Patents Examined by Jeff W Natalini
  • Patent number: 11448687
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an electrical fault in a printed circuit board includes a first conductive layer interconnecting a set of electrical components, a second conductive layer connected to an electrical ground, a set of fuses arranged about the printed circuit board, and a fault detection circuit electrically connected to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventor: David Alan Elliott
  • Patent number: 11444443
    Abstract: Disclosed are a household appliance, an apparatus and a method for detecting an arc fault in the household appliance. The apparatus includes: a grid current detecting unit, configured to detect a current from a power grid to the household appliance so as to generate a first current detecting signal; a filter protecting unit, configured to perform an attenuation processing on an arc signal in the power grid; a load current detecting unit, configured to detect an actual running current in a load of the household appliance so as to generate a second current detecting signal; and a control unit connected to the grid current detecting unit and the load current detecting unit respectively, and configured to identify and compare the first current detecting signal and second current detecting signal so as to determine a source of the arc fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: GD MIDEA AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiwei Mai, Zhaozhong Ruan, Biying Wang
  • Patent number: 11435385
    Abstract: A specific conductivity measurement method includes: performing first measurement to obtain a resonance frequency f1 that is outputted to a measuring device when the first and second dielectric flat plates each have a thickness t1, and an unloaded Qu1 that corresponds to the resonance frequency f1; performing second measurement to obtain a resonance frequency f2 that is outputted to the measuring device when the first and second dielectric flat plates each have a thickness t2 that is different from the thickness t1, and an unloaded Qu2 that corresponds to the resonance frequency f2; and calculating a specific conductivity ?r of the copper foil and the first and second conductor flat plates based on an arithmetic equation that includes the resonance frequency the unloaded Qu1, the resonance frequency f2, and the unloaded Qu2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuki Takahashi, Akiko Matsui, Kohei Choraku, Mitsunori Abe, Tetsuro Yamada, Yoshio Kobayashi, Sotaro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11415612
    Abstract: A complex dielectric sensor includes at least two voltage dividers to measure voltage amplitudes in a circuit of at least two impedances connected to a transducer probe. The impedances are configured to reduce amplification of raw error using relatively simple geometric calculations based on mapping the voltage amplitudes as a pair of intersecting circles in a complex admittance space. Instrument sensitivity can be optimized by selecting impedances with moduli in the complex admittance space that are similar in magnitude to the modulus of the sample admittance and by selecting impedances that cause characteristic directions of the voltage dividers (relative to the sample admittance in the complex admittance space) to be oriented as close to perpendicular to each other as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: METER GROUP, INC. USA
    Inventors: Paolo Castiglione, Gaylon S. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11413717
    Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a substance, preferably human tissue, in the vicinity of a mobile tool, wherein the substance to be detected has different electrical characteristics from a material that can be processed by the mobile tool. In the method, a change is detected in a capacitance formed by the tool and a counter electrode that is electrically insulated from the tool. A periodic change in the capacitance is detected and the change is produced by the presence of the substance in a region in relation to the tool and by a periodic change in a geometrical characteristic of the tool in this region as the tool moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: FELDER KG, TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN
    Inventors: Thomas Weiler, Helmut Caudr, Friedrich Bleicher
  • Patent number: 11402418
    Abstract: Provided is a method for collecting sensor data using time-domain reflectometry (TDR). A primary device transmits a TDR signal to a first sensor. A reflected signal is received in response to the transmitted TDR signal. The reflected signal is analyzed to determine an impedance of the first sensor. Based on the impedance of the first sensor, a sensor value for the first sensor is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich
  • Patent number: 11397204
    Abstract: An S-parameter of a reference impedance is determined and converted to a desired mode of operation. Example modes of operation include a single-ended input output mode, a differential input output mode, and a common input output mode. The complex values of the impedance at each port as a function of frequency can be computed using the novel closed-form quadratic S-parameter equation which utilizes the concept of matched networks by setting the reflections and re-reflections to zero through S-parameter renormalization. Using the S-parameter renormalization, the insertion loss corresponding to zero reflections and re-reflections is calculated. Based on the determination of the matching impedance used to reduce the reflections and re-reflections to zero, a parameter of a circuit comprising the network may be modified to reduce noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Achronix Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Hansel Desmond Dsilva, Amit Kumar
