Including Speed-related Frequency Generator Patents (Class 324/166)
  • Patent number: 11934241
    Abstract: A fan device used with respect to a computing device. The fan device includes at least two fans that provide airflow for the computing device and a controller that adjusts the fans' speeds in an attempt to avoid harmonic vibrations of the at least two fans. The fan device may include at least one sensor, and the controller may adjust the fans' speeds based at least on information from the sensor(s) in the attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations. The attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations may also attempt to mitigate one or more of turbulence, pressure, over-heating, power consumption, or noise in, by, or around the computing device. Reversal of airflow may also be used. A fan bar that enables isolation of ground return noise may also be used. The controller may use sums of primes calculations, phase analysis, common divisor calculations, and the like. Also, associated methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SOFTIRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Robert Drury, David Patrick Anders, Alan Ott, Bryan Keith Larmore
  • Patent number: 11862974
    Abstract: A grid distribution system aggregates energy resources of multiple distributed energy resources (DERs) and provides service to one or more energy markets with the DERs as a single market resource. The DERs can create data to indicate realtime local demand and local energy capacity of the DERs. Based on DER information and realtime market information, the system can compute how to provide one or more services to the power grid based on an aggregation of DER energy capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Stefan Matan, Fred C. Horton, Frank P. Marrone
  • Patent number: 11776573
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk, a spindle motor that rotates the magnetic disk, a motor driver, and a controller. The motor driver supplies a motor current to the spindle motor and measures a counter electromotive voltage of the spindle motor every time the spindle motor makes one rotation. After the rotation of the magnetic disk starts, the controller adjusts a motor position where the counter electromotive voltage is measured to a set first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Chen, Kenichiro Ozeki, Koichiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11686597
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide an output signal indicative of a speed of rotation and/or a direction of movement of a ferromagnetic object. The sensor includes at least one magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a magnetic field signal in response to a magnetic field associated with an object. The sensor includes a detector configured to generate a detector signal having edges occurring in response to a comparison of the magnetic field signal and the threshold signal. The sensor includes an output circuit configured to generate an output signal having a first format when a characteristic of the magnetic field signal is within a first range and having a second format different than the first format when the characteristic of the magnetic field signal is within a second range, different than the first range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Dominik Weiland, Marcus Hagn, Dominik Geisler
  • Patent number: 11360113
    Abstract: A method for measuring rotation speed of an aircraft engine shaft includes: acquisition of an alternating rotation speed detection signal across terminals of a phonic wheel sensor, conversion of the alternating signal into a square signal; comparison of a plurality of previously-stored square signal period samples to lower and upper period limits, to determine valid samples of a value included between the terminals; if the number of valid samples is greater than a first threshold, determination on the basis of the valid samples of a desired period of the square signal; and at least on the condition that the number of valid samples is less than the first threshold, computation of a plurality of sums of samples, and computation of the average of a set comprising a number of valid period samples and a number of sums from among the plurality of sums of at least two samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Cedrik Djelassi, Jacques Paul Michel Gauvrit, Jean-Francois Jean-Paul Clement Schielin
  • Patent number: 11294000
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes one or more magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate a magnetic field signal in response to a magnetic field associated with the object and a detector configured to generate a comparison signal having edges occurring in response to a comparison of the magnetic field signal and a threshold signal and occurring at a rate corresponding to a speed of motion of the object. A speed monitor responsive to the comparison signal is configured to generate a speed signal having a value indicative of the speed of motion of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Florian Kulla, Andrea Foletto
  • Patent number: 11156484
    Abstract: A vehicle sensor armor system with one or more sensor armor units configured to protect a vehicle sensor. Sensor armor units have a housing and mount connections configured to attach to a vehicle at existing connection points without further modifications. Sensor armor units have a plurality of contact points configured to contact the vehicle's structure and distribute forces away from a vehicle sensor and towards the vehicle's structure when attached to the vehicle in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Jomax Customs LLC
    Inventor: Mark Fountain
  • Patent number: 11125590
    Abstract: A method of detecting a vibration comprises determining a vibration flag has been set during a running mode of the magnetic field sensor, remaining in the running mode until a predetermined number of vibration flags have been set, and entering a recalibration mode when the predetermined number of vibration flags have been set. A counter can be implemented for each of the plurality of vibration flags to determine if the predetermined number of vibration flags have been set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Geiger, David Toebes, Naota Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11117421
