Patents Examined by Lee Rodak
  • Patent number: 10408865
    Abstract: A power monitoring system has a power monitoring device that couples to at least one conductor of a transformer and collect data indicative of power usage corresponding to the at least one conductor. Additionally, the power monitoring system may have a protective cover that may comprise a top plate having an arch-shaped back edge adapted to abut and conform with an outside surface of a transformer, a face plate integral with and extending from the top plate and mirroring the outside surface of the transformer, and a bottom plate integral with and extending from the face plate and having an arch-shaped back edge adapted to reasonably abut and conform with the outside surface of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: GRID20/20, Inc.
    Inventor: Shahram Farrokhian
  • Patent number: 10222407
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement (10) comprises an amplifier (11) having a signal input (12) to receive an input signal (SIN) and a signal output (13) to provide an amplified sensor signal (SOUT) that is an inverted signal with respect to the input signal (SIN). Furthermore, the sensor arrangement (10) comprises a feedback path connecting the signal output (13) to the signal input (12), wherein the feedback path comprises a series connection of a capacitive sensor (14) and a feedback capacitor (15). A voltage source arrangement (19) of the sensor arrangement (10) is connected to a feedback node (18) between the capacitive sensor (14) and the feedback capacitor (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventor: Matthias Steiner
  • Patent number: 10222430
    Abstract: A sensor device is provided including: an electric wire; a semiconductor device including an inductor and an amplifier, the inductor being configured to detect a magnetic field generated around the electric wire, the amplifier including a bipolar element configured to amplify a voltage generated at the inductor; and a substrate on which the first semiconductor device and the electric wire are arranged such that the first semiconductor device is apart from the electric wire by at least a given distance. In a plan view of the substrate, the electric wire does not overlap the first semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomomitsu Ohara, Yasuaki Aikyo, Tomoyuki Sakurada
  • Patent number: 10222413
    Abstract: An IC handler (4) of the present invention transfers an IC device (D) to a test head (2). The test head (2) is provided with a socket (3), which has a placing surface (3a) having the IC device (D) placed thereon, and which attaches the IC device (D) placed on the placing surface (3a) to the test head (2). The IC handler (4) is provided with a non-contact displacement meter (71) that is disposed by being spaced apart from the socket (3) in the direction perpendicular to the placing surface (3a). The non-contact displacement meter (71) measures a distance from the non-contact displacement meter (71) to the IC device (D) placed on the placing surface (3a) by emitting a laser beam toward the placing surface (3a) of the socket (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: HappyJapan Inc.
    Inventors: Shouhei Matsumoto, Mitsuo Koizumi, Fumiaki Togashi, Satoshi Ueno, Keitaro Harada, Masayoshi Yokoo
  • Patent number: 10215778
    Abstract: Voltage sensor (1) for a high- or medium-voltage power-carrying conductor for a power network, such as an inner conductor of a power cable or a cable connector or a bus bar. The voltage sensor has a tubular shape and an axial passageway (40), which can receive the conductor. The voltage sensing device comprises a) a radially-inner electrode (20), operable as a first sensing electrode of a sensing capacitor for sensing the voltage of the power-carrying conductor, b) a radially-outer electrode (30), operable as a second sensing electrode of the sensing capacitor, and c) a solid carrier element (10), at least a first portion of which is arranged between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, the first portion being operable as a dielectric of the sensing capacitor. The sensor can be accommodated in a cable accessory. The carrier element may comprise ceramic material to increase accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark Gravermann, Sebastian Eggert, Michael Petry, Werner Roehling, Friedrich A. Busemann, Bernd Schubert, Gerhard Lohmeier, Michael H. Stalder, Jens Weichold, Rainer Reeken, Andreea Sabo, Christian Weinmann, Dipankar Ghosh, Myungchan Kang, Christopher D. Sebesta
  • Patent number: 10215590
    Abstract: A back-biased magnetic field sensor can have one or more vertical Hall effect elements arranged within a substrate region of a substrate, wherein magnetic fields are oriented substantially vertical to the substrate within the substrate region when a ferromagnetic object is not proximate. When the ferromagnetic object becomes proximate, the magnetic field sensor can sense at least the proximity, and, in some embodiments, can also localize a position of the ferromagnetic object relative to the magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. David, Ravi Vig
  • Patent number: 10215792
