An improved control system for controlling the position of an upper electrode in a carbon arc lamp. The system has a pulley with a line thereover, and a solenoid core is attached to one end of the line and is movable vertically in a solenoid coil connected in the circuit for supplying discharge current to the electrodes, and a control rod clutch is connected to the other end of the line which normally grasps and holds an electrode control rod on the lower end of which is mounted the upper electrode of the lamp. A balancing weight is provided on the core to balance the weight of the control rod clutch and electrode and a shield is provided around the solenoid coil to shield the arc between the electrodes from the magnetic field of the solenoid coil.

A method and a system for supplying power to a microcontroller with a single cell. One embodiment of the present invention discloses incorporation of a power supply pump circuit with the microcontroller and their dynamic interaction. The microcontroller sends its power requirements to the power supply pump circuit and in response, the power supply pump circuit controls the operating voltage with optimal efficiency. The dynamic update of power supply pump circuit results in an efficient use of the power supply pump circuit and thus results in a reduction of the number of dry cell batteries to only a single cell. Incorporation of the microcontroller and power supply pump circuit onto a single chip reduces the pin number requirements as well as the space required on the printed circuit board.

An electrode assembly for use in an iontophoresis device for the transcutaneous administration of an active therapeutic species has a base layer of including a linking conductive base material which is consumed (oxidizes or reduces) preferentially to water, a first upper layer of sacrificial material coated on a first portion of the base layer wherein the sacrificial material is consumed preferentially to the linking conductive base material of the base layer. A second upper layer of non-conducting material is coated on a second portion of the base layer, the second upper layer being spaced from the first upper layer, connected by a narrow exposed linking area of the base layer material remaining exposed therebetween. During operation of an associated iontophoresis device, the sacrificial material will be sequentially consumed; the first upper layer will be fully consumed followed by the linking conductive base material of the exposed linking area of the base layer which severs the base layer thereby breaking circuit continuity disabling activity in the device. A visual indicator may be provided allowing a wearer to monitor the state of reaction of the linking area.

An electrode assembly for use in an iontophoresis device for the transcutaneous administration of an active therapeutic species has a base layer of including a linking conductive base material which is consumed (oxidizes or reduces) preferentially to water, a first upper layer of sacrificial material coated on a first portion of the base layer wherein the sacrificial material is consumed preferentially to the linking conductive base material of the base layer. A second upper layer of non-conducting material is coated on a second portion of the base layer, the second upper layer being spaced from the first upper layer, connected by a narrow exposed linking area of the base layer material remaining exposed therebetween. During operation of an associated iontophoresis device, the sacrificial material will be sequentially consumed; the first upper layer will be fully consumed followed by the linking conductive base material of the exposed linking area of the base layer which severs the base layer thereby breaking circuit continuity disabling activity in the device. A visual indicator may be provided allowing a wearer to monitor the state of reaction of the linking area.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for explicit filtering in ambiguous text entry. The invention provides embodiments including various explicit text entry methodologies, such as 2-key and long pressing. The invention also provides means for matching words in a database using build around methodology, stem locking methodology, word completion methodology, and n-gram searches.

A method and a system for supplying power to a microcontroller with a single cell. One embodiment of the present invention discloses incorporation of a power supply pump circuit with the microcontroller and their dynamic interaction. The microcontroller sends its power requirements to the power supply pump circuit and in response, the power supply pump circuit controls the operating voltage with optimal efficiency. The dynamic update of power supply pump circuit results in an efficient use of the power supply pump circuit and thus results in a reduction of the number of dry cell batteries to only a single cell. Incorporation of the microcontroller and power supply pump circuit onto a single chip reduces the pin number requirements as well as the space required on the printed circuit board.

A line voltage control circuit for use with a multi-string LED drive system which provides a common line voltage for multiple LED strings that are connected to respective current sink circuits at respective junctions. An error amplifier receives the minimum junction voltage and a reference ‘desired junction voltage’ at respective inputs, and a voltage regulator outputs the line voltage in response to a voltage applied to a feedback input. A comparator toggles an output when the maximum junction voltage (Vmax) exceeds a reference limit (Vlimit). A multiplexer receives the error amplifier output and a fixed voltage at respective inputs and provides one of the signals to the regulator's feedback input in response to the comparator output. When Vmax>Vlimit, the fixed voltage is provided to the feedback input and the line voltage is reduced, thereby protecting low voltage current sinks from potentially damaging high voltages.