    Abstract: A wheel bearing arrangement for a motor vehicle with a wheel hub and a wheel bearing for the rotatable bearing of the wheel hub at a wheel mount. The wheel bearing has an outer ring and an inner ring, which is rotatable with respect to the outer ring around an axis of rotation and is connected to the wheel hub. A wheel flange extends from the wheel hub and, as viewed in the axial direction, has a brake disk mount, which is open in the direction facing away from the outer ring and which, as viewed in longitudinal section with respect to the axis of rotation, is formed by a recess of the wheel flange, and has a support surface for a brake disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Johannes Albl, Michael Frisch
  • Patent number: 10969246
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a rotating body includes a unit to be detected including a first pattern portion having first patterns and a second pattern portion having second patterns, and configured to rotate around a shaft, a sensor module including a first sensor and a third sensor disposed opposite to the first pattern portion with the rotating shaft interposed therebetween, a second sensor and a fourth sensor disposed opposite to the second pattern portion with the rotating shaft interposed therebetween, and a rotation information calculator configured to calculate a first compensation sensing value based on a sum of a sensing value of the first sensor and a sensing value of the third sensor, and to calculate a second compensation sensing value based on a sum of a sensing value of the second sensor and a sensing value of the fourth sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Seung Kim, Soon Joung Yio, Jae Hyuk Jang, Dong Yeol Lee, Young Seung Roh, Jae Sun Won
  • Patent number: 10924099
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a comparator. The comparator includes a first current source circuit, a pre-amplifier circuit, an amplifier circuit, a comparison circuit, and an output circuit. The first current source circuit is configured to provide a first constant current to the pre-amplifier circuit. The pre-amplifier circuit is configured to amplify a first input signal into a first pre-amplified signal and amplify a second input signal into a second pre-amplified signal based on a first constant current. The amplifier circuit includes a current mirror and a load circuit. The load circuit comprises a differential diode-connected transistor. The comparison circuit is configured to compare the first amplified signal with the second amplified signal. The output circuit is configured to output a first voltage or a second voltage based on a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tangxiang Wang, Chen Song
  • Patent number: 10866122
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for sensing an absolute position of a target object can include a first one or more magnetic field sensing elements disposed proximate to a first portion of the target object, the first one or more magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate a first magnetic field signal responsive to the movement of the first portion; a second one or more magnetic field sensing elements disposed proximate to a second portion of the target object, the second one or more magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate a second magnetic field signal responsive to the movement of the second portion; a position detection module coupled to use the first and second magnetic field signals to generate a position value indicative of the absolute position; and an output format module coupled to receive the position value and to generate a position signal from the magnetic field sensor indicative of the absolute position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Dominik Weiland, Nathan Shewmon, Syed Bilal Ali
  • Patent number: 10866117
    Abstract: A system for reducing stray field effects comprises a magnetic target producing a changing magnetic field; a first set of magnetic field sensing elements placed in spaced relation to the magnetic target and comprising at least a first magnetic field sensing element and a second magnetic field sensing element, each magnetic field sensing element having an axis of maximum sensitivity; a second set of magnetic field sensing elements placed in spaced relation to the magnetic target and comprising at least a third magnetic field sensing element and a fourth magnetic field sensing element, each magnetic field sensing element having an axis of maximum sensitivity; and wherein the first set of magnetic field sensing elements is positioned closer to a center point of the magnetic field than the second set of magnetic field sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Nevenka Kozomora, William Wilkinson, Braden Blanchette
  • Patent number: 10845433
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor arrangement includes a magnetic field sensor element configured to provide a sensor output signal responsive to a magnetic field, wherein the sensor output signal is representative of a magnetic field amplitude; a processing module configured to provide a processed sensor output signal representative of the sensor output signal; a switching level calculation module configured to calculate a switching level, (1) during a power up mode, based on a default switching level, and (2) during a running mode, based on the processed sensor output signal; a comparator module configured to compare the processed sensor output signal with the switching level, and to provide a comparator output signal based on the comparison; and a storage module configured to store the default switching level, provide the default switching level during the power up mode, and update the default switching level during the running mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Tobias Werth, Catalina-Petruta Juglan
  • Patent number: 10823588
