Switch Actuation Patents (Class 307/139)
  • Patent number: 11894838
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling a plurality of semiconductor circuit breakers by means of driver voltages for the synchronous operation of a plurality of loads in the high-voltage range, where the driver voltages can be provided by a transformer. According to the invention, the driver voltages for the semiconductor circuit breakers are tapped from a single secondary winding of the transformer, where electronic voltage level converter circuits are provided to obtain the driver voltages from the secondary winding of the transformer at the required magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Alexander Henne, Hans Rechberger, Karlheinz Fleder
  • Patent number: 11881347
    Abstract: The present invention provides a micro tactility-simulating sensing device, including: a chip including a first top surface and a first inductor, wherein the first top surface has wiring through holes configured to allow an external circuit to connect to the first inductor, and the first top surface is a flat surface except the wiring through holes; a magnetic rigid body coupled with the first inductor to allow the first inductor to sense a magnetic flux passing therethrough, and configured to receive a tactile load; and a polymer configured between the chip and the magnetic rigid body to have a characteristic distance therebetween, wherein the characteristic distance and the magnetic flux have a functional relationship. The micro tactility-simulating sensing device of the present invention can effectively increase the magnitude of the measured signal and provide two different ways to read the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Sheng-Kai Yeh, Jiunn-Horng Lee, Weileun Fang
  • Patent number: 11838041
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device comprising: a radio module designed to exchange information; an interface device designed to receive a SIM card, the interface device having a data interface, a clock interface, a reset interface and a supply interface designed to supply power to the SIM card; and a circuit board, on which the radio module and the interface device are arranged and electrically connected to one another; characterised in that the radio module has a voltage specification circuit and an associated voltage output, which voltage specification circuit is designed to specify an operating voltage for the SIM card, a fourth electrical connection having a decoupling circuit with power-limited output to the supply interface, which decoupling circuit is designed to decouple the voltage specification and energy supply of the SIM card from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Lukas Tanner, Marc Fiedler
  • Patent number: 11392236
    Abstract: A touch force sensor includes a reference resonant circuit, a first resonant circuit coupled to an inductive coil, a second resonant circuit connected to a touch electrode, and further includes a determination circuit configured to obtain a first resonant frequency attributable to a first inductance formed in an inductive coil and a first resonant circuit based on a displacement between a target and the inductive coil formed by an external force input in a Z-axis direction, the second resonant frequency of a second resonant circuit attributable to a capacitance varying depending on whether a finger comes into contact with the touch electrode, and information about a reference resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: DAMOATECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hu Min Jung
  • Patent number: 11265998
    Abstract: A multi-way circuit having a plurality of base modules may be used in multi-way schemes for lighting control devices. The multi-way circuit may operate with a controller and the base modules of a lighting control system to provide a fully functional, multi-way toggle circuit, even when the switches installed in the base module are not paired or in their off modes. The multi-way toggle circuit can be defined as follows: if any button in the circuit is pressed (indicating a desire to change the load state), then the load toggles its state between on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Savant Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Charles Smith
  • Patent number: 11244794
    Abstract: An automatic transfer switch includes a first phase switch component having a first plurality of cassettes, and at least one outer bus component disposed at an outer side of the first phase switch component. The automatic transfer switch additionally includes a first plate which is disposed on the outer side of the first phase switch component at a terminal end of the first phase switch component. The first plate is structured to increase impedance on an outer bus component of the first phase switch component to rebalance current along the first phase switch component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Amrit Supriya, Wangwei Zhou
  • Patent number: 11128162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for allocating a power request PREQ to a plurality of batteries connected in parallel in an electrical energy storage system. According to the invention, the allocation system comprises a global control system that can determine a combination of batteries from said plurality of batteries, which is optimized to respond to the power request using the highest possible number of batteries, and allocate a power level to each of the batteries of said optimized combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Yann Chazal, Philippe Toussaint, Do-Hieu Trinh, Mathieu Umlawski
  • Patent number: 10973095
