Patents Examined by Thienvu Tran
  • Patent number: 10090679
    Abstract: A voltage controller includes: a voltage adjusting unit that controls a voltage controller that changes a voltage of a bus, to which a plurality of power distribution lines are connected, such that the voltage of the bus is within a target voltage range; a communication processing unit that communicates with a voltage controller that controls a voltage control device connected to the power distribution line or a voltage monitoring device that is installed on the power distribution line to measure the voltage at an installation site; a target-voltage-range change request processing unit that transmits a change-possibility confirmation for inquiring about whether the target voltage range can be changed to the voltage monitoring device connected to another power distribution line, via the communication processing unit, and determines whether to change the target voltage range according to a response to the change-possibility confirmation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Itaya
  • Patent number: 10079491
    Abstract: The disclosed dispersed power supply system includes a power conditioner configured to control output of a power supply apparatus, a current sensor, another power conditioner configured to control output of another power supply apparatus and another current sensor, and when a forward power flow threshold for preventing a reverse power flow of the power conditioner is lower than that of another power conditioner, the power conditioner controls the output of the power supply apparatus to adjust the forward power flow that is higher than the forward power flow threshold to the forward power flow threshold, and then, if the forward power flow is higher than the forward power flow threshold when another power conditioner controls the output of another power supply apparatus based on another forward power flow threshold, increases the forward power flow threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonari Kusunose, Yuusuke Nagou
  • Patent number: 10079486
    Abstract: An example method for detecting and mitigating attacks on electric power substations comprises detecting a command to open or close a circuit breaker in the electric power substation. A modified extended substation model for the electric power substation is generated, based on the detected command and based on measurements in substation, where the modified extended substation model is a power flow model for the substation and for one or more directly connected neighboring substations. A power flow analysis is performed, using the modified extended substation model, to generate a predicted voltage for each of a plurality of nodes in the substation and in the one or more directly connected neighboring substations. Each predicted voltage is compared to a corresponding allowable voltage range, and execution of the command is blocked in response to determining that one or more of the voltages is outside the corresponding allowable voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Junho Hong, Reynaldo Nuqui
  • Patent number: 10071636
    Abstract: A control device for a multi-voltage electrical system of a vehicle is provided. The multi-voltage vehicle electrical system includes a first subsystem which is formed to be operated by a first voltage supply source with a first supply voltage, and a second subsystem which is formed to be operated by a second voltage supply source with a second supply voltage. The control device comprises: a transceiver which is connected to ground via a first ground terminal of the first subsystem and is supplied with energy at least by the first voltage supply source, and which is formed to communicate with a component of the first subsystem; a control unit which is connected to ground via a second ground terminal of the second subsystem, and which is formed to control a component of the second subsystem. The control unit is supplied with energy at least by the first voltage supply source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Benedikt Dremel, Anto Mijac
  • Patent number: 10074493
    Abstract: A break-before-make (BB4M) circuit topology is disclosed for use with a multiplexer that eliminates shoot-through current between analog inputs and also between an analog input and analog output. The BB4M circuit generates a pulse that disables an existing selected channel before enabling a newly selected channel or gate driver, and is suitable for use in high-radiation or outer space operating environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: AEROFLEX COLORADO SPRINGS INC.
    Inventors: Younes J. Lotfi, Thomas R. Richardson, James E. Colley
  • Patent number: 10071825
    Abstract: This disclosure includes a hybrid magneto-active membrane, which can be used as part of a Magneto-active Propellant Management Device (MAPMD), to actively control free surface effects of liquid materials, such as fuels, and to reduce fuel slosh. The disclosed MAPMD merges aspects of a diaphragm membrane with a magneto-active inlay to control the membrane during in-flight conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Inc.
