface. The method involves the steps of bringing the electrode into contact with an analyte, supplying a constant first current (I1), and a constant second current (I2) of opposite direction to the first current (I1), and a constant third current (I3) of same direction as the first current (I1) during determined time periods to the sensor. Further the method includes sampling the potential (V) built up across the sensor, and calculating the capacitance of the sensor from the inclination (B, D, F, H) of a potential curve received in response to the current supply. A method used for detection of an interaction between a ligand and an analyte is also disclosed.

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 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 measuring a time-variant magnetic field using a magnetoelectric sensor having mechanical resonant frequency fR, wherein the magnetic field has at least one component having harmonic time dependence with the measuring signal amplitude to be determined Hmess0 and the measuring signal frequency to be determined fmess in a known frequency interval fmin<fmess<fmax. The method includes: a. superimposing the magnetic field with a modulation magnetic field having harmonic time dependence with the known modulation amplitude Hmess0 and a selectable modulation frequency on the sensor, b. varying (wobbling) the modulation frequency over a complementary frequency interval determined by the known interval limits fmin, fmax and the resonant frequency of the sensor, c. measuring the sensor signal for each selected modulation frequency, d. searching for the at least one modulation frequency fmod, which results in a sensor signal in the mechanical resonance of the sensor, e.

Abstract: A method for estimating a coil sensitivity map for a magnetic resonance (MR) image includes providing (61) a matrix A of sliding blocks of a 2D image of coil calibration data, calculating (62) a left singular matrix V? from a singular value decomposition of A corresponding to ? leading singular values, calculating (63) P=V?V?H, calculating (64) a matrix S that is an inverse Fourier transform of a zero-padded matrix P, and solving (65) MHcr=(Sr)Hcr for cr, where cr is a vector of coil sensitivity maps for all coils at spatial location r, and M ? ( ( 1 1 … 1 0 0 … 0 … … … 0 0 … 0 ) ? ( 0 0 … 0 1 1 … 1 … … … 0 0 … 0 ) ? ? … ? ? ( 0 0 … 0 0 0 … 0 … … … 1 1 … 1 ) ) .

Abstract: Power conversion systems and methods are presented for detecting filter capacitor resonance conditions in a power conversion system in which filter currents are measured and filtered using a bandpass filter, and one or more computed mean, RMS, and/or Fourier transform values are computed based on the filtered value(s). The computed measurement value or values are compared with a predetermined threshold and a suspected filter capacitor resonance condition is selectively identified based on comparison result.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining feedback parameters related to the state of a dielectric elastomer (DE). The method comprises introducing a small-scale oscillation to the voltage difference between electrodes of the DE, monitoring or repeatedly measuring several measurable electrical characteristics of the DE, deriving other relevant data from the measurements, deriving an equation for a plane of best fit through the relevant data when defined as orthogonal axes, and deriving the feedback parameters from coefficients of the plane equation. The method thus provides important feedback regarding the capacitance, leakage current and/or electrode resistance of the DE. Also disclosed are a computer program and a system adapted to perform the method.

Abstract: A demagnetization detection device and a demagnetization detection method thereof are provided. The demagnetization detection device is for use in a power control unit which is electrically connected to a testing permanent magnet motor. The power control unit is electrically connected to a direct current power source. The demagnetization detection device is configured to detect a testing voltage value and a testing current value of the direct current power source, and to compute a testing power value of the direct current power source according to the testing voltage value and the testing current value. The demagnetization detection device determines the difference between the testing power value and a standard power value, and then determines whether the testing permanent magnet motor is in a demagnetization status according to the difference.

Abstract: A probe shape detection apparatus includes first and second magnetic field detection sections that outputs a signal in accordance with an electromotive voltage group generated when the magnetic field emitted from a magnetic field generation element provided in a longitudinal direction of a probe is detected, a candidate vector calculation section that calculates a candidate vector based on the electromotive voltage group generated in the first magnetic field detection section and one piece of candidate position information, an estimated electromotive voltage calculation section that calculates an estimated electromotive voltage based on the one piece of candidate position information and the candidate vector and an estimated position acquiring section that acquires a candidate position that minimizes an error between the electromotive voltage group generated in the second magnetic field detection section and the estimated electromotive voltage as an estimated position of the magnetic field generation element.

