An embodiment of an apparatus for adjusting a distance between an electrode and a liquid includes a control circuit and a sense circuit. The control circuit is configured to couple an applied calibration signal to the electrode, and to cause a motor to position the electrode a distance from the liquid in response to a sense signal. And the sense circuit is configured to generate the sense signal in response to the applied calibration signal. For example, such an apparatus can be configured for use as part of a system for producing a stable solution of suspended silver. As silver-containing electrodes shorten over time, and as the level of solution changes over time, the apparatus can move the electrodes toward or away from the solution to maintain the respective distance between each electrode and the solution within a range that has been shown to produce a solution of suitable quality.

An embodiment of an apparatus for adjusting a distance between an electrode and a liquid includes a control circuit and a sense circuit. The control circuit is configured to couple an applied calibration signal to the electrode, and to cause a motor to position the electrode a distance from the liquid in response to a sense signal. And the sense circuit is configured to generate the sense signal in response to the applied calibration signal. For example, such an apparatus can be configured for use as part of a system for producing a stable solution of suspended silver. As silver-containing electrodes shorten over time, and as the level of solution changes over time, the apparatus can move the electrodes toward or away from the solution to maintain the respective distance between each electrode and the solution within a range that has been shown to produce a solution of suitable quality.

A power system for a locomotive includes a dynamic brake (DB) grid, at least one chopper circuit, and a controller. The locomotive includes at least one traction motor to power one or more loads during a braking of the locomotive. The DB grid includes at least one resistor bank and is configured to dissipate at least a portion of the power generated by the traction motor. The chopper circuit includes a three-phase inverter module, and selectively disables an electrical communication between the resistor bank and the traction motor. The controller is coupled to the chopper circuit and the loads. The controller determines a magnitude of the loads, and controls the chopper circuit to disable an electrical communication between the resistor bank and the traction motor for a predetermined duration to control a portion of the power dissipated by the DB grid to meet the magnitude of the loads.

A power system for a locomotive includes a dynamic brake (DB) grid, at least one chopper circuit, and a controller. The locomotive includes at least one traction motor to power one or more loads during a braking of the locomotive. The DB grid includes at least one resistor bank and is configured to dissipate at least a portion of the power generated by the traction motor. The chopper circuit includes a three-phase inverter module, and selectively disables an electrical communication between the resistor bank and the traction motor. The controller is coupled to the chopper circuit and the loads. The controller determines a magnitude of the loads, and controls the chopper circuit to disable an electrical communication between the resistor bank and the traction motor for a predetermined duration to control a portion of the power dissipated by the DB grid to meet the magnitude of the loads.

A stepper control circuit includes numerical controlled oscillators configured to provide step signals for multiple axes of stepper motor movement. The numerical controlled oscillators are configured to be operated at a same frequency provided by a synchronized clock signal.

A stepper control circuit includes numerical controlled oscillators configured to provide step signals for multiple axes of stepper motor movement. The numerical controlled oscillators are configured to be operated at a same frequency provided by a synchronized clock signal.

A light assembly for producing scenographic effects comprising: at least one movable member; at least one electric motor coupled to the at least one movable member; at least one driving circuit, configured to drive the at least one electric motor and having a driving outlet connected to the electric motor; a driving inlet connected to the driving circuit to provide electric power and comprising a first driving terminal and a second driving terminal; and a supply inlet configured to receive electric power from an electric power supply; and a braking system configured to restrain unwanted movements of the movable member and comprising a switch having a first switching terminal and a second switching terminal respectively connected to the first driving terminal and to the second driving terminal; wherein the switch is configured to switch between a first operating configuration, in which the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal are disconnected; and a second operating configuration, in which the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal are connected.

A light assembly for producing scenographic effects comprising: at least one movable member; at least one electric motor coupled to the at least one movable member; at least one driving circuit, configured to drive the at least one electric motor and having a driving outlet connected to the electric motor; a driving inlet connected to the driving circuit to provide electric power and comprising a first driving terminal and a second driving terminal; and a supply inlet configured to receive electric power from an electric power supply; and a braking system configured to restrain unwanted movements of the movable member and comprising a switch having a first switching terminal and a second switching terminal respectively connected to the first driving terminal and to the second driving terminal; wherein the switch is configured to switch between a first operating configuration, in which the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal are disconnected; and a second operating configuration, in which the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal are connected.

Provided is a stepping motor control device that prevents a terminal voltage of a battery from decreasing even when a plurality of motors are driven simultaneously at a high speed. The stepping motor control device includes: a control unit configured to control a driving unit that drives a plurality of motors including a first motor driven at a prescribed driving cycle, and a second motor driven at a driving cycle that is the same as or an integral multiple of the driving cycle of the first motor to drive the motors by outputting a driving pulse; and a storage unit configured to store a width of the first driving pulse and a width of the second driving pulse. When a sum of a pulse width of the first driving pulse and a pulse width of the second driving pulse is longer than the driving cycle of the first motor, in the driving cycle of the first motor, a part of the first driving pulse and at least a part of the second driving pulse are simultaneously output, and a pause period is provided, in which neither the first driving pulse nor the second driving pulse is output after the first driving pulse and the second driving pulse are output and before a start timing of a next driving cycle of the first motor.

Provided is a stepping motor control device that prevents a terminal voltage of a battery from decreasing even when a plurality of motors are driven simultaneously at a high speed. The stepping motor control device includes: a control unit configured to control a driving unit that drives a plurality of motors including a first motor driven at a prescribed driving cycle, and a second motor driven at a driving cycle that is the same as or an integral multiple of the driving cycle of the first motor to drive the motors by outputting a driving pulse; and a storage unit configured to store a width of the first driving pulse and a width of the second driving pulse. When a sum of a pulse width of the first driving pulse and a pulse width of the second driving pulse is longer than the driving cycle of the first motor, in the driving cycle of the first motor, a part of the first driving pulse and at least a part of the second driving pulse are simultaneously output, and a pause period is provided, in which neither the first driving pulse nor the second driving pulse is output after the first driving pulse and the second driving pulse are output and before a start timing of a next driving cycle of the first motor.