Using An Impedance As The Final Control Device Patents (Class 323/352)
  • Patent number: 11632838
    Abstract: A negative feedback circuit, comprising a node, and a control circuit coupled to the node, wherein the control circuit is configured to provide a stabilizing signal in response to a noise signal coupling to the node from a power rail, and the stabilizing signal is configured to reduce the noise signal at the node and the power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Junyue Sun, Yufeng Zou, Huibin Cao, Zhenyu Song
  • Patent number: 10480958
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for position sensing comprises a magnetic field source and a magnetoresistive element arranged in a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source, which magnetoresistive element provides an output signal (R) dependent on a position (x) of the magnetoresistive element relative to the magnetic field source. A feedback controller is configured to receive the output signal (R) of the magnetoresistive element and is configured to adjust one or more of the position (x) of the magnetoresistive element relative to the magnetic field source and a strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source acting on the magnetoresistive element dependent on the output signal (R) of the magnetoresistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Angeliki Pantazi, Abu Sebastian, Tomas Tuma
  • Patent number: 9862571
    Abstract: A method of fault detection of a belt or rope includes interconnecting a plurality of cords of the belt or rope, the cords including a plurality of wires, to form a bridge circuit. A fault detection bridge circuit is subjected to a voltage excitation and outputs a voltage which is indicative of the belt or rope damage but remaining insensitive to other environmental noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Fanping Sun, Xiaodong Luo, Daniel A. Mosher, Huan Zhang, John P. Wesson, Yan Chen, Mark Steven Thompson, Raja Kountanya, Richard N. Fargo
  • Patent number: 9809421
    Abstract: A method of fault detection of a belt or rope includes interconnecting a plurality of cords of the belt or rope, the cords including a plurality of wires, to form a bridge circuit. A fault detection bridge circuit is subjected to a voltage excitation and outputs a voltage which is indicative of the belt or rope damage but remaining insensitive to other environmental noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Fanping Sun, Xiaodong Luo, Daniel A. Mosher, Huan Zhang, John P. Wesson, Yan Chen, Mark Steven Thompson, Raja Kountanya, Richard N. Fargo
  • Publication number: 20130278205
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Zachary C. Rich
  • Patent number: 8537571
    Abstract: A power supply device comprises a capacitance (Ca) consisting of an overhead power line (100) and an electrode (20) extending in the longitudinal direction of the overhead power line (100) via an insulator (30), an inductance (La) connected in parallel with the capacitance (Ca), and an output portion (50) led out from both ends of a parallel circuit including the capacitance (Ca) and the inductance (La). The parallel circuit is operated as a parallel resonant circuit and power is supplied from the output portion (50), thereby obtaining a compact and simple structure and improving power supply efficiency to a load as compared with a conventional power supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Dyden Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Terasaki, Hidenori Oda, Hiroaki Kamohara
  • Patent number: 8426924
    Abstract: An area efficient distributed device for integrated voltage regulators comprising at least one filler cell coupled between a pair of PADS on I/O rail of a chip and at least one additional filler cell having small size replica of said device is coupled to said I/O rails for distributing replicas of said device on the periphery of said chip. The device is coupled as small size replica on the lower portion of said second filler cell for distributing said device on the periphery of said chip and providing maximal area utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventors: Joshipura Jwalant, Nitin Bansal, Amit Katyal, Massimiliano Picca
  • Patent number: 7948201
    Abstract: An induction motor control device includes an inverter circuit for driving an induction motor by outputting a command voltage, a current detector for detecting an output current, a magnetic flux estimation observer for generating an estimated magnetic flux, an estimated current, and a phase command for the motor using the command voltage and the output current, a primary angular speed estimator for estimating a primary angular speed using the estimated magnetic flux, a slip compensator for calculating a slip angular frequency using the output current, a first angular speed estimator for estimating a first angular speed using the primary angular speed and the output current, a second angular speed estimator for estimating a second angular speed using the output current, the estimated magnetic flux, and the estimated current, and a resistance estimator for estimating a secondary resistance value of the motor using the first and second angular speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Masanobu Inazumi
  • Patent number: 7928962
    Abstract: An optical pointing device and a power supply semiconductor device therefore are provided. The optical pointing device includes at least one power supply voltage drop portion, wherein each of the power supply voltage drop portion comprises: a voltage-drop regulator for outputting a dropped power supply voltage; a first reference voltage generator for generating a first reference voltage; a first voltage division controller for outputting first and second drop voltage division control signals according to the moving velocity; a first voltage divider for outputting a first varied division voltage in response to the first and second drop voltage division control signals; a first comparator for comparing the level of the first varied division voltage with the level of the first reference voltage to output a first comparison output signal; and a first switch controller for dropping the output voltage of the voltage-drop regulator in response to the first comparison output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Atlab Inc.