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 method of determining a state of health of a battery in real time includes estimating a parameter value associated with the state of health of the battery and determining one or more of a terminal voltage, an accumulated charge, a state of charge, and a temperature of the battery. The method further includes determining, via a computing device, a reserve capacity of the battery based at least in part on the estimated parameter value and one or more of the terminal voltage, the accumulated charge, the state of charge, and the temperature of the battery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus selecting settings for circuits according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a measurement element connected to the circuit. The circuit may include a voltage source adapted to supply a voltage to the measurement element. The voltage may be substantially independent of the characteristics of the measurement element. The circuit may further include a measurement sensor responsive to a current in the measurement element. The measurement sensor may generate a control signal according to the current in the measurement element.

Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) integrating a power metering unit (PMU) and a merging unit that combines signals from both analog transformers and digital transformers into a set of merged digital samples. Analog current/voltage signals from analog CTs/PTs are received at the IED's analog inputs and converted to digitized samples. Digital current/voltage samples from digital CTs/PTs are received via point-to-point connections at digital inputs of the IED. A tagging unit applies metadata tags to the digitized and digital samples. The metadata tags include the transformer providing the input signal, sampling rate, primary and/or secondary timestamps, scaling values, calibration values, and/or the location of the IED in the electrical system. The PMU performs metering and/or power quality calculations on the samples, and the calculation results are formatted and transmitted via a master-slave protocol to a requesting master.

Abstract: A motor control center comprises a plurality of bays in which switchgear components, circuit protective components, automation components and power electronic components are disposed for driving motors and other loads. Network optical conductors are routed through one or more wireways adjacent to the bays. Distribution nodes are coupled to the conductors and are interconnected with respective network terminals within the bays. Components within individual bays for which EtherNet and/or Internet connectivity is desired are coupled to the network terminals. The conductors may comprise plastic optical fibers and may be designed to operate in the relatively high voltage environment of the motor control center bays.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described for testing a data connection provided over a power supply line. A testing apparatus is coupled to a socket of the power supply line. The AC power supply line communicatively couples the testing apparatus to a communication device or another testing apparatus. The testing apparatus identifies the signal strengths of signals received by the testing apparatus and identifies the signal strengths of signals received by the communication device. The testing apparatus outputs an indicator of the first signal strength and the second signal strength to a user and this information may be utilized to detect noise or other problems in the data connection provided over the AC power supply line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of estimating the internal state of an electrochemical system by a zero-dimensional (0D) electrochemical mathematical model for estimating the characteristics of a battery that are not directly measurable during operation thereof. For applications relating to hybrid and electric vehicles, the most significant internal characteristics are the state of charge (SoC), the state of health (SoH) and the thermal state (T). Reconstruction of the internal characteristics is achieved using a mathematical model of the battery. The method can be used with the operation of the battery itself (real time) with a concentrated-parameter (0D) or off-line mathematical model, for calibration, an optimization or a validation of management and estimation strategies. The method allows simulation of the thermal and electrical behavior of a battery.

Abstract: A processing system for an input device includes a transmitter module including transmitter circuitry, a receiver module, and a determination module. The transmitter module is configured to drive the transmitter electrode with a first drive signal to produce a first voltage gradient across the transmitter electrode, wherein the first voltage gradient is non-linear. The receiver module is configured to receive a first resulting signal with a receiver electrode, the resulting signal comprising effects of the first voltage gradient. The determination module is configured to determine positional information for a plurality input objects located simultaneously within a sensing region along the transmitter electrode based on the first resulting signal.