A disc for use in a pneumatic valve includes a stiffening insert encased in a flexible body. The stiffening insert acts to protect a central actuation region of the disc against radial compression, which may arise if the disc is used to seal against a bore hole, and against material flow towards the actuation region away from a clamped periphery. The behavior of the disc in a valve assembly is therefore more predictable and reproducible. The flexible body may further be tensioned across the stiffening insert.

An airflow control device is mounted to the front end of an automotive vehicle and includes an upper air scoop section having a scoop channel disposed rearward of a bumper assembly and oriented to direct airflow entering a bumper intake opening toward an air-receiving powertrain component. A lower air dam section extends downwardly from the upper section to be positioned below a lower extent of the bumper assembly to deflect airflow away from an underside of the vehicle.

A coupler body for a railcar coupler, said coupler body comprising at least one central datum feature that does not wear during coupler use.

Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to altering the functionality of a non-transient electronic device. A container holding an agent is located proximal to a non-transient electronic device capable of performing at least one function. The agent is capable of rendering the device incapable of performing the at least one function. The container is configured to controllably release the agent to the electronic device in a variety of passive and active eventualities.

Polymerization reactor systems providing real-time control of the average particle size of catalyst system components are disclosed. Methods for operating such polymerization reactor systems also are described.

A device for filtering liquids has a container, units for introducing a liquid to be filtered into the container, a container outlet for unfiltered liquid to be discharged from the container, and at least one rotor, which is drivable to rotate around the container axis. The rotor has a hollow shaft mounted in an end wall and a support device fastened thereon for filter elements, which are arranged with a clearance to the container axis or rotate around their own axis. The interior of the filter elements opens via the support device and the hollow shaft out of the container as the discharge for filtered liquid. To provide improved filtration conditions, the container internal radius of the inner wall of the container circumferential shell is enlarged up to a maximum in the container circumferential direction while bulging the inner wall between two minima. The bulge forms a guide unit which guides the liquid toward the filter elements.

A system for monitoring water chemistry of a recreational water installation includes a sensor configured to detect bather load in the recreational water installation and a controller configured to determine a required adjustment to the water chemistry of the recreational water installation based upon the detected bather load.

A lid lock controller includes a lid lock unit operable in a lock state, which keeps the lid closed, and an unlock state, which allows for the lid to open. A detection unit detects an unlocking operation performed on the lid lock unit. A key check unit checks whether or not an electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle through wireless communication between the vehicle and the electronic key when the unlock operation is detected. An unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state when the electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle. The unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state even when the electronic key is not located in the vicinity of the vehicle as long as a further lid unlock condition is satisfied.

An apparatus to introduce a defined amount of a second powder into a process container in which a first powder or a powder mixture is present, includes a coupling flange having a cover flap located on the process container. The second powder is introduced into a tubular cartridge mounted displaceably in a transport unit, the latter including a joining flange having a cover flap. The joining flange is joinable to the coupling flange so that the respective cover flaps can be opened, and the cartridge can be pushed through openings thereby provided into the plane of the inner wall of the process container. The second powder is emptied from the cartridge into the process container by a delivery piston. The cartridge may include a piston rod having multiple pistons. Other embodiments include a double piston, a rotatable cartridge core or a rotary closure.

A lid lock controller includes a lid lock unit operable in a lock state, which keeps the lid closed, and an unlock state, which allows for the lid to open. A detection unit detects an unlocking operation performed on the lid lock unit. A key check unit checks whether or not an electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle through wireless communication between the vehicle and the electronic key when the unlock operation is detected. An unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state when the electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle. The unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state even when the electronic key is not located in the vicinity of the vehicle as long as a further lid unlock condition is satisfied.

A DC-DC converter includes a first amplifier that amplifies a first difference between a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage corresponding to an output voltage, a second amplifier that amplifies a second difference between the first reference voltage and an integrated value of the feedback voltage, and a controller that controls a switching circuit to change the output voltage when the first difference reaches the second different.

