Testing Potential In Specific Environment (e.g., Lightning Stroke) Patents (Class 324/72)
  • Patent number: 10317573
    Abstract: A method is provided for locating a lightning strike at a wind turbine including the following steps, detecting a lightning strike, and deriving a location of the lightning strike based on a measurement of sound caused by the lightning strike. Further, a lightning detection system, a wind turbine, a wind farm as well as a computer program product and a computer readable medium are suggested for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventor: John Nieuwenhuizen
  • Patent number: 10274290
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) to provide a predetermined amount of current for each pulse of the stimulus signal. Providing the predetermined amount of current, close thereto, increases the effectiveness of the stimulus signal in impeding locomotion of a human or animal target. The calibration process enables a CEW to calibrate the amount of charge in a pulse of the stimulus signal in the environmental conditions where the tester operates and also in the field where the environmental conditions may be different from the environmental conditions during calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Magne H. Nerheim, Valerie Renee Barry Barber-Axthelm, Eric Heindel Goodchild, Siddharth Heroor
  • Patent number: 10272795
    Abstract: An electronic control device for controlling a vehicle battery pack comprises a non-programmable monitoring and actuation unit and a two-way serial communication interface. The non-programmable monitoring and actuation unit is electrically and operatively connectable to the battery pack and to each of the battery cells C to detect analog battery parameters P, including at least the magnitudes of battery voltage Vb and battery current Ib, in addition to temperature (Tc1, Tcn), current (Ic1, Icn) and voltage (Vc1, Vcn) of each battery cell C. The non-programmable monitoring and actuation unit generates monitoring signals Sm representative of the detected analog battery parameters P. The two-way serial communication interface is connected to the non-programmable monitoring and actuation unit to receive the monitoring signals Sm and to supply the aforesaid at least one command signal Sc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Ciampolini, Danilo Pritelli, Rosanna Suglia, Gianluca Aurilio
  • Patent number: 10222365
    Abstract: A method for forming a droplet interface bilayer (DIB) comprises the steps of: (1) providing an assembly that includes a housing contained within an enclosure, wherein the housing includes at least one aperture that comprises a cis portion and a trans portion, at least one cis electrode receptacle and at least one trans electrode receptacle, wherein the cis electrode receptacle is operatively connected to the cis portion, and the trans electrode receptacle is operatively connected to the trans portion; (2) inserting an electrode into each of the cis and trans electrode receptacles; (3) introducing an oil/lipid phase to the enclosure such that the oil/lipid phase flows into the housing through the aperture; (4) delivering at least two aqueous droplets to the oil/lipid phase in such a manner that at least one aqueous droplet is disposed within the cis portion of the aperture and at least one aqueous droplet is disposed within the trans portion of the aperture; and (5) lowering a level of the oil/lipid phase in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
    Inventors: Dac Nguyen, Basil Hanss
  • Patent number: 10073055
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for an apparatus for the detection of ions that include a housing containing a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion contains a base that extends to an outer edge from which first and second pairs of spaced-apart, opposed sidewalls project upwards from the outer edge to collectively form an interior storage compartment therein. The sidewalls each have an inner and outer sidewall surfaces and each of the second pair of sidewalls interconnect the first pair of sidewalls to define corners and an interior storage compartment and an upper rim is contained on each sidewall for engaging and supporting the top portion. A circuit board is contained within the interior storage compartment, and an antenna for detecting the ions extends from the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Global Plasma Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Houston Waddell
  • Patent number: 10074972
    Abstract: An exemplary electrical network in form of a ring system includes a plurality of infeed transformers which are arranged in parallel between a sourcing busbar/cable system and a ring load busbar/cable system. A junction point connects each infeed transformer to the ring load busbar/cable system. The network includes a plurality of current limiters, where each current limiter is positioned between two junction points. Upon a fault event of an infeed transformer, two current limiters on both sides of a respective junction point of the faulted infeed transformer are simultaneously tripped in order to reduce current in the ring load busbar/cable system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Hartung, Ralf Bockholt, Volker Grafe
  • Patent number: 10062964
