Patents Examined by Thienvu Tran
  • Patent number: 10312898
    Abstract: In described examples, a switch has: a first current handling terminal coupled to a supply source terminal; and a second current handling terminal coupled to an output terminal. A comparator has: a first input coupled to the second current handling terminal; and a second input. A voltage reference source has: a first terminal coupled to the first current handling terminal; and a second terminal coupled to the second input of the comparator. A slew rate detector has an input coupled to the second current handling terminal. A switch controller has: a first input coupled to the comparator output; and a second input coupled to an output of the slew rate detector. The switch controller is coupled to output a signal to cause the switch to open when the comparator detects an over-current condition through the switch while the slew rate detector detects a negative slew rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ariel Dario Moctezuma, Srinath Hosur
  • 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: 10256671
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first coil section that receives a first clock signal from a reader, a power generator that is electrically connected to the first coil section in accordance with a switching operation of a switch, a first near-field communication (NFC) chip that is electrically connected to the power generator and receives electric power in accordance with the first clock signal, a second NFC chip that generates a switching operation control signal for controlling the switching operation of the switch, and a second coil section that is electrically connected to the second NFC chip and receives a second clock signal from the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chan Yong Kim, In Hyuk Kim, Il Jong Song, Sang Hyo Lee
  • 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: 10243357
    Abstract: An apparatus switches a direct current in a high-voltage line. The apparatus contains a multiplicity of switching units, which are arranged so as to form a series circuit in the high-voltage line. Each switching unit in this case contains a switching element and a surge arrester arranged in a parallel circuit with the switching element, the threshold voltage of the surge arrester being higher than a rated voltage of the switching element. A sum of the rated voltages of the switching elements corresponds at least to an operating voltage of the high-voltage line. The switching elements are mechanical switches, and each mechanical switch contains a contact arrangement having two disconnectable contact pieces and is configured to build up an arcing voltage on disconnection of the contact pieces with a magnitude which is higher than the rated voltage of the mechanical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Guenter Eckel, Dominik Ergin, Herbert Gambach, Hans-Joachim Knaak, Andreas Philipp, Hubert Schierling
  • Patent number: 10236147
    Abstract: A thermal protector may be used to switch an electric circuit of an electrical product. The thermal protector may include first and second terminals and a fixed contact connected to the first terminal. The thermal protector may include a movable contact facing the fixed contact. The thermal protector may include a bimetal and an elastically-deformable movable plate that engages the bimetal and on which the movable contact is fixed. The movable plate may be connected to the second terminal. The terminals may be held by respective insulating blocks. The bimetal or the moveable plate may be arranged to be within an area between the respective insulating blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 10229794
    Abstract: Provided is a circuit breaker for a DC current using a magnetic field, which generates a magnetic flux and extinguishes an arc current generated in a main switch. The circuit breaker includes a main switch installed in a DC line, a coil wound so as to generate a magnetic flux in a direction vertical to the direction of an arc current generated when the main switch is opened, a semiconductor switch for switching current application to the coil, a capacitor connected in series to the semiconductor switch, and a first diode for conducting the electric current of the DC line, supplied from one side of the main switch, to the capacitor, wherein the semiconductor switch is turned on, in case a fault occurs, so that the electric current is applied to the coil by the voltage charged in the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: HYOSUNG HEAVY INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hui-Dong Hwang, Byung-Chol Kim, Jung-Soo Park
  • Patent number: 10223999
    Abstract: Techniques for static tuning retro-directive wireless power transmission systems are described herein. The techniques described herein include systems, methods and software for establishing a static tuning mode for a retro-directive wireless power transmission system. The static tuning mode can generate an extended stable power sphere that facilitates accurate RF and other measurements. Additionally, techniques are provided for characterizing the wireless power delivery paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ossia Inc.
