Patents Examined by Justen Fauth
  • Patent number: 8212403
    Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit for controlling the operation of a backup power supply, wherein the circuit comprises a switch unit, a control unit, and a processing unit; wherein the switch unit is configured to be operably coupled to an external power supply; wherein a first input terminal is configured to be operably coupled to a backup power supply, a second input terminal is configured to be operably coupled to the switch unit, the third and fourth output terminals of the control unit are configured to be operably coupled to an input terminal of the processing unit; the fifth and sixth input terminals of the control unit are configured to be operably coupled to a respective output terminal of the processing unit; and the control unit is configured to turn on and off the backup power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: BYD Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiangjun Dai, Qingfei Zheng, Yaozhong Mi, Aimei Zhou
  • Patent number: 8212412
    Abstract: A power system for connecting a variable voltage power source, such as a power controller, with a plurality of energy storage devices, at least two of which have a different initial voltage than the output voltage of the variable voltage power source. The power system includes a controller that increases the output voltage of the variable voltage power source. When such output voltage is substantially equal to the initial voltage of a first one of the energy storage devices, the controller sends a signal that causes a switch to connect the variable voltage power source with the first one of the energy storage devices. The controller then causes the output voltage of the variable voltage power source to continue increasing. When the output voltage is substantially equal to the initial voltage of a second one of the energy storage devices, the controller sends a signal that causes a switch to connect the variable voltage power source with the second one of the energy storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Northern Power Systems Utility Scale, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Benedict, Nicholas P. Borland, Magdelena Dale, Belvin Freeman, Kim A. Kite, Jeffrey K. Petter, Brendan F. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8212405
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for alternate power delivery are provided. A metering assembly includes a power meter module. The power meter module includes a power control module and a power monitor. The power control module is coupled to a transfer switch that receives both primary power and alternate power. The transfer switch has an output coupled to an electrical circuit load. The power control module is configured to receive a request from the transfer switch for the alternate power to be supplied through the transfer switch to the electrical circuit load. The power control module is configured to enable the transfer switch to supply the alternate power to the electrical circuit load in response to the request. The power monitor is configured to determine an amount of the alternate power provided to the electrical circuit load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: OfficePower, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Pifer, Andrew J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8203234
    Abstract: A power safety system includes a first MOS, a second MOS, a switch and a body controller. The first MOS is connected between a power input and a power output. The second MOSFET is connected between the power output and a charging output. The switch has an end connected to the body of the first MOS, and the opposite end switched between the source and the drain of the first MOS. A body controller controls the switch according to the voltage at the power input and the voltage at the power output, to connect the body of the first MOS to the source or the drain of the first MOS. By switching the switch, the first MOS will have a parasitic diode effective to prevent a reverse current from the power output to the power input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Li-Wei Lee, Nien-Hui Kung, Kwan-Jen Chu, Chun-Tsung Chen
  • Patent number: 8198757
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power saving method and apparatus for powering a lower voltage device from a higher voltage power source. The apparatus includes a switch having an input coupled to an output of the higher voltage power source. The apparatus further includes a high-to-low voltage converter having an input coupled to an output of the switch. The apparatus also includes a power plug having an input coupled to an output of the high-to-low voltage power converter, and an output configured to receive a power socket of the low voltage device. Finally, the apparatus includes a switch actuator coupled to the power plug and the switch. When the power plug is operatively engaged within the power socket of the lower voltage device, the switch actuator closes the switch. When the power plug is operatively disengaged from the power plug, the switch actuator opens the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S Brink, Michael R Curry, Donald R Fearn, Raymond A Richetta, Timothy J Schmerbeck, Dereje G Yilma
  • Patent number: 8198755
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the contactless energy and data transmission, having a primary unit provided with a primary inductor, and a secondary unit provided with a secondary inductor. The primary and secondary units are at least temporarily so relatively positioned that between the primary inductor and the secondary inductor a transformer coupling distance is formed. Furthermore, the primary unit is set up for the contactless transmission of energy to the secondary unit and the secondary unit is designed for supplying terminals connected thereto. The device is further developed in that the primary unit has means for interrupting the energy transmission across the transformer coupling distance in energy transmission intervals and the secondary unit has means for detecting the energy transmission intervals. Further, the secondary unit has means for transmitting data in the energy transmission intervals and/or the primary unit has means for transmitting data to the secondary unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Seefried, Dennis Trebbels