    Inventors: Balaji Sivasubramanian, Leander Paul, Sathya Gangadharan
  • Patent number: 10075019
    Abstract: The disclosure features wireless power transmitters that include a power source, a first coil connected to the power source, a second coil connected in series to the first coil, and a third coil positioned in proximity to the second coil, where during operation of the wireless power transmitters, the power source applies a driving voltage to the first and second coils, the first coil generates a first magnetic field that transfers power to a receiver resonator, the second coil generates a second magnetic field that induces a voltage across the third coil, and the induced voltage across the third coil is applied to a component of the wireless power transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Buenrostro, Paul Gerardus Hlebowitsh
  • Patent number: 10074647
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method. The device includes a first domain and a second domain each having a power rail and a ground rail. The device further includes a signal line connected between the first domain and the second domain. The device also includes an electrostatic discharge protection circuit for providing cross-domain ESD protection. The protection circuit includes a blocking transistor connected between the first domain power rail and the signal line. The protection circuit also includes a power rail clamp connected between the first domain power rail and the first domain ground rail. The power rail clamp is operable to apply a control signal to a gate of the blocking transistor to switch it on during normal operation and to switch it off during an ESD event. The power rail clamp is operable during the ESD event to conduct an ESD current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Da-Wei Lai, Dolphin Abessolo Bidzo
  • Patent number: 10067204
    Abstract: A system for reducing temporal fluctuations in a powered magnet. The system includes a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic field with temporal fluctuations and a power supply having an AC/DC converter that delivers electric current to the magnetic field generator. A cascade compensator having an inner control loop that outputs an inner loop signal and an outer control loop that outputs an outer loop signal is included. The inner control loop has a pickup coil and an analog integrating preamplifier and the outer control loop has a magnetic resonance field estimator. The inner control loop senses fluctuations of the magnetic field over 1 Hz and the outer control loop senses fluctuations of the magnetic field from DC to 20 Hz. The cascade compensator generates a correcting magnetic field that cancels the fluctuations based on the inner loop signal and the outer loop signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Schiano, Brian F. Thomson
  • Patent number: 10069303
    Abstract: A power generation system is provided. The system includes a bus, at least two converters, an energy-type energy storage unit (ES), a power-type energy storage unit (PS) and a controller. The ES and the PS are coupled in parallel to the bus through corresponding converters of the at least two converters. The controller is configured to control the ES and the PS through the corresponding converters in at least two conditions during a charging mode and a discharging mode: when a power for the ES and PS is below a power threshold, control the power to flow between the ES and the bus; and when the power is above the power threshold, control a part of the power to flow between the ES and the bus and another part of the power to flow between the PS and the bus. And a method for generating power is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Tong Zhao, Rong Li, Xu Fu, Bernard P. Landa
  • Patent number: 10063217
    Abstract: A current-to-voltage conversion circuit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first resistor, a first current source, a first capacitor, a first output terminal, a first voltage source, a first transistor, and a second resistor. The first resistor includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the first resistor is connectable to an electrode included in a sensor and the second end of the first resistor is connected to a first electrical potential. The first capacitor includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the first capacitor is connected to the first end of the first resistor and the second end of the first capacitor is connected to the first current source. The first transistor includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal. The first terminal is connected to the second end of the first capacitor, the second terminal is connected to the first output terminal, and the control terminal is connected to the first voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Hatori, Takashi Yoshida, Tadahiko Takayama, Yusaku Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10063109
    Abstract: A system for optical wireless power transmission to a power receiving apparatus generally situated in a mobile electronic device. The transmitter has an optical resonator with end reflectors and a gain medium positioned between them, such that an optical beam is generated. The frequency of the beam is selected such that it is absorbed by almost all transparent organic materials in general use. A beam steering unit on the transmitter can direct the beam in any of a plurality of directions, and the beam is absorbed on the receiver by means of an optical-to-electrical power converter, through a low reflection surface. The band gap of this power converter is selected to be smaller than that of the gain medium. The receiver has a voltage converter including an inductor, an energy storage device and a switch. A beam steerer controller ensures that the beam impinges on the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Wi-Charge Ltd.
