Patents Examined by Lucy Thomas
  • Patent number: 10304715
    Abstract: A substrate support assembly includes a ceramic puck and a thermally conductive base having an upper surface that is bonded to a lower surface of the ceramic puck. Trenches are formed in the thermally conductive base approximately concentric around a center of the thermally conductive base. The trenches extend from the upper surface towards a lower surface of the thermally conductive base without contacting the lower surface of the thermally conductive base. The thermally conductive base includes thermal zones. The substrate support assembly further includes a thermally insulating material disposed in the trenches. The thermally insulating material in a trench of the trenches provides a degree of thermal isolation between two of the thermal zones separated by the trench at the upper surface of the thermally conductive base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay D. Parkhe, Konstantin Makhratchev, Jason Della Rosa, Hamid Noorbakhsh, Brad L. Mays, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10242834
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for determining the direction of current flowing through a circuit breaker. An embodiment includes obtaining a sample value of current flowing through the circuit breaker and a differential value of current; obtaining a sample value of voltage at the circuit breaker; on the basis of a relationship between voltage and current in an equivalent circuit in which the circuit breaker lies at the present time and at a previous time, obtaining an equivalent resistance and an equivalent inductance in the equivalent circuit; if the equivalent resistance and equivalent inductance are both greater than zero, determining that the direction of current flowing through the circuit breaker is the same as the current reference direction, and if the equivalent resistance and equivalent inductance are both less than zero, determining that the direction of current flowing through the circuit breaker is opposite to the current reference direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wei Gang Chen, Feng Du, Yue Zhuo
  • Patent number: 10243345
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is described herein. In one aspect, the circuit breaker includes a communication module, a non-transitory memory device, and a memory controller. The communication module is configured to receive protection settings and breaker information from a trip unit coupled to the communication module. The protection settings and the breaker information are received upon powering-on the trip unit. The non-transitory memory device is configured to store the protection settings and the breaker information associated with the circuit breaker. The memory controller is configured to cause the protection settings and the breaker information received to be written to the non-transitory memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Craig B. Williams, Srinath Topucharla, Arun Kumar Singh, Jeyaprakash Kandasamy, Alok Kumar Bharati
  • Patent number: 10217585
    Abstract: A composite switch with diode contact protection based on a diode is disclosed and includes a primary relay contact protection circuit, a primary relay contact and a relay control circuit, where the primary relay contact protection circuit is formed by an auxiliary relay contact and a diode connected in series and is connected with the primary relay contact in parallel, a current capacity of the auxiliary relay contact is 1/10 to 1/1000 of a current capacity of the primary relay contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Gyrk International Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hai Wang
  • Patent number: 10211619
    Abstract: A protection arrangement for inaccessibly located power distribution equipment includes a first enclosure with power equipment and sensors, a second enclosure adjacent the first enclosure and including a signal handling device, at least one sealed electrical conductor passage between the first and second enclosures, each comprising at least one penetrator through the walls of the first and second enclosures. The signal handling device in the second enclosure is connected to the sensors in the first enclosure via electrical conductors passing through said sealed electrical conductor passages and to an external protection device via a communication link. The signal handling device receives electrical sensor signals from the sensors and shapes them for submission to the external protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Johan Gunnar, Carlo Coppo, Herbert Schmid, Kai Hansen, Roberto Celli
  • Patent number: 10196959
    Abstract: A vehicle engine exhaust system includes an exhaust component and a non-conductive support member. The exhaust component is supported by a vehicle body via the non-conductive support member. The vehicle body and the exhaust component are positively charged. The vehicle engine exhaust system further includes a self discharge type static electricity eliminator that reduces, in a state where the self discharge type static electricity eliminator is installed on a non-conductive wall surface, an amount of electrification charge on the non-conductive wall surface within a limited area around a location where the self discharge type static electricity eliminator is installed. The self discharge type static electricity eliminator is installed on the non-conductive support member such that static electricity elimination is performed for the exhaust component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Tanahashi, Yoji Kanehara, Koshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10186361
    Abstract: A device preventing misoperation of a vehicle acceleration pedal includes an induction coil, a pedal arm, an electromagnet, and a processor. One end of the pedal arm fastens to the vehicle acceleration pedal, and the other end of the pedal arm inserts into the induction coil. The processor is electrically connected to the induction coil and the electromagnet and the pedal arm is magnetically attracted when the electromagnet is powered on by the processor, preventing the acceleration pedal being used as a brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin Wen
  • Patent number: 10181717
    Abstract: A surge suppression system provides surge protection both locally within the radio station building were the power plant and telecommunication equipment are located and remotely next to the radios and antennas located outside of the building on the communication tower. An external surge suppression unit provides a waterproof enclosure for both surge suppression devices and fiber optic connectors. A rack mountable surge suppression unit provides local in-line surge suppression protection for the electrical equipment located in the communication station. A unique surge suppression tray is hot swappable so that multiple surge suppression devices can be replaced at the same time without disrupting radio operation. Pluggable surge suppression modules can be used in both the external surge suppression unit and the rack mountable surge suppression unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: RAYCAP S.A.