  • Patent number: 8193663
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided that has a processor for performing an information processing, a power supply unit for receiving an external electric power from an external electric power source and for supplying the external electric power to the processor, a first power receiving unit connected to a first communication medium, the first power receiving unit receiving a first electric power from the first communication medium and supplying the first electric power to the processor, a second power receiving unit connected to a second communication medium, the second power receiving unit receiving a second electric power from the second communication medium and supplying the second electric power to the processor, an electric power detection unit for detecting the first electric power or the second electric power, and a switching unit for supplying one of the external electric power, the first electric power, and the second electric power to the processor according to a result of detection made
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 8193660
    Abstract: An HVAC/R system is configured with power storage for power back-up to maintain substantially uninterrupted power in the case of a main power failure. The power back-up system has a DC power source configured to be recharged, and provides power to the HVAC/R components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Paul Sarkisian, Kaveh Khalili, Warren Harhay
  • Patent number: 8183711
    Abstract: A power extractor suitable for locations proximate to the sink of a signal channel is disclosed. The power extractor can generate power from the signal channel without substantially disturbing a quality of signals within the channel. In one embodiment, the power extraction circuit can include: a current source coupled to a sink side of a signal channel, where the signal channel is independent of any power supply signal, the current source being high impedance to maintain signal quality within the signal channel; a first regulator configured to generate a first regulated supply from a current derived from the signal channel using the current source; and a second regulator coupled to the first regulator, where the second regulator is configured to generate a second regulated supply from the first regulated supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Quellan, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios Asmanis, Faouzi Chaahoub
  • Patent number: 8183712
    Abstract: A method and system for managing power consumption by electrical appliances, is provided. One implementation involves obtaining power consumption information for a use cycle of a each of multiple appliances; and automatically scheduling a time slot for an operation cycle of a selected appliance as a function of power consumption by appliance cycles scheduled in that time slot, such that an upper limit of power consumption is not exceeded by the collective power consumption for scheduled appliance cycles in the time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scot MacLellan, Valeria Perticara'
  • Patent number: 8178995
    Abstract: A power supply system that includes: a power supply coil and a power supply-side resonance coil that are provided at a facility; a power receiving coil and a power receiving-side resonance coil that are provided for a mobile unit; a power supply-side detection unit that detects a position of the power supply-side resonance coil; a power receiving-side detection unit that detects a position of the power receiving-side resonance coil; and an adjustment unit that adjusts a relative position of the power supply coil with respect to the power supply-side resonance coil and a relative position of the power receiving coil with respect to the power receiving-side resonance coil on the basis of the position of the power supply-side resonance coil and the position of the power receiving-side resonance coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Amano, Shinji Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8174148
    Abstract: Controllable electrical outlets and systems and methods for controlling and disabling the electrical outlets. A controllable electrical outlet includes a current sensor, an electrical switch, and a microcontroller. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet, the current sensor senses the flow of current and a current sense event is reported from the electrical outlet to a central computer. The central computer provides timing and control of the electrical outlet. When a predetermined elapsed time has passed, as measured by the central computer, a timed-out event is communicated from the central computer to the electrical outlet triggering the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load. Communication between the central computer and an electrical outlet may occur, for example, via existing electrical wiring, wirelessly, or via dedicated communication wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Crucs Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Crucs
  • Patent number: 8169107
    Abstract: A method of reducing switching losses in a power supply includes the steps of advancing the output voltage of a first pole of a power cell by a first angle, retarding the output voltage of a second pole of the power cell by a second angle, and producing a combined output voltage of the power cell equal to a positive pulse of a duration angle equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle for a first half of a switching cycle of the power cell, and equal to a negative pulse of a duration angle equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle for a second half of the switching cycle of the power cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Willard Hammond, Mukul Rastogi