    Abstract: A method for automatic calibration of an engine camshaft sensor, the engine including at least one camshaft, a coded toothed target associated with this camshaft and a magnetic field sensor placed in the vicinity of the target to detect magnetic field variations induced by passage of the target's teeth in the vicinity of the sensor, the sensor delivering an electrical signal representative of teeth and gaps of the target depending on a predetermined switching threshold as a function of the magnetic field's amplitude, the method continuously measuring the value of the magnetic field. The method calculating switching thresholds of the leading edges of the teeth over a new turn of the target to improve the precision of detection of the leading edges of the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Denis Bouscaren
  • Patent number: 10720243
    Abstract: The laser amplification apparatus is provided with a plurality of plate-shaped laser medium components (M1 to M4) which are disposed to be aligned along a thickness direction, and prisms (P1 to P3) which optically couples the laser medium components. Each of the laser medium components is provided with a main surface to which a seed light is incident, and a side surface which surrounds the main surface. An excitation light is incident from at least one side surface of a specific laser medium component among the plurality of laser medium components. The excitation light is incident through the prism to a side surface of the laser medium component adjacent to the prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Takashi Sekine, Yoshinori Kato, Yasuki Takeuchi, Toshiyuki Kawashima
  • Patent number: 10692298
    Abstract: For each vertex of a network graph that includes a set of vertices, a meta-property of the vertex is determined relative to other vertices of the set of vertices, a distance of the vertex from a user's viewpoint of a three dimensional (3D) rendering of the network graph is determined, and a ranking figure is calculated as a function of the determined meta-property in combination with the determined distance. The set of vertices of the network graph is ranked as a function of the respective calculated ranking figures. Labels for a subset of the set of vertices are selectively displayed on a display as a function of the ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Graham D. Wallis, Graham Wills
  • Patent number: 10670385
    Abstract: A device and associated method for monitoring a rotatable member is described, and includes a target wheel coupled to the rotatable member, and a sensor that is disposed to monitor the target wheel. The sensor is configured to generate a signal associated with rotation of the target wheel. A controller is in communication with the sensor and includes an instruction set that is executable to dynamically monitor the signal generated by the sensor during rotation of the target wheel and determine a magnitude of an airgap between the sensor and the target wheel based upon the signal. A variation in the magnitude of the airgap between the sensor and the target wheel can be determined based upon the signal, and a fault associated with the rotating member can be determined based upon the variation in the magnitude of the airgap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Azeem Sarwar, Gregory W. Deneszczuk
  • Patent number: 10589567
    Abstract: In order to provide solutions for soiling problems and corrosion problems in the area between a pole ring (41) and the hub interior, arranged behind it, of a wheel hub assembly having a wheel hub (1) which ends inside the vehicle in a hub section (50) whose internal circumference (15) defines an opening (55) for the central passage of the stub axle (6) and on which a fastening device (42) of a pole ring (41) of an ABS sensor is mounted, wherein a pulse generator section (43) which is embodied in one piece with the fastening section (42) is a component of the pole ring (41), which pulse generator section (43) extends from the fastening section (42) to the wheel hub axis (A) and is provided with openings (44, 44L) distributed uniformly in the circumferential direction; in a first embodiment the pole ring (41) extends with its pulse generator section (43) towards the wheel hub axis (A) to such an extent that the opening (55) between the wheel hub (1) and stub axle (6) is for the most part covered towards the int
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: BPW Bergische Achsen KG
    Inventors: Rossen Iliev, Reiner Siebel, Wilfried Wasserfuhr
  • Patent number: 10509050
    Abstract: A sensor housing for a wheel-sensor device for a vehicle includes a first receiving aperture, a second receiving aperture, a first rotational-speed sensor, a rotary transducer, and a second rotational-speed sensor. The first sensor is configured to be inserted into the first aperture, and the sensor housing with the inserted first sensor is configured to be mounted on the vehicle. The rotary transducer is configured to co-rotate with a vehicle wheel and to trigger a change in a first physical quantity. The second sensor is configured to be inserted adjacent to the first sensor in the first aperture or in the second aperture, and the sensor housing, with the inserted first and second sensors, is configured to be mounted on the vehicle. The rotary transducer co-rotating with the rotating wheel triggers the change in the first physical quantity and a change in a second physical quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Welsch, Bernd Tepass, Oliver Hahn, Mirko Scheer, Robert Remus
  • Patent number: 10469345
    Abstract: Described techniques enable the tracking and reporting of resource utilization at multiple levels of granularity, the highest of which involves tracking resource usage by a particular object in aggregate. When aggregate usage for the particular object is within certain parameters, actual resource usage is not reported at the lower level of granularity, but is replaced by placeholder values. When aggregate usage for the particular object exceeds a threshold, the particular object is considered to be a “hot spot.” Resource usage for the particular object can then be reported (and tracked, if not already) at the lower level of granularity until the particular object is no longer a “hot spot.” The efficiency of the tracking may be further enhanced by leveraging a bifurcated counting mechanism in which a full count is updated only at selected sample times, with intermediate counters used to store changes in between sample times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Innovium, Inc.