    Inventors: Bang-Won Lee, Sung-Hyuk Hong
  • Patent number: 7895730
    Abstract: A method of controlling the effective impedance of a low-impedance high-temperature superconducting cable (“HTS cable”). Passive or active control circuitry is used to create a current in the shielding conductor of the HTS cable which opposes the current in the primary conductor. In the case of a three-phase conductor, magnetic cross-coupling between the phases is exploited. The magnitude of the magnetic field is used to alter the HTS cable's effective impedance. The result is the creation of a controlled and substantially-higher effective impedance for the HTS cable. The creation of the higher impedance allows the HTS cable to be connected in parallel with conventional lines while regulating the amount of current flowing through the HTS cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Florida State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Thomas L. Baldwin, Michael Steurer
  • Patent number: 7852050
    Abstract: A device for control of power flow in a three-phase ac transmission line. The device includes a series transformer unit, a shunt transformer unit, and a reactance unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Bertil Berggren, Mojtaba Noroozian
  • Publication number: 20100259243
    Abstract: A power saving system for a household electric appliance includes a signal processing unit, a step down network having an adjustable impedance for stepping down an input voltage, and an impedance control switch electrically connected with the step down network and configured for controlling the impedance of the step down network. The signal processing unit is electrically connected to impedance control switch and configured to monitor the working condition of the household electric appliance, calculate the current demanded by the household electric appliance at a next moment, and transmit a signal to the impedance control switch so as to control the impedance control switch to adjust the impedance of the step down network according to the calculation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Wing Chung Li
  • Publication number: 20100148746
    Abstract: A balanced bridge electric gear-shifting mechanism comprises a signal input stage, a balanced bridge circuit and a signal output stage. The mechanism, by means of inputting different up and down gear signals to enact an analog gear-shifting apparatus to generate different voltage potentials, effectively improves the drawbacks of wrong gear shifting induced by a conventional digital gear shifting apparatus for wrongly touching the up and down shifting gear, so as to reduce the gear-shifting duration, enhance the gear-shifting smoothness, and enhance the system reliability and stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: CHIN-HONE LIN, SHIH-HSIANG CHIEN, PAO-CHENG LIN
  • Patent number: 7733615
    Abstract: A dynamic braking load analyzer that determines the proper resistance value for a dynamic braking load resistor to be used in combination with a variable frequency drive or servo-drive to accommodate the power dissipated from an induction motor when it is being reduced in speed. The analyzer includes a resistor bank having a plurality of resistors electrically coupled in parallel. Switches are provided between the resistors, and a resistor selector switch determines which resistors are switched into the resistor bank circuit. A heat sensing resistor in the resistor bank measures the heat generated by the resistors and provides a signal that is read by a heat meter. The combination of the temperature measurement and the resistance of the resistors in the circuit gives the proper braking resistance value for the deceleration of the induction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Powerohm Resistors, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Eschleman, Thomas Yingling, Michael Crowe
  • Publication number: 20090267588
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamically controlling impedance to maximize the transfer of energy from energy source(s) to load(s). In a system with a load, an energy source, and a power distribution network (PDN) coupled between the energy source and the load, system conditions and environmental changes of the system are monitored. Using a variable impedance circuit, the impedance of the PDN can be dynamically controlled such that the transfer of energy from the energy source(s) to the load(s) is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Schmitz, Joel A. Jorgenson
  • Patent number: 7606053
    Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter is provided and generally configured for implementation with an electric motor drive system. In at least one embodiment, the DC-to-DC converter includes first and second capacitors, an inductor, and first and second switching devices. The DC-to-DC converter is bi-directional to facilitate voltage transfer therethrough. In at least another embodiment, the electric motor drive system comprises an energy storage device, a drive unit, an electric motor and a bi-directional DC-to-DC converter. The energy storage device includes a positive and a negative terminal. The drive unit includes a first and second terminal. The electric motor is in electrical communication with the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chingchi Chen, Michael Degner, Venkateswa Sankaran
