Patents Assigned to Crane Electronics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8885308
    Abstract: Control circuitry handles inrush current, and may provide under voltage and/or over voltage monitoring and handling, as well as remote enable handling. The circuitry may advantageously employ a sense capacitor in parallel with an input capacitor (e.g., bulk input filter capacitor), and a current mirror to produce a signal proportional to input current. A clamp circuit may control a series pass device to regulate current in response to the proportional signal, or to interrupt current flow in response to an under voltage or over voltage condition or receipt of a signal indicative of a disable state. An enable signal may be summed into a comparator that handles under voltage condition determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry F. Waltman, Rodney Alan Hughes, Reid Adriance, Bertrand Nkei, Jay Allen Kuehny
  • Patent number: 8866551
    Abstract: A dual compensation operational amplifier is suitable for use in an environment that experiences fluctuations in ambient energy levels. A dual compensation impedance can be determined to nullify or compensate for effects of an input offset voltage or an input bias current or both. Adjustments to the dual compensation impedance can be made based on calibration data for various environmental conditions so that the dual compensation impedance can be either pre-set for anticipated conditions in different target operational environments, or automatically adjusted in-situ. Target operational environments that may benefit from such a dual compensation impedance include remote areas that experience extreme or variable temperatures, high altitudes, space, or high radiation environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Cuon Lam, Jay Kuehny, David Perchlik
  • Patent number: 8829868
    Abstract: A power converter provides current limit/current share functionality, allowing use in a point-of-load architecture and/or in parallel with one or more other power converters. An inner current control loop may sense output current over only a portion of a duty cycle, for example at a low side active switch. The resulting signal is compensated, and may be level shifted, for example via a resistor divider network, and supplied to a current control amplifier. An outer voltage control loop may sense output voltage, and provide a voltage error signal from a voltage error amplifier to the resistor divider network. Power converters are operable as masters or slaves, and include sense input and trim input terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry F. Waltman, Reid Adriance, Jay Allen Kuehny, Stefan Jon Kristjansson
  • Patent number: 8824167
    Abstract: An auxiliary power supply or bias voltage supply employs a step up switch mode DC/DC power converter topology to supply regulated bias supply voltages, from very low input voltages (e.g., less than 2V). The supply will synchronize to dynamic loads making it particularly useful in circuits with periodic high peak current power demands, for example, gate drive circuits employed in regulated switched mode power converters. When unladed, the supply will efficiently adjust its cycle period to the minimum required to maintain the desired boosted output voltage. Additional transformer windings or a charge pump may be used to generate additional vias voltage sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Alan Hughes, Reid Adriance, Bertrand Nkei, Jay Allen Kuehny
  • Patent number: 8710820
    Abstract: A power architecture receives an input signal at an input node and converts the input signal into an intermediate signal with a power conversion stage. The power conversion stage supplies the intermediate signal to an output node of the power conversion stage where the intermediate signal is filtered with an operating capacitance coupled to the output node. A hold-up capacitance is charged, and when a loss of the input signal is detected, the hold-up capacitance is coupled to the input node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest Clyde Parker
  • Publication number: 20140070887
    Abstract: A dual compensation operational amplifier is suitable for use in an environment that experiences fluctuations in ambient energy levels. A dual compensation impedance can be determined to nullify or compensate for effects of an input offset voltage or an input bias current or both. Adjustments to the dual compensation impedance can be made based on calibration data for various environmental conditions so that the dual compensation impedance can be either pre-set for anticipated conditions in different target operational environments, or automatically adjusted in-situ. Target operational environments that may benefit from such a dual compensation impedance include remote areas that experience extreme or variable temperatures, high altitudes, space, or high radiation environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CRANE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Cuon Lam, Jay Kuehny, David Perchlik
  • Publication number: 20140016356
    Abstract: A power converter has a transformer having three primary windings configured to receive respective phases of a three-phase alternating current (AC) input signal in a delta configuration and three secondary windings, each split into two portions, wherein the portions are coupled together in a regular hexagon. The power converter includes a rectifier having a first rectifier path coupled between taps of the secondary windings and a positive output of the power converter and a second rectifier path coupled between taps of the secondary windings and a negative output. One of the secondary windings may be reversed with respect to the other secondary windings. The primary windings may be split with a corresponding secondary winding sandwiched between portions of the primary. One of the paths may have a different inductance than the other path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: CRANE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kaz Furmanczyk, Randy Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20130201631