    Inventors: William Brad Matthews, Puneet Agarwal
  • Patent number: 10466310
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor arrangement includes a magnetic field sensor element configured to provide a sensor output signal responsive to a magnetic field, wherein the sensor output signal is representative of a magnetic field amplitude; a processing module configured to provide a processed sensor output signal representative of the sensor output signal; a switching level calculation module configured to calculate a switching level, (1) during a power up mode, based on a default switching level, and (2) during a running mode, based on the processed sensor output signal; a comparator module configured to compare the processed sensor output signal with the switching level, and to provide a comparator output signal based on the comparison; and a storage module configured to store the default switching level, provide the default switching level during the power up mode, and update the default switching level during the running mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Tobias Werth, Catalina-Petruta Juglan
  • Patent number: 10344573
    Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system for use with a subterranean well can include an actuator with a displaceable actuator member, a magnet device that displaces with the actuator member, the magnet device including at least one permanent magnet positioned between low magnetic permeability elements, and a sensor that senses a magnetic flux propagated from the magnet device. The actuator can include a cylinder, and the sensor can include an outer tube, with materials of the cylinder and outer tube having substantially a same magnetic permeability. An enclosure can be positioned exterior to the cylinder, with the sensor being positioned at least partially in the enclosure. The enclosure can be configured to focus the magnet flux, so that it propagates to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Clark E. Robison, Peri Sabhapathy, Benson Thomas
  • Patent number: 10307660
    Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Daniel Wood, Julian de la Rua
  • Patent number: 10236897
    Abstract: A loss of lock detection circuit includes detection circuitry and pulse accumulation circuitry. The detection circuitry includes a first flip-flop, a second flip-flop, and a third flip-flop. The first flip-flop is configured to synchronize a data stream to a first edge of a clock signal. The second flip-flop is configured to synchronize the data stream to a second edge of the clock signal. The third flip-flop is clocked by the data stream, and is configured to store a combined output of the first flip-flop and the second flip-flop at an edge of the data stream. The pulse accumulation circuitry is coupled to the detection circuitry. The pulse accumulation circuitry is configured to collect pulses generated by the third flip-flop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Abishek Manian, Robin Gupta
  • Patent number: 10215591
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for adapting a detection threshold (S1) of a magnetic field sensor for a crankshaft of a motor vehicle equipped with the “stop & go” function, the sensor delivering a signal (B) of variations of magnetic field having two states, such as: State 1: when the crankshaft is rotating: the signal includes rising fronts and falling fronts, State 2: when the crankshaft is stopped: the signal has an aperiodic progressive drift (?TAR). The method includes for state 2 steps making it possible to estimate the variation (?1, ?2, ?3, ?4 . . . ?i) of the value (V1, V2 . . . Vi) of the signal (B) during the stopped phase of the crankshaft in order to adapt the detection threshold (S1) to a new value (S4) applicable for the detection of the first tooth upon restart of the engine (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: David Mirassou, Marie-Nathalie Larue
  • Patent number: 10215589
    Abstract: A sensor system enables a direct communication from a current modulated two-wire sensor or a speed sensor module to a TTL or CMOS processor. A magnetic speed sensor provides a current modulated signal directly to an input/output (I/O) pin of the TTL or CMOS processor, which is able to read TTL or CMOS levels of I/O signals thereat. A current to voltage converter converts the current modulate signal to a voltage modulated signal as an I/O signal that is directly read by the TTL or CMOS processor without additional components or elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: James William Sterling
  • Patent number: 10218589
    Abstract: Described techniques enable the tracking and reporting of resource utilization at multiple levels of granularity, the highest of which involves tracking resource usage by a particular object in aggregate. When aggregate usage for the particular object is within certain parameters, actual resource usage is not reported at the lower level of granularity, but is replaced by placeholder values. When aggregate usage for the particular object exceeds a threshold, the particular object is considered to be a “hot spot.” Resource usage for the particular object can then be reported (and tracked, if not already) at the lower level of granularity until the particular object is no longer a “hot spot.” The efficiency of the tracking may be further enhanced by leveraging a bifurcated counting mechanism in which a full count is updated only at selected sample times, with intermediate counters used to store changes in between sample times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Innovium, Inc.