Abstract: The magnetic-field direction measuring apparatus includes a substantially rectangular rotation angle measuring chip, and a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor disposed substantially on a circumference centered around a predetermined point on a surface of the rotation angle measuring chip serving as a circle center point, the first magnetic field sensor detecting a magnetic component in a first direction, the second magnetic field sensor detecting a magnetic component in a second direction different from the first direction. The first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor are positioned line-symmetrically with respect to a straight line on the surface of the substrate which is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the rotation angle measuring chip or a transverse direction of the rotation angle measuring chip and which serves as an axis of symmetry.

Abstract: An impedance analyzing device, adapted to a testee comprising an electrode or at least one battery cell, includes a signal capturing unit, a signal adjusting unit, a signal analyzing unit, a processing unit, and a power source supply unit providing a variable-frequency voltage signal to the testee. The signal adjusting unit receiving and adjusts a variable-frequency voltage signal and the current signal to generate an adjusted variable-frequency voltage signal and an adjusted current signal. The signal capturing unit captures a current signal generated by the testee in response to the variable-frequency voltage signal. The signal analyzing unit receives and analyzes the adjusted variable-frequency voltage signal and the adjusted current signal in frequency domain to obtain a frequency domain parameter and/or a time domain parameter. The processing unit receives the frequency domain parameter and/or the time domain parameter to obtain an impedance variation characteristic of the testee.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical tool consisting of a potentiostat and user replaceable sensors and/or electrodes accompanied by an electronic memory that contains information that directs the potentiostat operation. The potentiostat is designed to operate with sensors employing a user customizable sensor and/or electrode memory. The customizable memory allows storing of information from a user and/or manufacturer related to a unique sensor identifier, calibration information, and/or an operational sequence to be employed by the potentiostat to properly operate the sensor and/or electrodes. A further aspect is to provide an electrode with pre-programmed electrode attributes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus to detect the presence of interferers in a wideband digital VSWR measurement signal. Interferers cause power differences over different intervals of time and frequency, and may be detected by comparing the measured signals in both time and frequency domains with the original signal. Frequency components in the measured signals may be discarded if the interference is deemed too large. The remaining frequency components can then be used to compute the VSWR.

Abstract: A method of forming a compact model for an electrical device includes obtaining shape information for the device and obtaining nominal information for the device. The method also includes merging the shape information and the nominal information to form composite data, and fitting the compact model to the composite data.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for calculating the flux in a core of an unloaded power transformer using current measurements taken from a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) attached to the same phase line as the power transformer. According to various embodiments, the current sensors may both be positioned at zero-voltage points in the CCVT, eliminating the need for high-voltage insulated current sensors. An intelligent electronic device (IED) may determine the magnetic flux within the core of the power transformer using the measured and/or derived currents through capacitive assemblies of the CCVT. The IED may calculate the residual flux in the power transformer when it is de-energized. The IED may use the calculated residual flux to facilitate an optimized re-energization of the power transformer, thereby reducing inrush currents during re-energization.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes non-volatile storage configured to secretly store a digital word, the value of which forms an identification code. The integrated circuit also includes control circuitry configured to receive the digital word and to generate transient electrical currents or transient voltages, the characteristics of which depend on the value of the digital word. There is an electrically conductive network configured to be passed through by the electrical currents or receive the transient voltages so as to generate an electromagnetic field that identifies the integrated circuit.

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 evaluating the electric performances of an FDSOI transistor, including the steps of: measuring capacitance and/or conductance of the FDSOI transistor, by applying a voltage VBG>0 on a substrate composed of semiconductor of the FDSOI transistor when the FDSOI transistor is NMOS or a voltage VBG<0 on the substrate composed of semiconductor of the FDSOI transistor when the FDSOI transistor is PMOS, depending on a voltage VFG applied between a gate and source and drain regions of the FDSOI transistor.

