Switching Systems Patents (Class 307/112)
  • Patent number: 7199490
    Abstract: There is provided a second switch used to turn on/off connection between a first circuit portion with a decoupling capacitance on a first switch side. Then, in accordance with on/off of the first switch, the second switch is turned on/off. By performing such switch control, when the first and second switches and are turned off and the first circuit portion shifts to the standby mode, the electric charge stored in the decoupling capacitance in the on state of the first and second switches is held. The electric charge held in the decoupling capacitance contributes to charging of a parasitic capacitance of the first circuit portion when the first and second switches and are again turned on. Therefore, when the first circuit portion shifts from the standby mode to the normal operating mode, the instantaneous voltage drop at a first connection point can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 7196900
    Abstract: Embodiments of a power distribution apparatus that is adaptable to be readily mounted within a variety of differing types of electronic equipment racks are herein described. One such embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having an upper mounting adapter. The upper mounting adapter may be attachable to a housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed therein. Another embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having a lower mounting adapter. The lower mounting adapter may be attachable to the housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed in the housing. A further embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having at least one mounting peg mounting in mating holes formed in a rack. The mounting pegs may be attachable to a housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy
  • Patent number: 7180207
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for a distributed sensor and control networking interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Foard Geysen, Inc.
    Inventor: William Williams Foard
  • Patent number: 7176586
    Abstract: Grip actuated control system to provide operational control of vehicle functions at a gripping surface of handlebar equipped vehicles. The system can be provided as original equipment and as an aftermarket addition or replacement for existent vehicle controls. The system includes one or more grip controls positioned adjacent a user's fingertips in a grip or glove assembly which are in communication with a control module. The control module is connected to existent or provided vehicle wiring and thus to respective operational equipment such that user actuation of a grip control induces the control module to provide a corresponding output to activate/deactivate or regulate the operation of the respective vehicle equipment. Communication between the grip controls and control module can be wireless for increased flexibility in installation and placement of the module on the vehicle. Combinations, sequences, and relative timing of the grip controls can provide numerous distinct control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Gerald Ledford, Steven O'toole Dodson
  • Patent number: 7173527
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a security device for residential and/or commercial use. A first magnetic member has a first magnet with a north and south pole, and a second magnetic member has a second magnet with a south and north pole. Contact between the north pole of the first magnet and south pole of the second magnet, or vice versa, completes an electrical circuit by conducting electricity between the first and second magnets, and a magnetic force between the first and second magnets holds the first and second magnets in contact. The electrical circuit is broken when a force sufficient to overcome the magnetic force is applied to separate the first and second magnets. When contact between the first magnet and second magnet is broken off, such as by opening a door or window, the electrical circuit is broken, and an alarm is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: George N. Wilson, Kevin G. Piel, Thomas S. Babich, Robert E. Lee
  • Patent number: 7170199
    Abstract: A matrix converter for transforming electrical energy between at least one voltage source, in particular a power supply network, and at least one current source, in particular a load, said converter including a matrix of switches connecting said voltage sources to said current sources, wherein each of said switches has two terminals which are interconnected via a photoconductive layer of diamond, each switch being controlled by means of a light source irradiating the layer of diamond interposed between the two terminals of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Emmanuel Dutarde, Christophe Beuille, Fabrice Breit, Henri Schneider
  • Patent number: 7157812
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for modifying a power flux in an electrical transmission line section (6,8), each section including phase lines having n conductors (10,12) electrically insulated from one another and shorted at the ends (40) of the section. The apparatus comprises a power exchange unit including a power converter (18) for power conversion between first and second pairs of terminals (20,22), the first pair of terminals (20) being connected in series to at least one conductor of the section; and an electrical element (24) connected to the second pair of terminals (22) and adapted to circulate power through the power converter to modify said power flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventor: Pierre Couture