  • Publication number: 20090160423
    Abstract: An electronic product includes an application specific semiconductor circuit (ASIC) including in its circuitry both a linear regulator module for use with an optional external capacitance and a capless regulator module coupled to internal capacitance of the product. The capless regulator module includes both a low-power sub-module and a high-power sub-module. Control logic of the ASIC is configured to determine if an external capacitance is present. If so, the control logic causes the high-power capless regulator sub-module to be used during a power-up phase of the ASIC; if not, only the low-power capless regulator sub-module is used during the power-up phase of the ASIC. After power-up of the ASIC, the control logic may select the linear regulator module for certain times of operation and the capless regulator module for other times of operation or it may select one or the other for all times of post-power-up operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Steve X. Chi, Yongliang Wang, Ekram Hossain Bhuiyan, Daniel P. Nguyen, Vincent Anthony Condito, Po-Shen Lai
  • Publication number: 20090027035
    Abstract: An output regulation circuit of a power converter without current sensing loss includes a transforming circuit to receive a proportional voltage from the primary winding of the power converter. The first proportional voltage is transformed to a charging current signal. When the power switch during on-time period, the charging current signal charges an energy storage device. Thus, the circuit controls the power switch according to a voltage limited signal of the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Chein-Kuo HSU
  • Publication number: 20080024109
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement having a changeover apparatus which provides a first voltage in a first state and a second voltage in a second state in order to operate a circuit, where the changeover apparatus is designed such that when changing over from the first state to the second state the voltage provided for operating the circuit changes from the first voltage to the second voltage linearly with time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Christoph Mayerl, Gerhard Nebel
  • Patent number: 7283826
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor for determining the position of a cellular phone in linear movement along an axis of translation, the sensor including a measuring cell fitted to a magnetic circuit and capable of measuring the variations in the value of the magnetic induction flux consecutive with the reluctance variations of the magnetic circuit. According to the invention, the sensor further includes a single delimiting fixed magnetic circuit between two fixed pole parts, a variable air gap within which at least a magnetic induction is created that extends along a length parallel to the axis of translation and at least equal to the travel to be measured of the cellular phone, and a measurable air gap to which the measuring cell is fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Electricfil Automotive
    Inventors: Laurent Dufour, Olivier Andrieu
  • Patent number: 7245465
    Abstract: A voltage regulator has an output circuit for producing from an input voltage a predetermined output voltage to be supplied to a load, an overcurrent protection circuit for preventing overcurrent in the output circuit, a memory for storing control information fed from outside, and an adjustment circuit for adjusting the level at which the overcurrent protection circuit detects overcurrent according to the control information read from the memory. With this configuration, it is possible to accurately detect overcurrent by canceling factors such as individual variations in the characteristics of the circuit components, the influence of stress occurring when the regulator IC is packaged, and fabrication-associated variations in the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Hikita
  • Patent number: 7208919
    Abstract: Provided is a digitally-controlled linear regulator having noise-shaped component selection. The digitally-controlled linear regulator has a regulated-voltage sensor, a comparator module, a quantization module, and an impedance switching network. The regulated-voltage sensor is operably coupled to sense an output voltage of the digitally-controlled linear regulator to produce a sensed output voltage. The comparator module is operably coupled to compare the sensed output voltage with a reference voltage at a predetermined clock rate to produce a digital regulation signal. The quantization module is operably coupled to quantize the digital regulation signal to produce a quantized regulation signal. The impedance switching network is operably coupled to convert a source voltage into the output voltage of the digitally-controlled linear regulator based on the quantized regulation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sigmatel, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus W. May