    Abstract: A shield box for wireless terminal test is provided to simply perform various tests with high reliability even in a non-contact (wireless) connection state with an antenna of a wireless terminal. The shield box includes a metallic box having an internal wireless terminal receiving space therein, and a probe antenna which is provided in the metallic box, and located right above or right below an antenna part of a wireless terminal received in the metallic box to receive a signal from a wireless terminal antenna in a non-contact manner. The metallic box is provided therein with an electronic wave absorber. The probe antenna is a patch antenna. The metallic box includes two parts of upper and lower cases including metallic materials, respectively, such that the metallic box is openable. The upper and lower cases are hinged with each other on rear surfaces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: INNOWIRELESS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Soup Joung, Yong Hoon Lim, GiHo Yun
  • Patent number: 9915686
    Abstract: A voltage sensor housing includes a top portion including a conductive top portion composed of conductive material and non-conductive top portions composed of non-conductive material, a bottom portion composed of non-conductive material, side portions composed of non-conductive material, wherein the top portion the bottom portion and the side portions define an interior area structured to hold a voltage sensor, and conductive side portions composed of conductive material and being disposed adjacent to the side portions. The conductive top portion is electrically floating and the conductive side portions are electrically grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abhijeet Vikram Kshirsagar, Mark Allan Juds, Gayatri Shashikant Dharne
  • Patent number: 9891345
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are described herein for generating proxy reflectivity data associated with lightning activity. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity for one or more geographical areas. The computing device determines the logarithmic scale of the combined in-cloud and cloud-to-ground flash rate (dBR) for one or more grids of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device generates proxy reflectivity data based on the dBR of the grids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Earth Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Chonglin Liu, Robert S. Marshall, Elena Novakovskaia, Christopher Dale Sloop
  • Patent number: 9816876
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring the temperature of a coiled component comprising the injection of a known DC current into a gauge wire (1) made of resistive material, the resistance of the gauge wire varying with temperature according to a known law, the measurement of potential difference between the terminals (7a, 7b) of said gauge wire, and a step of calculation transforming the potential difference into a mean temperature of the gauge wire, said gauge wire (1) being wound inside the coil, and arranged as a series of “outbound” turns (5) and a series of “inbound” turns (6) associated pairwise with a geometry and a position that are substantially equal. It also relates to a component made in order to be able to implement this method and the measurement device as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: LABINAL POWER SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Philippe Poret, Tony Lhommeau
  • Patent number: 9810811
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for predicting the potential for severe weather. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity, where the data includes lightning flash data. The computing device identifies cells of lighting activity based upon the lightning flash data and determines a movement speed, a movement direction, and a lightning rate of the cells of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device compares the determined lightning rate to a threshold lightning rate, where the threshold rate is set based upon atmospheric conditions in a location of the cells of lightning activity. The computing device determines one or more geographical areas at risk based on the location, the movement speed, and the movement direction of the cells of lightning activity, and issues an alert to remote devices when the lightning rate exceeds a value of the threshold lightning rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Earth Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher Dale Sloop, Benjamin E. Beroukhim, Chonglin Liu, Stan Heckman, Mark A. Hoekzema
  • Patent number: 9793911
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to shorten time required for detecting disconnection in an input terminal of an A/D conversion circuit. A semiconductor device includes a first input channel that couples a first input terminal and an A/D conversion unit to each other, a second input channel that couples a second input terminal and the A/D conversion unit to each other, and a control circuit unit that separates the second input channel from the second input terminal and the A/D conversion unit to charge or discharge the second input channel when a signal input into the first input terminal is sampled by the A/D conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaaki Usui, Shunsuke Nakano
  • Patent number: 9712992
    Abstract: A system in radio communication comprising a controller, a first device, and a second device is provided. The first device is associated with a first particular sector of a radio communication cell and the second device is associated with a second particular sector of the radio communication cell. The first device comprises a first sector indicating hardware and the second device comprises a second sector indicating hardware. The first and second sector indicating hardware each comprises a first visual sector information relating to the first particular sector such that the first visual sector information is visible to a human, and a first electronically readable sector information relating to the first particular sector. Each device comprises a first reading arrangement for reading the electronically readable sector information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Rune Johansson, Per Gustafsson, Jan-Erik Lundberg, Claudia Muñiz Garcia, Ulf Persson
