Plural, Diverse Conditions Or With Time-delay Means Patents (Class 318/452)
  • Publication number: 20100162706
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator includes a rotation motor (31) for rotating an upper rotating structure. The rotation motor (31) includes an electric motor (32), a hydraulic motor (40), and a reduction gearbox (33). The hydraulic motor (40) includes a motor mechanism (50) and a clutch mechanism (70). The motor mechanism (50), which is a vane-type hydraulic motor, is engaged with/disengaged from a motor shaft (37) by the clutch mechanism (70). When rotation speed of the upper rotating structure is low, and a required value of output torque of the rotation motor (31) is high, an operation of driving the output shaft (35) by the hydraulic motor (40) is performed in the rotation motor (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sakai, Shigetoshi Shimoo
  • Publication number: 20100147993
    Abstract: A propulsion system for a vertical take-off and landing ducted fan aerial vehicle is provided, the propulsion system comprising an internal combustion engine, an electric motor that comprises a motor generator, a motor drive and a battery. The motor drive and battery are integrated into the aerial vehicle and provide power to the ducted fan aerial vehicle. The electric motor may comprise a ring motor generator. In operation, this dual propulsion system serves as a weight-efficient option to allow for two sources of power on a ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Richard E. Annati, Patrick L. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20100131120
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that controls a temperature variation in a computer system. First, a performance parameter of the computer system is monitored. Next, a future temperature of the computer system is predicted based on the performance parameter. Then, a pitch of one or more blades in a cooling device in the computer system is adjusted based on the future temperature to control the temperature variation in the computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Lewis, Kenny C. Gross, David K. McElfresh
  • Publication number: 20100115853
    Abstract: A door position control including an electric door actuator having a motor and a motor controller in communication with a system controller. A motor actuation operation is selected from a plurality of predetermined motor actuation operations to provide control signals to the motor controller for controlling actuation of the motor for control of door movement. Control of door movement is effected with reference to parameters specific to an installation location including an angular sweep of the door between open and closed positions and with reference to an available bus voltage for supplying power to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: GLOBE MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven A. Gebhart, Syed A. Hossain
  • Publication number: 20100115915
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an electric motor actuating a mobile hood provided in a thrust reverser for a turboreactor, said method being characterised in that it comprises steps of: determining the operating state of the electric motor; interrupting the supply of the electric motor if said motor is not in operation during a defined period of time; reactivating the electric motor after an idle period and repeating the previous steps or definitively stopping the motor if the steps have already been repeated a pre-defined number of times. The invention also relates to a method for managing the electrical supply of a motor provided in a device arranged in the vicinity of a turboreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Aircelle
    Inventors: Michel Philippe Dehu, Fabrice Henni Emile Metezeau, Eric Lecossais, Gilles Le Gouellec, Regis Meuret, Sebastien Vieillard
  • Publication number: 20100071856
    Abstract: A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event of the timeclock schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Walter S. Zaharchuk, Brian Michael Courtney, William Bryce Fricke, William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Joel S. Spira
  • Publication number: 20100049414
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control apparatus for an electric vehicle which improves safety in an electric vehicle capable of traveling using creep torque. The electric vehicle includes a motor/generator for driving vehicle wheels. In a low vehicle speed region during startup or the like, creep torque is output from the motor/generator even when an accelerator pedal has not been operated, and therefore the electric vehicle can be started gently. The electric vehicle is also provided with a friction brake system for applying vehicle braking through frictional force. When an EV control unit for setting a target creep torque of the motor/generator determines that an abnormality has occurred in the friction brake system (step S20), the target creep torque is set lower than normal (step S30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Ohtomo, Itaru Seta
  • Publication number: 20100001676
    Abstract: A drive device for an electric motor is provided. The drive device decides based on signals it receives from outside whether it is monitoring an actual value of the electric motor with respect to the adherence to an actual value condition (monitoring operation). During monitoring operation, the drive device causes the motor to be disconnected from a power supply if the actual value does not adhere to the actual value condition. Via a communication connection, the drive device provides a drive control unit with first information, which reveals whether the drive device is in the monitoring operating mode. The drive device provides the drive control unit with second information, which reveals what the actual value condition is. Based on the first information, the drive control unit examines whether the drive device is in the monitoring operating mode. If this is the case, the drive control unit, based on the second information, determines what the actual value condition is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Raimund Kram, Rolf-Dieter Pavlik, Bernd Quaschner
