Patents Examined by Justen Fauth
  • Patent number: 8288895
    Abstract: A tunable capacitor device may be provided in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. The tunable capacitor device may include a first capacitor; a second capacitor; a third capacitor, where the first, second, and third capacitors are connected in series, wherein the second capacitor is positioned between the first capacitor and the second capacitor; and at least one switch transistor, where the at least one switch transistor is connected in parallel with the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics
    Inventors: Youngchang Yoon, Hyungwook Kim, Minsik Ahn, Chang-Ho Lee, Joy Laskar
  • Patent number: 8288886
    Abstract: A method for avoiding electrical resonance in a vehicle having a high-voltage (HV) direct current (DC) bus shared by a first and a second power electronic converter device, such as an air conditioning compressor module (ACCM) and a traction power inverter (TPIM), includes determining an impedance characteristic of the bus, defining resonance points for the bus, selecting lower and upper switching frequency boundaries for the TPIM, and preventing the TPIM from operating within a range defined by these boundaries. A vehicle includes the first and second power electronic converter device, e.g., the APPM and the TPIM, the shared HV DC, and a controller having the algorithm set forth above, wherein the controller is adapted for avoiding electrical resonance in the HV DC bus by executing the algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad N. Anwar, Steven E. Schulz, Stephan N. Green, James E. Tarchinski
  • Patent number: 8288897
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a smart speed control, power-saving and noise-reduction paper shredder, comprises an electric machine unit, a current inspection feedback unit, a gear-switching voltage-modulating and speed-regulating unit and a power supply, wherein an input terminal of the gear-switching voltage-modulating and speed-regulating unit is connected to an output terminal of the current inspection feedback unit, and an output terminal is connected to an input terminal of the electric machine unit; a paper shredder of the present invention applicable for an AC electric machine, an induction electric machine or a DC electric machine, wherein current required for paper shredding by the AC electric machine, the induction electric machine or the DC electric machine is detected, and the electric machine is adjusted to its best working condition, and a number of speeds including high, mid and low gears are provided and can be switched according to the actual load condition, so as to achieve the smart spee
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Emily Lo
  • Patent number: 8283804
    Abstract: A semiconductor IC device capable of power-sharing includes a first power line configured to be supplied with a first power, a second power line configured to be supplied with a second power, a switching block configured to connect the first power line with the second power line in response to a first control signal, and a power-sharing control block configured to generate the control signal in accordance with a plurality of operation command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Hyung-Soo Kim, Yong-Ju Kim, Sung-Woo Han, Hee-Woong Song, Ic-Su Oh, Tae-Jin Hwang, Hae-Rang Choi, Ji-Wang Lee, Jae-Min Jang, Chang-Kun Park
  • Patent number: 8283802
    Abstract: A power distribution unit disclosed herein includes a plurality of power outlets arranged in adjacent columns, the first and the second terminals of the power outlets in a first column formed along a first line, the first and the second terminals of the power outlets in a second column formed along a second line, ground terminals of the power outlets in the first column formed along a third line, and ground terminals of the power outlets of the second column formed along a fourth line, wherein the first line, the second line, the third line, and the fourth line are arranged in parallel, and wherein the plurality of power outlets are arranged in one of an arrangement in which the third and fourth lines are positioned between the first and second lines, and an arrangement in which the first and second lines are positioned between the third and fourth lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Jansma, Yuchun Jiang, Jim Phillip Donjon
  • Patent number: 8278778
    Abstract: A power supply for an HVAC/R system is configured to provide back-up power functionality for situations when the main source of power fails. The power supply includes a DC power bus which receives power from the main source of power as well as a back up source. When the main source fails the back up source provides power to the DC power bus. Connected to the DC power bus is a variable frequency drive power supply (VFD). The VFD is configured to provide power to the components of the HVAC/R system based on power received from the DC power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Paul Sarkisian, Kaveh Khalili, Warren Harhay
  • Patent number: 8278781
    Abstract: Upon detecting an external signal which instructs to stop discharge, an input voltage equal to or less than a set value for the prevention of overdischarge, or an output voltage equal to or more than a set value for the prevention of output of an overvoltage, a control unit (12) stops discharge to a load (40) by opening a switching element (4b) of a step-down unit (11b). Upon detecting that an external signal is reset or an input voltage equal to or more than a set value larger than the set value for the prevention of overdischarge, the control unit (12) resumes discharge to the load (40) by setting the switching element (4b) in a switching operation state or short-circuiting it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Yamashita, Takahisa Shodai, Akihiro Miyasaka, Riichi Kitano