  • Patent number: 9711031
    Abstract: Provided is a communication state display method, the method being used to check a communication state of a communication device that transmits/receives signals to/from a different apparatus by serial communication, the method including: stretching a pulse width of a signal transmitted/received between the communication device and the different apparatus by serial communication; and causing current to flow through an indicator in response to the signal having the stretched pulse width to light the indicator during the current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Kawamoto, Naoki Ishii
  • Patent number: 9567847
    Abstract: A method of recording and classifying data collected from an above ground marker for pipeline pig monitoring. Described herein is a method of extracting minimum data attributes from a real-time data sample and packaging same to achieve a significant volume reduction such that the information can be conveyed across communications channels with limited bandwidth. The reduced volume of information can then be utilized at a remote location to reconstruct a close approximation of the original signal with precise timing, and sufficient clarity to allow remote operators to identify pertinent information from the original data sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Hannes Wedemeyer
  • Patent number: 9562938
    Abstract: A system and method are proposed to protect critical infrastructure assets from an electromagnetic pulse event. Detonation of a nuclear warhead or geomagnetic storms created by solar corona ejecta or an attack by directed energy weapons can create an electromagnetic pulse event. Several embodiments are disclosed that use radio frequency (RF) sensors, electrostatic discharge sensors and geomagnetic sensors that feed sensor signals to an event characterization and detection unit that analyzes and predicts early occurrence of an electromagnetic pulse event. Critical sensor signals are recorded for future use and are used to refine autonomic algorithms used to predict future electromagnetic pulse events from the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Donald Cox
  • Patent number: 9523785
    Abstract: A method for determining geological subsurface resistivity. The method includes obtaining a set of lightning parameters associated with a lighting strike received by a geological volume of material, the set of lightning parameters including an indicium of the current of the lightning strike at a first initial time and an indicium of the current of the lightning strike at a first decay time subsequent to the first initial time, and inferring the resistance of the volume of geological material, at least in part, from the set of lightning parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Dynamic Measurement, LLC
    Inventors: L. R. Denham, H. Roice Nelson, Jr., D. James Siebert
  • Patent number: 9513341
    Abstract: A current detection apparatus for detecting a current from a battery flowing through a harness. The apparatus includes a resistor having first and second fixed portions secured and electrically connected to a battery-side wiring and the harness, respectively, a circuit board provided with a current detection circuit for detecting a current flowing through the resistor on the basis of a potential difference between two positions along a current carrying path between the first and second fixed portions of the resistor, and a casing for housing the resistor and the circuit board. The resistor includes a current carrying member that provides the current carrying path and a lead member electrically connecting the current carrying member and the circuit board. The first and second fixed portions, and the current carrying member are disposed on the top surface of the battery, and the circuit board is disposed on a side of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuya Oohata
  • Patent number: 9494632
    Abstract: A mechanism for providing monitoring of electric field detectors. In accordance with instructions on a machine-readable medium, a computing system receives from a device data corresponding to a user identifier. Further, the computing device identifies from a plurality of electric field detectors one or more electric field detectors associated with the user identifier and identifies status data for each of the identified one or more electric field detectors. The status data for each electric field detector in the plurality of electric field detectors comprises data indicative of at least (i) a location of the electric field detector and (ii) an alarm state of the electric field detector. Additionally, the computing system causes a display component of the device to display a graphical user interface that presents indicia of the status data for each of the identified one or more electric field detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: HD Electric Company
    Inventor: William J. McNulty
  • Patent number: 9488754
