Patents Examined by Kevin J Comber
  • Patent number: 11870348
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes: an input stage configured to receive first and a second input signals and generate a first voltage based on the first input signal and generate a second voltage based on the second input signal; an amplification stage configured to generate a first output current based on the first voltage and a second output current based on the second voltage; a bias stage configured to generate a bias voltage for the amplification stage based on the first and second voltages; a load stage configured to output a differential voltage signal proportional to a current through a device for which current is sensed based on a comparison of the first and second output currents; and an output stage configured to output a signal to control a duty cycle of the device for which current is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Empower Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Narendra Nath Gaddam, Trey Roessig
  • Patent number: 11871683
    Abstract: A charging and field supplement circuit for superconducting magnets based on a pulsed current includes a capacitor charging circuit, an energy-storage capacitor, a capacitor discharging circuit, a superconducting magnetic energy storage circuit, and a superconducting persistent-current switch. Two output ends of the capacitor charging circuit are respectively connected to two ends of the energy-storage capacitor. Two input ends of the capacitor discharging circuit are respectively connected to the two ends of the energy-storage capacitor. Two output ends of the capacitor discharging circuit are respectively connected to two input ends of the superconducting magnetic energy storage circuit. Two output ends of the superconducting magnetic energy storage circuit are respectively connected to two input ends of the superconducting persistent-current switch. Two output ends of the superconducting persistent-current switch are configured to charge and magnetize a target superconducting magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiaofen Li, Zhiwei Zhang, Zhijian Jin, Yanbo Bi
  • Patent number: 11869737
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a push-button switch assembly with the ability to diagnose faults. The push-button switch assembly comprises a first circuit comprising a first resistor arranged in series with a first switch, and a second resistor arranged in parallel with the first resistor and the first switch, and a second circuit comprising a third resistor arranged in series with a second switch, and a fourth resistor arranged in parallel with the third resistor and the second switch, wherein the first switch and the second switch are each closable by displacement of a push-button of the push-button switch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Braithwaite, Martin Scheck, James Michael Weinfurther, Gabriel Dascalu, Eric L Reed
  • Patent number: 11870237
    Abstract: A surge suppression circuit is used in a rotating electrical machine system including a switching circuit composed of a plurality of switching elements and a rotating electrical machine connected thereto via an electrically conducting path comprising a plurality of electrically conductive bodies. The surge suppression circuit suppresses surge voltage generated in a plurality of connecting lines connecting the plurality of electrically conductive bodies to windings of plural phases of the rotating electrical machine. The surge suppression circuit includes a plurality of upper diodes with anodes respectively connected to the plurality of connection lines, a plurality of lower diodes with cathodes respectively connected to the plurality of connection lines, an upper line connected to respective cathodes of the plurality of upper diodes, a lower line connected to respective anodes of the plurality of lower diodes, and a voltage holding circuit connected between the upper line and the lower line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: PROTERIAL, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Sugiyama, Haruyasu Komano
  • Patent number: 11863089
    Abstract: Process chamber, high voltage measurement systems and methods for monitoring the output of a high voltage power supply are described. The output of the high voltage power supply is converted using a transducer and measured with high accuracy. A high voltage measurement system compares the converted value with a threshold criterion and actuates an interlock if readings are outside the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Prakash Ravanan
  • Patent number: 11862440
    Abstract: Semiconductor processing equipment and an electrostatic chuck include a semiconductor having: an upper electrode; a gas supplier connected to the upper electrode; and a substrate supporting structure spaced apart from the upper electrode to define a processing volume. The substrate supporting structure supports a substrate and includes: a lower electrode having a side area disposed outside a step formed at an outer perimeter portion of the lower electrode and a processing area disposed inside the step; a first plate disposed on the lower electrode; an attraction electrode disposed on the first plate; and a second plate disposed on the attraction plate. The second plate supports the substrate in a state in which the substrate is laid on an upper surface of the second plate. Each of the first plate and the second plate includes ceramic. The lower electrode has a maximum height at a central portion of the processing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Jeongil Mun, Jinyoung Park, Jongwoo Sun, Hyungjoo Lee
  • Patent number: 11855437
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle contains a plug outlet that has a pair of contacts for electrical connection to respective hot and neutral power lines. A controlled switch, such as a TRIAC, is connected in series relationship between the outlet contact and the hot power line. Sensors in the receptacle outputs signals to a processor having an output coupled to the control terminal of the controlled switch. The processor outputs an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the controlled switch in response to received sensor signals that are indicative of conditions relative to the first and second contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Brainwave Research Corporation
