Selectively Actuated Patents (Class 307/115)
  • Patent number: 11942816
    Abstract: An electric utility distribution system in which power is supplied by a distribution transformer through an electric utility meter including an apparatus for detecting the presence of a back-feed voltage source connected to the load. The apparatus includes a virtual neutral established in the electric utility meter at ground potential and a remote switch that is opened to interrupt electric power flow from the distribution transformer to the load. The apparatus further includes a balanced voltage divider circuit including a connection point established between a pair of series connected resistive elements. In addition, the apparatus includes a detection circuit configured to monitor a voltage signal at the connection point to detect a back-feed voltage source connected between a neutral conductor of the electric utility distribution system and one of a first or second power line at the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Curtis W. Crittenden, Carl Oppenheimer
  • Patent number: 11881813
    Abstract: A module switchoff device and a security protection system of a photovoltaic power generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ALTENERGY POWER SYSTEM INC.
    Inventors: Yuhao Luo, Dongming Zhou
  • Patent number: 11862959
    Abstract: A system includes a first USB Type-C Power Delivery (USB-C/PD) port and a control circuit operatively coupled to the first USB-C/PD port. The control circuit is configured to determine whether a short circuit condition has occurred based on a first threshold voltage. The control circuit is also configured to turn off a ground isolation switch when short circuit condition occurs. The control circuit is further configured to determine a whether a voltage on a ground line is less than a second threshold voltage. The control circuit is further configured to turn on the ground isolation switch when the voltage on the ground line is less than the second threshold voltage. The control circuit may perform one or more error recovery operations after turning on the ground isolation switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Arun Khamesra, Hariom Rai, Pulkit Shah
  • Patent number: 11852691
    Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure include an input/output (IO) power supply module coupled to a load. The IO power supply module may include testing circuitry that couples to a voltage supply of the IO power supply module. The testing circuitry may perform an online load current test to verify performance of IO power supply module. To do so, the testing circuitry may include a current measurement circuit coupled to a switch. The current measurement circuit may receive a current via the switch while closed to determine whether the output current generated by the voltage supply is equal to a rated output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. O'Connell, Edward C. Hopsecger
  • Patent number: 11799467
    Abstract: A device is provided that includes a power transistor and an overcurrent detection logic. The overcurrent detection logic has a first stable state providing a first signal level on a status output terminal and a second stable state providing a second signal level on the status output terminal. The overcurrent detection logic changes from the first stable state to the second stable state in response to detecting that a current through the power transistor exceeds a current limit. The overcurrent detection logic remains in the second state when the current through the transistor drops below the limit after exceeding the current limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Markus Sievers, Michael Glavanovics, Dethard Peters
  • Patent number: 11776073
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining how to dispatch power to a property from a generator are provided. According to certain aspects, a controller associated with the generator may retrieve or access a set of data indicating time of use rates associated with utility power, performance characteristics of the generator, and/or energy usage data. Based on the data, the controller may determine a set point corresponding to when it may be beneficial to dispatch generator power to the property instead of utility power. At the set point, the controller may facilitate supplementing power from utility power with power from the generator. Additionally, the controller may collect usage and performance data associated with dispatch of the generator power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: LEADING EDGE POWER SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: David Walters, Richard Paulsen
  • Patent number: 11641201
    Abstract: A device includes a first switch and a first diode connected in parallel between a midpoint and a first terminal of the hybrid power device, a second switch and a second diode connected in parallel between the midpoint and a second terminal of the hybrid power device, a third switch coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal, and a third diode connected between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dianbo Fu, Zhaohui Wang, Jun Zhang, Lei Shi
  • Patent number: 11632109
    Abstract: A strong and weak hybrid PUF circuit comprises N switch units and an arbiter. Each switch unit consists of two delay modules and two 2:1 multiplexers. The N switch units constitute two completely symmetrical delay paths. Each delay module consists of six stages of delay cells. During the operating process, a transmission signal selects a turn-on path of the corresponding 2:1 multiplexers according to activation signals; the switch units in the PUF circuit are in a valid state (if the delay modules are turned on) or in an invalid state (if the delay modules are not turned on) according to whether the delay modules are turned during the operating process; and the strong and weak hybrid PUF circuit can be flexibly configured to be of two different types (a strong PUF circuit and a weak PUF circuit) according to changes of the Hamming weight of input activation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Wenzhou University
    Inventors: Pengjun Wang, Jiana Lian, Gang Li, Ziyu Zhou
  • Patent number: 11615394