  • Patent number: 7129850
    Abstract: A switch device includes a housing, a circuit board is disposed in the housing for being coupled between an electric power source and an electric appliance, a remote detecting device includes a light emitting and receiving device for generating lights to detect whether users are going toward the housing of the switch device or not, the remote detecting device includes an indicating light member to indicate whether an electric power energy has been supplied to the remote detecting device or not, and another indicating light member to indicate whether the light emitting and receiving device is working or not. A control device may control the electric appliance, when the light emitting and receiving device has detected that a user is going toward or close to the housing of the switch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Sen-Tien Shih
  • Patent number: 7116061
    Abstract: Flashlights having selectively controllable brightness levels, a preferred embodiment of which comprises in combination: a battery; a light emitter assembly; a switch in circuit with the battery and the light emitter assembly, the switch having a first OFF position and a second OFF position, the first ON position coupling the battery to the light emitter assembly for producing a first light output, and a second ON position coupling the battery to the light emitter assembly for producing a second light output; and a switch actuator adapted to be coupled to the switch alternatively in its first OFF position and its second OFF position, the switch actuator when coupled in its first OFF position is translatable by a first distance placing the switch in its first ON position and translatable by a second distance placing the switch in its second ON position, the switch actuator when coupled in its second OFF position is translatable by a third distance placing the switch in its first ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Surefire, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Y. Kim, William A. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7114207
    Abstract: An inflatable product includes a first chamber, a first mechanically-controlled valve, an air pump, a first switch and a switch circuit. The air pump inflates the first chamber through the first mechanically-controlled valve. The first switch activates the air pump and opens the first mechanically-controlled valve. The air pump is activated through the switch circuit by the first switch, wherein the switch circuit has a second switch turned on by the first switch when the first switch is turned on, and a relay activated to supply the air pump with power when the second switch is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Team Worldwide Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7113321
    Abstract: A miniaturized and highly integrated optical deflection apparatus is realized in which the number of electrodes for driving the optical deflection apparatus is reduced. The optical deflection apparatus implements a sheet member that is electrically floating and plural electrodes that are implemented on a substrate. The sheet member includes a member having a light reflection region and an electret member that is charged at a predetermined electric potential. The sheet member is tilted by applying an electric potential that is substantially equivalent to an electric potential of the electret member to one of the electrodes and applying a ground potential to another one of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nanjyo, Seiichi Katoh, Kouichi Ohtaka
  • Patent number: 7109608
    Abstract: A bi-directional smooth transition switch with bumpless transfer is disclosed. It is composed of two feedback loops, each with feedback and forward-loop compensators. During loop operation, one feedback loop is active, while the other is inactive. The smooth transition switch operates in the following manner. The switch output is measured. Next, an error signal is formed as the difference between the forward-loop compensator output and the switch output, which is fed to the input of a high gain feedback compensator. The output of the feedback compensator is a feedback signal. When no switching occurs, the feedback signal remains zero in the active loop, and the output signal of the inactive loop will track the output signal of the active loop. When the switchover occurs, the inactive loop will replace the original active loop and provide smooth transition switch's output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yixin Yao, Bing Zheng, Mary Yi-Yang Huang
  • Patent number: 7102252
    Abstract: A dual solid state switch architecture has a plurality of control/monitor ports, selected ones of which are used to control the operation of a pair of power MOSFETs current flow paths through which are coupled to prescribed ones of a plurality of input/output ports that are adapted to be coupled to a circuit path containing a load and either and AC or DC power source therefor. Selected others of the control/monitor ports are used to monitor current delivered to the load. A leakage current by-pass resistor is connected between selected input/output ports, to which a neon tube may be connected for indicating the switching on of an AC source. This resistor serves to provide a bypass path for leakage current through the MOSFETs, so as to prevent the neon tube from being erroneously illuminated, when the MOSFETs have been turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Adtran, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J Bertrand
