Abstract: Between two direct current (DC) connections in a parallel wiring structure there is a intermediate power store and a bridge circuit with two parallel branches (A/B,C/D), to each of which are wired rectifier diodes (DA,DB,DC,DD) in parallel. Certain rectifier diodes (DE,DF) link to each other in single connecting paths (9,10) in an opposed conducting direction. Each of two alternating current (AC) connections links individually via a connection node to one of the parallel branches between two switch units by means of a connecting wire, in which each has inductive chokes (L1,L2).

Abstract: The performance of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) depends strongly on the performance of its high-voltage battery pack, which is influenced by temperature. We have been working on thermal management of batteries in HEVs, including cooling and heating issues. In cold temperatures, batteries perform poorly because of high internal resistance; the vehicle may start slowly. The battery may need to be preheated by heating the internal core, heating the external of a module with electric heaters or a hot fluid, or heating around each cell in a module with electric heaters or a hot fluid. We used finite element thermal analysis to analyze the transient thermal behavior of a typical battery for each preheating method and compared the energy required to heat the battery. Heating the internal core with alternating current (AC) through battery terminals was the most effective and energy-efficient method. Although direct current

Abstract: An energy supply system includes a solar panel to generate an input voltage from solar energy; a battery; an alternating current (AC) voltage booster coupled to the solar panel to receive the input voltage; and a DC regulator coupled to the AC voltage booster to charge the battery.

Abstract: The ac losses of high critical-temperature superconducting (HTS) wires are numerically calculated by means of a finite element method (FEM), which is formulated with a self magnetic field due to an induced current as unknown. The numerical model is straight HTS wires carrying an alternating transport current in an external ac magnetic field perpendicular to the wire axis. In this situation, the electromagnetic field around the wires is given by two-dimensional (2D) Maxwell's equations. It is also assumed that the transport property is represented by either the critical state model or the power-law model, in which the electric field is proportional to the power of the current density. The obtained losses are compared with conventional theoretical curves in several simple geometries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating a substrate with a layer of a material, such as a metal, in which a quantity of electrically conductive material is vaporized in a space with a low background pressure and energy is supplied to the material which is to be vaporized in order to vaporize this material. According to the invention, the material which is to be vaporized, while it is being vaporized, is kept floating, without support, in the space and is enclosed in an alternating electromagnetic field, the alternating electromagnetic field being generated with the aid of a high-frequency alternating current. The invention also relates to a device for coating a substrate and to a substrate.

Abstract: A superconducting current limiting device (30) comprising: an interconnected high magnetic permeability structure including a central core (50) interconnected to at least a first and second arm (31, 32) branching off therefrom; a superconductive coil (33, 34) surrounding the central core for biasing the central core; a first alternating current coil (36, 37) surrounding the first arm and interconnected to an alternating current source; a second alternating current coil (38, 39) surrounding a second arm and interconnected to an alternating current load; the first and second alternating current coils being magnetically coupled to the central core wherein the device operates so as to limit the current passing through the device upon the occurrence of a fault condition in the load.

Abstract: A portable power source for starting a variety of outdoor power equipment. The portable power source generally includes a housing, an electrochemical power supply, a switch having an ON position with a fixed contact and a START position with a momentary contact, and a connector connected to the switch. The switch may be electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and, using a cable, the connector is operable to be electrically connected to a starter motor associated with the outdoor power equipment. Actuation of the switch to the START position electrically connects the electrochemical power supply to the starter motor. The portable power source is adapted to be used as a primary power source and an auxiliary power source. The portable power source also includes an integrated light, an air compressor, a power supply indicator, and one or more inputs and outputs to receive and provide direct current (“DC”) and alternating current (“AC”).

Abstract: A heating assembly, including a blanket portion and a control apparatus for electrically heating the blanket portion. The control apparatus generates direct current power of desired wave form to enable the assembly to be used for warming patients without interference of medical equipment as may be used in the process of a surgery. Alternate power sources include battery power and alternating current power transformed by a transformer into direct current power.

Abstract: A method for using magnetic fields to heat magnetically susceptible materials within and/or adjacent to adhesives, so as to bond, bind, or fasten solid materials to one another. The system uses alternating magnetic fields that induce eddy currents and generate heat within susceptors. An induction heating tool is used to emit the magnetic field at its work coil, and an electronic controller measures the energy being used by a power converter that generates the alternating current driving the work coil which creates the magnetic field. The heating tool is used in a method of adhesive bonding in which the thickness of the conductive layer of the susceptor is in the range of 0.01-3.0 mils, or the heating event time interval is in the range of 0.05-10.0 seconds, or the average power density of the magnetic field at the susceptor is in the range of 10-5000 Watts per square inch.