    Inventors: Douglas Wayne Miller, Konstantinos Samaras, Kelly Rae Richards, Daniel Joseph Sullivan, Megaklis Marathias
  • Patent number: 10177541
    Abstract: The invention concerns an aerosol charger having electrical discharge comprising: a body (2); an ion source (3) comprising two electrodes (31, 32); the charger being characterized in that the body (2) and at least a first electrode (32) of the ion source (3) are aligned along a same axis of longitudinal symmetry (AA?) of the charger, the body (2) surrounding the first electrode (32) in such a way as to define an area (5) for an aerosol to flow between a space defined between the body (2) and the first electrode (32); and in that the first electrode (32) comprises a hole (321) in communication with the area (5) for the aerosol (Ae) to flow, the hole (321) being designed to allow ions formed at the ion source (3) to pass therethrough in order for them to mix with an aerosol (Ae) flowing in the area (5) for the aerosol (Ae) to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS), UNIVERSITE PARIS-SUD, SONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
    Inventors: Jean-Pascal Borra, Manuel Alonso, Nicolas Jidenko
  • Patent number: 10177555
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a reverse grounding protection circuit and a ground fault circuit interrupter. The reverse grounding protection circuit may include a power supply circuit, a leakage signal amplifying circuit, a leakage grounding detection circuit, a power supply indicator circuit, a manual detection circuit, a tripping mechanism control circuit, a reverse connection detection and execution circuit, and a power-on driving signal generating circuit. A ground fault circuit interrupter may comprise an interrupter body and a reverse grounding protection circuit in the interrupter body. The practice of the present disclosure may avoid the risk from reverse connection of the ground fault circuit interrupter and output of power of reverse connection, and thus improve safety of the ground fault circuit interrupter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventor: Ze Chen
  • Patent number: 10170257
    Abstract: A relay control circuit for use with a relay having a coil voltage input. The relay control circuit includes a first input to receive a first voltage capable of energizing the relay, a second input to receive a second voltage, less than the first voltage, that is capable of maintaining the relay in an energized state, and means, responsive to a relay control signal having one of a first state and a second state, for switchably coupling the coil voltage input to the first input in response to the relay control signal having the first state, and for switchably coupling the coil voltage input to the second input in response to the relay control signal having the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Venkatraman Chennakesavan
  • Patent number: 10164688
    Abstract: A first electronic device is positionable between one or more contact positions and an aligned position with respect to a second electronic device. One or more actuators of the first electronic device are activated in response to one or more sensors of the first electronic device determining that the first electronic device and second electronic device are misaligned. Activation of the actuator may result in the first electronic device moving to the aligned position. In some implementations, the actuator may move the first electronic device toward the aligned position when activated. In other implementations, the actuator may overcome static friction to put the first electronic device in motion when activated and when the first electronic device is in motion one or more alignment mechanisms may overcome the kinetic friction to move the first electronic device to the aligned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Haran Balaram, Colin M. Ely
  • Patent number: 10129985
    Abstract: A substrate cover has a conductive frame body covering a surface circumference edge region and an upper circumference region of a substrate drawn with a charged particle beam, the conductive frame body comprising a notch portion provided at part of an inner circumference of the conductive frame body, and a recessed portion provided on the outer circumference side of the upper surface of the conductive frame body, such that the recessed portion is arranged adjacent to the notch portion in a direction of a frame width of the conductive frame body, and a conductive member provided on the recessed portion so as to pass through the notch portion to project inward to the inside of the frame of the conductive frame body, the conductive member comprising a contact portion electrically connected to the surface of the substrate, and a brim portion covering an upper portion of a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: NuFlare Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michihiro Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 10119640