  • Publication number: 20090321166
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid drive for a vehicle including at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor, the internal combustion engine and the electric motor being operable in a hybrid mode, which enables a temporary power boost by supplementing the internal combustion engine output with electric motor output. The temporary power boost is allowed only until reaching a limit velocity (VG), which depends on the maximum velocity (VSM, VSM?) in internal combustion engine mode, which depends on the particular driving resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Jens-Werner Falkenstein, Michael Glora, Michael Mecks
  • Publication number: 20090311924
    Abstract: There is provided a ship, in particular a cargo ship. It has a plurality of Magnus rotors, wherein associated with each of the plurality of Magnus rotors is an individually actuable electric motor (M) for rotating the Magnus rotor, wherein associated with each electric motor (M) is a converter (U) for controlling the rotary speed and/or the rotary direction of the electric motor (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Publication number: 20090266313
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fan system for a controllably cooling a vehicle internal combustion engine comprising an electric fan motor and a control unit for controlling said fan motor, wherein said control unit controls the fan motor according to a regulation correcting variable dependent on a desired cooling power, the control unit is constructed in such a way that it controls the fan motor independently of the desired cooling power at a determined moment with a regulation-correcting variable increased with respect to a correcting variable for a predetermined space of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Richard Vogt, Nikolas Haberl
  • Publication number: 20090251090
    Abstract: A drive system for an electrically driven dump truck is capable of preventing a prime mover from stalling and is also capable of enabling electric motors for traveling to make full use of the output horsepower of the prime mover up to an output limit of the prime mover. The target motor horsepower Mr1 corresponding to the operation amount p of an accelerator pedal 1 is calculated and the available maximum horsepower Mr2 for motors 12R, 12L out of the maximum output horsepower of the prime mover 4, is calculated in response to the actual revolution speed Ne of the prime mover 4. The horsepower coefficient Kp corresponding to the instantaneous revolution speed deviation ?N is calculated. The available maximum horsepower for the electric motors is modified by the horsepower coefficient to determine the second target motor horsepower Mr3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Yasuo Tanaka, Tomohiko Yasuda, Takashi Yagyu, Yutaka Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20090243297
    Abstract: A yaw drive method of a wind power generation apparatus, in which a second gear engaged with a first gear attached to one of tower or a wind power generation unit supported to the upper end of the tower so as to be capable of yawing and supported to a tower or to the upper end of the tower is rotated by a drive motor attached to the other of the tower or the wind power generation unit for yawing the wind power generation unit. A drive energy, which is supplied to the drive motor for a predetermined time from when the supply of the drive energy to the drive motor begins to start, is made to be smaller than the drive energy supplied to the drive motor in a common yawing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Nohara, Katsuhiko Yokoyama, Sadayuki Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20090230908
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to suppress reverse of a vehicle on an up-hill road against an intention of a driver. A drive device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes: an estimator for estimating whether or not reverse of the vehicle occurs on an up-hill road; a rotating electric machine for generating electric power by rotation of a drive wheel in the vehicle when the vehicle reverses; a capacitor for electrically charging the electric power generated by the rotating electric machine; and a battery connected in parallel to the capacitor, wherein the estimator estimates that the reverse of the vehicle occurs when a current traveling road is an up-hill road and a vehicular speed is smaller than a threshold whereas the electric power of the capacitor is electrically discharged to the battery when the reverse of the vehicle is estimated and the amount of electric energy of the capacitor is greater than a certain threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Takaya Soma, Hiroshi Yoshida, Takeshi Mogari, Hiroki Sawada
  • Publication number: 20090195203
    Abstract: A control module of a vehicle comprises a drive diagnostic module and a hybrid control module. The drive diagnostic module determines a load energy of an accessory drive system of the vehicle and determines a slip percentage of a belt of the accessory drive system based on an engine speed and a motor speed. The hybrid control module determines a requested motor torque based on at least one of the load energy and the slip percentage. The control module controls a motor of the vehicle based on the requested motor torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: James R. Yurgil