  • Patent number: 8274178
    Abstract: A resonant array for the transmission of multiple frequency wireless energy in multiple configurations at a useful distance for grid-coordinate power and information delivery on small aperture and mobile scales where alternatives such as battery, solar, infrared, microwave, or other power-independent means are inappropriate or inaccessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Allen Tucker
  • Patent number: 8274175
    Abstract: A method in conjunction with an emergency light, and an emergency light with equipment comprising one or more LED light sources (52) for producing emergency lighting; a super capacitor (C1) arranged to supply one or more LED light sources (52), a charging apparatus (A) arranged to charge the super capacitor (C1) to a predetermined nominal voltage. The equipment of the emergency light further comprises means for deviating the charging voltage (U) produced by the charging apparatus; and means (C) for detecting the capacitor circuit voltage when the charging voltage is being deviated, the means (C) being arranged to detect a defect in the capacitor circuit in response to the voltage detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Teknoware Oy
    Inventor: Jari Tabell
  • Patent number: 8274181
    Abstract: A structure for transmission in a power supply, particularly to a power structure for transmission for bearing large DC current, wherein the power supply includes a power input port for connecting to DC input power and a DC/DC conversion circuit for converting the DC input power into DC output power. The architecture including at least one power transmission board for disposing the power input port, wherein the power transmission board is electrically connected to the power process board with the DC/DC conversion circuit mounted thereon by at least one power conduction element. Therefore, through the power conduction elements replacing the conventional connecting wires with large diameter to connect the power input port and the power process board without disobeying the safety regulation, not only the space occupied by the bent connection wires can be reduced, but the collisions and damage to other components caused therefrom also can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignees: FSP Technology Inc., 3Y Power Technology (Taiwan), Inc.
    Inventor: Shao-Feng Lu
  • Patent number: 8269370
    Abstract: A controller (10) includes subtracters (101, 105), a command value corrector (103), and a control block (102). The subtracter (101) obtains a deviation (?v0) of an output voltage (v0) applied from a switching power-supply circuit (61) to a second load (Cdc+Load) with respect to its command value (v0*). The control block (102) performs PI control on the basis of the deviation (?v0) to generate a command value (idc*) for a current (idc) flowing in a coil (Ldc). The command value corrector (103) corrects the command value (idc*) such that high-frequency components of a current (iL) flowing in a first power-supply line (21), with respect to the fundamental frequency of an input current (iu1, iv1, iw1), are consumed in the switching power-supply circuit (61). The subtracter (105) obtains a deviation (?idc) between the corrected command value (idc*) and the current (idc). Commands (r1, r2) for switches are generated on the basis of the deviation (?idc).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Haga
  • Patent number: 8269649
    Abstract: A system, method and device are provided for obtaining, from each endpoint device, meter reading data where the meter reading data are recorded and managed based on a relative time clock in each endpoint device. The relative time clock may be a simple inexpensive clock that tracks minutes and triggers recording of meter reading data for a particular hour at the end of that hour. In that embodiment, a collection system sends an endpoint device a request that includes a requested time that is converted into a relative time so that the endpoint device can understand the request. Since each recorded interval is generated based on a relative time maintained by the clock in the endpoint device rather than an absolute (real) time, the endpoint device does not need to maintain accurate date/time or to read meter reading data from the utility meter based on a real date/time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Cornwall
  • Patent number: 8264098
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle, rocker outer reinforcements serving as vehicle side frame members in a vehicle width direction extend in a vehicle front-rear direction. An electric power cable is provided such that a portion thereof along the vehicle front-rear direction is placed along an inner side surface of the rocker outer reinforcement in the vehicle width direction. An electric power cable is provided such that a portion thereof along the vehicle front-rear direction is placed along an inner side surface of the rocker outer reinforcement in the vehicle width direction. Further, each of the electric power cables is placed in a space portion formed between the rocker outer reinforcement and a center body pillar serving as an energy absorbing member absorbing energy in the event of a side collision of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumitaka Yoshinaga, Naoyoshi Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 8248267