    Inventors: William Brad Matthews, Puneet Agarwal
  • Patent number: 10195707
    Abstract: In one example, a method including controlling milling of a component via a milling system, the milling system including a spindle, a tool holder coupled to the spindle, the tool holder configured to receive a milling tool; and the milling tool configured to remove at least a portion of the component via milling while the milling tool is rotated by the spindle and tool holder, wherein the milling system is configured to conduct an electrical signal between the milling tool and component during milling of the component when the milling tool is not broken; monitoring the electrical signal conducted between the milling tool and component; and determining whether the milling tool is broken based on the monitored electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Rhodes, Bruce Allan Crook
  • Patent number: 10161457
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement including a rolling or sliding bearing that has an inner ring and an outer ring and at least one add-on part provided on the inner ring or on the outer ring, this add-on part being formed of a meltable or curable material and being attached with a positive fit to the inner ring or the outer ring by a generative manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Gluck
  • Patent number: 10119692
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a housing, at least one light source module disposed on a back surface of the housing, and a power section casing located at an upper portion of the housing, and accommodating a power unit for controlling and supplying power to the light source module. The power section casing is divided into a power section region for accommodating the power unit and at least one junction region for providing a space in which the power unit is electrically connected to an external power source. The junction region includes therein a cable fixing section for fixing an external power source cable connected to the external power source, and a ground section electrically connected to the power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyeuk Chang, Daehyuk Lee, Moonsung Cho, Sangchul Han, Jinsung Kwak
  • Patent number: 10106134
    Abstract: A method for transmitting error information in a pulse signal, the signal being designed to transmit measured values from a sensor that are frequency modulated with pulses having a first magnitude to a receiver. The method includes: recognition of an error in the sensor; and introduction of a pulse having a second magnitude which is different from the first magnitude into the pulse signal, in order to indicate the recognized error in the pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: René Trapp, Jochen Zachow, Valentina Suchanow
  • Patent number: 10048089
    Abstract: A system may have a digital period divider generating an output signal that is proportional to an angle defined by a rotational input signal and an interval measurement unit determining an interval time of an interval defined by succeeding pulses of the input output signal. In an enhancement, the system may also have a missing pulse detector which is operable to compare a current interval with a parameter to determine whether a pulse is missing in the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joseph Julicher, Kevin Kilzer, Cobus Van Eeden
  • Patent number: 10030996
    Abstract: A method of determining at least one of a rotational angle position and a rotational speed of a rotating element of a drive train includes arranging at least two sensors in an offset manner in a circumferential direction of the rotating element, recording a measured value indicative of a characteristic of a rotation of the rotating element with each sensor, and determining at least one of a rotational angle position and a rotational speed with reference to the measured values and a distance between the at least two sensors in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Vath, Sebastian Grimm
  • Patent number: 10020111
    Abstract: A transformer (01) for transmitting data and/or energy, including a concentric coil pair with a fixed first coil (04) and a second coil (05) which is mounted so as to be rotatable with respect to the first coil (04), wherein the coils (04, 05) are arranged with respect to one another in such a way that they are magnetically coupled. The transformer (01)—is defined, in particular, by the fact that the first and the second coils (04, 05) are embodied as printed circuits on one multi-layered circuit board (02, 03) each, wherein in each case a magnetically conductive layer (07) is attached to the outer layers of the multi-layered circuit boards (02, 03), wherein the magnetically conductive layers (07) are selectively connected to one another by recesses which are formed in the circuit boards (02, 03) and filled with magnetically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Joerg Kegeler
  • Patent number: 10006930
    Abstract: A system includes a capacitance sensor having an inertial proof mass disposed between a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure. A switching system is switchable between providing one of a positive charge pulse and a negative charge pulse to one of the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure. A controller controls the switching of the switching circuit to provide one of the positive charge pulse or the negative charge pulse to the first electrode structure during a first portion of a charge cycle time period and to provide an opposite polarity charge pulse from that provided to the first electrode structure to the second electrode structure during a second portion of the charge cycle time period to generate an error signal with respect to the inertial proof mass of the capacitance sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Juergen Karl Peter Flamm, John T. Douglass, Richard P. Card, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10006786