  • Publication number: 20090188238
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, the engine is formed so that an output of an electric motor can be superposed on an output of the engine. An SOX trap catalyst able to trap the SOX contained in the exhaust gas is arranged inside the engine exhaust passage upstream of the NOX storage catalyst. The vehicle drive power from the engine and the vehicle drive power from the electric motor are adjusted so that the SOX trap rate of the SOX trap catalyst is maintained at a predetermined high SOX trap rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohei Yoshida, Hiromasa Nishioka, Kotaro Hayashi, Takamitsu Asanuma, Shinya Hirota, Hiroshi Otsuki
  • Publication number: 20090079376
    Abstract: An access control mechanism such as a movable barrier operator (70) has a first time window unit (72) that is responsive to one or more triggers (71) (such as a delayed-closure button). An event detector (73) then monitors for one or more events of interest during a corresponding first time window. For example, the event detector can monitor for evidence that a vehicle is moving towards a garage exit or has effected an exit from the garage. A second time window unit (74) responsive at least to the event detector and optionally as well to the first time window unit then responds with a second time window. Upon conclusion of the second time window, a movable barrier closer (75) initiates movement of the corresponding movable barrier towards a closed position (or other position of interest).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Walter Parsadayan
  • Publication number: 20090021203
    Abstract: A method for controlling and monitoring a hybrid vehicle including a driving internal combustion engine, and an electric machine that is operational, upon an instruction, in a form of a driving engine and is powered by a battery. The method detects a vehicle operating state, in transmitting, in response, an operating instruction to the electric machine only, without requesting any particular instruction from the internal combustion engine and respecting the vehicle stability constraint and a protecting constraint of the electric components thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Xavier Claeys, Philippe Pognant-Gros, Richard Pothin
  • Patent number: 7466097
    Abstract: A wiper control method and a wiper control device are provided which can smoothly respond to rapid change of a rainfall situation at passage of a rainfall shutoff environment such as a tunnel. A wiping state control part 42 determines entry of a vehicle into the rainfall shutoff environment, sets a wiping level low for the low level of rainfall less than a predetermined rainfall level in response to this determination or sets the wiping level high for the high level rainfall at the predetermined rainfall level or more. A rainfall level generation part 32 detects adhesion of raindrops and determines the rainfall level. A wiper driving signal generation part 48 determines wiper operation based on the rainfall level determined by the rainfall level generation part 32 and the wiping level set by the wiping state control part 42.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kokuryo, Yoshiteru Makino, Satoshi Furusawa
  • Publication number: 20080284364
    Abstract: An electronically commutated asynchronous motor (12) features a stator (202), a short-circuit rotor (204), a controller (FOR 20) for field-oriented regulation of the motor (12), a sensor magnet (274) in thermally conductive connection with the short-circuit rotor (204), a rotor position sensor (14A; 18; 18?) arranged at a predetermined distance (d) from the sensor magnet (274) to generate an output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2) that is dependent upon the spatial orientation of the sensor magnet (274), and a temperature evaluation apparatus (CALC_T 44) configured to ascertain, during operation, from the sensor output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2), a temperature value (T) that characterizes a temperature (T_SM, T_S) in the motor (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Harald Schmid
  • Patent number: 7449855
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic controlling device with a computer unit installed to control a regulating device especially a window lifter of a motor vehicle. The computer unit stops or initiates the stop of a regulating motion of the window lifter drive if a signal correlating to the rotary moment of the window lifter drive exceeds a response level. In the setting range of a starting motion from standstill of the window lifter drive, the response level is a setting range dependant and/or time-related dependant preset function with at least one parameter determining the course of this function. The parameter value is modified in dependence from the starting motion of the window lifter drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Roland Kalb, Jochen Held
  • Publication number: 20080203690
    Abstract: An alignment changing control device that includes: a motor drive section which adjusts electrical power supplied to a motor of the electric actuator according to an operation command and, when receiving an operation inhibiting signal, limits or stops supplying the electrical power to the motor; a motor temperature estimating section for calculating an estimated temperature of the motor from at least a current supplied to the motor, an outside air temperature and a vehicle speed, based on heat balance relationship; and a comparators which transmits the operation inhibiting signal to the motor drive section when the estimated temperature of the motor calculated by the motor temperature estimating section is higher than a predetermined temperature, which is equal to or lower than an operation allowable temperature of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Horiuchi, Nobuo Sugitani