    Abstract: Sequential selections are presented by receiving an input on an active portion of a display of the computing device. While the input is received, a plurality of selections are sequentially displayed on the display. An indication is received that the input on the active portion of the display of the computing device has changed. In response to receiving the indication that the input has changed, the computing device stops presenting the plurality of selections and determines which selection of the plurality of selections was presented on the display when the input changed. The determined selection is then displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Gura, Matanya Bar, Erez Dickman
  • Patent number: 11604518
    Abstract: A tactile-adjustable keyboard includes plural keyswitches, an adjustment frame and a hybrid operation button. The adjustment frame is disposed corresponding to the keyswitches to move and interfere at least one of the keyswitches. The hybrid operation button includes a tactile switch, a non-tactile knob disposed at least partially surrounding the tactile switch, and a lens disposed at least partially surrounding the non-tactile knob. The tactile switch includes a switch shaft and a switch bar. The switch shaft is disposed in rotatable connection with the adjustment frame to move the adjustment frame. The switch bar extends externally from the switch shaft. A tactile feedback of said one keyswitch changes in response to the rotation of the tactile switch, while a non-tactile signal is generated in response to the rotation of the non-tactile knob, and the lens is illuminated in response to the rotation of the tactile switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chen Yang, Chih-Yao Chi, Shao Lun Hsiao, Chih-Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 11564307
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a carrier substrate (1) for electrical components (13), the carrier substrate (1) having a component side (4) and a cooling side (5) which is opposite the component side (4) and has a cooling structure (30), the carrier substrate (1) comprising a primary layer (10) which faces the component side (4) and is produced from ceramic for electrical insulation, and a secondary layer (20) which faces the cooling side (5) for stiffening the carrier substrate (1), characterized in that a metallic intermediate layer (15) is arranged between the primary layer (10) and the secondary layer (20) for heat transfer from the component side (4) to the cooling side (5), the metallic intermediate layer (15) being thicker than the primary layer (10) and/or the secondary layer (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ROGERS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Meyer, Vitalij Gil, László Müller, Rainer Herrmann, Stefan Britting
  • Patent number: 11552468
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a first terminal structured to electrically connect to a power source; a second terminal structured to electrically connect to a load; a voltage sensor electrically connected to a point between the first and second terminals and being structured to sense a voltage at the point between the first and second terminals; a switch electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a control unit structured to detect a power quality event in the power flowing between the first and second terminals based on the sensed voltage and to control a state of the switch based on the detected power quality event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Charles John Luebke, Birger Pahl, Steven Christopher Schmalz
  • Patent number: 11543111
    Abstract: A wireless light socket assembly for remotely actuating a light bulb includes a socket unit that has a male connector that is threadable into an existing light socket in a building. The socket unit has a female coupler integrated into the socket for insertably receiving a light bulb and the female coupler is in communication with the male connector. A communication unit is integrated into the socket unit and the communication unit is in remote communication with a security system of the building. The communication unit actuates the female coupler when the communication unit receives an alert signal from the security system to visually alert an observer that the security system has been triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: David Yeates
  • Patent number: 11535104
    Abstract: A train, comprising a train formation consisting of a head car, a power car and an intermediate car, end walls of the head car, power car and intermediate car having thereon oppositely disposed connectors 2 extending perpendicular to a direction of travel of the train; all connectors 2 on the end walls of the train are connected by means of wiring; the head car, power car and intermediate car connect electric power wiring of the whole train by means of the connectors when in any formation state; the train has disposed thereon two parallel power supply wires penetrating the entire train and multiple auxiliary power supply systems. The present invention can decrease different voltage standard conversion equipment of a multiple unit, lowering in-vehicle equipment costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: CRRC TANGSHAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Hu, Wenchao Fu, Lei Liu, Yongmei Fan, Chunxing Pei, Shaojing Sun, Liping Zhang, Hua Shi, Ruimei Wu, Ying Li, Yuanyuan Shuai, Jingyuan Li
  • Patent number: 11528794
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides intelligent lighting control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Savant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Charles Smith, William Lark, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11513279
    Abstract: A lighting device including: a light guide having a first side surface extending in a first direction and a second side surface opposing to the first side surface and extending in the first direction, a first LED being disposed at the first side surface, a second LED being disposed at the second side surface; in which a first area extends in the first direction and a second area extends in the second direction in the light guide; a prism sheet is disposed on the light guide; a prism extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction is formed on the prism sheet; a first surface of the prism has a first angle with normal direction of the second prism sheet; a second surface of the prism has a second angle with normal direction of the second prism sheet; the first angle is larger than the second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: JAPAN DISPLAY INC.
