Abstract:
In an inverter (8), power switches (Q1, Q6) are connected in series across a DC source (EA, EB) and are operated in alternate fashion to produce an AC output at the junction between the switches. Occasionally, however, a condition known as ''shoot-through'' may occur wherein both switches are momentarily closed, resulting in short-circuiting of the DC source and/or destruction of the switches. This problem is solved by an interlock circuit (30) according to the present invention which prevents simultaneous conduction of first and second complementary power switches (Q1, Q2) connected in series across a voltage source. The circuit includes means (LED1, LED2) coupled to one of the power switches for generating a gating signal when the voltage across two of the electrodes (Q1B, Q1E or Q2B, Q2E) of the power switch indicates that such switch is off and means (Q7, Q8, 40, 44, PT1 or Q9, Q10, 50, 54, PT2) responsive to such signal for inhibiting turn-on of the complementary power switch until the gating signal is generated.
Abstract:
An improved pump for efficient operation at low flow rates to avoid undue power consumption and heating of the fluid being pumped. There is provided a centrifugal pump including a housing (10) with an inlet (12). A radial or mixed flow discharge impeller (16) is rotatably mounted within the housing (10) and an outlet volute (24) extends about the impeller. First and second axially spaced diffusion passages (28 and 30) establish fluid communication between the impeller (16) and the volute (24) and a valve (42) is provided for closing one of the passages (28) when low flow rates are demanded of the pump to minimize recirculation, leakage and churning losses consuming the power and leading to heating of the fluid.
Abstract:
A snubber circuit (26, 28) for protecting power switches (Q1, Q2) which modulate the flow of power through an inductive element (12) in a power converter, such as a main primary winding (12a, 12b) of a transformer (12), includes a snubbing capacitor (C1 or C2) and a first switch (S1 or S3) which is operable to connect the snubbing capacitor (C1 or C3) to a power switch (Q1 or Q3). A second switch (S2 or S4) is operable to connect the snubbing capacitor (C1 or C3) to an auxiliary primary winding (12d or 12e) of the transformer (12). The first (S1 or S3) and second (S2 or S4) switches are operated so that immediately prior to turn-off of the power switch (Q1 or Q2), the capacitor (C1 or C2) is connected thereto to store the turn-off reactive power caused by turn-off of the power switch (Q1 or Q2). The first switch (S1 or S3) is then opened and the second switch (S2 or S4) closed to couple the reactive power to the auxiliary primary winding (12d or 12e) to improve the efficieny of the converter.
Abstract:
A semiconductor package including a first electrically conductive bus and a second electrically conductive bus spaced from and generally surrounding the first bus in approximately concentric relation thereto. A plurality of generally equally angularly spaced semiconductors are located in the space between the buses and each semiconductor has at least two electrodes. One electrode of each semiconductor is connected to the first bus and the other electrode is connected to the second bus.
Abstract:
A positive displacement compressor or pump of the scroll type including first and second scroll plates (10, 12) having convoluted interfitting vanes (16). The flanks (18) of the vanes (16) on scroll plates (14) are interfitting and in sealing contact (20) with one another and the tips (22) of the vanes (16) in sealing contact with the other plate (14). One of the plates (14) has a generally central port and the assemblage is provided with a peripheral port (39) at the interface of the plates (14). A motor (35) and linkage (38) are provided to cause the plates to undergo orbital movement relative to each other and a selectivity operable mechanism (40, 44, 46, 48; 62, 66, 76) is operable to separate the plates (14) to break sealing contact and thereby unload the compressor or pump.
Abstract:
A semiconductor package including a cubicle heat sink core (10). A pair of heat sink caps (12, 14), each having a concave surface (40) defined by three mutually perpendicular faces (42, 44, 46) are provided. The caps (12, 14) substantially encapsulate the core (10) while being spaced therefrom with each of the faces (42, 44, 46) being generally parallel to a corresponding side (26, 28, 30) of the core (10). Semiconductors (16) are sandwiched between each side (26, 28, 30) of the core and the associated parallel face (42, 44, 46) springs (90) bias the cap (12, 14) towards each other and towards the core (10) to provide the requisite thermal and electrical contact pressure.
Abstract:
A hydraulic presssure intensifier for boosting normal system pressure in a hydraulic system to a higher level in order to increase the force provided by a pressure-operated actuator. The hydraulic pressure intensifier has a motor-pump unit (10) with a rotatable cylinder block (62) with cyclinders defining piston chambers and each having a movable piston (68) therein. A wobbler (70) controls the stroke of the pistons and the motor-pump unit functions as both a pump and a motor by means of porting to said cylinders including a supply pressure port (76), an intensified pressure port (77) and a return pressure port (78). The motor-pump unit has normal maximum and minimum speed limits and when operating at different flow rates the speed thereof varies accordingly. In order to maintain the speed of the motor-pump unit within normal limits, the wobbler is adjustable to vary the stroke of the pistons and thereby vary the speed of rotation of the cylinder block for the same rate of fluid flow. The wobbler can be infinitely variable between limit positions or only between limit positions and the adjustment can be made automatically in response to a speed-responsive flyweight governor-controlled valve structure (88).
Abstract:
A microcomputer implemented apparatus and method for detecting the occurence of a shorted diode in the rotating rectifier (16) of a brushless alternator (10, 11, 12, 13, 14). The alternator current (IA, IB, IC), voltage (VA, VB, VC) and power output (KW) and the alternator temperature (TGenerator) are measured. The anticipated exciter field current (ICalculated) is determined for the alternator output and operating conditions and compared with the actual exciter field current (if actual). An actual exciter field current in excess of the anticipated current indicates a rectifier fault.
Abstract:
A power drive unit for thrust reverser structure includes a reversible motor (10) in a hydraulic circuit (36, 37) and has normal stow and deploy cycles of operation. In a deploy cycle, the load on the motor (10) is aiding and, in the event the deploy cycle is inadvertent, the load on the motor can be substantially higher. In order to avoid this increased loading on the motor in an inadvertent deploy cycle, the hydraulic circuit has an auto-restow valve (100) which senses the high aiding load in the event of an inadvertent deploy operation and changes the operation of the power drive unit to operate the motor (10) in a stow cycle to prevent continued high loading on the motor and thrust reverser structure.
Abstract:
An internally cooled semiconductor package including a wafer-like semiconductor body (diodes 12) with at least two electrical elements, one at a relatively flat surface (18) of the body. A wall (20, 22) if high electrical and heat conductive material abuts the flat surface of the semiconductor body to be in good heat conductive relation therewith and in electrical contact with the same. A fluid flow heat exchanger (10) is on the other side of the wall in heat exchange relation therewith and along with the wall and other components serves to encapsulate the semiconductor.