  • Publication number: 20080116831
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus comprises a control processing unit (3) creating a motor drive command, power supply processing units (2A to 2D) supplying a driving voltage to a motor, and a signal relay processing unit (4) supplying the motor drive command received from unit (3) to power supply processing units (2A to 2D). Control processing unit (3) transmits a preparation request flag to power supply processing units (2A to 2D) via signal relay processing unit (4), which includes a preparation complete flag register storing preparation complete flags each transmitted from each of power supply processing units (2A to 2D) to indicate the completion of preparation for supplying power to the motor, and transmits a preparation complete flag enabled state to control processing unit (3) if contents of the preparation complete flag register indicate that the preparation is completed in all units (2A to 2D).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Yasusuke IWASHITA, Tadashi OKITA, Hiroyuki KAWAMURA, Satoshi IKAI
  • Patent number: 7259530
    Abstract: A control CPU generates, in response to a signal STON from a start key, a signal SE at H level and outputs the generated signal to a relay to render system relays ON. Accordingly, a DC power supply is connected between respective neutral points of three-phase coils. When a terminal-to-terminal voltage of a capacitor that is detected by a voltage sensor becomes equal to or higher than a voltage of the DC power supply that is detected by a voltage sensor, the control CPU generates a signal PWMPC1 or PWMPC2 and outputs the generated signal to an inverter. The inverter increases the output voltage of the DC power supply according to the signal PWMPC1 or PWMPC2 to precharge the capacitor to a predetermined voltage or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoe Ochiai, Takeshi Tateishi
  • Patent number: 7053573
    Abstract: A motor drive apparatus which drives a motor by controlling conduction/non-conduction of a drive transistor for causing a current to flow through a drive coil of the motor based on a pulse signal indicating a relative position between the rotor and stator of the motor, generated by a position detector, and on a rotation speed setting voltage for setting the rotation speed of the motor. The apparatus comprises a control circuit that generates a pulse-delayed signal by delaying the pulse signal by delay time according to the voltage level of the rotation speed setting voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takekiyo Okumura, Hirotaka Morita
  • Patent number: 7049772
    Abstract: A motor drive circuit which have a first source-side transistor and a first sink-side transistor connected in series; a second source-side transistor and a second sink-side transistor connected in series; and a control circuit supplying the first source-side transistor, the first sink-side transistor, the second source-side transistor, and the second sink-side transistor with control signals for supplying a current in one direction or the opposite direction to a coil connected between a connection point of the first source-side transistor and the first sink-side transistor and a connection point of the second source-side transistor and the second sink-side transistor based on a plurality of input signals that complementarily change at a predetermined frequency. The control circuit, during each time period between timings of complementary switching of the plurality of input signals, outputs control signals for turning on and off the transistors in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juichi Uno, Kazuyoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7002312
    Abstract: A system and method for actuating a moveable barrier operating system. A wireless time signal at a receiver. A time-of-day signal is supplied at the output of the receiver. The receiver is automatically reset using the wireless time signal when the time-of-day signal is different than the time represented by the wireless time signal. A moveable barrier is actuated using the time-of-day signal at the output of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard J. Wojciak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6922037
    Abstract: An electrical rotating apparatus comprises an inverter system that outputs more than three phases. The apparatus further includes a stator electrically coupled to the inverter system, and a rotor electromagnetically coupled to a magnetic field generated by the stator. A signal generator generates a pulse modulated drive waveform signal, that has a frequency synchronized with the rotational frequency of the rotor, and the pulse modulated drive waveform signal drives the inverter system. The pulse modulated drive waveform signal has a pulsing frequency. Additionally, the inverter system may be fed by a pulse modulated drive waveform signal that is fed through at least one signal delay device. Alternatively, the system may also be fed selected harmonic components, such as the third harmonic, up until the number of phases in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Sidney Edelson
  • Patent number: 6888335