A method of operating a switching power converter may include determining an average value of a measured parameter for substantially each switching cycle, and adjusting a control parameter during substantially each switching cycle in response to a corresponding one of the average values. In one embodiment, the control parameter comprises a switch duty cycle, and the measured parameter comprises an output current. Determining the average value of the measured parameter may include obtaining a first sample of the measured parameter during a switching cycle, and calculating the average value of the measured parameter during the switching cycle in response to the first sample.

A power supply for a load control device generates a DC voltage and provides an asymmetrical output current, while drawing a substantially symmetrical input current. The power supply comprises a controllably conductive switching circuit for controllably charging an energy storage capacitor across which the DC voltage is produced. The energy storage capacitor begins charging at the beginning of a half-cycle and stops charging after a charging time in response to the magnitude of the DC voltage and the amount of time that the energy storage capacitor has been charging during the present half-cycle. The charging time is maintained substantially constant from one half-cycle to the next. The power supply is particularly beneficial for preventing asymmetrical current from flowing in a multiple location load control system having a master load control device supplying power to a plurality of remote load control devices all located on either the line-side or the load-side of the system.

A power conversion system has a power converter configured to receive an input voltage signal, convert the input voltage to an output voltage signal, and provide the output voltage signal to a load and a closed loop compensator configured to receive the output voltage signal and a reference voltage signal, the closed loop compensator configured to transmit an error signal indicative of a difference between the output voltage signal and the reference voltage signal. The power conversion system further has a pulse with modulator configured to receive the error signal and modulate a control signal with the error signal to control the output voltage signal, the pulse width modulator configured to transmit the control signal to the power converter and logic configured to receive the error signal and control the closed loop compensator based upon the error signal. A controller observes the error signal characterstics such as peak-to-peak values, frequency and phase and adjust the closed loop controller variables and other power converter system variables in order to improve the dynamic performance and improve stability.

A controller used in a buck-boost converter includes a clock generator, an error amplifying circuit, a comparing circuit, a proportional sampling circuit, a logic circuit, a pulse width increasing circuit, first and second driving circuits. Based on a clock signal generated by the clock generator, the proportional sampling circuit samples the difference between a current sensing signal and a compensation signal generated by the error amplifying circuit, and generates a proportional sampling signal. The pulse width increasing circuit generates a sum control signal based on the proportional sampling signal and a logic control signal generated by the logic circuit, wherein a modulation value adjusted by the proportional sampling signal is added to the pulse width of the logic control signal to generate the pulse width of the sum control signal. The first and second driving circuits generate driving signals based on the sum control signal and the logic control signal.

A method for controlling voltage crossing a power switch of a switched-mode power converter includes the steps of: controlling a switch frequency of the power switch of the switched-mode power converter to a first frequency as activating the switched-mode power converter; and then changing the switch frequency of the power switch to a second frequency after the switched-mode power converter is activated for a predetermined time; wherein the first frequency is lower than the second frequency.

In some aspects of the invention, overcurrent protection is carried out by suppressing fluctuations in current flowing through a switching element after overcurrent detection. A peak current reaching time detection circuit detects a peak current reaching time needed until current flowing through a switching element reaches a peak value. A difference voltage detection circuit, including a ½ time detection circuit which detects a time of ½ an ON time of the preceding cycle of the switching element, detects difference voltage between reference voltage used when detecting overcurrent flowing to a load and a signal which has detected current flowing through the switching element for the ½ time. A delay time adjustment circuit, based on at least one of the peak current reaching time and difference voltage, carries out adjustment and control of a delay time occurring until the time when the switching element is turned off after detecting the overcurrent.

A constant on-time switching converter includes a switching circuit, an on-time control circuit, a comparing circuit and a logic circuit. The switching circuit has a first switch and is configured to provide an output voltage to a load. The on-time control circuit generates an on-time control signal to control the on-time of the first switch. The comparing circuit compares the output voltage of the switching circuit with a reference signal and generates a comparison signal. The logic circuit generates a control signal to control the first switch based on the on-time control signal and the comparison signal. When the switching frequency of the switching circuit approaches an audible range, the switching converter enters into a sleep mode, the on-time control signal is reduced to increase the switching frequency of the switching circuit.