    Abstract: A position-measuring device for determining the position of two objects movable relative to each other, which during operation, generates data in the form of measured position values, and which is to be connected to a processing unit via a data-transmission channel in order to transmit data, the position-measuring device being able to be connected to the processing unit via a first pair of lines, or alternatively, via a first pair of lines and at least one further pair of lines. The position-measuring device is assigned a detection unit with which the presence or non-presence of at least one further pair of lines is detectable, when the position-measuring device is connected to the processing unit via the data-transmission channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventor: Erich Strasser
  • Patent number: 10215801
    Abstract: A contact inspection device includes: plural probes each having a first end to be brought into contact with a test object; a probe substrate including contact portions in contact with respective second ends of the probes; a probe head through which the probes extend and which is detachably attached to the probe substrate; and plural positioning members which are provided on a surface of the probe head facing the probe substrate and through which the probes extend. Each probe has a rotation restricted portion provided on the side of the second end. Each positioning member has rotation restricting portions adapted to engage the rotation restricted portions. When the positioning members are moved relative to each other, the rotation restricting portions align the probes and switch the probes from a rotation unrestricted state to a rotation restricted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA NIHON MICRONICS
    Inventor: Mika Nasu
  • Patent number: 10215786
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor arrangement to monitor at least one ambient parameter, the sensor arrangement comprising: a first layer exhibiting a first electrical conductivity, and at least a second layer exhibiting a second electrical conductivity different than the first electrical conductivity and being at least partially in direct contact with the first layer, wherein the first and the second layer in an initial configuration comprise different concentrations of a diffusible component, having an impact on the conductivity of the first and/or the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Hardy Kietzmann, Jasmin Groeschke, Hanno Juhnke, Jan-Peter Spengler
  • Patent number: 10145908
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a magnetic field include a semiconductor substrate, a coil configured to provide a changing magnetic field in response to a changing current in the coil; and a magnetic field sensing element supported by the substrate. The coil receives the changing current and, in response, generates a changing magnetic field. The magnetic field sensing element detects the presence of a magnetic target by detecting changes to the magnetic field caused by the target and comparing them to an expected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Paul David, William P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10139248
    Abstract: Each of a first yoke and a second yoke has an intermediate portion between one end portion and the other end portion of the yoke. When the first and second yokes are viewed in an opposing direction, a width of the intermediate portion of each yoke, which is measured in a direction perpendicular to a rotational direction, is smaller than a width of the one end portion and a width of the other end portion of the yoke and is constant along an entire extent of the intermediate portion in the rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoaki Kouno, Tetsuji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 10139515
    Abstract: A method for performing ranging measurements within a formation includes transmitting an asymmetric time-varying signal from a transmitter (114) disposed within a borehole (106) in the formation. The asymmetric time-varying signal may have a signal characteristic that is based at least in part on a downhole characteristic. A (receiver 110) disposed within the borehole (106) may measure a magnetic field induced on an object (103) within the formation by the asymmetric time-varying signal. A direction to the object (103) from the borehole (106) may be determined based at least in part on the measurement of the induced magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Golla, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 10132880
    Abstract: A method for directly electrically generating and detecting spin polarization in topological insulators comprising depositing a first and fourth contact on a layer of Bi2Se3 and applying a current between the contacts, which creates a net spin polarization due to spin-momentum locking. A second (comprising ferromagnet/tunnel barrier) and third contact are deposited for detecting the spin polarization. A device for directly electrically generating and detecting the current-generated spin polarization in topological insulators, comprising a first and fourth contact on a layer of Bi2Se3 and a second contact comprising a ferromagnet/oxide tunnel barrier contact as a detector, and a third contact comprising nonmagnetic metal as a reference contact, a current to the first and fourth contact to produce a net spin polarization, and the spin polarization manifesting as a voltage between the second (magnetic) and third (reference) contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secratary of the Navy
    Inventors: Connie H. Li, Olaf M. J. van 't Erve, Jeremy T. Robinson, Ying Liu, Lian Li, Berend T. Jonker
  • Patent number: 10132879