    Abstract: Generally described, the disclosed subject matter is directed to improving the reception of data in wireless communication environments. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for improving the reception of meter data in an AMR system. In particular, the method includes obtaining a sample of data indicative of channel quality for each transmission channel in the operational frequency band of the endpoint device. Then, the data is analyzed and a determination is made as to whether the reception of data by the collection system can be improved. If the reception of data by the collection system can be improved, a command is generated for reprogramming the endpoint device. In one embodiment, the command includes channel reprogramming data for reprogramming the endpoint device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Johnson, Mark Cornwall
  • Patent number: 8232687
    Abstract: The present invention comprises, in various embodiments, systems and methods for shutting down a laser system in an intelligent and flexible manner. An intelligent laser interlock system includes both hardwired components, and intelligent components configured to execute computing instructions. The hardwired components and the intelligent components are configured to shutdown the laser system to one or more alternative shutdown states in response to one or more interlock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Raydiance, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Stadler, David Goldman, Mark Farley, Michael Mielke
  • Patent number: 8227938
    Abstract: Uninterruptible Power Supply system comprising motor generator means for conditioning electric power; backup generator means including an internal combustion engine having electrically driven starter, providing backup electric power; electrical switch means, said switch means being electrically connected to power mains and to the backup generator means' electrical output and the motor generator means' electrical input for selectively switching power from the electric means and the backup generator to the motor generator means; starter switch means electrically connected to the motor generator means' output and electrically connected to the input of the starter system of the backup generator means, for switchably connecting the motor generator means' electrical output to the starter system means' input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Carlos Gottfried
  • Patent number: 8217533
    Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of power converters 1a, 1b and 1c can be used to interface to a supply network, ac busbar etc. Each power converter includes a network bridge 14 operating in accordance with a pulse width modulation (PWM) strategy having the same switching period and which causes at least one unwanted harmonic in the supply network voltage. The method includes the step of providing the switching period of the PWM strategy of each network bridge with a different time offset relative to a time datum such that the at least one unwanted harmonic in the supply network voltage is at least partially cancelled. Two alternative ways of providing the time offset are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Converteam Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Rodney Jones, Robert Vernon Fulcher, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 8217531
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products for dynamically configuring current sharing and fault monitoring in redundant power supply modules for components of an electrically powered system, including summing, by a master service processor, during powered operation of the system, the present power requirements of components presently installed in the electrically powered system and setting, by the master service processor for each redundant power supply module in dependence upon the sum of the present power requirements, a current sharing tolerance and a fault reporting tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jerrod K. Buterbaugh, Timothy C. Daun-Lindberg
  • Patent number: 8217534
    Abstract: A power generator configuration having a distributed inverter. A system is described that includes a plurality of solar modules coupled together in series to form a string; a plurality of combiner boxes, wherein each combiner box couples together a plurality of strings in parallel; and a plurality of DC-DC converters, wherein each DC-DC converter increases a direct current (DC) voltage output of an associated combiner box. Also provided are distributed maximum power point tracker (MPPT) controls that adjust for changing conditions at individual sets of strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Veasna Sok, Stephen George Pisklak, Sunit Oliver
  • Patent number: 8212395
    Abstract: A method of optimizing power loads of a power strip is disclosed. The power strip is of the type having single or three phase power input, a plurality of circuit breakers, and a plurality of outlets. The arrangement is such that at least one circuit breaker is associated with at least one outlet. The method includes: obtaining real-time current measurements for each phase of the single or three phase power input of the power strip; obtaining real-time current measurements for each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers of the power strip; logging the real-time current measurements for each phase of the single or three phase power input and for each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers; and analyzing the real-time current measurements of the single or three phase power input and the plurality of circuit breakers to determine a preferential order of outlets in which to apply a new load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Jansma