A power converting circuit includes an upper gate switch, a transistor, a current source circuit, a comparator circuit, a delay circuit, and a pulse width modulation signal generating circuit. The transistor and the current source circuit provide a reference signal. The comparator circuit generates a comparing signal according to the reference signal and an output signal provided by the upper gate switch. The delay circuit generates a delay signal according to the comparing signal and a clock signal. The pulse width modulation signal generating circuit generates a control signal for the upper gate switch according to the delay signal and the clock signal for configuring the conduction status of the upper gate switch. The power converting circuit adjusts the conduction time of the upper gate switch according to the reference signal and the output signal.

In various embodiments a controller for controlling the operation of a switched mode power supply is provided, the controller comprising: a first signal source configured to provide a first set of signals including a set signal and a clear signal, wherein the first set of signals may correspond to a first mode of operation of the switched mode power supply; a second signal source configured to provide a second set of signals including a set signal and a clear signal, wherein the second set of signals may correspond to a second mode of operation of the switched mode power supply; a selecting circuit coupled to the first signal source and to the second signal source, the selecting circuit being configured to select either the first set of signals or the second set of signals; a switching signal generating circuit coupled to the selecting circuit and configured to provide a switching signal to the switched mode power supply based on the set of signals received from the selecting circuit.

A step-down regulator comprising a pseudo constant on time control circuit is disclosed, comprising an on-time generator configured to receive a switching signal provided by the step-down regulator and a control signal provided by the pseudo constant on time control circuit, and generates an on-time signal; a feedback control circuit configured to receive a feedback signal representative of the output voltage of the step-down regulator and generate an output signal; and a logic control circuit coupled to the on-time generator and the feedback control circuit to receive the on-time signal and the output signal and generating the control signal, and a power stage configured to receive an input voltage and the control signal and generate the switching signal.

Systems and methods that provide control circuits having multiple sub-control inputs that control operation of a power electronics device (e.g., a power converter). Each of the multiple sub-control inputs are output from a separate sub-control circuit that includes a feedback circuit having an input tied to a common control node. The common control node is coupled to an input of a controller (e.g., a PWM controller). Outputs of each of the sub-control circuits are coupled to the common control node by a respective switch (e.g., diode, transistor, etc.) so that each of the sub-control circuits may be selectively coupled to the common control node to provide a control signal to a controller. Since components of each of the feedback compensations circuits are biased at a regulation voltage instead of a higher power supply voltage, the control circuit may switch between control modes with minimal delay.

An electronic apparatus includes a switching element which has a control terminal and is driven by controlling voltage of the control terminal, a driving power supply circuit which supplies voltage required for driving the switching element, an on-driving circuit which is connected to the driving power supply circuit and the control terminal of the switching element and is supplied with voltage from the driving power supply circuit, and which applies a constant current to the control terminal of the switching element to charge the control terminal, thereby turning on the switching element, and at least one diode which is connected between the on-driving circuit and the control terminal of the switching element. The on-driving circuit applies a constant current to the control terminal of the switching element through the diode.

An integrated power quality control system includes a transformer with a primary winding, a secondary winding and a compensation winding wound on a magnetic core. A power electronic converter in the system provides a reference voltage to the compensation winding for injecting a series voltage in the secondary winding of the transformer. A controller is utilized to generate a reference control voltage for the power electronic converter based on a power quality control requirement.

A system that manages a supplemental energy source connected to a power grid uses a two stage control strategy to manage power transfers in and out of the power grid as well as in and out of an energy storage system, such as a battery bank. One stage uses a non-linear transfer function to control an output frequency of a DC-to-AC inverter to limit undesired effects of power transients that occur on the grid. A second stage uses control strategy for transferring energy between the energy storage system and an internal DC link based on a relationship between a voltage on a DC link connecting the first and second stages and a DC link reference voltage, the voltage on the DC link, and a voltage at the energy storage system. The control strategy includes rapid charging, over-charging protection, and grid transient stabilization.