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for sensing external magnetic fields on multiple axes comprises a coil structure and a gain equalization circuit. The coil structure generates reference fields on magnetic field sensing elements in each axis. The gain equalization circuit measures and compares reference fields to generate gain-equalized output signals responsive to the external magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Latham, Craig S. Petrie
  • Patent number: 10132858
    Abstract: A method of identifying a component by a response to a challenge is disclosed, the component comprising an array of bipolar transistors connectable in parallel so as to have a common collector contact, a common emitter contact and a common base contact, the challenge comprising a value representative of a total collector current value, the method comprising: receiving the challenge; supplying the total collector current to the common collector contact; detecting instability in each of a group of the transistors; and determining the response in dependence on the group. A circuit configured to operate such a method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Tony Vanhoucke, Viet Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10119994
    Abstract: A probe card includes a ceramic substrate; an electrode connection part connecting an electrode pad and a via pad which are provided on one surface of the ceramic substrate; a bonding pad provided on an upper surface of the electrode pad and disposed inwardly of an edge of the electrode pad; and a probe bonded to an upper surface of the bonding pad by a solder layer between the bonding pad and the probe. The bonding pad includes a lead part protruding from a side surface of the bonding pad. As a result, overflowed solder at the time of attaching the probe onto the upper surface of the bonding pad may be dispersed to the lead part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SEMCNS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Seok Choi, Doo Yun Chung, Dae Hyeong Lee
  • Patent number: 10107709
    Abstract: Embodiments of water sensors having multi-value outputs are disclosed. A water sensing circuit measures the impedance between two contacts of a water sensor and compares it with a reference signal. The impedance between two contacts varies depending on the wetness of the contacts, and so the sensing circuit may provide a measured wetness level. The water sensor may transmit measurements or other information wired or wirelessly. The water sensor may display indicia of measurements or other information via a display on a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SEARS BRANDS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Patrick William Vilbrandt, Matthew Stephen Reynolds, Shwetak N. Patel
  • Patent number: 10073121
    Abstract: An input-voltage-off detection apparatus includes a voltage adjustment unit, a time delay unit, a voltage clamp unit, an auxiliary voltage discharge switch unit and an isolation notification unit. The voltage adjustment unit receives an input voltage. The time delay unit utilizes the input voltage to generate a direct current voltage. After the input voltage is cut off, the direct current voltage stored in the time delay unit discharges to the voltage adjustment unit. When the direct current voltage reduces to a predetermined voltage, the auxiliary voltage discharge switch unit is turned on, so that an auxiliary voltage winding sends a working voltage to the isolation notification unit. After the isolation notification unit receives the working voltage, the isolation notification unit notifies an electronic apparatus that the input voltage is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Chicony Power Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Yang Chen, Chi-Tsung Wu
  • Patent number: 10056203
    Abstract: A multimeter has a protection mechanism of charging. A measuring body includes a shell and a knob-turning set, and the shell has a charging socket. A control module is disposed in the shell and includes a circuit board and a connector electrically connected with the circuit board. The connector is disposed corresponding to the charging socket, and the circuit board is electrically connected with the knob-turning set and selectively actuated through a rotation of the knob-turning set. A charging unit is disposed in the shell and electrically connected with the connector. A stopper moves with the knob-turning set together. An external plug is inserted with the connector via the charging socket, and the stopper is actuated so that the knob-turning set will not to be rotated. Thus, it ensures the multimeter cannot perform a measurement when it is charging for avoiding danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BRYMEN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Po-Chao Tan
  • Patent number: 10041529
    Abstract: A device adapted to measure the wear of a ball-and-socket joint. The ball-and-socket joint comprising a first ring, which delimits a spherical housing, a second spherical ring, which is positioned concentrically in the housing of the first ring, and a lining, which is made from an elastically insulating material and is inserted between the second ring and the spherical housing of the first ring. A wear measuring feature includes at least two electrodes provided to be connected to the first ring and the second ring, respectively, or to the lining, so as to form a capacitor structure and a capacitance measuring device for measuring the capacity of the capacitor thus formed. The device further comprises an electronic circuit, which is a resonant circuit including the capacitor, an inductance and a resistance positioned in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: SKF AEROSPACE FRANCE S.A.S.
    Inventor: Yoann Hebrard