    Abstract: System and method for controlling one or more light emitting diodes. For example, the system includes a bleeder configured to receive a rectified voltage generated by a rectifying bridge, and a dimmer detector configured to receive an input voltage generated by a voltage divider, determine whether or not the rectified voltage is associated with a TRIAC dimmer, and output a control signal to the bleeder. The voltage divider is configured to receive the rectified voltage, and the input voltage indicates a magnitude of the rectified voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liqiang Zhu, Jun Zhou, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 10959315
    Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of lighting units that are located in spaces of a building, each of said plurality of lighting units including an illumination module via which a respective lighting characteristic is able to be output therefrom; the system including at least one lighting settings module configured for storing predefined settings indicative of default lighting characteristics for output by illumination modules of lighting units that are associated with each of the spaces or types of spaces; a user input unit via which a user is able to selectably associate at least one of the plurality of lighting units with any one of the spaces or types of spaces in which it is located; and at least one control module whereby, responsive to the user associating at least one of the plurality of lighting units with the space or type of space in which it is located, the at least one control module is configured to operate the illumination module of the at least one lighting unit so as to output the default
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Gal
  • Patent number: 10910773
    Abstract: A power conversion device is provided for supplying power to an electronic device. The power conversion device includes a power supply connector, a voltage conversion circuit, a switch circuit and a detection circuit. The power supply connector is configured to couple with the electronic device. The voltage conversion circuit is configured to provide a suitable voltage level for the electronic device. The switch circuit is coupled between the voltage conversion circuit and the power supply connector. When the power supply connector is coupled with the electronic device and a ground pin of the power supply connector is fully shielded, the detection circuit configures the switch circuit to be conducted for supplying power to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventor: Tzu-Tseng Chan
  • Patent number: 10839866
    Abstract: A memory is provided with a plurality of cores that power up according to a power-up order from a first core to a final core. As the core power supply voltage for a current core powers up according to the power-up order, it triggers the power-up of a succeeding core in the power-up order responsive to the core power supply voltage exceeding the threshold voltage of a control transistor in the succeeding core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Shiba Narayan Mohanty, Rahul Sahu, Channappa Desai
  • Patent number: 10707011
    Abstract: A multilayer conductor includes at least one separation dielectric layer and a plurality of conductor layers stacked in an alternating manner. Each of the plurality of conductor layers includes a first conductor sublayer and a second conductor sublayer separated from the first conductor sublayer by a sublayer dielectric layer. The second conductor sublayer at least partially overlaps with the first conductor sublayer in each of the plurality of conductor layers. The multilayer conductor is included, for example, in a device including a magnetic core adjacent to at least part of the multilayer conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventor: Charles R. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10680589
    Abstract: A driver shutdown circuit configured to trigger driver shutdown based on the magnitude and duration of the driving current. A first GaN FET is connected to a second GaN FET and an input node and generates a discharging current proportional to the driving current. The discharging current is drawn from a timer capacitor through the first and second GaN FETs. The second GaN FET receives a control signal and stops flow of the discharging current in between driver pulses so a pre-charger circuit can recharge the timer capacitor to a particular voltage. The discharging current drains the timer capacitor, and a shutdown signal generator outputs a shutdown signal to the driver in response to the voltage on the timer capacitor decreasing below a triggering voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Efficient Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Lee, Ravi Ananth, Michael Chapman
  • Patent number: 10673193
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tapping apparatus for transmitting electrical energy from a, preferably spatially fixed, busbar to a tapping device which can be moved along the busbar or is also spatially fixed, comprising at least one connection housing, the busbar being mechanically connected or connectable to the tapping device by means of the connection housing, and a current tapping apparatus which comprises sliding contact elements for collecting electrical energy from the busbar, the current tapping apparatus being mechanically rigidly connected to the connection housing, and furthermore the connection housing comprising at least one base support, on which at least two control circuit boards are mounted, or said two control circuit boards themselves forming the base support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: Klaus Pfeiffer-Wagner
  • Patent number: 10658129