Abstract: A device which improves the starting of a high pressure discharge lamp containing a large amount of mercury, in which the amount of mercury adhering to the lamp electrodes is not the same, by shortening the formation time of the glow discharge in order to reduce the sputtering of the electrodes to a minimum. When the discharge lamp starts, an AC voltage with rectangular waves produced by the full bridge circuit is applied to the discharge lamp. Next, a high voltage pulse is superimposed and applied by an igniter device; the pulse is synchronized to the polarity of the above described AC voltage with rectangular waves. As a result, an alternating current discharge is started in the discharge lamp. Then, the ON/OFF state of the switching devices in the full bridge circuit is fixed and a direct current voltage is applied to the lamp. After a pre-selected time has expired after the transition into direct current operation, the full bridge circuit is operated such that rectangular alternating current waves form. The AC voltage with rectangular waves is then applied to the discharge lamp and a transition into steady-state operation is carried out.

Abstract: Components for HVAC systems used in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles are mounted in modular configuration on a frame with air conditioning components connected to one another by metal pipes welded to the components. An alternating current motor, integral with a compressor, is driven by 310 volt alternating current from an inverter, which inverter converts 310 volt direct current that is used to power the vehicle. PTC heaters in fluid communication with an evaporator employed by the air condition system are directly energized by the 310 volt direct current. The modular system is mounted directly on the chassis of the vehicle, facilitative assembly of the vehicle, and is readily removable as a unit from the chassis for repair or replacement.

Abstract: An optical disc drive equipped with a TLN signal generating apparatus is disclosed. The TLN signal generating apparatus includes a TLN signal generating circuit for generating a TLN signal (track loss signal) based on signals obtained from an optical pick-up; a digitizing circuit for digitizing the TLN signal by comparing it with a reference level; and a correction circuit for correcting the TLN signal so that it is accurately digitized by the digitizing circuit irrespective of an offset component which is a direct current component contained in the TLN signal. The correction circuit is comprised of an offset component detecting circuit for detecting a level of the offset component contained in the TLN signal; and a signal control circuit for controlling, responsive to the level of the offset component detected by the offset component detecting circuit, a level of the TLN signal generated by the TLN signal generating circuit so that the level of the TLN signal will become a level which does not receive any influence from the level of the direct component. The correction circuit can also be comprised of a signal correcting circuit which amplifies an alternating current component contained in the TLN signal without eliminating a directed current component contained in the TLN signal.

Abstract: A multi-phase alternating-current rotational electric machine wherein semiconductor switching devices are electrically insulated from heat sinks, and the heat sinks are grounded to the housing and thermally separated in each phase.

Abstract: An arrangement (1) for transferring electric power from a power source in particular to a driving motor of a railroad vehicle comprises a direct current intermediate circuit (9) with two direct current connection lines (13,15), at least one of which is connected to the power source, and a current converter (11) for inverting a direct current and for delivering alternating current power to the power consumer (5). The current converter is connected to the direct current connection lines (13,15). At least one capacitor (17 to 20) is provided in the intermediate circuit (9). A first pole is connected to the first direct current connection line (13) and the second pole is connected to the second direct current connection line (15). At least one fuse (21 to 24) is connected in series to the capacitor or to at least one of the capacitors (17 to 20), so as to connect the first (13) and second (15) direct current connection lines via the capacitor (17 to 20). A pantograph 3 may connect an AC supply to a rectifier 7 which supplies the inverter 11.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rectifier for rectifying alternating current into direct current, in which a three-phase generator comprises a three-phase stator winding (9). The phases (11, 12, 13) of the stator winding (9) are controlled by means of switching elements (15.1, 15.2; 16.1, 16.2; 17.1, 17.2) of a power circuit (8). The latter (8) is controlled by a control part (2), which comprises a regulator module (3, 55). The rectifier (1) comprises a control part (2) (control module), equipped with control connections (30) and a power circuit (8) (power module), which is controlled by said part, optionally provided with a cooling device (23, 24) and in which all the power conducting components (15.1, 15.2, 16.1, 16.2; 17.1, 17.2; 13) are configured as power MOS components (28) and integrated in a stacked construction (20).