    Inventors: John Eriksen, Jean-Guy Gagne, Rene K. Pardo
  • Patent number: 11853092
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes an operational amplifier, an output circuit, a first capacitor, and a second capacitor. The operational amplifier is configured to generate an output according to a feedback signal. The output circuit is configured to generate a first current signal in response to a supply voltage and the output of the operational amplifier. The first current signal includes a first ripple signal. The first capacitor and the second capacitor are coupled in parallel between the operational amplifier and the output circuit. The first capacitor is configured to receive the first current signal and feedback to the operational amplifier the first ripple signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsiang Wang, Jaw-Juinn Horng
  • Patent number: 11855435
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tripping open circuit interrupters based on the detection of an arc flash using an accessory arc flash detection module are disclosed. The housing of the arc flash detection module is structured to be installed within the frame of a circuit interrupter. The detection module communicates with light sensors structured to detect light from arc flash events, and includes a controller configured to communicate with an electronic trip unit of the circuit interrupter. In one embodiment, the detection module is configured to alert the electronic trip unit that light indicative of arc flash conditions has been detected such that the electronic trip unit can determine whether or not to initiate a trip after determining the magnitude of current flowing through the circuit interrupter. In another embodiment, the detection module is configured to directly actuate a trip of the circuit interrupter based on the detection of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: James L. Lagree, Christopher M. Finen, Patrick Martinez Garcia, Xavier Ignacio Pacheco Paulino
  • Patent number: 11853091
    Abstract: A voltage regulating device and a mode switching detecting circuit are provided. The mode switching detecting circuit is configured to reset a soft start circuit of the voltage regulating device. The mode switching detecting circuit includes a mode switching signal detector, a reset signal generator, and a reset status detector. The mode switching signal detector receives a mode switching signal and generates a setting signal according to a transition edge of the mode switching signal. The reset signal generator is coupled to the mode switching signal detector and generates a reset activating signal according to the setting signal. The reset activating signal drives the soft start circuit to perform a reset operation. The reset status detector compares an output voltage of the soft start circuit and a reference voltage to generate a clear signal. The reset signal generator clears the reset activating signal according to the clear signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ALi Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Yang Lee
  • Patent number: 11848223
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck device includes: a mounting table provided with amounting surface on which a plate-shaped sample is mounted; an annular focus ring; and a cooling element for cooling the focus ring, in which the mounting table has a holding portion provided to surround the mounting surface, and the holding portion includes an annular groove surrounding the mounting surface, and a through-hole that is open on a bottom surface of the groove, wherein a tubular insulator has been inserted into the through-hole, the holding portion has upper surfaces, which are located on both sides of the groove in a width direction, as holding surfaces that are in contact with the focus ring and hold the focus ring, wherein the holding surface satisfies the following conditions (i) to (iii); (i) surface roughness is 0.05 ?m or less, (ii) a flatness is 20 ?m or less, and (iii) the holding surface does not have a recess having a depth of 1.0 ?m or more and extending in a direction intersecting the holding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Kugimoto, Masaki Ozaki, Takeshi Watanabe, Kentaro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11843225
    Abstract: An example apparatus for charge neutralization includes: a first emitter nozzle; a power supply configured to supply a high frequency alternating current (AC) signal to the first emitter nozzle; control circuitry configured to: provide a polarity signal to the power supply to generate a DC offset signal, wherein a combination of the high frequency AC signal and the DC offset signal causes the power supply to output a positive ion generation pulse or a negative ion generation pulse; control the polarity signal to cause the power supply to provide a period of positive ion generation and a period of negative ion generation; determine a balance voltage at an output of the first emitter nozzle; and control the polarity signal to adjust a relative durations of the period of positive ion generation and the period of negative ion generation based on the balance voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bernard Heymann, Edward Anthony Oldynski, Joseph Cassio, Juan Guerrero
  • Patent number: 11842895
    Abstract: An SBD includes: a terminal well region formed to surround an active region; a field insulating film formed to cover part of the terminal well region; a surface electrode formed on a drift layer on an inner side in relation to the field insulating film and electrically connected to the terminal well region; a surface protection film covering an end portion on an outer side of the surface electrode; and a back surface electrode formed on a back surface of a single crystal substrate. An end portion of an outer side of the surface electrode in the corner portion of the terminal region is located on an inner side in relation to the end portion of the outer side of the surface electrode in a straight portion of a terminal region based on a position of an end portion of an outer side of the terminal well region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Ebihara, Takaaki Tominaga
