Patents Examined by Stephen W. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11784483
    Abstract: Methods of controlling lockout of a switching or isolating component of an electrical grid are provided. A method of controlling lockout of a switching or isolating component includes, responsive to a plurality of trips occurring at the switching or isolating component during a predetermined time window, incrementing, by the switching or isolating component, a plurality of counters, respectively, and determining whether a number of the trips meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. Moreover, the method includes, responsive to meeting or exceeding the predetermined threshold, driving the switching or isolating component to lockout. Related switching or isolating components are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andrew Lilly
  • Patent number: 11777477
    Abstract: A digital circuit device includes a power supply circuitry, a digital circuitry, a digital circuitry, and a protection circuitry. The power supply circuitry is configured to output a supply voltage. The digital circuitry is configured to be driven by the supply voltage, and is configured to perform at least one operation according to a first clock signal. The protection circuitry is configured to generate the first clock signal according to at least one of a voltage drop of the supply voltage and a load signal sent from the digital circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chi-Fu Chang
  • Patent number: 11777303
    Abstract: Disclosed is a leakage current measuring device for a grid protection system protecting a power distribution or transmission grid from damage in case of a power surge, the grid protection system including a disconnector device and a surge arrester connected in series along a grounding path, the grounding path connecting a phase of a power distribution or transmission grid through the surge arrester and the disconnector device to ground, the disconnector device being configured for being activated in case of an overload condition, thereby disconnecting the surge arrester. The leakage current measuring device includes a leakage current sensor for measuring a leakage current IL flowing along the grounding path, the leakage current IL being indicative of the electrical connection status of the disconnector device. The electrical connection status is one of an activated and an inactivated status of the disconnector device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Gian-Luigi Madonna, Xavier Kornmann, Daniel Neeser, Stefano Bertoli, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Martin Schick-Pauli, Alexander Fach, Philipp Sommer, Yannick Maret
  • Patent number: 11776724
    Abstract: A switch apparatus includes a base module including a base case; a manipulation module including a manipulation case, and a grip mounted on an external circumferential surface of the manipulation case; a magnetic mechanism including a base-side magnetic unit provided to the base module, and a manipulation-side magnetic unit provided to the manipulation module; and a grip force sensing unit provided between the manipulation case and the grip, wherein the grip force sensing unit detects whether a grip force applied to the grip is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and the magnetic mechanism is configured to vary a magnetic force generated between the base-side magnetic unit and the manipulation-side magnetic unit in accordance with a magnitude of the grip force detected by the grip force sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, ALPS ELECTRIC KOREA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Shin, Hoo Sang Lee, Jong Hyun Choi, Dae Woo Park, Youn Tak Kim, Nam I Jo
  • Patent number: 11769684
    Abstract: Substrate supports comprising a plurality of bonded plates forming a single component support body and methods of forming the substrate supports are described. The single component support body has an outer peripheral edge, a top surface and a bottom surface. A pocket is formed in the top surface and has a bottom surface, a depth and an outer peripheral edge. A purge ring is spaced a distance from the outer peripheral edge and comprises at least one opening in the top surface in fluid communication with a purge gas line within the body thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tejas Ulavi, Vijay D. Parkhe, Naveen Kumar Nagaraja, Sanjeev Baluja, Surajit Kumar, Dhritiman Subha Kashyap, Ashutosh Agarwal
  • Patent number: 11764094
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide techniques and apparatuses for a semiconductor processing tool including an electrostatic chuck having a voltage-regulation system to regulate an electrical potential throughout regions of a semiconductor substrate positioned above the electrostatic chuck. The voltage-regulation system may determine that an electrical potential within a region of the semiconductor substrate does not satisfy a threshold. The voltage-regulation system may, based on determining that the electrical potential throughout the region does not satisfy the threshold, position one or more electrically-conductive pins within the region. While positioned within the region, the one or more electrically-conductive pins may change the electrical potential of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Pin Chou, Kai-Lin Chuang, Sheng-Wen Huang, Yan-Cheng Chen, Jun Xiu Liu
  • Patent number: 11764563