    Abstract: A portable control device designed to control contacts of an electrical switch, and including a main drive shaft, a holding shaft, a motor for driving the main shaft and a microcontroller for controlling the motor. In a first direction of insertion, the main shaft is able to be inserted into a first recess of the switch in order to perform a movement for opening/closing the contacts, the holding shaft then being housed in a first holding orifice. In a second direction of insertion, the main shaft is able to be inserted into a second recess of the switch in order to be able to perform a movement for grounding the contacts, the holding shaft then being housed in a second holding orifice. The control device also includes a detector of the direction of insertion, which detector is linked to the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Nicolas Rossi, Dominique Treffot
  • Patent number: 10606333
    Abstract: The apparatus is a wake-up circuit including a first comparator coupled to an input signal and configured to compare the input signal to a first comparison value. The wake-up circuit includes a second comparator coupled to the input signal and configured to compare the input signal to a second comparison value. The wake-up circuit further includes an exclusive OR gate. A first input of the exclusive OR gate is coupled to an output of the first comparator. A second input of the exclusive OR gate is coupled to an output of the second comparator. The wake-up circuit also includes a tunable charge pump coupled to an output of the exclusive OR gate and configured to convert a signal from the exclusive OR gate to a DC value to wake up a circuit being monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Oron Sasson, Alon Yehezkely
  • Patent number: 10524332
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an intelligent lighting control system. The lighting control system includes a base module including a base housing forming a well and including a first electrical connector positioned in the well. A depressible switch is housed in the well that includes a spring biasing the depressible switch into an extended position that opens an electrical circuit between the power terminal and the first electrical connector. The lighting control system also includes a light switch module configured for nesting, at least in part, in the well of the base module. The light switch module includes a module housing configured to press the depressible switch into a retracted position upon nesting in the well and thereby close the electrical circuit between the power terminal and the first electrical connector and release the depressible switch into the extended position when unnested from the well of the base module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Noon Home, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas David Pennycooke, William Lark, Jr., Ryan Aylward
  • Patent number: 10516546
    Abstract: An energy control network may include a number of load control devices, such as dimmer switches, multi-button selector switch, occupancy sensors, and remote controllers, among others. These load control devices may be configured for wireless communication. Other wireless devices, such as laptops, tablets, and ā€œsmartā€ cellular phones may be configured to communicate with the load control devices of the energy control network. The load control devices and the other wireless communication devices may also be configured for Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC may be used to provide a load control device with its initial default configuration and/or an application specific configuration. Also, NFC may be used to transfer a configuration from one load control device that may have become faulty, to a replacement load control device. And NFC may be used to provide and trigger commands that may cause a load control load device to operate in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: John C. Browne, Jr., Sean Henley, Ratan Dominic Rego, William Bryce Fricke, Robert D. Stevens
  • Patent number: 10431990
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a switching system for a fixture includes a first switch unit with a first switch actuator and a first power cord with an integrally formed power connector at its distal end. The first switch unit has an electrical receptacle configured to receive a corresponding power connector of a cord electrically connected to the fixture. The electrical receptacle is electrically coupled to the first power cord through the first switch actuator to provide switching actuation to the fixture. The switching system may include a second switch unit that includes a second switch actuator and a second power cord with an integrally formed power connector at its distal end. The first and second switch units are connectable to provide a three-way switching electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: THE WIREMOLD COMPANY
    Inventor: James W. Forte
  • Patent number: 10355426
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system of assemblies for remotely actuating a tap box to a continuous access busway. The system includes a tap box having a male component with electric contacts positionable between an engaged position and a disengaged position with a continuous access busway. A remote actuator interface positioned along the tap box for being selectively attached to a remote actuator device for manipulating the male component between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The remote actuator device may be a powered actuator device or an elongated control rod wherein the powered actuator device and elongated control rod may be selectively coupled to the remote actuator interface to manipulate the male component between the engaged position and the disengaged position relative to the continuous access busway from a safe distance to reduce the event of injury due to arch flashing or electrocution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: CONSTELLATION INNOVATION, LLC
    Inventor: James Domo