  • Patent number: 7196570
    Abstract: Fuse circuit designs and the use thereof are disclosed. In one example, a fuse circuit providing predictable total resistances for multiple rounds of programming comprises a predetermined number of fuse stages coupled in series. Each stage comprises a first and a second connecting nodes, a fuse connected between the first and second connecting nodes, a first resistor with its first end connected to the first connecting node, and a second resistor with its first end connected to the second connecting node, wherein the first and second resistors connect to a third and a fourth connecting nodes, which are the first and second connecting nodes of a next fuse stage respectively, through their second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shine Chien Chung
  • Patent number: 6756774
    Abstract: A constant voltage source includes a constant voltage supplying circuit including an operational amplifier for supplying an output voltage to a load and a feedback circuit for feeding back the output voltage to the operational amplifier; a first inductance unit disposed between the constant voltage supplying circuit and the load; and a first bypass capacitor of which one terminal is coupled between the first inductance unit and the load and the other terminal is coupled to a constant voltage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6608405
    Abstract: The method of obtaining the adjustable capacitor permits transforming all types of capacitors (including Electrolytic, Vacuum, Gas, high-voltage capacitors) into adjustable capacitors without mechanical parts inside capacitors and provides broad ranges of changing the capacity of adjustable capacitors in electric circuits of direct and alternating current and in all types of Marx Generators. The method comprising the steps of: choosing the capacity of one capacitor bigger and connecting said capacitor in series with at least one or two other capacitors; connecting capacitor plates of these capacitors through devices, which change their electrical states; changing the states of said devices within charging and discharging said capacitors and the step of combining plates of said capacitors which ensures the lowest cost price of manufacturing said capacitors. The present invention can be used for controlling the maximum voltage of a load and for changing motor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Manvel Zakharian
  • Patent number: 6459250
    Abstract: A circuit board provides a first elevation adapted for printing and bonding of conductor and resistor traces and monolithic ceramic capacitors, and provides through holes adapted for locating conductors. A second elevation is adapted for location and containment of a semiconductor quadrac. A third elevation is adapted for location and containment of a circuit board which is selectively adjustable through an R-C network coupled between the semiconductor quadrac and an input power source. An electric phase control uses mechanical movement for actuation. Provision is provided for mounting the phase control mechanism and the circuit so as to be manually accessed. A planar switch cover plate is adapted for sliding engagement, in parallel juxtaposition, with the mounting devices, the switch cover plate further adapted for engagement with the phase control mechanism for actuation through sliding engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Ralph K. Davis
  • Publication number: 20020135346
    Abstract: A circuit board provides a first elevation adapted for printing and bonding of conductor and resistor traces and monolithic ceramic capacitors, and provides through holes adapted for locating conductors. A second elevation is adapted for location and containment of a semiconductor quadrac. A third elevation is adapted for location and containment of a circuit board which is selectively adjustable through an R-C network coupled between the semiconductor quadrac and an input power source. An electric phase control uses mechanical movement for actuation. Provision is provided for mounting the phase control mechanism and the circuit so as to be manually accessed. A planar switch cover plate is adapted for sliding engagement, in parallel juxtaposition, with the mounting devices, the switch cover plate further adapted for engagement with the phase control mechanism for actuation through sliding engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Ralph K. Davis
  • Patent number: 6369550
    Abstract: A feedback circuit is provided for reducing the input impedance of a preamplifier circuit, such as for use with a sensing coil in an imaging system. The feedback circuit permits adjustment of the input impedance by balancing inductive and capacitive components of a feedback control circuit. The imaginary component of the input impedance may be adjusted independently of the real component, to provide a substantially zero input impedance, while allowing adjustment of the stability of the system. The circuitry may function in conjunction with a reactance matching circuit to reduce cross-talk in multiple sensing coil arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoming Lou, Robert Steven Stormont, Eddy Benjamin Boskamp, Ricardo Becerra, John Francis Prendergast, Sr., Paul Douglas Haig