    Abstract: A multilayer electronics assembly and associated method of manufacture are provided. The multilayer electronics assembly includes a plurality of stacked substrate layers. Each of the substrate layers is fusion bonded to at least an adjacent one of the plurality of substrate layers. A first discrete electrical circuit component is bonded to a first layer of the plurality of layers. A bonding material is interposed between the discrete electrical circuit component and the first layer. The bonding material has a reflow temperature at which the bonding material becomes flowable that is higher than a fusion bonding temperature of the substrate layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: CRANE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Crane Electronics, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130010399
    Abstract: A transformer may include a first and a second continuous single piece multi-turn helical winding, one concentrically received by the other. The turns of the windings are electrically insulated from one another and spaced sufficiently close together to permit inductive coupling therebetween. The turns may be formed of a conductor having a rectangular cross-section, which may, or may not, include an electrically insulative sheath. The single piece multi-turn helical windings may have a continuous or smooth radius of curvature, with no discontinuities or singularities between first and second end terminals. The transformer may be formed by wrapping electrical conductor about a winding form. The transformer may be used in various electrical circuits, for example converter circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Dziubek, David Perchlik, Jay Kuehny
  • Patent number: 8350659
    Abstract: A transformer may include a first and a second continuous single piece multi-turn helical winding, one concentrically received by the other. The turns of the windings are electrically insulated from one another and spaced sufficiently close together to permit inductive coupling therebetween. The turns may be formed of a conductor having a rectangular cross-section, which may, or may not, include an electrically insulative sheath. The single piece multi-turn helical windings may have a continuous or smooth radius of curvature, with no discontinuities or singularities between first and second end terminals. The transformer may be formed by wrapping electrical conductor about a winding form. The transformer may be used in various electrical circuits, for example converter circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Dziubek, David Perchlik, Jay Kuehny
  • Patent number: 4932902
    Abstract: An ultra-high density electrical interconnect system is described wherein the pins and sockets are generally triangular in cross-section. This configuration allows for a density of 400 or more contacts per square inch wherein the contacts are supported on a grid pattern having 50 mil or less spacing between intersections. Further, the substrate supporting the contacts need be no wider than 50 mil per row of contacts. Still further, at least three rows and columns of contacts may be provided with the 50 mil or less spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanford W. Crane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4925155
    Abstract: A device and method for regulating the flow of material through a conduit. The device includes a material flow path having a disk member for closing the material flow path, a material bleed path through the disk member when closed and a member for moving the disk and opening the material flow path. The device can further include an additional piston member for closing the material flow path at a secondary position and having an additional material bleed path therethrough and an additional member for moving the piston and opening the flow path as well as a sleeve member movable within the device for releasing material pressure from both within the device and ahead of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles H. Carman
  • Patent number: 4682839
    Abstract: A multi-row modular electrical connector is described having a securement mechanism in the cell walls and the wall of each module for cooperatively, tridimensionally securing each module to the cell. The securement mechanism comprises (i) a row of notches in each cell wall; (ii) a locking projection on one wall of each module; (iii) a slotted locking bar along the rearward edge of each cell wall exterior spaced away from the cell cavity; and (iv) a wedging wall on one wall of each module near the rear thereof snugly receivable through the slot of the locking bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Robert Bryce
  • Patent number: 4655517
    Abstract: An electrical connector including an insulator and a number of contacts for mounting on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. As disclosed, the electrical connector includes an elongated insulator block carrying contacts in the form of pins, an end of each of which is received in a printed circuit board aperture to be soldered to the printed circuit board. The elongated insulator block further includes a series of holes, each intermediate an adjacent pair of contacts of the connector, precisely located relative to the contact locations, to facilitate positioning the connector for insertion of the pins into a printed circuit board. The insulator block is notched adjacent each of the holes to facilitate breaking the connector to a desired length, and hence containing a desired number of contacts. The insulator block further has generally semi-cylindrical indentations at each of its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Robert Bryce
  • Patent number: RE33005
    Abstract: An electrical connector including an insulator and a number of contacts for mounting on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. As disclosed, the electrical connector includes an elongated insulator block carrying contacts in the form of pins, an end of each of which is received in a printed circuit board aperture to be soldered to the printed circuit board. The elongated insulator block further includes a series of holes, each intermediate an adjacent pair of contacts of the connector, precisely located relative to the contact locations, to facilitate positioning the connector for insertion of the pins into a printed circuit board. The insulator block is notched adjacent each of the holes to facilitate breaking the connector to a desired length, and hence containing a desired number of contacts. The insulator block further has generally semi-cylindrical indentations at each of its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Robert Bryce