  • Patent number: 10333379
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods using the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a first power supply node, a second power supply node, transistors coupled in parallel between the first and second power supply nodes, and a controller to provide a first voltage, a second voltage, and a third voltage to gates of the transistors based on digital information. The first, second, and third voltages have different values based on values of the digital information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Suphachai Chai Sutanthavibul, Iqbal Rajwani, Anupama A Thaploo, Surya Sasi Kiran Tallapragada, Daivik H Bhatt, Lei Jiang, Stephen Kim, Pascal A. Meinerzhagen, Muhammad M. Khellah
  • Patent number: 10276010
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor network, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, and technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the above technologies, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method and an apparatus for alarm service using user status recognition information in an electronic device is provided. The method of electronic device includes determining a rule for eliminating a fire danger of at least one device capable of communicating with the electronic device, determining the fire danger of the at least one device based on the rule, and if the fire danger exists, notifying the fire danger to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Keun-Cheol Lee
  • Patent number: 10211583
    Abstract: An automatic universal power socket includes a socket body, a socket unit, a rotating plate, and a motor. The socket body includes a socket panel having at least one through hole. The socket unit has a plurality of electrically conductive strips and a plurality of pin holes disposed therein, the pin holes being universal pin holes and corresponding to the electrically conductive strips. The rotating plate is rotatably disposed in front of the socket unit and has a plurality of socket holes, the socket holes being of different socket types and corresponding selectively to the at least one through hole and the plurality of pin holes. The motor is connected with the rotating plate for driving the rotating plate to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsin Liao
  • Patent number: 10151803
    Abstract: An electrical power diagnostic device and methods are disclosed. A power-supply-side connector is operable to couple to a power supply, and a load-side connector is operable to couple to a load. At least one conductive path for electricity to flow between the power-supply-side connector and the load-side connector, and a diagnostic monitor is operable to monitor and change electrical properties of the power-supply-side connector and the load-side connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Joshua M. Rutheiser
  • Patent number: 9859751
    Abstract: A switchable uninterruptible power supply (SUPS) system is provided. The system includes a UPS configured to supply power to a load, a plurality of battery units connected in parallel, and a controller configured to selectively supply power from a grid to the UPS and to selectively connect each of the plurality of battery units the UPS or a battery charger are connected to the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LG CNS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Young Shin, Bon Jun Koo, In Chol Yeon, Byeong Gyu Hyeon
  • Patent number: 9843224
    Abstract: A cloud control power socket device includes a housing, a power plug, a first switch device, a second switch device, a socket and a cloud control circuit. The power plug has first and second conductive wires. The first switch device is arranged on the housing. The second switch device is arranged in the housing and has a first end, a second end, and a control end. The socket is connected to the second end of the second switch device and the second conductive wire. The cloud control circuit is connected to the control end of second switch device. The first switch device includes an AC switch; a first indicator having two ends connected to the AC switch and the second conductive wire; and a second indicator having two ends connected to the second conductive wire and the second switch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: TATUNG TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Yeou-Fwu Her, Ming-Yih Lu
  • Patent number: 9843222
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system for preventing charging of batteries is provided. The system includes a UPS configured to supply power from a grid to a load, a battery unit configured to be charged with the power supplied from the UPS, and a controller configured to selectively supply the power from the grid to the UPS and selectively connect or disconnect a charging path between the UPS and the battery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: LG CNS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Chol Yeon, Bon Jun Koo, Dong Young Shin, Byeong Gyu Hyeon
  • Patent number: 9839089
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control method for a smart light, comprising: displaying control information of connected smart lights as a first kind of icon and/or a second kind of icon on a main interface, the first kind of icon corresponds to a single light and the second kind of icon corresponds to a group consisting of at least two single lights; when detecting at the position of the first kind of icon and the second kind of icon and identifying as selected operation, displaying a control interface corresponding to the single light or the group; the control interface comprises a light-adjusting tab, the light-adjusting tab comprises a parameter adjustment column, a switch button and an effect simulation diagram; when the light-adjusting tab is on active page, sending parameter configuration information to corresponding single light or group based on sliding position of detected slider in the parameter adjustment column, and sending switch light configuration information to corresponding single light