    Abstract: A device and method for controlling a rotator detection sensor for a rotator having run-out is provided. The method for controlling a rotator detection sensor for a rotator having run-out includes recognizing, by a pattern recognition unit, a pattern having peaks based on a magnetic flux density of the rotator measured for a preset time interval, recognizing, by the pattern recognition unit, the number of protrusions of the rotator based on the pattern having the peaks of the magnetic flux density, and setting, by a switching level setting unit, switching levels for the magnetic flux density based on the number of the protrusions. The magnetic flux density has a plurality of peaks that correspond to the number of protrusions of the rotator. The switching levels for the magnetic flux density are each set at a point that corresponds to a preset percentage at each of the peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI KEFICO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Woo-Young Kwon, Seung-Gyon Jeong
  • Patent number: 9995839
    Abstract: In a method for determining at least one physical parameter, a sensor unit which is activated by at least one periodic excitation (1.4) is provided, wherein the sensor unit has at least one detection region in which changes of the parameter in the surroundings of the sensor unit lead to output signal (1.7) from the sensor unit. The sensor unit is wired such that if there are no changes of the parameter in the detection region the output signal (1.7) is a zero signal or virtually a zero signal at the output of the sensor unit, whereas if there are changes of the parameter in the detection region the output signal (1.7) is a signal that is not zero and has a specific amplitude and phase. In a closed control loop, the non-zero signal in the receive path is adjusted to zero using a control signal to achieve an adjusted state even in the presence of changes of the parameter in the detection region. The control signal is evaluated in order to determine the physical parameter. The output signal (1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Gerd Reime
  • Patent number: 9970996
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes threshold generation circuitry and processing. Magnetic field sensing elements are configured to generate a magnetic field signal in response to a magnetic field associated with the object. A motion detector responsive to the magnetic field signal and to a threshold signal is configured to generate a detector output signal having edges occurring in response to a comparison of the magnetic field signal and the threshold signal. A speed detector responsive to the detector output signal generates a speed signal indicative of a speed of motion of the object. A threshold generator responsive to the speed signal generates the threshold signal having a level that varies in response to the speed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Devon Fernandez, Mathew Drouin
  • Patent number: 9963323
    Abstract: An elevator balance coefficient detection method includes the following steps: (1) connecting an electrical energy detection device to a power line of an elevator driving motor, and connecting a speed detection device to a mechanical transmission member of an elevator car; (2) measuring and recording in real time the car speed data and driving motor power data when the car and a counterweight move to a same horizontal location; and (3) based on above detection data and basic parameters of the elevator to be tested, and according to transmission relationship between the elevator's operating condition and energy during operation, calculating and obtaining the value of the balance coefficient. A corresponding device includes an elevator data acquiring system and a detection data processing system. The elevator electrical energy detection device is an AC broadband power measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: TIANJIN HAOYA TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Pei Liu
  • Patent number: 9939827
    Abstract: An integrated circuit having power supply circuitry configured to generate a temperature dependent power supply voltage is provided. The power supply circuitry may include temperature sensors formed at different regions on the integrated circuit. The power supply circuitry may use a selected one of the temperature sensors to vary the temperature dependent power supply voltage. The power supply circuitry may include voltage clamping circuitry configured to clip the power supply voltage to an upper fixed voltage level when the power supply voltage exceeds a first predetermined threshold and to clip the power supply voltage to a lower fixed voltage level when the power supply voltage falls below a second predetermined threshold. The power supply circuitry may also include voltage overshoot-undershoot protection circuitry configured to keep the temperature dependent power supply voltage within a specified voltage range in the presence of transient perturbations in the temperature dependent power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Jon Philpott, Ping-Chen Liu, Ravi Thiruveedhula
  • Patent number: 9921045
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a presence of an object can include a plurality of electrically conductive loops arranged in an array. The apparatus includes a sensor circuit configured to determine a characteristic associated with each of the plurality of loops. The apparatus includes a hardware processor configured to, for each loop of the plurality of loops, determine a parameter based on the characteristic associated with the loop and the characteristic associated with at least one adjacent loop. The hardware processor may be further configured to determine the presence of the object based on the parameter. The parameter may comprise a sum of a difference between the characteristic associated with the loop and a reference value for the characteristic, and a difference between the characteristic associated with each of the at least one adjacent loop and the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Lukas Sieber, Marcel Fischer, Hanspeter Widmer
  • Patent number: 9897467