    Abstract: In the prior art electromagnetic measurement systems for meteorology are known with which Spherics signals are recorded and analyzed. To design a measurement system in such a way that the creation, development and transfer of discharge processes is relatively observable for comprehensive monitoring network, it is provided, that a subnetwork (SN) is underlain to a base net (BN), wherein in the cells of the subnetwork (SN) sensors (SSN) with the ratio of between 1:8 and 1:12, preferably 1:10, smaller distance are distributed, wherein sensors (SBN) located in the basic network (BN), which are in standby-mode and which if receiving Spherics-burst signals in an adjustable time period are self-activating and make a preprocessing for the extraction of event patterns, and wherein a central station (Z) turns on said sensors (SSN) of the subnetwork (SN) for a finer resolution with respect to the observation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Michael J. Pabst
  • Patent number: 9383390
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an AC or DC power transmission system. The system comprises a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor and an insulating space there between. The system further comprises an electric field measurement device comprising the following components being mounted in optical continuation: a first optical fiber being connected to a light source, a first optical lens, a circular polarization filter, a crystal rod having electro-optical properties, a linear polarization filter, a second optical lens, and a second optical fiber being connected to a light detection unit. The electric field measurement device is located adjacent the first electrical conductor and defines a first minimum distance between the crystal rod and the first electrical conductor and a second minimum distance between the crystal rod and the second electrical conductor. The second minimum distance is at least 10 times larger than the first minimum distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: POWERSENSE A/S
    Inventor: Per Jespersen
  • Patent number: 9349892
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a solar cell panel which includes multiple solar cells, a bus bar being disposed at a side of the solar cell panel, an external interconnection cable including a bypass diode, and connected to the bus bar, and a case including an inner space for accommodating the solar cell panel and the external interconnection cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chi Hong Park
  • Patent number: 9329211
    Abstract: A system and method of measuring real-time current is disclosed. The method includes calibrating a voltage measurement device. Calibrating includes measuring a real-time voltage difference between a first measurement node located proximate a first connector on a motherboard and a second measurement node located proximate a second connector on a power supply unit (PSU), the first and the second connectors coupled to provide power to the motherboard. Calibrating further includes averaging the real-time voltage difference for a plurality of measurements; computing a resistance of the coupling based at least on a long-duration averaged current from the PSU and the averaged real-time voltage difference, the resistance varying over time; and reporting the resistance of the coupling to the voltage measurement device. The method also includes measuring a real-time current of the PSU at the voltage measurement device based at least on the resistance of the coupling and the real-time voltage difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shiguo Luo, Ralph H. Johnson, III, James L. Petivan, III, Hang Li
  • Patent number: 9284064
    Abstract: A lining/fairing panel, in particular a lining/fairing panel for an airborne vehicle such as an aircraft or a spacecraft is provided. The lining/fairing panel includes a panel body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, an electrically conductive coating applied to the first surface or the second surface, and a via arranged in the panel body reaching from the first surface to the second surface of the panel body. The via is formed in an inner region of the panel body. The borders of the inner region are spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the borders of the first and second surface of the panel body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Grossmann, Michael Kaste
  • Patent number: 9214935
    Abstract: An I/O circuit for use with an industrial controller provides a photovoltaic optical isolator communicating between a controller and a field-side of the I/O circuit, the photovoltaic optical isolator eliminating the need for high wattage power dropping circuits for powering the field-side of the I/O circuit from high-voltage field signals. The field effect transistor type transistors permit use of the low-power photovoltaic optical isolator while allowing flexible connections to various field circuit types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John O'Connell, Dale Terdan, David A. Pasela, Charmaine J. Van Minnen, Bret S. Hildebran
  • Patent number: 9170280
    Abstract: A non-contact electrical power line voltage measurement device comprises a probe including an insulated shield supporting an electrode to sense electrostatically induced voltage from the power line. The shield houses a high voltage resistor connected in series with the electrode. A meter comprises a housing operatively associated with the shield and enclosing a measurement circuit electrically connected to the high voltage resistor for measuring induced electrode voltage. A calibration circuit correlates measured electrode voltage to power line voltage. A display is driven by the measurement circuit for displaying actual power line voltage responsive to the electrode being a select distance from the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Vasu Mogaveera
  • Patent number: 9143151