  • Patent number: 8169106
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an energy management system (EMS) and a method using the same, wherein the EMS comprises, a communication module receiving a channel information of a high voltage direct current (HVDC) system via a network; a circuit realization unit obtaining a connection information among constituent elements symbolizing the constituent elements among each node in electrical symbols by sequentially following pre-set nodes of the HVDC system, and forming the HVDC system by connecting the symbolized constituent elements using electrical lines by using the channel information of HVDC system received by the communication module; a system analyzing unit analyzing an operation mode of the HVDC system through the connection information among the constituent elements of the HVDC system obtained by the circuit realization unit; and a controller managing and controlling the HVDC system by giving an energy management command in response to the operation mode analyzed by the system analyzing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Uk Hwa Lee, Sang Yuen Yuen, Yoon-Sung Cho
  • Patent number: 8159086
    Abstract: A method is provided for using a temporary power source to transfer a power bus from a first power source to a second power source. The first power source operates at a first electrical frequency, and the second power source operates at a second electrical frequency that is different from the first electrical frequency. The method includes adjusting the output frequency of the temporary power source to match the first electrical frequency and supplying power to the power bus from the temporary power source. The method also includes disconnecting the first power source from the power bus. The method further includes adjusting the output frequency of the temporary power source to match the second electrical frequency. The method further includes coupling the second power source to the power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventor: David Dimitri Karipides
  • Patent number: 8143743
    Abstract: A method of controlling an uninterruptible power supply apparatus (UPS) is provided. The UPS apparatus includes at least an AC input voltage, a DC input voltage and a single-phase AC/AC converter. The single-phase AC/AC converter includes an AC inductor, a bus capacitor, a boost arm, a common arm and a buck arm. The method includes steps of: controlling the bus voltage to have a DC component and full-wave rectifying component, and setting a bus voltage parameter K so that the bus voltage approaches to a full-wave rectifying voltage when K approaches to 1, wherein 0?K?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan-Song Lu, Jing-Tao Tan, Jian-Ping Yang, Jian-Ping Ying
  • Patent number: 8138625
    Abstract: A dual line active automatic transfer switch (ATS) is provided. A first switch structure is connected to a first PSU of the plurality of PSUs, and operable between a first position connecting a first input line of the dual line and a second position connecting a second input line of the dual line with the one PSU. A second switch structure is connected to at least one additional PSU of the plurality of PSUs, and operable between a third position connecting the first input line and a fourth position connecting the second input line with the at least one additional PSU. The first and second switch structures are operable between each of the first, second, third, and fourth positions to alternatively connect each of the plurality of PSUs to one of the first and second input lines and connect, when each of the dual lines is charged, both of the first and second input lines to at least one of the plurality of PSUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jiwu Duan, Steven M. Groff, Trung Le, Juan A. Yanes
  • Patent number: 8138634
    Abstract: An automatic transfer switch for a power system receiving multiple alternating current sources and delivering multiple alternating current output is described. A transfer switch control circuit can sense a power loss in one or both AC sources. Each power supply can deliver current to drive a load but, if one of the power supplies fails, the other can supply power to drive both loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy
  • Patent number: 8136890
    Abstract: Devices and methods for preventing shock from a high voltage power source. In one embodiment, a device for preventing an electric shock, comprises output terminals for connecting to an external load, a low voltage circuit for carrying a first current (IL) to the output terminals, the low voltage circuit comprising a first coil disposed about a magnetic core, and a high voltage circuit for carrying a second current (IH) to the output terminals, the high voltage circuit comprising a second coil disposed about the magnetic core, and a control relay configured to electrically connect one of the high voltage circuit and the low voltage circuit to the output terminals based at least partly on the first current (IL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Safety & Development, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Cruz
  • Patent number: 8138622
    Abstract: Borehole instruments are powered by AC instrument power transmitted on all three phases of a power cable concurrently carrying three phase motor power, the instrument power transmitted at a multiple of the motor power frequency and having a corresponding fraction of the motor power voltage, and received via a capacitive coupling sufficient to withstand high-voltage cable insulation testing. The phase-to-neutral motor power provides approximately the same power level to the borehole instruments if a phase shorts to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James E. Layton, Dick L. Knox, Gordon L. Besser