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system, particularly for a motor vehicle. The vehicle electrical system has at least two electrical system branches, a disconnecting switch device between the two electrical system branches, wherein the disconnecting switch device has a first controllable switch unit and a series circuit having a second controllable switch unit and an overcurrent protection unit, wherein the first switch unit and the series circuit are electrically connected to each other in parallel between the two electrical system branches, and a control unit which in an idle mode of the vehicle electrical system, is equipped to switch the first switch unit into an open, current-disconnecting switching state and to keep it in the current-disconnecting switching state and to switch the second switch unit into a closed, current-carrying switching state and to keep it in this current-carrying switching state. A motor vehicle with the above-mentioned vehicle electrical system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ludwig Ramsauer, Rainer Knorr, Stephanie Preisler, Dirk Reichow
  • Patent number: 11742163
    Abstract: A welding detection device includes a first circuit including a detection element, a first circuit power supply, and a second circuit. The first circuit is connected to a first line connecting a power supply and a main relay and a second line connecting a load and the main relay. The first circuit power supply supplies DC power to the first circuit. The first circuit detects welding in the main relay based on whether or not a current from the first circuit power supply has flowed to the detection element through the main relay when the main relay is controlled to be in an open state from a closed state. The second circuit cuts off the first circuit only when the voltage difference is present between the first line and the second line while the main relay is controlled to be in an open state from a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: OMRON CORPORATION, OWL SOLUTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Katayama, Hiroshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11738784
    Abstract: A logic control system for magnetic track braking of a rail transit vehicle includes a magnetic track braking control circuit, a magnetic track braking power supply execution circuit, and a magnetic track braking status monitoring and feedback circuit. The magnetic track braking control circuit includes a pneumatic actuator relay, an electromagnet relay, a system protection relay, a power-on delay relay, a power-off delay relay, an automatic control branch circuit, and a manual control branch circuit. The pneumatic actuator relay is connected to the power-on delay relay, and the system protection relay is connected to the power-off delay relay. The automatic control branch circuit includes a first isolation magnetic track braking switch and an emergency braking relay contact. The manual control branch circuit includes a first circuit breaker, a cab signal option switch, a second isolation magnetic track braking switch and a manual touch button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian Sun, Qian Zhang, Xun Mao, Dejian Song, Fei Xiao, Hongquan Xue, Hongfei Zhang, Kai Yu
  • Patent number: 11740289
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a relay examination device and a battery management system including the same, the relay examination device includes a first resistor unit having one end connected to one end of a relay, a second resistor unit having one end connected to the other end of the first resistor unit, a power unit connected to the other end of the second resistor unit and configured to supply power, and a control unit configured to receive a voltage signal applied between the first resistor unit and the second resistor unit and to examine whether the relay is open or closed or whether the relay has malfunctioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SK ON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byoung Kyu Park, Ho Sang Jang, Seon Yong Kim, Yong Sug Choi
  • Patent number: 11735562
    Abstract: A sensor package structure is provided. The sensor package structure includes a substrate, a sensor chip disposed on the substrate, a plurality of electrical connection members electrically connecting the sensor chip to the substrate, a supporting adhesive layer formed on the sensor chip, and a light-permeable sheet disposed on the supporting adhesive layer. Each of the electrical connection members includes a head solder disposed on a connecting pad of the sensor chip, a wire having a first end and a second end, and a tail solder. The first end of the wire extends from the head solder so as to connect the second end onto a soldering pad of the substrate, and the wire has a first bending portion arranged adjacent to the head solder. The head solder and the first bending portion of each of the electrical connection members are embedded in the supporting adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TONG HSING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Chen Lee, Chen-Pin Peng
  • Patent number: 11735459
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrostatic chuck. The electrostatic chuck according to the present disclosure may include a base substrate; an electrostatic chuck plate fixed on the base substrate, the electrostatic chuck plate having an electrode therein; and an electrode part disposed in a hole in the base substrate to supply power to the electrode, wherein the electrode part may include a housing inserted into the hole in the base substrate, an electrode rod passing through the inner wall of the housing such that one end thereof is in contact with the electrode; and an elastic support body configured to support the electrode rod at multiple points on the inner wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: MICO CERAMICS LTD.