    Inventors: Hatem Zeine, Dale Mayes
  • Patent number: 10222838
    Abstract: Provided is an electric shock protection device disposed between a human body contactable conductor and an internal circuit unit of an electronic device, wherein in order to pass static electricity without causing dielectric breakdown when the static electricity flows from the conductor, block a leakage current of an external power source flowing from a ground of the circuit unit, and pass communication signals flowing from the conductor, the following equation is satisfied: Vbr>Vin where Vbr is a breakdown voltage of the electric shock protection device and Vin is a rated voltage of an external power source of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: AMOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tong Gi Kim, Jun-Suh Yu, Kyu Hwan Park, Gui Nam Sun, Jae Su Ryu, Byung Guk Lim, Rieon Kim
  • Patent number: 10224756
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a driving circuit, a first power transmission coil that is driven by the driving circuit, a second power transmission coil that is arranged outside the first power transmission coil, a third power transmission coil that is arranged inside the first power transmission coil, and a switching circuit that performs connection switching so that the first power transmission coil is connected to either one of the second and third power transmission coils. The power transmission apparatus transmits power to a power reception coil without contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: LAPIS Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroji Akahori
  • Patent number: 10224749
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission apparatus includes a communicator configured to receive information associated with a reference power of a wireless power reception apparatus and information associated with a power measured at an input terminal of a direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter of the wireless power reception apparatus, a controller configured to control an output power based on the information associated with the reference power and the information associated with the power measured, and a source resonator configured to transmit the output power to the wireless power reception apparatus by resonating with a target resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byoung Hee Lee, Sang Wook Kwon, Ki Young Kim, Dong Zo Kim, Bong Chul Kim, Yun Kwon Park, Jae Hyun Park, Keum Su Song, Chi Hyung Ahn, Young Ho Ryu
  • Patent number: 10224751
    Abstract: A method for identifying impedance related parameters in a wireless power transfer (WPT) system including n coils is disclosed. Said method includes determining optimum values of the impedance related parameters based on a set of measured input impedance by applying an evolutionary algorithm to solve optimum solutions. Wherein the set of measured input impedance includes an input impedance vector {right arrow over (Z)}=(Z1, Z2, . . . , Zm?1, Zm), each input impedance in the vector (Zk) measured at different frequencies fk, (k=1, 2, . . . m); and the impedance related parameters includes dll?1 representing a distance between the l-th coil and the l+1 coil (l=1, 2, . . . n?1) and Ci representing a capacitance of the capacitor connected to the i-th coil (i=1, 2, . . . n).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
    Inventors: Shu Yuen Hui, Deyan Lin, Jian Yin, Chi Kwan Lee
  • Patent number: 10224752
    Abstract: An apparatus for designing, tuning and matching of wireless power transfer systems comprises a processor. The processor is configured to determine electrical circuit parameters of a wireless power transfer system for each combination of a plurality of characteristics for the wireless power transfer system that are within respective ranges for each of the plurality of characteristics. The processor is configured to select a first group of combinations of the plurality of characteristics for which the electrical circuit parameters determined satisfy a set of user design constraints. The processor is configured to validate a second group of combinations selected from the first group of combinations that satisfy a performance requirement of the wireless power transfer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Wojciech Adam Chlebosz, Daniel Kuerschner
  • 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: 10218170
    Abstract: A current-limiting device is a current-limiting device that uses a superconductor to perform a current-limiting operation, the current-limiting device including: a superconducting current-limiting element including the superconductor; a capacitor; a reactor; and a bypass switch. The series capacitor is connected in series to the superconducting current-limiting element. The current-limiting reactor is further connected in series to a series circuit including the superconducting current-limiting element and the series capacitor. The thyristor switch is connected in parallel to the series circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeki Isojima, Shuichi Nogawa, Kouji Noguchi, Kazuhiro Kuroda
  • Patent number: 10218226
    Abstract: A power receiver includes a secondary-side resonant coil configured to receive electric power from a primary-side resonant coil; a rectifier circuit; a smoothing circuit; a DC-DC converter connected having first and second output terminals; third and fourth output terminals disposed on an output side of the DC-DC converter and connected to a secondary battery; a sub-secondary battery having fifth and sixth output terminals; a switch configured to switch connection between the first and second output terminals, the third and fourth output terminals, and the fifth and sixth output terminals; and a controller configured, when the secondary-side resonant coil starts to receive the electric power, to control the switch to respectively connect the first and second output terminals and a load or first and second input terminals of the sub-secondary battery and to respectively connect the third and fourth output terminals and the fifth and sixth output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Akiyoshi Uchida
  • 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: 10211628
    Abstract: A protective circuit for protecting an output stage in the event of faulty contacting of the electrical connections, wherein the output stage includes a driver unit and has an analog or digital signal output is provided. Accordingly, in order to protect the output stage from a faulty connection in a simple and economical manner, the protective circuit comprises a first transistor circuit, which is connected in series between the output stage and the signal output, and a second transistor circuit, which is connected in series between the negative supply connection and the signal output. The second transistor circuit is connected to the base of the first transistor circuit in order to influence the first transistor circuit in such a way that the first transistor circuit becomes highly resistive in the event of a fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: IFM ELECTRONICS GMBH
    Inventor: Heinz Walter
  • Patent number: 10211004
    Abstract: An intelligent electrical switch comprising a conventional mechanical switch connected to a computer system in communication with an external device and receiving instructions therefrom. The switch may be installed in an existing circuit to replace one switch in a multi-way wiring geometry, and includes a sensor detecting current on the neutral line. By determining the circuit state, the switch can determine whether, when instructions are received wirelessly to power the circuit on or off, the mechanical switch element should be toggled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ivani, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Wootton, John Wootton, Chris Nissman, Justin McKinney