  • Patent number: 6320281
    Abstract: The method of obtaining the adjustable capacitor permits transforming all types of capacitors (including Electrolytic, Vacuum, Gas, high-voltage capacitors) into adjustable capacitors without mechanical parts inside capacitors and provides broad ranges of changing the capacity CA of an adjustable capacitor in electric circuits of direct and alternating currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Manvel Zakharian
  • Patent number: 6154709
    Abstract: In low-power AC networks, it is desirable when a load is connected, for example an arc furnace or a vehicle, to know the load capacity of the AC network in order to avoid undesirable drops in the network voltage U.sub.N. To this end, load voltage signals which are proportional to the amplitude of a load voltage U.sub.L are detected at the point of the load L at a 1st measurement time which can be predetermined and at a 2nd measurement time which can be predetermined and is later. At the same time, load current signals are detected which are proportional to the amplitude of a load current I.sub.L. Furthermore, a phase difference .DELTA..phi. is determined, which is obtained with reference to the phase angle of the network voltage U.sub.N at the 1st measurement time. These measurements are used as the bases to calculate a magnitude of the network impedance of the AC network and the network phase angle .phi..sub.N between the network voltage U.sub.N and the network current. A maximum possible power P.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Kai Mossig, Peter Terwiesch
  • Patent number: 6078110
    Abstract: The method of obtaining the adjustable capacitor permits transforming all types of capacitors (including Electrolytic, Vacuum, Gas, high-voltage capacitors) into adjustable capacitors without moving parts inside capacitors and provides broad ranges of changing the capacity of adjustable capacitors in electric circuits of direct and alternating current and in all types of Marx Generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Manvel Zakharian
    Inventor: Manvel Zakharian
  • Patent number: 5640082
    Abstract: A switch controlled variable capacitor circuit that includes a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal; a switch connected across the first and second terminals of the capacitor; a pulse width modulator for controlling the switch to close at positive going zero crossings of a sinusoidally varying current provided to the first and second terminals, and to open at D seconds after the positive going zero crossings, wherein D is in a range of 0.25 to 0.5 times the period T of the sinusoidally varying current; and a diode connected across the first and second terminal of the capacitor for conducting the sinusoidally varying current during a portion of a negative half of each period of the sinusoidally varying current. The switch variable capacitor circuit has a capacitance that is controlled by varying D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics
    Inventors: David M. Lusher, C. Russ Gulick
  • Patent number: 5608614
    Abstract: A power converter has two switched capacitor circuits each including at least a plurality of sets of capacitors and switching elements, first of which circuits is provided for supplying a DC power to a load while second of which accumulates a power in a period receiving a higher input voltage, and the first switched capacitor circuit being made to receive, in a period receiving a lower input voltage, a power supplied from a DC power source and also the power supplied from the second switched capacitor circuit for supplying to the load the DC power of a constant voltage, in which an input current collectively taken up by the two switched capacitor circuits is made similar in the waveform to the input voltage to eliminate any harmonics distortion of the current drawn from the source, for attaining the supply of the DC power of the constant voltage to the load, whereby the power converter is rendered not to require any large inductor to be capable of being minimized in size and restraining any noise radiation fr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Ohnishi, Shozo Kataoka, Takashi Kanda, Takashi Yamasaki, Kazuo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5444610
    Abstract: A high-power modulator includes a plurality of means for limiting voltage and a plurality of controllable switches. Each of the switches is connected in parallel with a different one of the voltage limiting means to form a plurality of parallel pairs. Each of the parallel pairs is connected to each other in a series combination. A first parallel pair in the series combination can be connected to a main power source, and a last parallel pair in the series combination can be connected to a load. Each of the switches is switchable from an off or open position to an on or closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Diversified Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel P. J. Gaudreau, Jean-Paul Dionne