    Inventors: Makoto Hasegawa, Masafumi Okada
  • Patent number: 11476699
    Abstract: A power backup circuit provides a plurality of input power sources to back up a load. The power backup circuit includes a first switch, a second switch, and a control unit. The input power sources at least includes a first input power source and a second input power source. If the input power source of the load needs to be changed from the first input power source to the second input power source, the control unit controls the first switch to be coupled to the second input power source and controls the second switch to be coupled to the second input power source after the control unit effects a supply current flowing through a first power supply path and a second power supply path both coupled to the first input power source and the load to be reduced below a current threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Te-Chih Peng, Ming-Hsiang Lo, Chih-Hong Wu, Yu-Ren Weng
  • Patent number: 11447031
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charging controller according to an embodiment comprises: a first sensor for measuring a second voltage value between a first battery having a first voltage value and a relay in a high voltage line connected to electric vehicle charging equipment; a second sensor for measuring a third voltage value between the electric vehicle charging equipment and the relay in the high voltage line; and a control unit for controlling on/off of the relay, wherein if a difference between the second voltage value and the third voltage value is less than a preset fourth voltage value when the control unit applies a second battery voltage between the relay and the electric vehicle charging equipment in the high voltage line after controlling the relay to be turned off, the control unit determines that an operation of the relay is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Myoung Keun Lim
  • Patent number: 11450158
    Abstract: An electronic lock includes a latch assembly that has a latch housing and a bolt. The bolt is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The electronic lock includes a controller connected to a circuit board. The controller is configured to electronically control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position. The electronic lock includes an exposed conductive touch member. The conductive touch member is in electrical communication with the controller. The electronic lock includes an insulating arrangement positioned between the conductive touch member and the circuit board. The electronic lock includes a housing at least partially surrounding the conductive touch member. The housing is electrically isolated from the conductive touch member by at least a portion of the insulating arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Chong, Thomas P. Morse, Alan Uyeda
  • Patent number: 11361656
    Abstract: A control module for controlling a cable pulling or feeding apparatus at one endpoint of a pulling operation and for wirelessly communicating with a cable feeding or pulling apparatus at an opposite endpoint. The control module includes a switch input to receive a start signal from a switch for initiating operation of the apparatus and an equipment output that connects to the pulling/feeding apparatus. A wireless communication interface communicates ready state or stop state messages to the other apparatus to coordinate a pulling operation. The control module operates in one of two modes: endpoint mode or repeater mode. In repeater mode, the control module may be positioned between the endpoints to extend the wireless communications between the endpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Greenlee Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Marben, Eric Williams, SatishKumar SivaSankaran, Deraid Damitric Woods
  • Patent number: 11349297
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter device includes line hot, line neutral, load hot, and load neutral terminals, a solid-state switch, internal short-circuit switch circuitry, and control circuitry. The solid-state switch is connected in an electrical path between the line hot and load hot terminals. The internal short-circuit switch circuitry comprises an internal short-circuit switch and a shunt resistor serially connected between the line hot and line neutral terminals. The control circuitry is configured to detect for an occurrence of a fault condition and in response to detecting the occurrence of a fault condition, the control circuitry is configured to drive the solid-state switch into a switched-off state, and activate the internal short-circuit switch to generate an internal short-circuit path between the line hot and line neutral terminals and allow short-circuit current to flow through the shunt resistor between the line hot terminal and the line neutral terminal of the circuit interrupter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Amber Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Thar Casey, Chris Casey
  • Patent number: 11327573
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a cover plate having a plurality of first keyholes, an adjustment mechanism disposed under the cover plate, and a plurality of keyswitches. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment frame and a plurality of adjustment portions. The adjustment frame includes a plurality of ribs defining a plurality of second keyholes corresponding to the plurality of first keyholes, respectively. Each of the adjustment portions is proximate to a corresponding one of the second keyholes. Each of the keyswitches includes a tactile feedback member and is located in corresponding first and second keyholes, so that the adjustment portion corresponds to the tactile feedback member of its corresponding keyswitch. The adjustment frame is movable relative to the cover plate, so that each of the adjustment portions drives a portion of the tactile feedback member to move, to change tactile feedback of the keyswitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiang Chiang, Chen Yang, Yu-Chun Hsieh, Po-Yueh Chou
