Patents Examined by Dustin Dickinson
  • Patent number: 9927545
    Abstract: Multi-frequency buried object location system transmitters and locators are disclosed. A transmitter may generate and provide output signals to a buried object at a plurality of frequencies, which may be selected based on a connection type. Corresponding locators may simultaneously receive a plurality of magnetic field signals emitted from the buried object and generate visual and/or audible output information based at least in part on the plurality of received magnetic field signals. The visual and/or audible output may be further based on signals received from a quad-gradient antenna array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, David A. Cox, Stephanie M. Bench, Jan Soukup, Timothy M. Turner, Ryan B. Levin, Ray Merewether
  • Patent number: 9927385
    Abstract: A method and system for generating a three-dimensional tomograph of a vessel interior or other object using a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and active control segments that are electrically isolated from the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: OHIO STATE INNOVATION FOUNDATION, TECH4IMAGING LLC
    Inventors: Qussai Marashdeh, Liang-Shih Fan, Fernando Teixeira, Zeeshan Zeeshan
  • Patent number: 9897681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a calibration method and a calibration arrangement for a RF test apparatus for testing a RF device under test. Instead, a calibration board is provided and connected to each of the cables of the RF test apparatus. A calibration board is configured to provide a plurality of connection loops by connecting the input/output channel terminals of the test apparatus one after the other with each other. This results to a bunch of different connection loops. Then a physical parameter, such as the attenuation over frequency, is measured for each of these connection loops. Since each physical parameter can be described by a single equation, this results to an amount of different equations which form an equation system. The idea underlying the present invention is that the amount of equations of this equation system, which amount corresponds to the different connection loops, is at least equal or higher than the amount of unknown parameters of the equation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Plaumann, Thomas Lutz, Jens Volkmann, Franz Obermayr
  • Patent number: 9897631
    Abstract: A current sensor including a measurement torus, arranged in a casing positioned around an electric conductor able to transmit an electric current, and a device for detecting a voltage in the electric conductor. The detection device is configured for surrounding the electric conductor when the current sensor is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Erick Contini, Pascal Houbre, Michel Clemence
  • Patent number: 9885743
    Abstract: Techniques for construction of an electric meter base level printed circuit board (PCB), such as for use in an electric consumption meter, are described herein. A plurality of heavy copper traces may be embedded in the PCB, thereby eliminating the need for heavy copper bar between connectors and components on the board. In one example, a PCB includes connectors for incoming and outgoing line and neutral conductors. The PCB may include a current measuring component, mounted on the PCB, to communicate with metrology circuitry. The PCB may include one or more switches, configured to regulate electrical service. Heavy electrical traces may be embedded in the PCB to connect the connectors and various components mounted on the PCB. The heavy electrical traces are sized to allow passage of currents that may be in excess of 100 amps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nelson Makinson, Joseph Pontin
  • Patent number: 9835573
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for measuring electrical conductivity of liquids. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a waveform generator module configured to generate a first waveform signal and to supply the first waveform signal to a sensor; a phase adjustment module configured to receive the first waveform signal from the waveform generator module and to generate a phase-shifted signal from the first waveform signal, said phase-shifted signal having a phase that is adjusted based upon expected or measured properties of the liquid and further adjusted to eliminate phase error induced inaccuracies in the measurement; and a signal combination module configured to receive a return signal from the sensor and the phase-shifted signal from the phase adjustment module and to sum the return signal and the phase-shifted signal to produce an adjusted return signal containing information associated with the electrical property of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventors: Glenn T. Herb, Craig A. Herb, Curt W. Jarva
  • Patent number: 9831704
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power feeding device including: power transmitting section which transmits electric power by way of a magnetic field; a set of first and second electrodes which are spaced from each other; a power supply which applies a voltage between the first and second electrodes; and a detector which detects whether foreign matter is present on the power transmitting section or not based on the voltage applied by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Uramoto, Masayuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9817078
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor including a die, a coil proximate the die to generate a magnetic field, and a magnetic field sensing element having to detect changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil in response to a ferromagnetic target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Gary T. Pepka, William P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9817077
    Abstract: A circuit device includes an output circuit having a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor, and a control circuit configured to detect a voltage between the drain node and the source node of a detection target transistor that is at least one of the low-side transistor and the high-side transistor, and detect a malfunction in the case where it is determined that the detection voltage did not exceed a given comparison voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9805689
    Abstract: One or more apparatuses and methods for enabling easy diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of a commercial display screen are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, this apparatus includes a removable commercial display kit box, a corresponding base plate interface unit attached to a rear panel of the commercial display screen, and a guiding mechanism for docking the removable commercial display kit box and the corresponding base plate interface unit. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the removable display kit box contains an analog-to-digital converter board, a power board, automatic-switching dual data ports, maintenance check visual indicators, and a removable fuse inlet. In case of a commercial display screen malfunction, the removable display kit box allows a quick inspection and a modular repair or replacement of a malfunctioning part, without requiring the entire commercial display screen to be dismounted from a wall or another attached structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GPO US, Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Hyuk Park
  • Patent number: 9778320
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for monitoring the function of a safety switch means, wherein the safety switch means in particular can be used to switch an actuator. The apparatus and method enable the function of a safety switch means to be reliably monitored in a cost-effective manner. Further, the apparatus and method can provide universal function monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: WAGO VERWALTUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH