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling vehicle door position in improved reliability of a vehicle door electromechanical positioning components. The vehicle door control system includes an abnormality detector for detecting abnormal operation of the vehicle door by a deviation of expected door position and/or velocity. If abnormal operation is detected, operation of the electrical motor driving the door is ceased for a predetermined time period. Operation is then resumed if the abnormal condition has been removed. The control system may include a counter for counting a number of attempts to resume operation and further attempts to resume may be ceased if the counter exceeds a predetermined count value. The motor or door positioning system may include a locking device that locks the vehicle door at various positions and the control system use indications of a locked position indicator to determine whether or not to resume operation of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Sato, Hiroshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6876166
    Abstract: An operational check of the safety unit or the safety circuit takes place within the delay time of the relay, assigned to each motor, caused by the pick-up delay or the release delay. Also, the control unit can be equipped such with at least one safety component and/or safety circuit for controlling the control unit that an operational check of the control unit takes place between the operation of an operating element of the hand switch and the starting of the motor or motors. The operating time and the release time of the relay may be delayed by a suitable component so that sufficient time is available for the operational check.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Dewert Antriebs-und Systemtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinz Lambrecht, Ralf Bokämper
  • Patent number: 6833681
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling an automatic barrier movement system, particularly for beginning movement of a barrier which has been stopped between an open and closed position of the barrier. The receipt of a barrier movement command will generally start movement of the barrier toward the open position, however, when predetermined conditions are met the barrier may be started in a direction determined by a preprogrammed algorithm. The predetermined conditions may include that the barrier has been stopped for less than 5 minutes and/or that the barrier was stopped in response to an obstruction during travel toward the open position. The preprogrammed algorithm may be to move the barrier toward the closed position or move the barrier in a direction determined from other sensed conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Publication number: 20040201355
    Abstract: To provide a light fixture control system with which an inrush current is prevented at the time of motor activation, and a light fixture is prevented from rapidly dimming. In a vehicle including a light fixture to be driven by an output of a generator of the vehicle, and a motor to be driven also by the output of the generator, when the light fixture is driven, the driving current F1 to the motor is duty-controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Toru Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6788017
    Abstract: A period adjustment circuit of disconnection and restart IC comprises a second capacitor, which is connected to a resistor and a transistor connected in parallel. One end of the resistor is connected between the disconnection and restart IC and the first capacitor. When lockup of a fan motor occurs, in addition that an IC current source charges the first capacitor, the second capacitor also charges the first capacitor via the resistor until the voltage of the first capacitor reaches a disconnection voltage. The IC then enters into the disconnection state, and the voltages of the two capacitors are equal so that the second capacitor no longer charges the first capacitor. Next, the IC current source simultaneously charges the first and second capacitors until the voltage of the first capacitor reaches a system reset voltage. The first capacitor is then discharged to a restart voltage by the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Feeling Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Teng-Tsai Lin, Ping-Yen Chen
  • Patent number: 6657409
    Abstract: A control system for a door or gate which is movable between an open position and a closed position by an automated operator, comprising a door travel organizer which divides the door travel into a plurality of segments and each segment into a plurality of sectors; a sensor to sense at each sector, the resistance of the door or gate against opening and closing whilst moving between the open position and the closed position over a predetermined number of open close cycles, and to generate at least one signal representative of that resistance in each segment over the open close cycle, a recorder connected to the sensor to receive each representative signal and to store such a signal; a comparator to compare each signal with a resistance trip point set for each segment and generate a resistance profile for the door or gate over an open close cycle of the door or gate; a calculator to calculate the resistance trip point for the door or gate for each segment based upon the highest resistance encountered in any sec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Automatic Technology Australia Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Leivenzon, Simon Leivenson, Geoffrey John Baker, Ray Russell Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20030178961
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic safety switching device having at least a first and a second signal processing channel. The channels can be supplied with input signals for signal processing, and they provide redundantly processed output signals. According to one aspect of the invention, the signal processing channels are arranged monolithically on a common semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor structures of each signal processing channel are spaced apart physically by a multiple of their width from the semiconductor structures of every other signal processing channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Roland Rupp, Hans Schwenkel