    Abstract: Provided is a pulse generator. The pulse generator includes: a pulse generation unit receiving an analog signal and generating a first pulse signal in response to a comparison result of a voltage level applied to a first node and a reference voltage according to the received analog signal; a pulse amplification unit generating a second pulse signal having a wider pulse width than the first pulse signal according to a comparison result of a voltage level applied to a second node and a ground voltage, in response to the first pulse signal; and a gate logic outputting a final pulse signal as a signal for digital conversion by performing a logic operation on the first and second pulse signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Ji Man Park
  • Patent number: 9122472
    Abstract: A system and method of measuring real-time current is disclosed. The method includes calibrating a voltage measurement device. Calibrating includes measuring a real-time voltage difference between a first measurement node located proximate a first connector on a motherboard and a second measurement node located proximate a second connector on a power supply unit (PSU), the first and the second connectors coupled to provide power to the motherboard. Calibrating further includes averaging the real-time voltage difference for a plurality of measurements; computing a resistance of the coupling based at least on a long-duration averaged current from the PSU and the averaged real-time voltage difference, the resistance varying over time; and reporting the resistance of the coupling to the voltage measurement device. The method also includes measuring a real-time current of the PSU at the voltage measurement device based at least on the resistance of the coupling and the real-time voltage difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shiguo Luo, Ralph H. Johnson, III, James L. Petivan, III, Hang Li
  • Patent number: 9110120
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting stray voltage anomalies in electric fields are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for detecting an electrical field may comprise: at least one sensor probe for generating data corresponding to an electrical field detected by the at least one sensor probe, wherein the at least one sensor probe comprises at least one electrode; a processor, coupled to the at least one sensor probe, for analyzing the data to identify a voltage anomaly in the electric field; and an indicator, coupled to the processor, for alerting a user to a presence of the voltage anomaly in the electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Power Survey LLC
    Inventors: David Kalokitis, Leonard Joshua Schultz, Christos Alkiviadis Polyzois, Vincent Paragano
  • Patent number: 9034667
    Abstract: A method for detecting an endpoint during removal of material from an electronic device includes while removing material from an electronic device-under-test (DUT) using a tip driven by a spindle, applying an input signal to the DUT via the tip and using an output signal received from one of the DUT and a mounting plate to which the DUT is attached to determine an endpoint for removal of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: James Barry Colvin
  • Patent number: 9013170
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a lightning current detection sensor that has a configuration resistant to high voltage and high current in a lightning strike and has high sensitivity and high resolution. In a lightning current detection sensor 10, an insulation-coated wire 22 wound in multiple turns is collectively covered with a base tape 21 and a cover tape 23. Thus, even when the insulation-coated wire 22 is wound in multiple turns to increase sensitivity, a minute area can be detected to increase resolution. Also, with the base tape 21 and the cover tape 23 covering the insulation-coated wire 22 and also a shield portion 12 made of an insulating material and a gap 40 formed between the shield portion 12 and the coil portion 20, a sufficient shielding property is ensured and detection with high accuracy can be performed against high current and high voltage without capacitative coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Kengou Yamaguchi, Tatsufumi Aoi, Takashi Okai
  • Patent number: 8990034
    Abstract: A health monitoring system for a fuel cell stack using current fuel cell architecture to enable the electronic control unit (ECU) to continue to monitor the health of the fuel cell stack despite a component failure. The system uses an embedded measurement module (EMM) connected to a group of fuel cells in the fuel cell stack to monitor the health of that group of fuel cells. The EMM produces a pulse width modulation signal that is sent to the ECU. A total voltage value for the group of fuel cells is embedded into the calibration signal or end of frame sequence. The ECU uses an algorithm to determine a missing voltage of at least one fuel cell in the event of the component failure of that fuel cell by adding up the cumulative value for each fuel cell reporting their voltage and subtracting that value from the total voltage value found in the end of frame sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, David J. Reed, Kenneth L. Kaye
  • Patent number: 8970239
    Abstract: An audit device according to one embodiment includes a substrate; at least one test element coupled to the substrate; a connector adapted for coupling the at least one test element to leads of a cable; and a probe for detecting at least one of: voltage across and current through the at least one test element. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Myron H. Gentrup, Icko E. T. Iben, John T. Kinnear, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8963553