  • Patent number: 7084531
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power source and load such as a light bulb, a radio or motor, includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The input does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The power switch, by on/off switching, controls energy flow from the power source to the load. The electronic circuit has an automatic delayed shut-off function for the load and, a find-in-the-dark indicator and a power source level indicator which are active when the load is not energized and the power source is not being charged. The input to the microchip acts as an activation/deactivation user interface. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Azoteq (PTY) LTD
    Inventor: Frederick Johannes Bruwer
  • Patent number: 7046535
    Abstract: Power converters such as power modules configured as inverters employ modularized approaches. In some aspects, semiconductor devices are thermally coupled directly to thermally conductive substrates without intervening dielectric or insulative structures. Additionally, or alternatively, semiconductor devices are thermally coupled to thermally conductive substrates with relatively large surface areas before heat transferred from the semiconductor devices encounters a dielectric or electrically insulating structure with correspondingly high thermal impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Pablo Rodriguez, Douglas K. Maly, Ajay V. Patwardhan, Kanghua Chen, Sayeed Ahmed, Gerardo Jimenez, Fred Flett
  • Patent number: 7026861
    Abstract: A control circuit receives inputs from first and second field effect sensors. The control circuit produces a control output only if the second field effect sensor senses proximity or touch more than a predetermined time after the first field effect sensor senses proximity or touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Edward Steenwyk
  • Patent number: 7019463
    Abstract: A daytime running light module for controlling the illumination of dual filament bulbs that act as vehicle parking lights and turn lights. The daytime running light module includes a pair of switches that are interconnected between the front vehicular lights and a power source to control the light emitted from the vehicular lights of the vehicle. The module operates to control when each filament of the two filament bulb or system is illuminated, such that the brighter filament of the bulb will be illuminated when the operator wishes to draw attention to the vehicle for safety purposes. The module may either automatically or manually control the light output as desired by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Raymond Kesterson
  • Patent number: 7012344
    Abstract: A switch control circuit of an auto laser power control circuit is disclosed. The auto laser power control circuit has a feedback circuit and a switch control circuit. The switch control circuit has a first electronic switch, a second electronic switch, a third electronic switch, a fourth electronic switch, and a resistor. When a first control signal is enabled, the first electronic switch and the third electronic switch conduct and the second electronic switch and the fourth electronic switch are turned off. The signal of the feedback amplifying circuit is received by the driving circuit for driving a laser diode. When the first control signal is disabled, the second electronic switch and the fourth electronic switch conduct while the first and the third electronic switches are turned off. Via the voltage formed across the resistor in the driving circuit, the driving circuit is disabled, and the laser diode is completely turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jyhfong Lin, Cheng Kuo Yang
  • Patent number: 6995482
    Abstract: A method for providing a current path during switching transitions of a switching circuit while limiting the short circuit current. In one embodiment, a switching circuit includes a passive break-before-make element in series with two switches. An alternate embodiment includes a make-before-break element in parallel with the switches. The passive break-before-make element, or make-before-break element, provides a high impedance in a short term and a low impedance in a long term. The switching circuit may be coupled to a load through a low pass filter. In one embodiment, the switching circuit is used in a switching audio amplifier circuit, where correction of nonlinearities incorporates analog feedback to modify the duty ratio of a digitally generated switching signal in the analog domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Pallab Midya, Cesar Pascual, Lawrence Edwin Connell
  • Patent number: 6990700
    Abstract: An inflatable product that includes a chamber and an electric air pump for inflating the chamber. The air pump has an air intake and an air outlet. The air intake is connected to the outside of the chamber and the air outlet is connected to the inside of the chamber when the air pump is moved to a first position. The air intake is connected to the inside of the chamber and the air outlet is connected to the outside of the chamber when the air pump is moved to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Team Worldwide Corporation