  • Patent number: 11289993
    Abstract: A switching element control circuit: a third electrode voltage control part; a temperature detection part; a first electrode current detection part; a memory part which stores information including an initial threshold voltage and an operation temperature/first electrode current characteristic of the threshold voltage; and a threshold voltage calculation part which calculates a threshold voltage at the time of operating the switching element based on information including the initial threshold voltage, the operation temperature of the switching element, and a first electrode current, and information relating to an operation temperature/first electrode current characteristic of a threshold voltage, wherein the third electrode voltage control part controls the third electrode voltage based on a threshold voltage at the time of operating the switching element calculated by the threshold voltage calculation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SHINDENGEN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Wataru Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 11289229
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel storage system includes an outer canister and fuel basket positioned therein. The basket is formed by orthogonally arranged and interlocked slotted plates which collectively define exterior side surfaces of the basket and a grid array of open cells each configured to hold a fuel assembly. At least some slotted plates comprise cantilevered plate extensions protruding laterally beyond the side surfaces of the basket to define various shaped peripheral gaps between the basket and canister. The plate extensions are configured to engage the shell of the canister. Vertically elongated reinforcement members are inserted in the peripheral gaps and fixedly coupled to the basket. Reinforcement members may comprise elongated reinforcement plates and/or tubular shimming members which may be fixedly coupled to the slotted plate extensions. The reinforcement members structurally strengthen the fuel basket. The plate extensions further act as fins to enhance heat dissipation from the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Krishna P. Singh
  • Patent number: 11264767
    Abstract: A power pedestal is described. The power pedestal includes a plurality of receptacles that are configured to connect to external devices. The plurality of receptacles includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. The first receptacle and the second receptacle are electrically interlocked with one another. The power pedestal includes a first circuit breaker connected to the first receptacle and a second circuit breaker connected to the second receptacle, and a shunt trip circuit that is configured to trip the first circuit breaker to disable power to the first receptacle of the power pedestal, responsive to the second circuit breaker associated with the second receptacle of the power pedestal being in an active state. Related devices and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Cory Robert Weeks, Jason D. Easton, Jeffery Scott Kuykendall, Michel Rivas, Paul D. Seff
  • Patent number: 11204387
    Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing a relay driving circuit includes a sensing unit configured to measure a first measured voltage, a second measured voltage and a third measured voltage respectively applied to one end of the first switch, one end of the second switch and one end of the third switch; and a processor operably coupled to the sensing unit. The processor controls operation states of the first switch, the second switch and the third switch and diagnoses whether the relay driving circuit has a fault based on at least one of the first measured voltage, the second measured voltage and the third measured voltage measured by the sensing unit in a state where a diagnosing circuit is formed by controlling the operation states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Sun-Jong Lee
  • Patent number: 11190045
    Abstract: An electric utility distribution system in which power is supplied by a distribution transformer through an electric utility meter including an apparatus for detecting the presence of a back-feed voltage source connected to the load. The apparatus includes a virtual neutral established in the electric utility meter at ground potential and a remote switch that is opened to interrupt electric power flow from the distribution transformer to the load. The apparatus further includes a balanced voltage divider circuit including a connection point established between a pair of series connected resistive elements. In addition, the apparatus includes a detection circuit configured to monitor a voltage signal at the connection point to detect a back-feed voltage source connected between a neutral conductor of the electric utility distribution system and one of a first or second power line at the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Aclara Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis W. Crittenden, Carl Oppenheimer
  • Patent number: 11190008
    Abstract: A high-voltage DC floating system includes a source, a power rail, a power bus, a load, and a pre-charge circuit. The power bus includes a positive bus portion and a negative bus portion. The pre-charge circuit includes a first pre-charge circuit portion that is configured to equalize a voltage across the positive power supply switch between the source and a Y-capacitance of the load and a second pre-charge circuit portion that defines a switched path to ground that is configured to equalize a voltage associated with a Y-capacitance of the negative power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hunter Wu, Hamza W. Derbas, Paul Firehammer, Robert J. Kromer