    Abstract: A charge detection device includes a dielectric member, a base plate coupled to the dielectric member, and a processing unit coupled to the plate. The dielectric member is representative of at least one material on a location of a vessel and the dielectric member induces an electrostatic potential energy when charged. The plate channels the induced energy through at least a portion of the device. The plate further receives at least one signal that is representative of an electrostatic discharge from a different location of the vessel. The processing unit generates at least one first output of a measurement for the induced energy. The processing unit further generates at least one second output of the presence of the electrostatic discharge to facilitate a correlation between the first and second outputs such that a user is enabled to determine the presence of at least one hazardous charging condition on the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Crain, Jr., Wayne E. Kooker, Dan J. Mabry, Susan Crain, James L. Roeder, Joseph F. Fennell, Joseph E. Mazur
  • Patent number: 8957663
    Abstract: A container for measuring cellular electric potential after being mounted on an electric potential measuring device is provided comprising a container and an electrode substrate, the electrode substrate being attached to a lower end of the container so as to form a plurality of wells, wherein the container comprises a plurality of cylindrical portions whose upper and lower ends are open, the electrode substrate comprises a substrate and a plurality of measurement electrodes and a plurality of reference electrodes disposed on one surface of the substrate, the measurement electrodes and the reference electrodes at least comprise metal-plated copper wiring, a pair of a measurement electrode and a reference electrode are disposed on a bottom of each well, and the measurement electrodes and the reference electrodes are formed by a pre-plating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nipro Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Morimoto, Yui Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 8957664
    Abstract: A device and a method for detecting a crowbar circuit in a wind turbine are provided, wherein the wind turbine comprises a converter electrically connected to the crowbar circuit, and the method comprises: electrically coupling a detection module to the crowbar circuit; inputting a first control signal into the crowbar circuit, to turn on the crowbar circuit; providing a three-phase voltage signal to the crowbar circuit via the converter, wherein voltage signals in any two adjacent phases has a predetermined phase angle difference; reading the first detection signal outputted by the detection module, to determine whether the crowbar circuit is normally thrown into the wind turbine; inputting a second control signal to the crowbar circuit, to turn off the crowbar circuit; and reading again the second detection signal outputted by the detection module, to determine whether the crowbar circuit is normally cut out from the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liang Cao, Li Cai, Yan-Song Lu
  • Publication number: 20150028847
    Abstract: A method of identifying a component by a response to a challenge is disclosed, the component comprising an array of bipolar transistors connectable in parallel so as to have a common collector contact, a common emitter contact and a common base contact, the challenge comprising a value representative of a total collector current value, the method comprising: receiving the challenge; supplying the total collector current to the common collector contact; detecting instability in each of a group of the transistors; and determining the response in dependence on the group. A circuit configured to operate such a method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Tony Vanhoucke, Viet Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8924073
    Abstract: A Portable Maintenance Aid (PMA) having multiple applications for the electrical testing and data acquisition for various air/ground vehicle platforms is disclosed. The PMA includes an interface adapter that has a number of electrical testing interfaces and data collection ports in addition to a stray voltage detector. The portable testing aid also includes a user interface that transmits data to the interface adapter and a display that communicates the testing and maintenance information to the user. The portable testing aid also includes a communication system for transferring information between the user interface, the display, and the interface adapter. The PMA provides a preload tester/stray voltage tester that is sustainable, less replaceable and has capability of filling the test voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Marino, Dennis D. Duke, Roy A. Stott, Paul L. Tran, Danny C. Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20140375299
    Abstract: A direct (DC) voltage is applied to an electrode at a voltage value to clamp a workpiece to an electrostatic chuck in a processing chamber. The electrode is embedded into the electrostatic chuck. An electrostatic chuck current through the electrode at the DC voltage is measured. A DC self bias induced on the workpiece by a plasma is determined based on the electrostatic chuck current and the applied voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Sergey G. Belostotskiy, Chinh Dinh, Andrew Nguyen, Michael G. Chafin
  • Publication number: 20140375342