    Inventor: Wang Cheng Chung
  • Patent number: 6989613
    Abstract: Circuit apparatus for interconnection between an electric power source of expected variability and an recreation vehicle requiring a known fixed range of voltage change. A voltage sensor (18) for producing signals representative of corresponding source voltage variation ranges. A transformer (60) with tapped primary (56,58) is selectively switched to provide low boost or high boost to compensate two low ranges of the source voltage connected by a relay (54) energized by the voltage sensor signals (18). If the source voltage exceeds the low boost range, a further relay (28) energized by a sensor signal connects the source voltage to output terminals (40,42) for ultimate use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventors: George R. Andrews, Frank Izbinski
  • Patent number: 6984944
    Abstract: A controlling device for use with an exterior landscape lighting assembly. The lighting assembly includes a transformer having an input line connected to an electrical power source. The transformer converts a primary electrical load to a secondary electrical load which is in turn outputted though an output line connecting to a plurality of individual lighting units. The controlling device is capable of being mounted at an appropriate location indoors or outdoors. An enclosure unit includes a power supply circuit, a switch, a relay and control circuitry. The power supply circuit converts the secondary transformer output to a filtered direct current suitable for powering the control circuitry. The control circuitry interfaces with remote momentary switches and alternately activates and deactivates the lighting units. The control circuitry further includes an optional receiver for wireless operation. The controlling device can be incorporated into the transformer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: John Garrity
  • Patent number: 6967416
    Abstract: A method and structure for an integrated chip structure comprises a substrate having a power supply, a chip attached to the substrate, at least two decoupling capacitors attached to the chip and to the power supply, and a control circuit adapted to select physical locations of active decoupling capacitors to be interspersed with inactive decoupling capacitors. The invention selectively connects and disconnects the decoupling capacitors to and from the power supply, such that the inactive decoupling capacitors provide a uniform heat dissipation function across the chip and the active decoupling capacitors provide a uniform power regulation function across the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Amy R. Hsu, Louis L. Hsu, Kwong Hon Wong
  • Patent number: 6967547
    Abstract: An RF switch includes first and second diodes characterized by an intrinsic region. Pin diodes and nip diodes are examples of such diodes with intrinsic regions. The diodes are stacked with facing first connections. A bias conductor extends from the first connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Signal Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Massimo M. Pellegrini, David C. Riffelmacher
  • Patent number: 6958459
    Abstract: A contact switching arrangement with a flat electrically non-conducting cover which forms a switching area on a top facing the user, and has an underside facing away from the user, at which at least one electrode is arranged and is connected with a switching arrangement for triggering a contact signal when a finger of the user or a similar conducting body approaches. The cover has a light-reflecting, electrically non-conducting film, at least over portions, which acts as a non-conductor. The contact switching arrangement is for use in connection with control panels of electronic devices, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventor: Harry Engelmann
  • Patent number: 6933628
    Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the invention recites a high speed channel selector switch. The high speed channel selector switch includes a first unit that has a plurality of contacts that are operable to electrically couple to a plurality of high speed data lines of a device under test. The first unit also has an additional contact operable to electrically couple to a signal line. The high speed channel selector switch further includes a second unit that is operable to selectively electrically couple one of the plurality of contacts of the first unit to the additional contact of the first unit. The second unit also electrically couples the remaining contacts of the first unit to respective termination impedances. Thus, one of the plurality of high speed data lines is coupled to the signal line via the second unit and the remaining high speed data lines are coupled to respective termination impedances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammed Ershad Ali
  • Patent number: 6894885