    Abstract: A rotation number detector outputs a signal based on a detection signal from a sensor, the detection signal reflecting a movement of a detected portion of a detection object. The output signal from the sensor is rectified by a comparator. A cycle measurement circuit measures a cycle of a rectangular wave signal from the comparator. A variable divider variably divides the cycle in reverse proportion to the measured cycle of the cycle measurement circuit, dividing the cycle by a smaller dividing ratio when the measured cycle becomes longer and dividing the cycle by a greater dividing ratio when the measured cycle becomes shorter. A one shot circuit converts the rectangular wave signal of the variable divider to a signal having a dividing ratio discernible wave form, which represents the dividing ratio of the variable divider, and outputs such a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirotsugu Ishino
  • Patent number: 9896025
    Abstract: A position lamp mounting structure (32) is provided separately from a support structure for a headlamp. The position lamp mounting structure (32) includes a top bridge (41) for supporting an upper portion of a front fork assembly (9), a handle holder (33) for sandwiching a handlebar (34) between it and the top bridge (4), a lamp holder (37) provided in the handle holder (33), and a lamp unit (40) fitted to the lamp holder (37). The lamp unit (40) includes a position lamp (44) built therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 9880189
    Abstract: A sensor interface circuit for a vehicle includes a signal conditioning module having at least one raw sensor signal input, and at least one conditioned sensor signal output, and a differential comparator module including a differential comparator and an adaptable hysteresis module. The adaptable hysteresis module provides a first hysteresis magnitude to the differential comparator when a sensor signal is below a threshold and a second hysteresis magnitude to the differential comparator when the sensor signal is above the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel William Shafer
  • Patent number: 9863973
    Abstract: In a vehicle including a pulse ring that rotates together with a wheel, a wheel speed sensor that has a detection portion close to the pulse ring, and a bracket that fixes the wheel speed sensor, a tubular protective wall surrounding the detection portion is provided on the bracket so that an end part, on the pulse ring side, of the protective wall is closer to the pulse ring than the detection portion of the wheel speed sensor is. This enables the wheel speed sensor to be protected without adding a special component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kato, Sumitaka Ogawa, Hideo Takahashi, Ayako Hatai
  • Patent number: 9798030
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring subsea equipment are described herein. In one embodiment, such a system can include a plurality of acoustic sensor arrays that each include at least two acoustic sensors, wherein at least a first acoustic sensor array is mounted on an outer surface of subsea equipment being monitored and at least a second acoustic sensor array is positioned remote from the subsea equipment. The system can also include a digital data processor in communication with the plurality of acoustic sensor arrays, the digital data processor can be configured to process data from selected sensors of the plurality of acoustic sensor arrays to both selectively focus on a portion of the subsea equipment and to determine a point of origin of an acoustic signal. The system can be particularly useful in detecting leaks and other events in subsea drilling equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Svein A. Haugen, Jens Abrahamsen, Geir K. Nilsen
  • Patent number: 9778623
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece, including: a first operation unit; a first communication unit; and a first control unit, wherein one of the plurality of the operation receiving units is a function switching operation receiving unit, i) when a first input signal is input, the first control unit assigns the operation receiving units including the function switching operation receiving unit as external device operation receiving units according to predetermined operation processing to be executed by the external device, ii) when an input operation to the operation receiving units is detected, the first control unit transmits an operation request according to the operation processing corresponding to the input operation to the external device via the first communication unit, and iii) when a second input signal is input, the first control unit ends assignment of the operation receiving units as the external device operation receiving units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Nishihara
  • Patent number: 9759737
    Abstract: A first counter is incremented when a first rotational speed sensing device detects a falling edge of one of the teeth of a single multi-tooth target wheel, a second counter is incremented when a second rotational speed sensing device detects a falling edge of one of the teeth, and a third counter is incremented when either of the first and second rotational speed sensing devices detects either of a rising edge and a falling edge of one of the teeth. A direction of rotation is determined based upon the third counter and a rotational speed of the rotatable member is determined based upon one of the first and second counters. The rotatable member is indicated to be at zero speed when the rotational speed is less than a threshold speed and the direction of rotation changes between a positive direction and a negative direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Leah Dunbar, Yo Chan Son, Martin E. Rosalik, Jr., Justin O. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9739608
    Abstract: A device for detecting rotation of a bicycle pedal mechanism and communicating that information to an electronic bicycle wheel motor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventors: Juan Bautista Belon, Hsin-Chih Chen