Patents Examined by Dustin Dickinson
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Patent number: 9927545Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, David A. Cox, Stephanie M. Bench, Jan Soukup, Timothy M. Turner, Ryan B. Levin, Ray Merewether
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Patent number: 9927385Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignees: OHIO STATE INNOVATION FOUNDATION, TECH4IMAGING LLCInventors: Qussai Marashdeh, Liang-Shih Fan, Fernando Teixeira, Zeeshan Zeeshan
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Patent number: 9897681Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Ralf Plaumann, Thomas Lutz, Jens Volkmann, Franz Obermayr
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Patent number: 9897631Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SASInventors: Erick Contini, Pascal Houbre, Michel Clemence
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Patent number: 9885743Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: David Nelson Makinson, Joseph Pontin
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Patent number: 9835573Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Inventors: Glenn T. Herb, Craig A. Herb, Curt W. Jarva
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Patent number: 9831704Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yoichi Uramoto, Masayuki Tanaka
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Patent number: 9817078Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS LLCInventors: Gary T. Pepka, William P. Taylor
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Patent number: 9817077Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Atsushi Yamada
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Patent number: 9805689Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: GPO US, Inc.Inventor: Jong Hyuk Park
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Patent number: 9778320Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: WAGO VERWALTUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBHInventor: Christian Voβ
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Patent number: 9759582Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yu Kawano, Yoshihito Asao
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Patent number: 9739848Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Octavio H. Alpago, Ezequiel Alves, Hernán D. Romero
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Patent number: 9739847Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Octavio H. Alpago, Ezequiel Alves, Hernán D. Romero
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Patent number: 9726700Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Panoramic Power Ltd.Inventor: Adi Shamir
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Patent number: 9720017Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 21, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Panoramic Power Ltd.Inventors: Adi Shamir, Dan Wijsboom, David Almagor
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Patent number: 9721854Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Ping-Chuan Wang, Zhijian Yang
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Patent number: 9720018Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Panoramic Power Ltd.Inventors: Adi Shamir, Dan Wijsboom, David Almagor
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Patent number: 9714958Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SASInventor: Philippe Caous
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Patent number: 9689901Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Panoramic Power Ltd.Inventors: Adi Shamir, Dan Wijsboom, David Almagor