Abstract: A mechanical seal monitoring system and method that measure the wear of seal faces of a mechanical seal where the mechanical seal seals a rotating machine portion from another portion of the machine. The system preferably uses a wear probe movable relative to a rotating seal component so that the wear probe can contact the rotating component. The wear of the seal is preferably determined by the relative movement that is required for the wear probe to contact the rotating component. Preferably, stress waves induced by the rubbing between the probe and the rotating component are detected by a stress-wave sensor, processed by a signal processor, and either displayed to the user numerically or reported to a monitoring computer. A signal intensity comparison method is preferably used to make the detection process insensitive to background noise generated by sources other than the contact of the wear probe and the rotating component.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for managing an industrial process wherein a processor transforms electronic data into an energy prognosis is provided. An energy related test signal including effective power test data indicative of electrical energy consumed by an energy consuming machine may be received. The energy related test signal may be partitioned into an energy related test sub-signal. Mathematical functions may be applied to the energy related test sub-signal to extract a feature set of data from the energy related test sub-signal. The feature set of data may be transformed with a transformation matrix into a reduced test feature set. The reduced test feature set may be input into a performance assessment algorithm based at least in part upon a reduced training feature set derived from data indicative of electrical energy consumed during healthy operation. A power-based performance index may be generated with the performance assessment algorithm.

Abstract: A conductivity detector detects the electrical conductivity of a fluid under analysis for determining chemical or physical properties of the fluid that are related its electrical properties. Such conductivity detectors may find use in, for example, hemodialysis systems for analyzing the effectiveness of the hemodialysis treatment. In an aspect, to improve accuracy of the conductivity measurements, the detector utilizes four-wire resistance measurement methods. In another aspect, to avoid fouling or contamination of the electrodes, the detector utilizes capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) methods so that the electrodes are physically unconnected to the fluid contained in a fluid chamber. In a possible further aspect, the fluid chamber may be a disposable component removable from the electrodes. The conductivity detector can include other features such as calibration circuits and features for electrically isolating the fluid under detection from the fluid in the rest of the system.

Abstract: A system and method by which thickness of a dielectric film on substrates can be noninvasively determined is invented. The system and method are especially applicable to areas and applications where traditional techniques have proven unsuccessful or limited. According to embodiments of the present invention the present system and method can be used to measure film thickness in confined and inaccessible locations, and on substrates of complex geometry. The method can be used with an arbitrary and time varying orientation of the substrate-film interface. The measurements of the film thickness on the inside of open or enclosed channels of an arbitrary geometry, and on flexible substrates are possible. With multiple embedded sensors, the film thickness in different lateral locations can be simultaneously measured. The dielectric permittivity of the FUT as a function of the distance from the substrate of the film can also be measured.

Abstract: The method for estimating corona power loss in a dust-loaded electrostatic precipitator numerically solves Poisson's equation and current continuity equations in which the finite element method (FEM) and a modified method of characteristics (MMC) are used. The system is a computerized system that produces results showing how different parameters such as discharging wire radius, wire-to-wire spacing, wire-to-plate spacing, fly ash flow speed and applied voltage polarity influence corona power loss and current density profiles.

Abstract: In an instantaneous voltage drop compensating device, when an instantaneous drop occurs, an electric power transformer (8) performs an inverter action so that the electric power of a side-by-side placed capacitor (7) is DC/AC-converted and fed to a load (3). At this time, a capacitor's remaining lifetime diagnosing unit (100) introduces the DC voltage value, the DC current value, and the temperature value of the side-by-side placed capacitor (7) thereinto, and uses a prestored program for computing a remaining lifetime, thereby diagnosing the remaining lifetime, for which the side-by-side placed capacitor (7) can be used under the state where a capacitor discharge time period exceeds a rated compensation time period.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for detecting multi-phase branch circuit load imbalance are presented herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operational state determination apparatus (1) for determining whether a variation in a determined electrical parameter of an electrical network (2) is caused by a variation in an operational state of an electrical consumer of the electrical network. The electrical network comprises multiple electrical consumers (3, 4, 5) and a voltage source (6), wherein a variation classification unit (10) determines whether a variation in the determined electrical parameter of the electrical network is caused by a variation in the operational state of an electrical consumer of the network depending on a decision variable which depends on a variation in a measured voltage and a variation in a measured current of the electrical network. This determination can be performed, without directly using the variation in the determined electrical parameter of the electrical network and is therefore less influenced by random voltage fluctuations in the electrical network.