  • Patent number: 11391777
    Abstract: A battery monitoring module may be arranged in such a way as to receive a sensor signal from a light sensor configured to detect light within a battery module. The battery monitoring module may determine, using processing circuitry, a light characteristic within the battery module based on the sensor signal. The battery monitoring module may determine, using processing circuitry, a battery condition of the battery module based on the light characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Emil Yu-ming Chao, Charles Ed Chang
  • Patent number: 11353479
    Abstract: A pulsed-laser LADA system is provided, which utilizes temporal resolution to enhance spatial resolution. The system is capable of resolving CMOS pairs within the illumination spot using synchronization of laser pulses with the DUT clock. The system can be implemented using laser wavelength having photon energy above the silicon bandgap so as to perform single-photon LADA or wavelength having photon energy below the silicon bandgap so as to generate two-photon LADA. The timing of the laser pulses can be adjusted using two feedback loops tied to the clock signal of an ATE, or by adjusting the ATE's clock signal with reference to a fixed-pulse laser source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: FEI EFA, Inc.
    Inventors: Praveen Vedagarbha, Derryck Reid, Keith Serrels, James S. Vickers
  • Patent number: 11333697
    Abstract: A three-dimensional surface potential distribution measurement system for measuring a surface potential of a measurement object comprises: a laser light source; a Pockels crystal exhibiting Pockels effect in which a refractive index changes depending on potential difference between the first end surface and the second end surface; a mirror disposed so as to be attached stationarily to the second end surface of the Pockels crystal; a photodetector to detect a light intensity of the laser light corresponding to the potential difference of the Pockels crystal; a housing that holds those elements; a three-dimensional motion-driver capable of three-dimensionally moving the housing; and a driving controller that controls the three-dimensional motion-driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Masaaki Furukawa, Tetsuo Yoshimitsu, Yuichi Tsuboi, Kunihiko Hidaka, Akiko Kumada, Hisatoshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11320471
    Abstract: A method of impedance measurement of a device under test (DUT) is disclosed based on a random excitation signal, the method comprising the steps of generating the random excitation signal, applying the generated random excitation signal to the DUT through two points of a data acquisition board (DAQ) and re-structuring the converted random excitation signal through a plurality of iterative calibration loops, wherein spectral phase of the random excitation signal is derived from a discrete uniform distribution and its time domain amplitude is controllable. The random excitation signal is a structured Gaussian White Noise (GWN) signal or sequence, which is generated based on the user-defined input parameters such as white noise power level, frequency range between the minimum and maximum frequencies (Fmin and Fmax), and frequency step (Fstep).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: University of Sharjah
    Inventors: Ahmed Elwakil, Anis Allagui, Sohaib Majzoub
  • Patent number: 11307260
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a testing method and a testing system for a safe operating window of a lithium-ion battery in a squeezed state. The testing system includes a mechanical loading device, a heating device, a lithium-ion battery tester and a measuring device. By comparing the influence of a combined use of two or more of mechanical abuse with two different fixed variables, thermal abuse, and electrical abuse on critical conditions of thermal runaway of the lithium-ion battery, the influence of the different forms of abuse on the critical conditions of thermal runaway of the lithium-ion battery can be compared qualitatively and quantitatively, and these data can also be used to determine the safe operating windows of the lithium-ion battery under different abuse conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NANJING TECH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhirong Wang, Jinlong Bai, Jia Ju, Yangyan Zheng
  • Patent number: 11293997
    Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus includes a control device and an extension device connectable to the control device. The control device includes one or more cutoff blocks that switch between allowing and cutting off power supply to a load, a first diagnostic pulse generator that generates a diagnostic signal indicating that the power to the load is to be cut off, a first cutoff diagnosing device that detects a supply voltage to the load, and an extension device detector that determines whether the extension device is connected to the control device. The extension device includes a second diagnostic pulse generator that generates a diagnostic signal, and a second cutoff diagnosing device that detects a supply voltage to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taro Kishibe, Hideyuki Kishida, Yusuke Shimogaki