    Abstract: The reader/writer of this invention includes a high voltage withstanding amplifier, plural resonance circuits and plural high voltage withstanding analog switching circuits. The high voltage withstanding amplifier amplifies an analog signal to be sent to the outside. Each of the resonance circuits sends the analog signal amplified by the high voltage withstanding amplifier to the outside. The high voltage withstanding analog switching circuits are provided between the high voltage withstanding amplifier and the resonance circuits correspondingly to the resonance circuits. Each of the high voltage withstanding analog switching circuits electrically connects/disconnects the high voltage withstanding amplifier to/from the corresponding resonance circuit. Since the reader/writer includes the high voltage withstanding analog switching circuits, there is no need to provide high voltage withstanding amplifiers at the previous stages of the resonance circuits as in a conventional reader/writer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Asaka, Keiichi Iiyama
  • Patent number: 6888268
    Abstract: A device uses a single inductor or a series of inductors to initially store energy. A series of opening switches are placed in the circuit with approximately equal inductance between each of the switches. Conducting leads are attached on either side of each opening switch and attached to the load at the other end. Each lead may have a blocking device such as a spark gap or diode to keep current from flowing in the load circuit when the leads are connected to the load. When the switches are all opened approximately simultaneously, the current in the storage inductor is transferred to the load with a voltage characteristic of the load and/or the opening time of the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: The Titan Corporation
    Inventor: Charles H. Stallings
  • Patent number: 6849968
    Abstract: A switch unit allows a user to perform an on-and-off switching control of a load which is installed in a certain place without having the user move to the load position and confirm the control status of the load. The switch unit includes a local switching unit having a plurality of buttons each coresponding to each load which is installed in a current place, for directly selecting a load to be switching-controlled, an overall switching unit fabricated in the form of a dial, for selecting a load to be switching-controlled, an overall display unit having a number of LEDs, for displaying the switching control state of each load, an all-off switch which is slightly sunk from the surface of the switch unit, for switching all the loads entirely, and a remote controller signal receiver for receiving a remote controller signal. The switch unit further includes a FND display unit for displaying a load corresponding to the current dial position in the overall switching unit with a numerical symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Hyung-Sik Park
  • Patent number: 6849811
    Abstract: A transfer switch for switching between power sources for a load includes a plurality of symmetrical phase plates, a plurality of stationary contact pads associated with each said phase plate, each stationary contact pad associated with a power source, a movable contact assembly associated with each phase plate, and a shaft connecting the phase plates and upon which each movable contact assembly is mounted for movement between stationary contact pads associated with each phase plate. The above transfer switch allows for two, three and four-pole modular configuration with minimal additional hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chris Heflin, Mark A. Serrano, Ariel M. Gamazon
  • Patent number: 6835904
    Abstract: A brake lever assembly can be assembled by providing a housing coupling the brake lever assembly to a vehicle, a brake lever pivotally attached to the housing, and a reinforcing plate mounted on the housing. The reinforcing plate can be secured to a top surface of the housing and to a side surface of the housing. The assembly can also include a parking lever pivotally mounted on the brake lever. The pivoting of the parking lever, during actuation of the brake lever, can cause a tip of the parking lever to engage the reinforcing plate. This maintains actuation of the brake lever. The assembly can further include a brake light actuation switch mounted on the reinforcing plate. The actuation of the brake lever actuates the brake light actuation switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jeremy McGuire, Kosuke Asao
  • Publication number: 20040249475
    Abstract: A safety bus system especially for tabletting machines includes at least one bus-capable module, at least one bus controller and at least one bus line interconnecting the at least one bus-capable module and the at least one bus controller. At least one safety function can be implemented by the safety bus system. The at least one safety function may be performed essentially simultaneously with at least one control function and/or at least one measurement function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Walter Hegel
  • Patent number: 6822348
    Abstract: A switch structure comprises a gripper, a splinted trough and a cutoff circuit. When the computer puts in the case of the server apparatus, the gripper can directly stick on the corresponding splinted trough to make the computer stick in case and trigger the cutoff circuit to generate a pulse signal to the computer for booting the computer. While unlocking, the cutoff circuit generates the other pulse signal to the computer to make a graceful computer shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Arima Computer Corp.