  • Patent number: 11178788
    Abstract: A cooling system for a networking device may be provided. The networking device may comprise a first plurality of switch bars each comprising a first switch type arranged parallel to one another, a second plurality of switch bars each comprising a second switch type arranged parallel to one another, and a third plurality of switch bars each comprising a third switch type arranged parallel to one another. The first plurality of switch bars, the second plurality of switch bars, and the third plurality of switch bars may be arranged orthogonally. A plurality of cooling passages may be configured to supply a coolant to the apparatus and to exhaust the coolant from the apparatus. The coolant may pass through the first plurality of switch bars, the second plurality of switch bars, and the third plurality of switch bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Pascal Thubert, Charles Calvin Byers
  • Patent number: 11146258
    Abstract: A method for protecting a power switch during turn-on includes sensing that a change in current through the power switch is in regulation, measuring a time the change in current through the power switch is in regulation, and comparing the time the change in current through the power switch is in regulation to a reference time. An over current signal, which can be used to disable the power switch, is generated if the time the change in current through the power switch is in excess of the reference time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AG
    Inventors: Karl Norling, Johannes Groeger, Anton Mauder, Bernhard Wicht
  • Patent number: 10910842
    Abstract: System for providing electrical power to wind turbine components comprising a busbar, an electrical grid, and an auxiliary power source for selectively providing electrical power to the busbar with an auxiliary power voltage, wherein the main voltage is different from the auxiliary power voltage. The system includes one or more wind turbines comprising a wind turbine generator, a main transformer for connecting the wind turbine generator to the busbar, one or more wind turbine components, and an auxiliary wind turbine transformer. The wind turbine components are arranged to be selectively connected to the main transformer and the busbar through a first path or a second path. The system is configured to select the first path if the voltage at the busbar is the main voltage and to select the second path if the voltage at the busbar is the auxiliary power voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.
    Inventors: Sergi Rates Palau, Kevin Schoenleber, Andre Langel
  • Patent number: 10868439
    Abstract: Effectively utilize a capacitor for supplying power to a load when a battery abnormality occurs. A power supply device for connecting to a battery and a load to which power is supplied from the battery includes: a capacitor; a first switch for switching a connection state between the battery and the capacitor; a second switch for switching a connection state between the capacitor and the load; and a control unit for detecting a state of charge of the capacitor and abnormality of the battery. When the abnormality of the battery is not detected, the control unit turns on the first switch and turns off the second switch when the capacitor is not charged, and maintains the first switch on after the capacitor is fully charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 10855101
    Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy includes an AC harvester having an AC harvesting capacitor and configured to extract power from an AC environment energy source, a DC harvester configured to extract power from a DC environment energy source, and a power transferrer configured to control a transfer path of power extracted from the DC harvester based on a magnitude of a voltage of the AC harvesting capacitor and a magnitude of a voltage applied from the DC harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Seong Ook Jung, Ki Ryong Kim, Dong Hoon Jung, Hong Keun Ahn
  • Patent number: 10847996
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for access-controlled electrical docking stations that automatically switch power to an electrical system between generator power and utility power are disclosed herein. An illustrative electrical docking station can include a cabinet that houses a circuit breaker, a generator interface to connect generators to the electrical docking station, an Automatic Transfer Switch, and a power supply. The power supply can supply converted DC power and protection to different accessories for the electrical docking station including an alarm, a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be configured to lock a door to the generator connectors in a closed position when the ATS is energized by a generator and to not lock the door when the door is in an open position. In some such circumstances, the alarm can shine green or provide an audible alarm and shine red respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Trystar, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Sunde, Jared A. Smith, Griffin A. Hebel
  • Patent number: 10785882