  • Patent number: 11283401
    Abstract: A system for determining a state of a photovoltaic panel. The system includes a data acquisition device having a circuit and a communication module. The circuit is arranged to transmit excitation signals to a photovoltaic panel and detect response signals generated by the photovoltaic panel in response to the excitation signal, during normal operation of the photovoltaic panel. The communication module is arranged to communicate the response signals to a control device for analysis and determination of a state of the photovoltaic panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Shu Hung Henry Chung, Martin Garaj, Yiwen Hong
  • Patent number: 11280119
    Abstract: The door handle device includes: a contact sensing unit including a guide groove and a contact sensing electrode, the guide groove configured to guide a water droplet falling on a door, the contact sensing electrode disposed in the guide groove and configured to sense a contact with the door; a locking unit configured to execute unlocking and locking of a door; and a control unit configured to instruct to the locking unit to keep locking the door if determining that the water droplet is in contact with the door, on the basis of a sensing result by the contact sensing electrode. There are provided: a contact sensing device; a door handle device and a control method for such a door handle device; and an electronic key system, for preventing a misoperation due to a water droplet adhering to a door handle of vehicles, which has an electrostatic locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotoshi Usui
  • Patent number: 11271607
    Abstract: A testing of a transmission path of a cable connection between a first position and a second position is provided. Test signals are transmitted via the transmission path, and a transfer function is determined by evaluating the test signals. In order to assess the properties of the transmission path, the transfer function is transformed to an impulse response and the echo power of the transmission path is evaluated by analyzing the impulse response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Michael Feilen
  • Patent number: 11262263
    Abstract: A sensing device is provided in the present invention. The sensing device includes a first conductive element, a second conductive element, a processing unit, a cover and a base. The processing electrically connects to the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The cover has an opening. The base forms a space with the cover, and the first conductive element and the second conductive element are set on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Min Chang, Cheng-En Lu, Yen-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 11237220
    Abstract: In one form, a power supply monitor including a current controlled oscillator circuit, a time-to-digital converter, and an output divider. The current controlled oscillator circuit has an input for receiving a power supply voltage to be measured, and an output for providing a frequency signal having a frequency linearly proportional to the power supply voltage. The time-to-digital converter has an input coupled to the output of the current controlled oscillator circuit, and an output for providing a count signal representative of a number of cycles of a reference clock signal per cycle of the frequency signal. The output divider has an input coupled to the output of the time-to-digital converter, and an output for providing a divided count signal representative of a value of the power supply voltage, and provides the divided count signal by dividing a fixed number by the count signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravinder Reddy Rachala, Stephen Victor Kosonocky, Miguel Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11226378
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate an electrical current connector. The electrical current connector can be configured to provide electrical current when pressure is applied to a prong set. This pressure can cause a contact to engage with a connector. This can complete a circuit that allows the electrical current to flow. The connector can be coupled to a cable that can be configured to transfer data along with the electrical current. The cable can have an inner portion that transfers the data while an outer portion that surrounds the inner portion transfers the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas Podlesak, Michael Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11215654
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a measuring device, a measurement system, and a measuring method for a dielectric constant of a liquid crystal. The measuring device includes: a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to each other; a conductive layer disposed on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate, wherein the conductive layer is configured to receive a first voltage signal; a resonant structure layer disposed on a side of the second substrate facing the first substrate, the resonant structure layer being configured to receive a second voltage signal and configured to transmit the microwave signal; a frame disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the frame cooperating with the first substrate and the second substrate to form a cavity for accommodating the liquid crystal to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yongchun Lu