A power control circuit for a power supply system including a control unit, a driving circuit and a power supply unit is disclosed. The power control circuit includes a current detection unit, a voltage detection unit and a power detection unit. The current detection unit is used for detecting a current signal. The voltage detection unit is used for detecting a voltage signal. The power detection unit is connected with the current detection unit, the voltage detection unit and the control unit for acquiring a power signal according to the current signal and voltage signal. By comparing an adjustable power reference signal with the power signal, the control unit issues a control signal to the driving circuit. In response to the control signal, the power supply unit is driven by the driving circuit to output an adjusted power to the load according to the adjustable power reference signal.

A mode controller shifts, along with increase in an electric power in first and second of chopper circuits and, operation modes of the first and the second of the chopper circuits from a first mode to a third mode via a second mode. An operation controller causes, in the first mode, the first of chopper circuit to perform an chopping operation, and the second of chopper circuit to suspend the chopping operation, in the second mode, causes the first and the second of chopper circuits to alternatively perform the chopping operations, and in the third mode causes both of the first and the second of chopper circuits to perform the chopping operations.

A radio controlled UAV is disclosed. The UAV includes a parachute, with a cylindrical power and control module suspended vertically below the parachute. In one embodiment, a propulsion source is mounted on top of the power and control module with control lines connected to the module below the propulsion source, and in another embodiment the power and control module is suspended from a point above a propulsion source. The UAV is controlled by radio controls from a hand held controller, with actuators retracting and letting out control lines attached to the parachute in order to control direction of the parachute. The UAV may be launched from a tube using a pressurized tank with a nozzle expelling gas from the tank, the tank and nozzle towing a canister from which the UAV is deployed.

An exoatmospheric vehicle uses a control system that includes a thrust system to provide thrust to control flight of the vehicle. A regenerative heat system is used to preheat portions of the thrust system, prior to their use in control of the vehicle. The heat for preheating may be generated by consumption of a fuel of the vehicle, such as a monopropellant fuel. The fuel may be used to power a pump (among other possibilities), to pressurize the fuel for use by thrusters of the thrust system. The preheated portions of the thrust system may include one or more catalytic beds of the thrust system, which may be preheated using exhaust gasses from the pump. The preheating may reduce the response time of the thrusters that have their catalytic beds preheated. Other thrusters of the thrust system may not be preheated at all before operation.

A method of controlling a group (2) of engines developing a necessary power (Wnec) for driving a rotor (3), said group (2) of engines having at least one electrical member (4), electrical energy storage means (5), and a first number n of engines (6) that is greater than or equal to two. A processor unit (10) executes instructions for evaluating a main condition as to whether the group of engines can develop the necessary power while resting one engine, and if so for resting one engine and accelerating a second number engines not at rest, and for causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode, if necessary, the electrical member operating temporarily in electricity generator mode when the storage means are discharged.

An aerodynamic control surface assembly comprising: an aerodynamic control surface (4); an actuator (10) for controlling deployment of the control surface; and a locking mechanism (30) moveable from a locked to an unlocked position. When the locking mechanism is set to the locked position, the actuator is operatively coupled to the control surface and the control surface can move in dependently of the actuator when the locking mechanism is set to the unlocked position. Such an assembly may be used in an aircraft to prevent clashing between a deployed flap (16) and a drooped spoiler (4) in the event of an actuator control systems failure.

A projectile control system includes a plurality of fins, a drive mechanism coupled to each of the plurality of fins to enable the plurality of fins to be independently retracted or deployed, and a control mechanism in communication with the drive mechanisms to independently control the deployment or retraction of the plurality of fins. A projectile having the projectile control system and a method of operating a projectile are also described herein.

An adapter assembly having a sealing element, a drive bushing, and an adapter flange disposed between the sealing element and the drive bushing. Also, a method of assembling a rotational control device that includes coupling mechanically an adapter flange to a sealing element, coupling mechanically the adapter flange to a drive bushing, and installing the adapter flange, sealing element, and drive bushing in the rotational control device.

The present invention relates to an inflow control device for controlling the flow of fluid into a well tubular structure arranged in a borehole, comprising a tubular part for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, an aperture provided in a wall of the tubular part, and a hollow valve member rotatably received inside the tubular part, the hollow valve member comprising an orifice in a wall thereof, and an outer surface of the hollow valve member being spherical and the orifice being adapted to fluidly communicate with the aperture when the inflow control device is in an open position, whereby the aperture is in fluid communication with an inside of the tubular part, wherein the hollow valve member comprises a spherical first valve part and a spherical second valve part adapted to be assembled inside the tubular part. The present invention furthermore relates to a method of assembling an inflow control device according to the invention and to a completion system comprising an inflow control device according to the invention.