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventors: Jingxi Wang, Yaodong Su, Zengjie Cai
  • Patent number: 9734973
    Abstract: An electric switching device for a low voltage circuit includes an electronic unit configured to be operatively connected to a first communication bus implementing a first communication protocol, a communication module configured to be operatively connected to the first communication bus and to a second communication bus implementing a second communication protocol, which is different than the first communication protocol. The communication module is configured to place the first communication bus in communication with the second communication bus, and to detect a condition of the switching device and make it available externally thereto by means of the first communication bus and/or the second communication bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ABB S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Raciti, Romano Manzoli
  • Patent number: 9653150
    Abstract: A bit cell and memory architecture wherein a write bitline is not required is presented. The bitcell and the memory architecture bring a huge improvement in the performance, dynamic power, leakage power, area, and the yield of the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SKAN TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sudhir S. Moharir
  • Patent number: 9627823
    Abstract: A remote controlled extension cord. The extension cord has a wire attached to a plug with an integrated base. The base serves to cradle a remote control, which is used to turn power on/off to the extensions on the cord. The extension cord has a number of advanced operations, for example a sequential flash operation which cycles power between all of the individual sockets in the extension cord in sequence, and then repeats the sequence. This can all be controlled by the remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Michael McClurkan
  • Patent number: 9575531
    Abstract: A PDU management system for automatically configure, manage and monitor managed power distribution units (PDUs) includes: (a) a user interface module configured to allow an operator to enter management information of the managed PDUs, (b) a database configured to store management information of the managed PDUs, (c) a power management communication interface configured to facilitate the communication between the PDU management system and the managed PDUs through a communication link, (d) a PDU power management module configured to construct, manage, and monitor the managed PDUs, (e) a PDU discovery module configured to discover all managed PDUs according to the information entered by the operator through the user interface module, (f) a PDU loader to load the management information of the managed PDUs to the database, the PDU discovery module and the PDU power management module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AMERICAN MEGATRENDS, INC.
    Inventors: Chittaraiah Pabba, Joseprabu Inbaraj
  • Patent number: 9553450
    Abstract: According to another embodiment, a power control apparatus is provided. The power control apparatus includes a grid power inlet configured to receive grid power, a grid power outlet configured to provide grid power, a data transmission input configured to receive low voltage power, and means for actuating a relay to selectively couple the grid power inlet to the grid power outlet in response to receiving the low voltage power from the data transmission input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC BUILDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: William Anthony White, III, Christopher J. Howard
  • Patent number: 9425617
    Abstract: An electronically reconfigurable battery includes a number of battery modules selectively interconnected by a number of electronic switches, wherein a selectable number of battery modules may be connected either in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration, as a result of placing selected switches of said plurality of switches in open states or closed states. In a parallel configuration, the battery provides power to a primary load, such as a propulsion load for a vehicle. In a series configuration, the battery is configured to provide a high voltage and high power output to a short-term and/or pulsed load, such as an additional load provided on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: L-3 APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas M Weidenheimer, Kevin J Donegan
  • Patent number: 9343990
    Abstract: The invention provides a low current consumption control switch device and method related thereto. The control switch device includes a switch control component, a microprocessor, a wireless signal receiver for receiving control signal and a DC power supply. The DC power supply draws an AC current from the AC power supply to power the wireless signal receiver, the microprocessor and the switch control component. The switch control component has a control input for receiving control instructions to control current supply from the AC power supply. The microprocessor is operatively connected to the switch control component for providing control instructions to alter its switching state. The control signal comprises a preamble and a message portion. The wireless signal receiver is configured to alternate between at least two current consumption modes and to remain in a higher current consumption mode upon detection of the preamble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventors: Philip Yu Wing Tsui, Gallen Ka Leung Tsui