Abstract: Manufacturing techniques for low AC loss high-T/sub c/ superconducting coils are necessary to realize high efficiency superconducting power equipments. High-T/sub c/ superconducting tape conductors have anisotropic magnetic field dependence on critical current and AC magnetization loss. A magnetic field component perpendicular to the tape surface degrades HTS coil performance. We numerically investigated a magnetic field adjusting method and AC loss reduction effects by attaching ferromagnetic materials to both ends of HTS coils. We also measured total AC loss of an HTS coil comprising 10 HTS double pancake coils by the boil-off method. Total AC loss of the coil was dominated by mechanical loss due to vibration and movement of conductors and pancake coils. In this paper, methods to reduce total AC loss of HTS coils are discussed.

Abstract: A method for controlling power to an electrical load using dual pulse width modulation (PWM) to minimize in-rush current to the electrical load, such as a heater element. An output from a power source, supplying an alternating current, is modulated by a first PWM control signal to provide a first modulated power level to the electrical load. The first modulated power level is modulated by a second PWM control signal to control power supplied to the electrical load at the first modulated power level. The first PWM control signal operates to control the number of half cycles of current in order to provide one-third, two-thirds or full cycle power. The second PWM control signal operates to define a duty cycle and period for providing the power defined by the first PWM control signal to the electrical load.

Abstract: A transceiver for inducing electric fields according to data to be transmitted in an electric field propagating medium, and carrying out at least data transmission by using induced electric fields, is formed by a transmission unit (13) configured to modulate the data to be transmitted by generating alternating current signals having a prescribed frequency, and transmit modulated signals obtained by modulating the data to be transmitted, and a resonance causing unit (9) configured to cause a series resonance with a parasitic capacitance (43) appearing between a ground (41) for the transmission unit (13) and an Earth ground (51) and a parasitic capacitance (53) appearing between the electric field propagating medium and the Earth ground (51).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a brushless DC motor, which minimizes a torque ripple thereof, and includes a power converting unit to convert alternating current (AC) power to polyphase AC power and to supply the polyphase AC power to the brushless DC motor. A rotator position/speed detecting unit detects status information of a rotator. A terminal voltage detecting unit detects variations of terminal voltages of the polyphase AC power. A control unit detects phase commutation periods of the polyphase AC power using the status information provided from the rotator position/speed detecting unit and the terminal voltage variation information of the polyphase AC power provided from the terminal voltage detecting unit. The control unit controls the power converting unit to supply a compensation voltage used to constantly maintain a mean voltage of a non-commutation phase of the polyphase AC power during the detected phase commutation periods.

Abstract: A washing machine motor drive device drives a motor using an inverter circuit, which implements a constant torque control through a change in the torque-revolution speed characteristic of the motor. This facilitates an easy control of braking torque (negative torque), thereby providing a maximized braking torque. An easy control of regenerative energy is also provided, and back electromotive force is consumed by the internal resistance of the motor. Practically described, DC power of a rectifier circuit connected to an alternating current source is converted by an inverter circuit into AC power for driving the motor for operating an agitator or a washing/spinning tub. Motor rotor position is detected by rotor position detector, motor current is detected by current detector, and a control device controls the inverter circuit for resolving the motor current into a current component corresponding to magnetic flux and a current component corresponding to torque. At a motor braking operation, the current component corresponding to magnetic flux and the current component corresponding to torque are controlled independently. As a result, the torque at high speed revolution can be increased, or the efficiency at low speed revolution can be improved. This leads to the use a downsized and energy-conscious motor, and contributes to the prevention of an abnormal rise of DC voltage in the inverter circuit.

Abstract: An improved method of controlling stability and deposition of electrospray jets which eliminates a charge accumulation the electrospray jet, source or target is described. Utilizing an alternating rather than a direct or constant electric potential for electrospray production, accumulated charge is neutralized. Applications include improved surface deposition, controlled electrospinning, and simplified spacecraft electric propulsion, to name a few.

Abstract: Due to an ever growing shortage of conventional energy sources, there is an increasingly intense interest in harnessing solar energy. This invention deals with method and apparatus for the direct conversion of solar energy to alternating current power by an active spinning mini-optics system. A limiting factor in the utilization of solar energy in the past has been the high cost of power conversion from dc to ac. By directly producing alternating current power, this invention substantially reduces the cost of generating photovoltaic electricity. This system utilizes a dynamic spinning ensemble of mini-mirrors to both concentrate and modulate rays from the sun onto a photovoltaic collector array. The focusing with superimposed spinning action produces single phase and multiphase alternating current (ac) with substantially higher power output than the direct current (dc) power resulting from the direct incidence of sunlight on the photovoltaic collector.