A centralizer comprises a first body portion, a second body portion, a plurality of bow springs connecting the first body portion to the second body portion, and one or more expandable elements coupled to the first body portion and the second body portion. A method of centralizing a wellbore tubular comprises compressing a bow spring radially inward from a starting position to a compressed position, wherein the bow spring is coupled to a first body portion and a second body portion, applying a tensile force between the first body portion and the second body portion while the bow spring is in the compressed position, and restoring the bow spring from the compressed position to the starting position.

A flow control device comprises a fluid pathway configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of a wellbore tubular and an interior of the wellbore tubular, a flow restriction disposed in the fluid pathway, wherein the flow restriction is disposed in a radial alignment with respect to the wellbore tubular, and a flow blockage disposed in the fluid pathway, wherein the flow blockage substantially prevents a fluid flow through the fluid pathway.

A device for compensating deviations from a coaxial arrangement of components of a regulating organ, said regulating arrangement being comprised of a regulating organ, a crown pipe, and an immersion cup which serve for controlling the gas pressure of a coke oven chamber, with the regulating arrangement being comprised of an immersion cup with a water immersion that seals the gas space of a coke oven chamber versus the gas collecting main and/or plant units downstream, and wherein the height of the water level of the water immersion represents a regulating means to control the gas pressure, and wherein said regulating arrangement is furthermore comprised of an immersion pipe that configures a specially shaped crown pipe at its end submerging into the water of the immersion cup, and that is comprised of a regulating organ to regulate the water level.

A method for creating laboratory-scale reactive distillation apparatus from provided modular components is described. At least two types of modular distillation column stages are provided. A first type of modular stage comprises two physical interfaces for connection with a respective physical interface of another modular stage. A second type modular stage comprises one such physical interface. At least one type of tray is provided for insertion into the first type of modular stage. A clamping arrangement is provided for joining together two modular stages at their respective physical interfaces for connection to form a joint. The invention provides for at least three modular stages can be joined. At least one sensor or sensor array can be inserted into each modular stage. At least one controllable element can be inserted into each modular stage. The invention provides for study of traditional, advanced, and photochemical types of reactive distillation.

A wireless remote forms a two-way radiofrequency (RF) communication network with a winch control module that allows the wireless remote to control both the winch and additional vehicle accessories through the winch control module. Further accessory control modules allow the control of more accessories utilizing the wireless remote by way of RF communication. Feedback from either the winch control module or the accessory control module is sent back to the wireless remote to allow the operator to view the current operating conditions of the winch or accessories.

A cosmetic applicator comprising a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the handle comprises a drive; an applicator head operatively associated with the drive to move at least part of the applicator head relative to the handle; and a control surface disposed at the proximal end of the handle and operatively associated with the drive. The control surface may be rotatable about a control surface axis through a plurality of positions and the control surface axis may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle. The control surface may be moveable through a plurality of positions. The applicator may comprise an additional control surface, such as a second control surface or temporary control surface, which may be operated independently or in combination with the first control surface.

A nail print apparatus, including: a print head which performs printing on a nail region on the basis of image data including a first design and a second design that is a background of the first design; and an image data processing unit which has a second image data processing unit that processes the image data so that the second design covers an entire nail region.

An ultra-fine nepheline syenite powder produced from a pre-processed nepheline syenite powder feedstock. The powder having a “controlled” maximum grain size D95 or D99 of less than about 20 microns and a “controlled” minimum grain size D5 in the range of 2-8 microns with a particle size spread D5-D95 of less than about 12 microns.

A highly loaded concentrate pellet composition includes an active ingredient in a concentration of at least about 60% by weight, and a low molecular weight binder in a concentration of up to about 35% by weight. The active ingredient is evenly dispersed in the binder. The binder has a melting point that permits the composition to melt under shear in an extruder. The binder is non-metallocene and non-stearic.