  • Patent number: 11837493
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck including a clamping layer having a first clamping electrode and a second clamping electrode is disclosed. A first clamping electrode defining a first clamping zone and a second clamping zone is provided. The first clamping zone and the second clamping zone are separated by a first gap and are electrically connected by at least one electrical connection extending across the first gap. A second clamping electrode disposed radially outward from the first clamping electrode. The second clamping electrode defining a third clamping zone and a fourth clamping zone that are separated by a second gap. The third clamping zone and the fourth clamping zone are electrically connected by at least one electrical connection extending across the second gap. Plasma processing apparatuses and systems incorporating the electrostatic chuck are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Maolin Long, Weimin Zeng
  • Patent number: 11837420
    Abstract: A system for short-circuiting or grounding low-voltage and/or medium-voltage installations. The system includes at least one fault detection unit for detecting an arc and at least one signal-processing unit for processing signals from the at least one fault detection unit. The signal-processing unit is or can be connected to the fault detection unit for signal transmission. The system further includes at least one control unit which is or can be connected to the signal-processing unit for signal transmission, an electrical energy storage device in or on the control unit, and at least one fast-switching switching element having a mechanical energy store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Lecheler, Martin Bindrich, Juergen Einschenk, Karsten Freundt
  • Patent number: 11830753
    Abstract: A composite sintered body includes a base material that contains Al2O3 as a main component, and an electrode arranged inside or on a surface of the base material. The electrode contains Ru, ZrO2, and Al2O3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Miyanishi, Kyohei Atsuji, Asumi Nagai, Hirofumi Yamaguchi, Soichiro Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 11831141
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a circuit breaker having main contacts configured to be coupled within an electrical line. The circuit breaker also has trip contacts and auxiliary contacts. A protection relay is electrically coupled to the trip contacts of the circuit breaker and is configured to trip the circuit breaker. A trip circuit supervision relay has a first coil electrically coupled to the auxiliary contacts of the circuit breaker and a second coil electrically coupled to the trip contacts of the circuit breaker. The first coil and the second coil are magnetically coupled to each other. The trip circuit supervision relay is single circuit supervision relay that includes both first coil and the second coil and is configured to be magnetically operated by either of the first coil and the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Energy Ltd.
    Inventors: Loganadhan Venkatesh, Shambhulingappa Siragappala, Ashoka Shyama Prasad, Uthaya Kumar
  • Patent number: 11831139
    Abstract: Circuit interrupting devices are provided. One circuit interrupting device includes a fault sensor configured to output a sensor signal; a voltage sensor configured to sense a reference voltage; and a controller configured to determine an occurrence of an actual fault based on the sensor signal and the reference voltage. The circuit interrupting device further includes an amplifier configured to receive the sensor signal and the reference voltage and output an amplified signal; an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the reference voltage and the amplified signal and output respective digital signals corresponding to the reference voltage and the amplified signal; and a line interrupt assembly configured to interrupt current flow through a conductive path when a characteristic of the sensor signal exceeds an actual fault threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Michael Ostrovsky
  • Patent number: 11830755
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck includes a ceramic dielectric substrate and a base plate. The ceramic dielectric substrate includes a first major surface, a second major surface, a groove part, and a plurality of cooling gas holes. The groove part includes first and second circumferential grooves, and first and second radial-direction grooves. The plurality of cooling gas holes includes first and second holes. The first hole overlaps the first radial-direction groove. The second hole overlaps the second radial-direction groove. The base plate includes a gas inlet path that supplies the cooling gas to the first and second holes. The first circumferential groove includes first and second end portions. The second circumferential groove includes third and fourth end portions. The third end portion and the fourth end portion do not overlap the first end portion in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihito Ono, Jumpei Uefuji, Tomoki Umetsu, Tatsuya Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 11831137
    Abstract: A cargo (22) detection system for a refrigerated cargo container (10) includes a cargo sensor (50) body configured to detect presence of cargo (22) in a refrigerated cargo container (10) and a sensor bracket (56) configured for securing the cargo sensor (50) body at a refrigeration unit (24) of the refrigerated cargo container (10). A temperature sensor (72) is located at the cargo sensor (50) body and is configured to detect a temperature of the cargo sensor (50) body. A temperature controller (74) is operably connected to the temperature sensor (72) and is configured to activate the cargo sensor (50) body for collection of data when the temperature of the cargo sensor (50) body is above a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Stockbridge, William F. Caswell