  • Patent number: 9143845
    Abstract: A branching unit includes a supply destination switching section that switches one supply destination of each of a plurality of power lines that supply electric power to a unit that transfers an optical signal received from a terminal station unit through a transmission line to another supply destination corresponding to a control signal received from the terminal station unit; a current detection section that outputs a detection signal that includes information that denotes whether currents are flowing in the plurality of power lines and information that represents current directions if currents are flowing; and a monitor section that transmits a monitored result based on at least one of a plurality of detection signals received from the current detection section to the terminal station unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuji Aida
  • Patent number: 9100022
    Abstract: A user interface includes a touch surface substrate, a graphic layer, a touch sensor disposed on a circuit carrier associated with the rear side of the touch surface substrate, and a light source associated with the rear side of the circuit carrier. The circuit carrier defines an aperture through which light emanating from the light source can pass. This light also passes through the graphic layer and is visible at the front side of the touch surface substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas R. Stilwell
  • Publication number: 20150137620
    Abstract: An anti-interference switch signal transmission circuit, in which a changeover contact is used at a signal terminal, wherein a normally closed contact is connected to DC?, a normally open contact is connected to DC+, and a common terminal is connected to a switch signal acquisition circuit. When no signal exists, DC? is connected to a positive input terminal of the switch signal acquisition circuit via the normally closed contact. Since a negative input terminal of the switch signal acquisition circuit is also connected to DC?, even if interference is caused, no false signal is generated. When a signal exists, the position of the changeover contact changes and DC+ is connected to DC? via the closed normally open contact through the switch signal acquisition circuit thus a loop is formed, so that the signal can be reflected. The interference problem is solved by connecting both the two terminals of the acquisition circuit to DC? when no signal exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Beijing Sifang Automation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Xu, Tao Zhang, An Liu, Qiurong Chen, Wenhao Shi
  • Patent number: 9024486
    Abstract: Present embodiments include an adaptable automation control component that includes a base capable of communicatively coupling with a system bus and with a functional module that includes communication and control circuitry. The adaptable automation control component also includes a device power bus including electrical contacts that are capable of communicatively coupling the adaptable automation control component with a separate automation control component, and an activation mechanism including circuitry capable of continuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is engaged, and capable of discontinuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is disengaged. The adaptable automation control component facilitates functionality of the adaptable automation control component as an input/output module or a power distribution module depending on whether the activation mechanism is engaged or disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Wehrle, Robert J. Hager, Joseph G. Vazach, Robert J. Kretschmann, Nathan J. Molnar, Gregg M. Sichner
  • Patent number: 9013071
    Abstract: A power cord management system for managing flexible electrical power cords associated with hair or bathroom handheld appliances includes a power cord storage body. A pair of spaced apart cord wrapping elements are coupled to the power storage body about which the flexible electrical power cord may be wrapped for storage. At least one of the cord wrapping elements is movable between a storage and release position. The cord wrapping elements are configured to retain the wrapped power cord upon the power cord storage body when the at least one of the cord wrapping elements is in the storage position and wherein the wrapped power cord may be removed from the power cord storage body without unwrapping the wrapped power cord when the at least one of the cord wrapping elements is moved to the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Natalie Levi
  • Patent number: 8981589
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for regulating the state of charge of a battery. An exemplary electrical system includes a fuel cell coupled to a bus and a battery coupled to the bus via a switching arrangement coupled to a capacitor. An exemplary method for operating the electrical system involves operating the switching arrangement such that a voltage of the battery is substantially equal to a voltage of the fuel cell when a state of charge of the battery is greater than a lower threshold value and less than an upper threshold value, and operating the switching arrangement to couple the capacitor electrically in series between the battery and the bus when the state of charge of the battery is not between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sebastian Lienkamp, Peter Kilian, Stephen Raiser
  • Publication number: 20150054356
    Abstract: A compact solid state relay (7) is provided. Solid state devices (74, 75), such as Triacs or Thyristors are used to implement the relay functionality. The device is at least partially enclosed in a housing that has pins for mounting on an electronics board. A number of ā€œUā€ shaped jumpers (72) or other jumpers or wires are provided in the housing to act as heat sinks. A subminiature fan (70) is positioned to create an air flow over the heat sinks and dissipate heat from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Chapel, William Pachoud