Abstract: First, the method obtains the group of relation curves and fitting functions between the surplus energy and the open circuit voltage in the service time of lithium ion batteries. Based on the modified module value of the low frequency alternating current impedance, the one of the said curve or fitting function is selected. Based on the open circuit voltage and the selected fitting function, the surplus energy of the battery is calculated out. The device includes the cast and the internal circuit boards composed of interconnection of the microcomputer, the circuit for controlling the charge current, the amplification circuit for charging and discharging current signal, the current measurement circuit and thue pure oscillator etc.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reactor corresponding to large electric power and a high ripple current low in loss, low in noise and small in size. SOLUTION: The reactor mounts on a coil a reactor core combining at least two or more dust moldings containing an insulating material. The saturated magnetization of the reactor core is 1.7 T or larger when a magnetic field of 5 kA/m is applied, first apparent magnetic permeability (μ 5k ) is 25 or larger, and second apparent magnetic permeability (μ 35k ) is 70 % or larger of the first apparent magnetic permeability (μ 5k ) when a magnetic field of 35 kA/m is applied. When an alternating current of 10 kHz is made to flow to the coil in a state that the coil is mounted on the reactor core, alternating current resistance (r 1 ) on mounting is 2.5 times or less (r≤2.5r 0 ) of an alternating resistant value (r 0 ) in a single body when the alternating current is made to flow to the coil single body. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Abstract: The utility model provides a switch power with wide input voltage range, which comprises a PWM chip, a transformer, an electronic switch, a rectifier filter circuit, a starting circuit and a voltage feedback circuit; and also comprises an input overvoltage protective circuit which is connected with the output end of an error amplifier of a control chip, and a current feedback and voltage compensation circuit, wherein, two input ends of the current feedback and voltage compensation circuit are respectively connected with the electronic switch and one end of a direct current input voltage, and the output of the current feedback and voltage compensation circuit is connected with the current sampling end of the PWM chip With wide input voltage, the utility model can normally work in alternating current input voltage from 30 to 550 Volt, thereby satisfying the requirements of the electronic electric energy meter; moreover, by use of the PWM chip, the utility model stably works in cooperation with the input overvoltage protective circuit and the current feedback and voltage compensation circuit, thereby simplifying the circuit and decreasing the cost

Abstract: A power converter for operating with an alternate current power source, including a storage capacitive means and a transformer, said storage capacitive means being adapted for power factor correction, said transformer including an input for connecting to an alternating current power source and at least a first output and a second output respectively for connecting to said storage capacitive means and the load, said transformer including input windings, first output windings and second output windings which are respectively connected to said input, said first and second outputs wherein said transformer and said storage capacitive means being adapted that the voltage across said storage capacitive means being related to the voltage of said first output of said transformer.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle (14) for use in a string of holiday lighting that has a removable, replaceable, on-board power control board (130). The control board taps into normal alternating current delivered to the receptacle from a pair of wires (20, 22) running from an electrical plug (10) and uses it to deliver electrical power through a fuse to a third wire (24) that supplies current to a set of lights carried by the third wire as it runs from the receptacle back to the plug. The control board may also rectify the current to the third wire so that the lights operate on direct current rather than alternating current. However the receptacle (14) delivers alternating current to subsequent load plugged into it. The control board (130) is also capable, with suitable choices of components carried by it, of other modifications of the electrical current it delivers to the third wire (24).

Abstract: A plasma apparatus capable of adaptive impedance matching comprises a plasma reactor which can produce plasma to proceed with CVD (chemical vapor deposition) process, a bi-polar electrostatic chuck which locates inside the plasma reactor and is used to support and secure a wafer, an alternating current bias power supply which connects to the bi-polar electrostatic chuck supplies the voltage potential bias for ion-bombardment from plasma, and an impedance-matching circuit which connects the alternating current bias power supply to the bi-polar electrostatic chuck is used to balance the inner electrode power output and the outer electrode power output of the bi-polar electrostatic chuck.

Abstract: A dielectric reproducing apparatus is provided with: a probe for applying an electric field to a dielectric material of a dielectric recording medium; a return electrode for returning the electric field applied from the probe; an inductor placed between the probe and the return electrode; an oscillator which oscillates at a resonance frequency determined from the inductor and a capacitance formed in the dielectric material just under the probe; an alternating current (AC) signal generation device for generating an AC signal which is applied to the probe; a frequency modulation (FM) demodulator for demodulating a FM modulation signal modulated by the capacitance corresponding to the polarization state owned by the dielectric material just under the probe; and a phase-shift keying (PSK) demodulator for reproducing data from the demodulated signal.