Page 841 - Mechanical Engineers' Handbook (Volume 2)

832 Mechatronics

Series

L = L + L + L + •••
E 1 2 3

Parallel

L L L
1 2 3

1 1 1 1
= + + + •••
L L L L
eq 1 2 3
Figure 10 Inductors.

forward application of these two laws as presented here will be effective in all situations.
This straightforward application, however, may lead to some additional algebra. Experience
with these problems can lead to shortcuts.

Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
V 0 (10)
n
i 1 i
Kirchhoff’s voltage law states that the sum of voltages around a closed loop is zero. To
a mechanical engineer, this is analogous to the movement of a mass in a potential field (such
as gravity). For example, it is clear that if a bowling ball is picked up, rolled down the lane,
and then returned to the original position, there is no net change in the ball’s potential energy

Current cannot flow

i
+ V –

i

V

Figure 11 Ideal diode.