  • Patent number: 6580243
    Abstract: A door speed is detected at every predetermined detecting time, and a door position is calculated at a timing detected the door speed. A target speed according to the door position is obtained by a map. A microcomputer calculates a speed difference &Dgr;VD between the target speed and the actual or present speed, and an acceleration/deceleration value &Dgr;VC such as the speed difference between the door speed at the last detecting time and the present detecting time. A duty increasing value and the decreasing value of a PWM duty command value for adjusting a torque of the motor are set based on the speed difference &Dgr;VD and the acceleration/deceleration value &Dgr;VC, the motor is driven by the PWM duty command value based on the duty increasing value and the decreasing value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Itami, Ryoichi Fukumoto, Shintaro Suzuki, Hiroyuki Yogo, Masao Ohhashi
  • Patent number: 6534940
    Abstract: A marine macerator switch including a comparator programmable with over and under current limits corresponding with the characteristics of a macerator drive motor. A sensing circuit senses the real time motor current and compares it with the current limits to, at respective predetermined differentials, shut the motor down. The control also includes a timer programmed to allow the motor to run for a period of time corresponding with that required for emptying of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Smart Marine Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John J. Bell, Ronald Alan Stoffel
  • Publication number: 20030038606
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator including a brushless DC motor for driving an output of the actuator; and a motor controller. The controller is configured to interrupt operation of the motor in response to at least one feedback signal representative of a motor parameter that varies with variation in a load on the output. The actuator output may be coupled to a window lift mechanism for moving a vehicle window between open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Eric Beishline
  • Patent number: 6518720
    Abstract: A mechanism by which a single switch can either unlock one or more doors or release the trunk or hatch of an automotive vehicle. The switch can be mechanically or electrically associated with a door unlock button mounted on the door the automotive vehicle. Depressing the unlock button causes the switch to become active, and the door can be unlocked if switch is active for a time T1. The trunk can be opened if the switch is held in the active position for a predetermined period of time T2, provided the car is in park and the door associated with the switch is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William T Frantz
  • Publication number: 20020093301
    Abstract: A door speed is detected at every predetermined detecting time, and a door position is calculated at a timing detected the door speed. A target speed according to the door position is obtained by a map. A microcomputer calculates a speed difference &Dgr;VD between the target speed and the actual or present speed, and an acceleration/deceleration value &Dgr;VC such as the speed difference between the door speed at the last detecting time and the present detecting time. A duty increasing value and the decreasing value of a PWM duty command value for adjusting a torque of the motor are set based on the speed difference &Dgr;VD and the acceleration/deceleration value &Dgr;VC, the motor is driven by the PWM duty command value based on the duty increasing value and the decreasing value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Eiji Itami, Ryoichi Fukumoto, Shintaro Suzuki, Hiroyuki Yogo, Masao Ohhashi
  • Patent number: 6401021
    Abstract: A power seat control system that includes memory seat recall and power walk-in functions. When power walk-in is initiated while memory seat recall is being performed, the control system suspends memory seat recall until power walk-in is complete. Following power walk-in, memory seat recall is resumed to drive the seat into the desired final position. When a memory seat recall switch is actuated during power walk-in, the power walk-in function is aborted. Subsequent re-actuation of the memory seat recall switch will result in performance of the memory seat recall function to drive the seat to the desired final position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: John Scally, Hirohide Suda
  • Patent number: 6329777
    Abstract: A direct current motor for an engine throttle control is driven with a motor current of 100% duty ratio, when a throttle valve is to be moved from one throttle position to another or when the movement of the throttle valve is to be braked. The motor current is limited to a limit level, when the motor locks, that is, when the motor current continues to be in excess of the limit level for more than a predetermined period. The motor may be driven with a limited current at initial stages of moving the throttle valve, and with a further limited current when the motor lock is detected. The motor current is finally shut off, when the throttle valve is not rotated to the target position after the continuation of the limitation of the motor current for more than a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Itabashi, Yukihide Niimi
  • Patent number: 6208111