Abstract: A capacitance detecting method disclosed herein, which achieves a good detection accuracy, a good resolution, and a high-speed operation, (A)(a) drives, on the basis of code sequences (di (=di1, . . . , diN, where i=1, . . . , M)) which are orthogonal to one another, drive lines (DL1, . . . , DLM) in parallel for each of (I) a first capacitance column (Ci1) between the drive lines and a first sense line (SL1) and (II) a second capacitance column (Ci2) between the drive lines and a second sense line (SL2) and (b) outputs (sFirst=(s11, . . . , s1N)) from the column (Ci1) and outputs (sSecond=(s21, . . . , s2N)) from the column (Ci2), and (B) estimates (a) on the basis of inner product operation of the outputs (sFirst) and the code sequences (di), a first capacitance value in the column (Ci1) and (b) on the basis of inner product operation of the outputs (sSecond) and the code sequences (di), a second capacitance value in the column (Ci2).

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 system and method utilize multiple, asynchronous, voltage isolated integrated power data circuits (IPDCs) to respectively determine one or more power parameters of a multi-phase power distribution system. In at least one embodiment, the power parameters represent differences between voltage phases of a multi-phase power distribution system. In at least one embodiment, the IPDCs each sense a voltage or current from a single phase of a three-phase power distribution system. Additionally, the IPDCs are electrically isolated from each other and, thus, in at least one embodiment, can utilize voltage divider or shunt resistor sensing without being subject to high voltages representative of the difference between voltage phases. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, each of the IPDCs utilizes a separate clock signal to determine phase sequence and phase angle deltas of one or more three phase voltages of the three-phase power distribution system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for calculating a length of a carbon grounding electrode module, which calculates a grounding electrode module length with the smallest grounding impedance variation depending on frequency variation, with respect to the grounding electrode module having a coaxial structure and being filled therein with a carbon-containing filler, wherein the present invention comprises: configuring two distributed constant circuits into two layers to configure a grounding electrode circuit; receiving the resistivity and relative dielectric constant of ground, the resistivity and relative dielectric constant of the filler, and the inside and outside diameters of the grounding electrode module, as dummy variables; selecting a plurality of frequencies within a frequency variation range; simulating a grounding electrode circuit with the dummy variables with respect to each selected frequency to calculate grounding impedances corresponding to lengths of a grounding electrode

Abstract: The present invention introduces a method, apparatus and computer program for magnetic resonance imaging or magnetoencephalography applications in order to control currents of a coil assembly (20), and thus achieving desired magnetic fields precisely in the measuring volume (21). The approach is an algebraic method where a field vector is generated for the test currents of each coil (20). Vector and matrix algebra is applied and a linear set of equations is formed. Field components and their derivatives up to the desired order can be taken into account. Principal component analysis or independent component analysis can be applied for determination of the dominant external interference components. By checking the condition value for the matrix (33, 45), it is possible to investigate whether a reasonable solution of currents for desired magnetic fields is possible to achieve. Finally, solved currents can be installed into a current supply unit (29) feeding the coils of the assembly (20).

Abstract: A method of inspecting a stack body of at least a porous layer and a dense layer comprises the first step of measuring the length of the stack body before the stack body is fired, the second step of measuring the length of the stack body after the stack body is fired, the third step of calculating a shrinkage rate of the stack body based on a first measured value from the first step and a second measured value from the second step, the fourth step of determining whether the calculated shrinkage rate of the stack body is acceptable or not based on the calculated shrinkage rate, the fifth step of calculating an S/N ratio of the stack body based on the first measured value and the second measured value, and the sixth step of determining whether the current-voltage characteristics of the stack body are acceptable or not based on the calculated S/N ratio.