    Inventors: Heng-Chih Yen, Chen-Tung Sun
  • Patent number: 6823134
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to automatically reverse the motor of a dispensing gun or similar tool. The invention includes a controller that automatically reverses the direction of plunger movement and removes the plunger from contact with the back wall of a cartridge. The controller has a trigger switch that is coupled to a power source, such as a battery, and includes a main power on/off switch and a potentiometer. A protection or secondary switch is coupled in parallel to the main power on/off switch. A power supply circuit and a commutator are each coupled to the main and secondary switches. An overload sensor is coupled to the commutator. The controller includes a programmable device that is coupled to the power supply circuit, the potentiometer, the commutator, and the overload sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Glasgow, Robert M. Crisp
  • Patent number: 6822347
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for selectively enabling or disabling a plurality of machine systems of a work machine. A service control box is provided on the work machine at a position accessible to a service technician. The service control box includes a battery disconnect switch and at least one service mode control switch. The service control switch is adapted to enable at least one machine system for the purpose of performing a service procedure on that machine system. A keypad may be used as a service control switch and be adapted to enable or disable a plurality of various machine systems. The service control switch may be adapted to be used from locations on the work machine that are remote from the service control box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Roley
  • Publication number: 20040227407
    Abstract: A proximity detector includes an element which contactlessly exerts a predetermined action from a first member or portion; a detector which detects, in a second member or portion, the receipt of the action of a predetermined intensity or more; and an inhibitor which prevents, in the first portion, the element from exerting the action. When the detector detects the receipt of the action of predetermined intensity or more, the inhibitor prevents the exertion of the action, and a determination is made whether or not the first member or portion is proximate to the second member or portion based on an output of the detector in response to the prevention of the action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Nagai
  • Patent number: 6798085
    Abstract: A position detection device enables an accurate detection of a position of a moving object. Two cam surfaces are formed on an outer peripheral surface of a rotary body (22) and micros-witches (38, 39) are brought into contact with respective cam surfaces and a logic (L, H) can be established based on signals from two switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seika Matsui, Toshiro Maeda, Tatsumi Tashiro, Shinji Suganuma, Junkoh Shima
  • Publication number: 20040169419
    Abstract: A vehicle electric supply system includes a semiconductor safety switch that interruptibly couples the vehicle battery to electric consuming devices that are supplied by an electric socket on board the vehicle. A programmable control unit controls opening and closing of the switch, as a function of a monitored vehicle parameter, such as elapsed time, battery charge state or current consumption via the vehicle socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Armin Wagner, Oliver Froelich
  • Patent number: 6774509
    Abstract: An electrical switch assembly for controlling an electrical appliance, wherein the assembly includes first and second electrical elements. The first element is an on/off switch for initially switching on the appliance. The second element is a pressure-sensitive variable resistor for adjusting the operating condition of the appliance. The variable resistor includes a first part having a resilient deformable and electrically conducting resistive surface and a second part. One of the parts is movable to press against the other part so that their surfaces bear against each other to make an electrical connection between the resistive surface and the element. The resistive surface and the element together provide a resultant resistance between the two contacts that declines as the area of contact increases corresponding to the pressure acting upon the two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Defond Manufacturing Limited
    Inventor: Raymond Wai Hang Chu
  • Patent number: 6765310
    Abstract: The electrical system of an engine-powered outdoor machine is made more flexible in design with a virtual multi-pole switch comprising a microprocessor coupled to power-controlled devices of the electrical system, a single-pole switch coupled to an input of the microprocessor, and a program of the microprocessor simulating one or more interconnected multi-pole switches embodied in hardware and the wiring harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Multicraft International
    Inventor: Michael V. Lowery
  • Patent number: 6765775
    Abstract: A submarine branching unit is disclosed that includes a termination for each of at least three line cables and a termination to sea ground. A relay is positioned between each pair of cable terminations. When current flows between two of the cables, the intermediary relay will become energized and cause a contact to connect the third cable to the sea-ground termination. To avoid dangerous surges in current to sea ground when a relay trips, a current limiter is placed in series with the sea ground termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi E Sistemi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Pirovano
  • Publication number: 20040130216
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting circuit for connecting to an electricity grid an electric generator for generating electrical energy, comprising: a measuring circuit for measuring the current through the connecting circuit; a storage element for storing charge supplied by the generator for at least some period of time; a second measuring circuit for measuring the amount of stored charge, which circuit is connected to a storage element; and a first controllable switch for connecting the generator to the electricity grid subject to the measured current intensity, voltage and stored charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Gerardus Jacobus Josephine Beckers, Dirk Lucas Bekkering, Willem Antoon Van Kampen, Berend Jan Van Kampen, Johannes Sjoerd Ribberdink, Jacobus Gerardus Maria Zutt