    Abstract: An improved motor starter assembly is provided on a frame and having an external profile which matches that or is within that of a prior motor starter is disclosed. The improved motor starter assembly provides a soft start circuit within the profile. Retrofitting of prior art motor starters is accomplished by moving the power fuses and related hardware of an existing medium voltage (2.4 Kv to 7.2 Kv) and installing the new soft start circuit on the frame of the existing motor starter. The retrofitted arrangement mounts the motor fuses horizontally and the vacuum contactors vertically in an arrangement to provide enough space within the external profile to mount the soft start circuit arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin R. Williams
  • Patent number: 6191546
    Abstract: An electronic device has a heat producing component thermally coupled to a heat dissipation structure. The electronic device further has control circuitry connected to a temperature sensor that senses the component temperature of the heat producing component. The control circuit is further connected to a cooling device also thermally coupled to the heat dissipation structure. The control circuit varies the cooling rate in a manner that cancels out a lag time which occurs during a change from a steady state condition of the component temperature. The cooling rate of the cooling device is varied by the control circuit in proportion to variation in sensed component temperature from the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: James F. Bausch, Andrew L Van Brocklin, Chadwick W Stryker
  • Patent number: 6087795
    Abstract: The wiper control method is capable of preventing damages on a wiper due to erroneous operation of the wiper when a vehicle is subjected to a car washer with its wiper operation kept in an "AUTO" mode, and the wiper automatically operates without troubles while driving. The wiper control method is used for an automatic wiper system which automatically controls wiper operation of a vehicle by sensing the climate condition by a rain drop sensor 7, and the state of a door mirror of the vehicle is detected by a mirror folding detection switch 5. When the door mirror is folded, wiper operation control performed by the automatic wiper system is stopped so that the wiper is not operated even if the rain drop sensor 7 detects a rain drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Amagasa, Takashi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 6054826
    Abstract: Backward movement of a heavy motorcycle is assisted by a starter motor for cranking an engine of the motorcycle. A backward drive control system includes a pulse width modulation circuit for supplying operating current to the starter motor in a controlled manner and a device for estimating operating temperature of the starter motor based on the current supplied to the starter motor. When the estimated temperature reaches a predetermined maximum temperature, the operation of the starter motor is compulsorily stopped and prohibited for a certain period or until the starter motor is cooled down to a certain temperature level. Overheating of the starter motor is effectively prevented without using a temperature sensor for measuring the operating temperature.Moreover, chattering of the starter motor does not occur because its operation is prohibited for a certain period after the starter motor is once compulsorily stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murakami, Akira Shinoda, Hiroo Utsumi, Kazunori Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6008607
    Abstract: Suggested are a device and a method for electronically monitoring an adjustment drive arranged in a vehicle, for which a second adjustment drive (17) is actuated by an electronic control unit (12) in dependence on a first adjustment drive (15) in order to ventilate the vehicle inside space. This reduces the risk of a faulty actuation of the closing force limitation as a result of pressure changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Haderer
  • Patent number: 5910718
    Abstract: A control circuit outputs a first signal at a predetermined period in the case of being in a normal state and in the case of not being in a normal state, stops the output of the first signal at the predetermined period and outputs a third signal for controlling a motor on the basis of a second signal at a time when a switch SW is operated. In the case that the control circuit is not in a normal state, the first signal is not output at the predetermined period, a fifth signal is output from an output circuit and the second signal passes through a second gate circuit. Then, a drive circuit drives the motor by the second signal passing through the second gate circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Kawarazaki, Yasushi Nishibe, Hitoshi Iwata
  • Patent number: 5838125
    Abstract: A control method is disclosed that is applicable to a washing machine having an apparatus for automatically opening/closing a washer door using a motor. The control method comprises the steps of operating the motor in a direction to transition the door between open and closed states. When a command to transition the door is entered, door motor operation is stopped if the door is successfully transitioned between states within a predetermined time interval (t1) that is started at the time of the beginning of the operation of the door motor. The door is returned to an original position (e.g., closed) if the door does not transition to a position opposite (e.g., open) the original position by the time interval (t1) elapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ssi Chol Choi
  • Patent number: RE41452
    Abstract: A system and method for actuating a moveable barrier operating system. A wireless time signal at a receiver. A time-of-day signal is supplied at the output of the receiver. The receiver is automatically reset using the wireless time signal when the time-of-day signal is different than the time represented by the wireless time signal. A moveable barrier is actuated using the time-of-day signal at the output of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard J. Wojciak, Jr.