    Abstract: An electrical junction box is provided that can suppress a failure occurring due to a connector being exposed to external stress. An electrical junction box includes a substrate on which the connector is mounted, a case in which an opening portion is formed and the substrate is accommodated, and a cover that is attached to the opening portion and in which an insertion hole, into which the connector is to be inserted, is formed in a penetrating manner. The cover includes protruding portions at positions on sides of the connector, the protruding portions protruding forward of a leading end of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinao Tsujiya, Masatomo Inoue, Hiroshi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 10782327
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a power control device and a power supply device. The power control device includes a first controller, a power measurement circuit, and a first communication circuit. The power measurement circuit measures power being supplied to the power supply device. The first controller calculates additionally suppliable power based on the power being supplied and selects one operation mode based on the additionally suppliable power. The first communication circuit transmits the operation mode selected to the power supply device. The power supply device includes a second controller, a power converter circuit, and a second communication circuit. The second communication circuit receives the operation mode selected. The second controller outputs a condition of supply power indicating electric power supplied, to the power converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 10768015
    Abstract: A system for analyzing energy usage measures one or more parameters indicative of energy usage for a plurality of sub-circuits, where the sampling rate for the measuring is substantially continuous, and automatically transmits information related to at least one of the measured parameters at a rate that enables monitoring of current energy usage. The system further detects a significant change in a measured parameter, determines whether the significant change in the measured parameter is caused by a change in energy usage, and automatically transmits information related to the significant change in the measured parameter caused by the change in energy usage after detecting the significant change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: MelRok, LLC
    Inventors: Michel Roger Kamel, Paul W. Donahue
  • Patent number: 10770253
    Abstract: Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches that provide low contact resistance over a large number of open and close contact cycles are disclosed. A MEMS switch device may include a plurality of parallel MEMS switches with a first MEMS switch that is configured differently in such a manner to close first and/or open last during open and close cycles. In this regard, the first MEMS switch may experience increased contact resistance over a large number of open and close cycles while other MEMS switches maintain a low contact resistance. In certain embodiments, the first MEMS switch is controlled by a different control signal to open and close differently than the other MEMS switches. In certain embodiments, a common control signal controls a plurality of MEMS switches and the first MEMS switch is mechanically different such that it opens and closes differently than other MEMS switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Jonathan Hale Hammond
  • Patent number: 10769916
    Abstract: A refrigerator may include: a communication device, an object detection sensor for sensing an object positioned within a predetermined region around the refrigerator door; and a controller for controlling the refrigerator to operate in a specific mode based on a connected state between the communication network and preset mobile terminals. If an object sensing signal is received from the object detection sensor in the specific mode, the controller may send a notification to at least one of the preset mobile terminals through the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangoh Kim, Hyungyul Kim, Jongho Yun, Cholok Han
  • Patent number: 10727653
    Abstract: A power distribution box apparatus and method for implementing a priority disconnect scheme and a network communication bridge at a worksite, where the power distribution box distributes temporary power. The power distribution box includes a housing portion and a base portion elevating the housing portion off of the ground or another surface. The power distribution box includes a communication module having a network connecting module operable to connect to an external communication network (e.g., the Internet), and a wireless network module operable to wirelessly communicate with an external device (e.g., a smart phone) to, thereby, connect the external device to the external communication network. The power distribution box may also include a priority disconnect module to selectively disconnect AC output receptacles in response to over-current situations based on a priority level associated with each receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wade F. Burch
  • Patent number: 10716194
    Abstract: A smart light switch includes a housing, a light actuator, and a processor and memory. The processor is adapted to selectively turn an electrical load on and off in accordance with a programmed set of light activation rules stored in memory. The processor is operable to determine whether the smart light switch is in an On or Off state and create a historical record of the On or Off state of the smart light switch over time. A user is selectively able to place the smart light switch in a vacation mode. The processor suspends the programmed set of light activation rules, determines a probability that the smart light switch would have been turned on based upon the historical record, and probabilistically activates and deactivates the smart light switch for a period of time based upon the historical record while the smart light switch was not in vacation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ECOBEE INC.