Abstract: Provided is a method and device for assessing and monitoring voltage security in a power system. More specifically, a method and device for assessing and monitoring the value of reactive power load when changes in reactive power outputs of at least some of the generators in the electrical power system cause all of the generators in the system to reach the combined operating limit of their reactive power output. In response thereto, the method and device are further adapted to initiate suitable control measures such as switching of transformer banks and/or capacitor/reactor banks, as well as shedding loads whenever necessary to mitigate an impending voltage stability problem.

Abstract: A method to obtain gain-corrected measurements. A measurement tool having one or more arrays is provided, wherein the arrays include two co-located triaxial transmitters and two co-located triaxial receivers. Measurements are obtained using the transmitters and the receivers. Impedance matrices are formed from the obtained measurements and the impedance matrices are combined to provide gain-corrected measurements. The apparatus may alternatively be a while-drilling logging tool having one or more arrays, wherein each array comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and a buck, and wherein the signal received by the receiver is subtracted from the signal received by the buck or vice versa. A slotted shield may be incorporated into either embodiment of the tool. The slots may form one or more island elements. A material is disposed in the slots. The islands and shield body have complementary tapered sides that confine the islands within the shield body.

Abstract: An earth clamp for testing contact voltage, comprising a measuring circuit formed of a voltage inducing transformer and a current measuring transformer, adapted to be mutually coupled by an earth conductor whose earth impedance is to be measured, a microcontroller to deliver an alternating voltage to the voltage inducing transformer and, in response, to receive a reference voltage generated in the earth conductor and an earth current iB+iF induced in the current measuring transformer, the microcontroller being configured to extract an amplitude E of the reference voltage, an amplitude IB and an amplitude IF of the earth current and a phase shift ? between the reference voltage and the loop current iB and to calculate the earth impedance Zb at a determined frequency, the microcontroller also computing the contact voltage Uc at said determined frequency by the product of the earth impedance times the amplitude IF.

Abstract: Method and system for predictive maintenance of switch contactors, preferably of converters in wind turbine generators, comprising measuring the temperature of an element located outside a switch contactor enclosure in contact with the contactors inside the enclosure, and calculating said switch contactor temperature based on said element temperature and predetermined correction values, and measuring the current through the switch contactor, and calculating a switch contact resistance value based on said calculated switch contact temperature and said measured current through the contactor, and determining a maintenance parameter of said switch contact by comparing said calculated switch contact resistance value to a predetermined nominal contact resistance value.

Abstract: A system and method for the management of data collection from a pressure sensing apparatus. The system allows rapid measurement of pressure exerted upon a surface and may be useful in preventing bed sore development in a bed bound subject.

Abstract: The method is for measuring a physical parameter via an electronic circuit connected to a two differential capacitor sensor having two fixed electrodes and a common moving electrode. The circuit supplies first and second digital measuring signals. Each measuring cycle consists on biasing fixed electrodes by a first biasing and a second biasing reverse of the first biasing, alternated with biasing the electrodes by the measuring voltage based on first and second digital signals. Each conversion starts by a small step value added to or subtracted from each digital signal in each cycle. If the successive identical amplifier output states counted or counted down by a counter is higher than a threshold, a large step value is added to or subtracted from the digital signals in each cycle. Re-adaptation to the small step value occurs when a sign change is detected in the counter, until the conversion end.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining information about a vascular bodily lumen are described. An exemplary method includes generating an electrical signal, delivering the electrical signal to a plurality of excitation elements in the vicinity of the vascular bodily lumen, measuring a responsive electrical signal from a plurality of sensing elements in response to the delivered electrical signal, and determining a lumen dimension. Specific embodiments include generating a multiple frequency electrical signal. Another embodiment includes measuring a plurality of responsive signals at a plurality of frequencies. Still other embodiments include using spatial diversity of the excitation elements. Yet other embodiments use method for calibration and de-embedding of such measurements to determine the lumen dimensions. Diagnostic devices incorporating the method are also disclosed, including guide wires, catheters and implants.