    Inventors: Mina Cho, Jung Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 11728801
    Abstract: A switching device 1 includes a SiC semiconductor chip 11 which has a gate pad 14, a source pad 13 and a drain pad 12 and in which on-off control is performed between the source and the drain by applying a drive voltage between the gate and the source in a state where a potential difference is applied between the source and the drain, a sense source terminal 4 electrically connected to the source pad 13 for applying the drive voltage, and an external resistance (source wire 16) that is interposed in a current path between the sense source terminal 4 and the source pad 13, is separated from sense source terminal 4, and has a predetermined size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Hayashiguchi, Kazuhide Ino
  • Patent number: 11721478
    Abstract: A residual current device includes an insulating housing, an electromagnetic induction module, a leakage current detecting module and an electromagnetic shielding structure. The insulating housing includes a base and a lid. The electromagnetic induction module is disposed in the base. The electromagnetic induction module includes a core base and an iron core. The leakage current detecting module is disposed in the base. The leakage current detecting module includes a circuit board assembly, a detecting circuit disposed on the circuit board assembly and a lead frame electrically connected to the circuit board assembly. The electromagnetic shielding structure is disposed in the base and covers the leakage current detecting module. The effect of preventing electromagnetic interference is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsun Lai, You-Jhih Jheng
  • Patent number: 11721969
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first group III nitride transistor and an over current protection circuit (OCP). The OCP circuit includes an input device and a detection device. The input device is configured to receive a control signal and to generate a first voltage to a gate of the first group III nitride transistor. The detection device is configured to generate an output signal having a first logical value if a current at a drain of the first group III nitride transistor is less than a predetermined value and to generate the output signal having a second logical value if the current at the drain of the first group III nitride transistor is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, wherein the first logical value is different from the second logical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: INNOSCIENCE (ZHUHAI) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianjian Sheng, Yaobin Guan
  • Patent number: 11717297
    Abstract: An electronic system for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The electronic system comprises a main power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a primary circuit. A supplementary power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a secondary circuit. A short circuit protection circuit coupled between the main power supply circuit and the supplementary power supply circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to isolate itself from the main power supply circuit when the supplementary power supply circuit detects a short circuit condition at the secondary circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to rejoin the main power supply circuit and supply power to the secondary circuit, when the short circuit condition is remedied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Daniel L. Baber, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Andrew T. Beckman, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11721981
    Abstract: Various implementations are directed to a method for detecting, by a device, an increase in temperature at certain parts of an electrical system, and taking appropriate responsive action. The method may include measuring temperatures at certain locations within the system and estimating temperatures at other locations based on the measurements. Some embodiments include an integrated cable combining electrical conduction and heat-detection capabilities, or an integrated cable or connector combining electrical conduction with a thermal fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoav Galin, Meir Adest, Israel Gershman, Guy Sella
  • Patent number: 11716077
    Abstract: A switch control circuit includes a power switch, a first protection unit, and a second protection unit. The power switch has a first terminal coupled to a first voltage terminal for receiving a first voltage, a second terminal coupled to a second voltage terminal for receiving a second voltage, and a control terminal receives a control voltage. In a first mode, the control voltage is greater than the first voltage. In a second mode, when a voltage of the second voltage terminal is smaller than a first reference voltage, the first protection unit pulls down the control voltage to reduce a current flowing through the power switch. When the voltage of the second voltage terminal is smaller than the second reference voltage, the second protection unit pulls down the control voltage to a ground voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Li Cheng Chu
  • Patent number: 11710960
    Abstract: Provided herein is a power distribution system comprising a main power bus, sub-buses coupled to the main power bus, and a controller. The sub-buses provide power to electrical components of a vehicle. Each of the sub-buses includes an electrically programmable fuse in series with a relay. The controller is configured to detect a fault in a sub-bus of the sub-buses, determine a fault type associated with the fault, and in response to determining the fault type, generate a command to cause the relay to change a relay state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Tan, Ran Chen, Bo Pan
  • Patent number: 11710955
    Abstract: In some examples, a device includes a memory configured to store a pre-warning threshold level for a parameter of a power switch. The device also includes a logic circuit configured to receive a signal from a controller and set the pre-warning threshold level in response to receiving the signal from the controller. The logic circuit is also configured to determine that a magnitude of the parameter of the power switch does not satisfy the pre-warning threshold level. The logic circuit is further configured to output an alert to the controller in response to determining that the magnitude of the parameter does not satisfy the pre-warning threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andre Mourrier, Vincent Usseglio