    Inventors: Ori Refael Mor, Ortal Alpert, Alexander Slepoy, Lior Golan, Ran Sagi, Vadim Shmukler, Eitan Ronen, Omer Nahmias, Victor Vaisleib
  • Patent number: 10059286
    Abstract: An electric power source system for a vehicle includes a lead-acid battery electrically connected with the starting device in parallel as a first storage battery, a second storage battery electrically connected with the starting device in parallel, a switch device disposed between the lead-acid battery and the second storage battery on an electrical path connecting the lead-acid battery with the second storage battery, at least one electrical load electrically connected to the electrical path and disposed closer to the lead-acid battery, and a switch controller controlling the switch device to maintain a closed state except an engine start duration while the engine is being started by a starting device after a power of the vehicle is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyo Teramoto, Shigenori Saito
  • Patent number: 10063095
    Abstract: Various embodiments for deterring theft in wireless power systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electrical device, comprise a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium, and an electrical load coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure, the electrical load being experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave. Processing circuitry of the electrical device may be configured to monitor the electrical load to determine whether a power consumption of the electrical load has exceeded a predefined amount of permitted power consumption and disable the wireless power receiver or the electrical load coupled to the wireless power receive structure in response to the electrical load exceeding the predefined amount of permitted power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: CPG Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum, James D. Lilly, Basil F. Pinzone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10063048
    Abstract: Circuit configurations and related methods are provided that may be implemented using insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) device circuitry to protect at risk circuitry (e.g., such as high voltage output buffer circuitry or any other circuitry subject to undesirable ESD events) from damage due to ESD events that may occur during system assembly. The magnitude of the trigger voltage VT1 threshold for an IGBT ESD protection device may be dynamically controlled between at least two different values so that trigger voltage VT1 threshold for an IGBT ESD protection device may be selectively reduced when needed to better enable ESD operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy C. Smith
  • Patent number: 10056178
    Abstract: The superconducting magnet device reduces the number of connections within and/or the number of wires leading out of a superconducting coil winding and promptly starts expending the magnetic energy in a superconducting coil operating in a persistent-current mode when the superconducting coil increases in temperature or transitions to normal conductivity. This invention provides a superconducting magnet device that has the following: a superconducting coil connected to an excitation power supply; a persistent-current switch connected to the superconducting coil; a heater that controls the temperature of the persistent-current switch; a current source that is connected in parallel with the persistent-current switch and has a different polarity from the excitation power supply; a driving circuit connected to the heater and the current source; and a signal-inputting means for inputting a signal to the driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihisa Miyazoe, Takeshi Nakayama, Manabu Aoki
  • Patent number: 10056847
    Abstract: A hybrid power conversion system includes an inverter, a switching controller, and an efficiency measurer. The inverter is connected in series to a first converter and a second converter, and the first and second converters are respectively connected to first and second direct current power supplies. The switching controller controls switching frequencies of one or more switches in the first and second converters and the inverter. The efficiency measurer measures efficiency based on the switching frequencies. The switching controller determines the switching frequencies of the one or more switches as frequencies at which the system has a predetermined efficiency based on the efficiency measured by the efficiency measurer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sangtaek Han, Stanislav Prykhodko
  • Patent number: 10056185
    Abstract: An ignition coil capable of maintaining reliable insulation performance over a long period of time. A coil main body unit, for housing a primary coil, a secondary coil and a switching element, includes a case main body in which a housing space is provided, and a case lower portion which abuts the perimeter of the case main body. The primary coil and the secondary coil, which are placed in the case lower portion, are covered by the case main body. The secondary coil is configured by winding a second winding around a secondary bobbin, through which a central hole is extended in the horizontal direction, and the outer periphery of the same is covered by the case lower portion and a protective cap and is filled with a first material. When the primary coil is placed in the central hole, the remaining gap is filled with a secondary material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: DIAMOND ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Yamane, Masayuki Nishimura, Shuji Yamada, Daisuke Suzuki, Takuya Takaira, Hideaki Shimakawa
  • 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: 10056786
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a power transmitting device includes a wireless power generator configured to generate a wireless power signal. A transmit resonator is configured to transmit the wireless power signal via a transmit magnetic field to a power receiving unit. The transmit resonator includes a transmit coil configured to generate that transmit magnetic field in response to the wireless power signal. At least one variable magnetic element is configured to adjust at least one property of the transmit coil by varying a reluctance of the at least one variable magnetic element in response to at least one control signal. A processing device is configured to generate the at least one control signal to select the reluctance corresponding to the at least one property of the transmit coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD
    Inventors: John Stuart Walley, Vadim Bishtein