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for a threaded plumbing connector to electrically ground pipes. The apparatus includes wire terminal block(s), connecting the threaded plumbing connector body to a wire or other conductive material. In the event that a pipe becomes electrically energized, the grounding connection of the threaded plumbing connector would be able to shunt the electrical current away from the pipes and reduce the risk of fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Mark E Goodson
  • Patent number: 10103535
    Abstract: An electrical protective arrangement for an electrical installation has a fault current protection apparatus with a detection device for sensing a fault current and an evaluation device for comparing the sensed fault current with a threshold value. A tripping signal is output by the evaluation device if the sensed fault current exceeds the threshold value. A communication module is configured to send fault current data with information pertaining to the sensed fault current and to receive operating data for setting an operating state for the evaluation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Baumann, Michael Strassburger
  • Patent number: 10104764
    Abstract: A system-in-a-package (SIP) has a semiconductor chip embedded in a dielectric substrate. An inductor is on a top surface of a substrate and is connected to the semiconductor chip. A thin film capacitor may be placed between the inductor and the dielectric substrate. A second thin film capacitor may be placed on the top surface of the semiconductor chip, or be embedded in the dielectric substrate with a thermal pad on a bottom surface of the substrate which is connected to the second thin film capacitor to facilitate heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Frank Stepniak, Anton Winkler
  • Patent number: 10096989
    Abstract: Provided is a DC current breaker having a high-speed breaking function appropriate to a voltage-type converter and a DC current breaking method. In addition, provided is a DC current breaker and a DC current breaking method capable of reducing cost of the breaker and securing economical competiveness by using a relatively simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA ELECTROTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Woo Young Lee, Sang Hun Park, Ki Dong Song, Hyun Jae Jang, Jin Kyo Chong
  • Patent number: 10090664
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to detection of faults in an electric power system. In one embodiment, an incremental quantities subsystem is configured to determine a forward torque, an operating torque, and a reverse torque based on the plurality of time-domain representations of electrical conditions. Each of the forward torque, the operating torque, and the reverse torque may be integrated over an interval. A fault detection subsystem may determine an occurrence of the fault based on a comparison of the operating torque to the forward torque and the reverse torque. Further, a direction of the fault may be determined based on the comparison of the forward torque, the operating torque, and the reverse torque. A fault may be declared based on the comparison and the direction. A protective action subsystem may implement a protective action based on the declaration of the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Mangapathirao Venkata Mynam, David E. Whitehead, Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, Armando Guzman-Casillas, Veselin Skendzic
  • Patent number: 10057971
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the active initiation of incident energy-dissipating material from a structure surface coating as a counter measure response for the protection of a structure surface. The active initiation is triggered at a predetermined area or areas on a targeted structure surface in response to incident directed energy sensed on a target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark J Clemen, Jr., Alan F Stewart, John R Hull, Keith J Davis
  • Patent number: 10048780
    Abstract: Architecture for managing clutch height in an optical navigational device such as a computer mouse. In one embodiment for a mouse, a feature can be molded into the bottom case that limits the clutch height by occluding the reflected light to the image sensor when the device is lifted from the tracking surface. Tracking is disabled when the clutch height threshold is exceeded, and re-enabled when the device is brought under the distance clutch height threshold. The device includes firmware controlled algorithm adjustments to one or more correlation parameters. User interfaces may also be employed to implement various aspects of the embodiments discussed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Marshall T. DePue, David M. Lane, Stephen C. Klein, Brian L. Hastings, David D. Bohn