    Inventor: Christian Voβ
  • Patent number: 9759582
    Abstract: According to a motor rotational angle detection device which includes a plurality of motor rotational angle detection units which detect a rotational angle of a motor, and a normal angle decision device which includes a motor rotational angle information item and decides a normal motor rotational angle, in which when a difference is caused between output values of the plurality of motor rotational angle detection units, the normal angle decision device respectively compares the output value of each of the motor rotational angle detection units with the motor rotational angle information item included in the normal angle decision device, and identifies the normal motor rotational angle detection unit, and decides the normal motor rotational angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Kawano, Yoshihito Asao
  • Patent number: 9739848
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprises a circular vertical Hall (CVH) sensing element comprising a plurality of vertical Hall elements, each vertical Hall element comprised of a respective group of vertical Hall element contacts selected from among a plurality of vertical Hall element contacts. A quadrature modulator circuit is coupled to the digital signal and operable to generate a plurality of quadrature modulated signals. A processor stage is coupled to receive the signals representative of the plurality of quadrature modulated signals, and operable to perform a sliding window integration using the signals representative of the plurality of quadrature modulated signals and compute an estimated angle of the external magnetic field using the signals representative of the plurality of quadrature modulated signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Octavio H. Alpago, Ezequiel Alves, Hernán D. Romero
  • Patent number: 9739847
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprises a circular vertical Hall (CVH) sensing element having a plurality of vertical Hall elements. A CVH output stage is included comprising one or more of drive circuits to drive the plurality of vertical Hall elements and produce an analog signal representing a strength of an external magnetic field as detected by the plurality of vertical Hall elements. An analog-to-digital converter is coupled to receive the analog signal and produce a digital signal. A quadrature modulator circuit is coupled to the digital signal and operable to generate a plurality of quadrature modulated signals. A processor stage receives signals representative of the plurality of quadrature modulated signals and computes an estimated angle of the external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Octavio H. Alpago, Ezequiel Alves, Hernán D. Romero
  • Patent number: 9726700
    Abstract: Methods of operation of a self-powered power sensor (SPPS) are provided for the measurement of the likes of current, power, power factor, and other parameters related to the power consumption, at points of interest, such as circuit breakers, machines, and the like. Each SPPS is enabled to communicate its respective data, in an environment of a plurality of such apparatuses, to a management unit which may further process the data sent thereto, as well as communicate back to the SPPS for the purpose of synchronization of, for example, clocks of the SPPS and the management unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Panoramic Power Ltd.
    Inventor: Adi Shamir
  • Patent number: 9720017
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the measurement of power consumption at points of interest, such as circuit breakers, machines, and the like. Accordingly, means are provided for measurement of power consumption for each electrical sub-network that is controlled by a circuit breaker. Each apparatus is enabled to communicate its respective data, in an environment of a plurality of such apparatuses, to a management unit which is enabled to provide finer granularity power consumption profiles. Challenges of measuring relatively low supply currents, wireless operation in an environment of a large number of apparatuses, and self-powering are addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Panoramic Power Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Shamir, Dan Wijsboom, David Almagor
  • Patent number: 9721854
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus may comprise a wafer having a plurality of spiral test structures located on the kerf of the wafer. The spiral test structure may comprise a spiral connected at either end by a capacitor to allow the spiral test structure to resonate. The spiral structures may be located on a first metal layer or on multiple metal layers. The system may further incorporate a test apparatus having a frequency transmitter and a receiver. The test apparatus may be a sensing spiral which may be placed over the spiral test structures. A controller may provide a range of frequencies to the test apparatus and receiving the resonant frequencies from the test apparatus. The resonant frequencies will be seen as reductions in signal response at the test apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Ping-Chuan Wang, Zhijian Yang
  • Patent number: 9720018
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the measurement of power consumption at points of interest, such as circuit breakers, machines, and the like. Accordingly, means are provided for measurement of power consumption for each electrical sub-network that is controlled by a circuit breaker. Each apparatus is enabled to communicate its respective data, in an environment of a plurality of such apparatuses, to a management unit which is enabled to provide finer granularity power consumption profiles. Challenges of measuring relatively low supply currents, wireless operation in an environment of a large number of apparatuses, and self-powering are addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Panoramic Power Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Shamir, Dan Wijsboom, David Almagor
  • Patent number: 9714958
    Abstract: A detector for an electrical conductor includes a frame on which is mounted a mechanism including a magnetic toroid, divided into a first and a second branches and at least two jaws for anchoring the detector on the electrical conductor, each jaw being rotationally mobile between an open position and a locked position. The first branch of the toroid is secured to the frame and its second branch is rotationally mobile relative to the first branch, under the action of an elastic return member, between an open position, a preclosure position and a closed position of the magnetic toroid. The mechanism also includes a bearing member, secured to the second branch and defining at least one concave volume for partially receiving the electrical conductor. The bearing member is suitable for transmitting to the second branch a torque of pre-closure to a pre-closure position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Caous
  • Patent number: 9689901
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the measurement of power consumption at points of interest, such as circuit breakers, machines, and the like. Accordingly, means are provided for measurement of power consumption for each electrical sub-network that is controlled by a circuit breaker. Each apparatus is enabled to communicate its respective data, in an environment of a plurality of such apparatuses, to a management unit which is enabled to provide finer granularity power consumption profiles. Challenges of measuring relatively low supply currents, wireless operation in an environment of a large number of apparatuses, and self-powering are addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Panoramic Power Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Shamir, Dan Wijsboom, David Almagor