  • Patent number: 5420495
    Abstract: A transmission line power flow control system and method selectively reverses power flow direction and controls power flow level over a transmission line. A capacitor having a variable capacitive impedance is selectively inserted in series with the line. The capacitor has a maximum capacitive impedance magnitude which exceeds the magnitude of the inductive impedance of the transmission line. A switching device in parallel with the capacitor inserts and removes the capacitor from the line. The capacitor maybe inserted and removed in a stepwise fashion using several modules, or in a gradual fashion by using inductors in series with the modular switching devices. In response to measurements of power flow parameters, such as line current and line to ground voltages, a controller controls the switching device(s) to selectively vary the net impedance of the transmission line to control the direction and magnitude of power flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Narain G. Hingorani
  • Patent number: 5227782
    Abstract: An interface unit is provided for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from several transmitters. The interface unit includes a DC power supply, an active load, and a transmit/receive circuit connected to the first wire of a two wire circuit which transmits signals to and receives signals from the transmitters. The active load is connected in series with the DC power supply between the first and second wire of the two wire circuit and has a first impedance at DC and a second, higher impedance within a frequency range defined by the signals transmitted to and received from the transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5175490
    Abstract: A reference voltage source which provides a plurality of reference voltages with equal step size between voltages despite loads connected to the reference voltage source. The reference voltage source is composed of a plurality of slave resistors connected in series to produce a plurality of output nodes and a plurality of master resistors connected in series to produce a plurality of compensation nodes. Each compensation node corresponds with one of the output nodes. A compensation resistor connects between a compensation node and the corresponding output node. A current flows through the slave resistors to generate a reference voltage at each output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Company
    Inventor: Gunter Steinbach
  • Patent number: 4914376
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an actuation device for an electrical appliance, in particular for small electrical appliances such as tooth-brushes, oral jet devices, hair dryers, curling irons, shavers and food processors, for the open- or closed-loop control of at least one operating quantity, including a primary detector for generating controlled variables and a circuit arrangement. The actuation device is characterized in that the primary detector includes a movable element which is arranged at the electrical appliance and produces magnetic or electric fields of varying field strengths in dependence on its position, and further includes an element fixedly disposed on the electrical appliance and sensitive to magnetic or electric fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Meyer
  • Patent number: 4829229
    Abstract: The reactance of series capacitor equipment connected to an electrical transmission power line can be changed during operation with the aid of a transformer on-load tap-changer which switches in or out a variable number of capacitor modules. The tap-changer comprises a tap selector, the contacts of which in currentless state can be moved between the capacitor steps, and a diverter switch with a plurality of sequentially operating contact members and with resistors arranged to prevent direct short-circuiting of the capacitor steps. The tap-changer can be at line potential and operated remotely by contact-moving means at ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: ASEA Brown Boveri AB
    Inventors: Rutger Johansson, Lars Paulsson
  • Patent number: 4754213
    Abstract: A supply circuit for an apparatus which is provided with a supply voltage which is low relative to the amplitude of a main voltage supplied from a main power supply network. The switching apparatus has a switching line arranged in the main power supply line, which is connected in series with a load, and in which the supply circuit is connected in parallel with a power-dissipating or resistance element connected in series with the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Guy Dubot, Pierre L. Simon
  • Patent number: 4719405