  • Publication number: 20150035387
    Abstract: A MEMS switch device including: a substrate layer; an insulating layer formed over the substrate layer; and a MEMS switch module having a plurality of contacts formed on the surface of the insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer includes a number of conductive pathways formed within the insulating layer, the conductive pathways being configured to interconnect selected contacts of the MEMS switch module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Analog Devices Technology
    Inventors: John G. Macnamara, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Raymond C. Goggin, Bernard P. Stenson
  • Patent number: 8941262
    Abstract: A power supply device having a first load operating with a first voltage in a normal operation mode, a second load operating with a second voltage lower than the first voltage in the normal operation mode, and a third load operating with the second voltage in the normal operation mode and a power-saving mode. An auxiliary second-voltage generating circuit configured to, when a main supply voltage is supplied from a main power supply circuit and a primary second-voltage generating circuit does not generate the second voltage with a third-load electric path for carrying therethrough the main supply voltage from the main power supply circuit to the third load without passing through the primary second-voltage generating circuit being broken by a switching circuit, generate the second voltage from the main supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Arimoto
  • Patent number: 8928190
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for controlling the activation of isolated circuitry, and more particularly complete discharge devices for batteries, and similar circuits that are enclosed within sealed housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ultralife Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Karren, Athanasios Gkourlias
  • Patent number: 8878390
    Abstract: A Plug and Play adaptor for adding a PSU to a first PSU in a computer system. An ATX connector and a relay are contained in the adaptor. A second PSU can be added via the ATX connector in a plug-and-play manner, and the relay is energized and closes its circuit when it is powered by the first PSU and therefore turns on the second PSU through the ATX connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: David Lee Lorentzen
  • Patent number: 8872388
    Abstract: A discharge apparatus for auxiliary power is applied to an alternating current power apparatus and a switching power supply. The switching power supply includes an auxiliary power unit. The auxiliary power unit will not discharge to the discharge apparatus for auxiliary power when the alternating current power apparatus supplies power to the discharge apparatus for auxiliary power and the auxiliary power unit. The auxiliary power unit will discharge to the discharge apparatus for auxiliary power when the alternating current power apparatus stops supplying power to the discharge apparatus for auxiliary power and the auxiliary power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhou Hu, Tong-Xin Wang
  • Patent number: 8853963
    Abstract: A switch circuit utilizes an LED for illumination. A diode is connected in parallel with the LED but in opposite orientation, with the LED anode connected to the diode cathode, and the LED cathode connected to the diode anode, to permit discharging of a power supply capacitor of a ballast of a lamp such as a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb. Undesirable flickering of the CFL are then avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen M. Liscinsky, Gregg R. Schelmetic
  • Patent number: 8853893
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power control device. The device includes an interchangeable user interface assembly includes a frame member having a plurality of connector elements configured to mate with a plurality of frame connection apertures. The frame member is removable from the device heat sink without any tools. The interchangeable user interface assembly includes an interface paddle rotatably coupled to the frame member and detached relative to the device's rocker switch such that the interface paddle slidably moves relative to the rocker switch with at least one degree of freedom during a rotational movement, the user interface assembly further including an interface dimmer movably disposed within the frame member and coupled to the device's dimmer actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald R. Savicki, Jr., Kent Morgan
  • Patent number: 8847438
    Abstract: A hot swap controller includes a shunt resistor (32-1,2) and a power transistor (37-1,2) having a source coupled to a load maintains the first power transistor in a fully-turned-on condition to cause it to deliver a load current contribution (IL1,2) which flows through the shunt resistor and the power transistor to the load (25). Current sensing circuitry (35-1,2) produces a first control signal (V45-1,2-V47-1,2) equal to the difference between a DC component (V47-1) proportional to a first load current contribution (IL1) flowing in the first shunt resistor and a feedback-based component (V45-1). A control amplifier (49-1,2) produces a second control signal (V51-1,2) in response to the first control signal to modify a drive signal (53-1) to the power transistor so as to reduce a channel resistance of the power transistor if the first control signal exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerald W. Steele, Tony R. Larson