  • Patent number: 6759761
    Abstract: The device has a sensor device (20) and an evaluation device (30). The sensor device (20) has a global sensor (22), by which the general light intensity in the surroundings of the vehicle is detected nondirectionally, and a directional sensor (24), by which the light intensity is detected directionally in the travel direction of the vehicle. By the evaluation device (30), the signals (S1, S2) of the sensors (22, 24) of the sensor device (20) are compared with threshold values (SE), and if at least one threshold value (SE) is undershot, the lighting devices (10, 12) are switched on. A temperature measuring instrument (32) for detecting the temperature of the sensor device (20) is also provided, which supplies the evaluation device with a signal (ST) about the temperature. In the evaluation device (30), temperature-dependent basic signals (S10, S20) that the sensors (22, 24) generate without light incidence are stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Schmitt, Norbert Hog, Bruno Hodapp, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Henry Blizke, Manfred Burkart
  • Patent number: 6756700
    Abstract: A sound-activated wake-up device generates a wake-up signal for ending a sleep-mode in response to the sound of friction between an operating platform and an input device, or the sound of touching of the input device by the user. The wake-up device includes a sound detecting unit and a signal amplifying/comparing unit, and sound filtering structures and/or circuitry so as to prevent ambient sounds from activating the wake-up device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Kye Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Wen Zeng
  • Patent number: 6753624
    Abstract: A first connection terminal for main power supply 15 and a first connection terminal for signal 16 are disposed in a female connector housing 14. A second connection terminal for main power supply 18 and a second connection terminal for signal 19 are disposed in a male connector housing 17. As the female and male connector housings 14, 17 are fitted to each other, the first connection terminal for main power supply 15 makes contact with the second connection terminal for main power supply 18 before the first connection terminal for signal 16 makes contact with the second connection terminal for signal 19. As the female and male connector housings 14, 17 are disengaged from each other, the first connection terminal for signal 16 breaks contact with the second connection terminal for signal 19 before the first connection terminal for main power supply 15 breaks contact with the second connection terminal for main power supply 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takeya Miwa
  • Publication number: 20040090125
    Abstract: A system which uses a telephone system to remotely activate an electrical circuit. Using a remote telephone, the “ringing” signal causes an electrical circuit to initiate a timer which sends a signal for an operator specified amount of time to a relay switch. By closing the relay switch, electrical current is communicated for specified amount of time (ideally over five minutes in duration) to an electrical apparatus such as a light. This system allows a remote user to use the phone system to activates lights and other electrical apparatus at such sites as the user's home while the user is on vacation, or maintenance personnel activating parking lot lights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Antoniewski Bohdan
  • Patent number: 6734580
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fused switch unit (1) with a housing (2) and switching rocker (30), which is mounted in the housing (2) of the fused switch unit (1) such that it can pivot to and fro between a switched-on positon and a switched-off position. The fused switch unit (1) has apparatuses (70, 71, 72, 73) for a monitoring circuit and an indication (35) for monitoring the serviceability of a fuse link (20), with the indication (35) being arranged in the switching rocker (30). The indication (35) is preferably an optical indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Klaus Bruchmann
  • Patent number: 6727604
    Abstract: The switching apparatus is intended to be used with a segment of an electric power line having several phase lines. Each of the phase lines has several conductors electrically insulated one from the other and connected in parallel. The conductors of each phase line are short-circuited among them at two extremities of the segment. The apparatus comprises pairs of switches connected in parallel, for selectively opening and closing the conductors of each phase line, a detecting device for detecting current operating conditions of the segment, and a controlling device for controlling the pairs of switches according to the current operating conditions of the segment. The present invention also relates to a switching method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventor: Pierre Couture
  • Patent number: 6723937
    Abstract: In a touch switch with a keypad 2, a tactual feedback of its operation, perceptible to the user, is said to be achieved. For this purpose a transducer 7 is provided, which upon a touching of the keypad 2 impressed a movement on the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Harry Englemann, Kurt Schaupert
  • Patent number: 6713896
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for switching several electric circuits in a vehicle, wherein several positions of an actuating element are binarily coded, the binary codification is fed to a logic and the logic controls the switching of the electric circuits, and also a corresponding switch with an actuating element and a switching device for attaining several switching modes, depending upon the position of the actuating element, wherein the switching device is constructed of several switching elements with two switching modes each, so that there results a binary codification of the switching modes of all switching elements, depending upon the position of the actuating element in order to switch the electric circuits by means of a logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans Burtscher, Uwe Probst, Boris Wiegand, Jochen Pfeiffer