    Abstract: A high voltage power supply current regulator includes at least one high voltage rectifier diode having a plurality of pn junctions, said diode being adapted to be connected between a high voltage power supply whose current is to be regulated and a load such that the diode is reverse biased. A control circuit, operating at a voltage which is relatively low compared with the power supply voltage, controls the reverse current through the diode to the load. The reverse current constitutes the load current. The control circuit includes a light source for illuminating the pn junctions of the diode with a predetermined flux of photons, the reverse current through the diode being a function of the photon flux on the diode junctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: C. Wendell Boucher
  • Patent number: 4634960
    Abstract: An automatic linear compression circuit for a telephone "handsfree" loudspeaker is provided. The circuit consists of a variable attenuator the level of attenuation of which is controlled by the input signal level. The input signal is passed through a positive peak detector to obtain a time averaged signal corresponding to the average positive peak values of the input signal and this time averaged signal is compared against a time increasing reference voltage. As long as the reference voltage is below the value of the time averaged signal a positive attenuator control signal is derived. This positive control signal keeps the attenuator portion of the circuit operative. In the attenuator the input voltage is sampled to a first capacitor. The first capacitor is subsequently connected to and disconnected from a second capacitor a number of times as long as the positive attenuator control signal is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: David L. Lynch
  • Patent number: 4567375
    Abstract: The specification discloses an electromechanical time delay combination for gradually applying power to the filament of an incandescent lamp. Following actuation to the "on" state, the conduction angle gradually changes from zero to 360.degree.. Following deactuation, the conduction angle lingers at 180.degree. for several seconds before returning to the non-conduction state. A set of mechanical contacts and a potentiometer may be added to effect proportional dimming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Inventors: Bruce D. Jimerson, Henry H. Nakasone
  • Patent number: 4517508
    Abstract: A variable impedance circuit is disclosed which comprises a pair of diodes having their cathodes connected together, a first current source coupled to the connection between the diodes, and a second and a third current source which are connected to the anodes of the diodes respectively. The second and third current sources are controlled by means of current mirror circuits so that equal forward currents are caused to flow therefrom to the paired diodes, thus making it possible to set up a desired impedance variation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Toko, Inc.
    Inventor: Koichi Sakai
  • Patent number: 4513242
    Abstract: An electronic impedance device provides a variable impedance in, for example, a Dolby noise reduction system. The device includes an input terminal connected to a source of a signal voltage. A differential voltage-to-current converter circuit, having a relatively high input impedance, converts the input signal voltage into two differential output currents that are variable with the input signal voltage. A pair of p-n junction elements, such as diodes, are connected to the converter circuit via a current transfer circuit. The current transfer circuit transfers the differential output currents to the p-n junction elements. A differential current amplifier circuit is responsive to the voltage built up across the p-n junction elements. The differential current amplifier has an output terminal to produce an output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Fumihiko Yokogawa
  • Patent number: 4441072
    Abstract: A plurality of electrical isolation devices are provided on a monolithic integrated circuit. Each of the isolation devices includes a current strap and a magnetic field sensor. The current strap is adapted to carry an electrical current representative of a signal to be transferred through that isolation device. The strength of the magnetic field produced by that current is measured by the magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Mona A. Rahman
  • Patent number: 4398120
    Abstract: A direct current supply, making it possible to produce a number of separate regulated voltages from a single regulated supply, constituted by a voltage multiplier with cascade-connected doubler stages. One of the doubler stages, preferably the first, supplies by the connection point of its two rectifiers at least one circuit for generating a complementary d.c. voltage. This generator circuit comprises a variable capacitor connected downstream to two oppositely connected diodes and connected to earth or to a fixed d.c. potential, one directly and the other across a resistor and a capacitor connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventor: Jean Pierre Guillon