    Inventors: Sahaj Chema, Jonathan Yeap, Casey McKinnon
  • Patent number: 10714288
    Abstract: A relay device includes a switch that switches a power line, serving as a path for power supplied from a first power storage device to a plurality of loads, between an electrified state and a non-electrified state; a first relay that switches a first conductive path, serving as a path from the switch to at least one specific load, between an electrified state and a non-electrified state; a second relay that switches a second conductive path, serving as a path between a second power storage device and the at least one specific load, between an electrified state and a non-electrified state; and a controller. When an abnormality has been detected by an abnormality detector, the controller causes the second relay to operate in a manner corresponding to the operation of the first relay that was being performed before detection of the abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiromichi Yasunori
  • Patent number: 10686317
    Abstract: A programmable battery protection system. Implementations may include a battery protection integrated circuit (IC) with an array of fuses, a plurality of latches coupled with the array of fuses, a plurality of MOSFETs coupled with the plurality of latches, and a plurality of resistors coupled in series and in parallel with each one of the plurality of MOSFETs. The IC may also include a comparator coupled with the plurality of resistors and with a battery control circuit. Whether any one of the array of fuses is open or closed (remains closed) may be set by a fuse trimming signal from the battery control circuit. A voltage supplied to the comparator by the plurality of resistors during operation may be one of a discharge overcurrent threshold voltage, a charge overcurrent threshold voltage, or a short current threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hiroshi Saito, Keiji Amemiya, Mutsuki Niki, Yasuaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10650613
    Abstract: A system includes a machinery protection monitoring system. The machinery protection monitoring system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of alarm escalation rules associated with an operational protection function of an industrial machine, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to utilize the plurality of alarm escalation rules. The processor is also configured to receive an indication that the operational protection of the industrial machine is at least partially suspended, compare the measurement of the one or more operational parameters to at least one of the plurality of alarm escalation rules, and generate an alarm signal based at least in part on whether the at least one of the plurality of alarm escalation rules is satisfied. The alarm signal includes an indication of an adverse operational condition of the machinery protection monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Tart, Thomas Franklin Kalb, Kyle Allan Farwell, Curtis Lee Hoffman, Paul Foster Richetta
  • Patent number: 10651839
    Abstract: A power switching apparatus includes a plurality of semiconductor switching devices connected in parallel with each other and a plurality of balance resistor units. The plurality of balance resistor units each have one end connected to a control electrode of an associated semiconductor switching device and the other end to which a common control signal is input. Each balance resistor unit is configured to have a resistance value switched between different values depending on whether the plurality of semiconductor switching devices are turned on or turned off in accordance with the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shota Morisaki, Yoshiko Tamada, Yoshitaka Naka, Yukihiko Wada, Hiroyuki Takagi
  • Patent number: 10579454
    Abstract: A circuit includes a dynamic core data register (DCDR) cell that includes a data register, a shift register and an output circuit to route the output state of the data register or the shift register to an output of the DCDR in response to an output control input. A clock gate having a gate control input controls clocking of the shift register in response to a first scan enable signal. An output control gate controls the output control input of the output circuit and controls which outputs from the data register or the shift register are transferred to the output of the output circuit in response to a second scan enable signal. The first scan enable signal and the second scan enable signal to enable a state transition of the shift register at the output of the DCDR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aravinda Acharya, Wilson Pradeep, Prakash Narayanan
  • Patent number: 10547177
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an energization method and apparatus for a power strip, and a storage medium. The method includes: de-energizing respective sockets of a power strip, detecting use states of the respective sockets of the power strip using independently powered sensors, and controlling the first socket to be energized when the use state of a first socket of the power strip is having a plug inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yan Xie
  • Patent number: 10474258
    Abstract: Apparatus for determining user operation of an actuator, based on determining a time constant of a state circuit coupled to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Ran Sahar
  • Patent number: 10443881
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a fan (1) which includes a control unit (2), wherein the control method includes at least the following steps: —the selection of an operating program (22) of the fan (1) from among a plurality of operating programs pre-recorded in the control unit (2), the operating programs including at least first and second fan control data; and the sending, by the control unit (2), of a control signal including at least the first control data for controlling a motor, which are correlated with at least the second control data for controlling at least one secondary device (24) of the fan (1) selected from among: a lighting device; a gas or liquid spraying device; an acoustic device; and a video device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Serge Cubizolles, Belkacem Aberbache, Olivier Lavillat
  • Patent number: RE49537
    Abstract: A two-wire smart load control device, such as an electronic switch, for controlling the power delivered from a power source to an electrical load comprises a relay for conducting a load current through the load and an in-line power supply coupled in series with the relay for generating a supply voltage across a capacitor when the relay is conductive. The power supply controls when the capacitor charges asynchronously with respect to the frequency of the source. The capacitor conducts the load current for at least a portion of a line cycle of the source when the relay is conductive. The load control device also comprises a bidirectional semiconductor switch, which is controlled to minimize the inrush current conducted through the relay. The bidirectional semiconductor switch is rendered conductive in response to an over-current condition in the capacitor of the power supply, and the relay is rendered non-conductive in response to an over-temperature condition in the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC.
    Inventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Miguel Aguado Perez, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Bingrui Yang