    Abstract: A sensing circuit for a power PET. A first sensing FET senses current flow from load to ground. A second sensing FET senses current flow from ground to load. The current flows are converted to voltages, then added to generate a sensed output voltage. The specific amplitude of the sensed output voltage indicates the direction of the current flow. Resistive elements used to convert currents to voltages are configured as pairs of resistors having temperature coefficients of opposite polarity in order to compensate for temperature effects in the sensing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yew Tat Chuah, Zhao Tang, Wei Lu
  • Patent number: 8912784
    Abstract: A conductive member evaluator includes a first electrode which has contact with an outer circumferential face of a conductive member, a second electrode which is connected to the shaft center of the conductive member, a voltage applier configured to apply evaluation voltage including at least an AD component between the first electrode and the second electrode, a current value measuring device configured to measure a current value flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode when the evaluation voltage is applied, an extreme value obtaining device configured to obtain at least one extreme value of a maximum value and a minimum value in one cycle of the AD component included in the current value from the current value measured by the current value measuring device; and an evaluation device configured to evaluate the conductive member based on the extreme value obtained by the extreme value obtaining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadayuki Ohshima
  • Patent number: 8912787
    Abstract: A high voltage detection device comprises a probe comprising an electrode for sensing a high voltage electrical line. The electrode is connected in series with a resistor. A meter comprises a housing enclosing a control for measuring parameters of line voltage. The control comprises an input module for connection to the probe to develop a voltage signal. A signal processing module receives the voltage signal and determines parameters of line voltage and drives an audio module. The audio module provides an audio output representing the determined parameters of line voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Adishesha Cs, Edukondalu Yarlagadda, Michael D. Berg
  • Patent number: 8905058
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and preventing electrically induced fires in a gas tubing systems constructed of Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) and Gas Appliance Connectors (GAC). The system of the present invention may include one or more energy detection schemes to detect electrical energy surges on the gas line. When such a surge is detected, the control circuitry of the present invention causes an electric main gas valve de-energize into a closed position. In addition, the system of the present invention further includes a residual gas dispersal system that automatically vents the residual downstream gas pressure remaining in the gas tubing system after the closure of the main gas valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Goodson Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Mark E. Goodson
  • Publication number: 20140346898
    Abstract: Disclosed is a junction box which includes voltage and current sensors that are connected to both ends of bypass diodes provided within the junction box to sense currents and voltages of the solar cell module; a MPPT controller that tracks a maximum power point from current and voltage values sensed from the voltage and current sensors; and a voltage controller that includes a switch for controlling an operation of the solar cell module, and controls a voltage corresponding to the tracked maximum power point to be output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Yun Heui Han, Yong Soo Yoon
  • Patent number: 8890704
    Abstract: A transient electrical energy strike detector is disclosed. The detector may be integral with the circuitry of a fire alarm panel of a fire alarm system and may identify and record transient electrical energy strikes sustained by the electrical protection circuitry of the system. Particularly, voltage fluctuations in the fire alarm panel circuitry that are outside of a predefined operating voltage range may be identified by the pulse detector as representing transient electrical energy strikes. The pulse detector may increment a counter upon the occurrence of each identified transient energy strike, and may maintain a comprehensive record of such strikes in a memory unit, including a magnitude, duration, time, and date of each strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Mark P. Barrieau, Daniel Cianfrocco
  • Patent number: 8884605
    Abstract: A detecting circuit for detecting a feedback voltage of a pixel circuit includes a converting unit, a control chip and a display unit. The converting unit electrically connected to the pixel circuit performs an analog-to-digital operation to convert the feedback voltage into a digital signal. The control chip electrically connected to the converting unit controls the converting unit to perform the analog-to-digital operation and processes the digital signal to generate a display information. The display unit electrically connected to the control chip displays a voltage value of the feedback voltage according to the display information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Ta Chien
  • Publication number: 20140320108
    Abstract: This invention provide a testing device and method for a quantum battery by a semiconductor probe, whereby the electrical characteristics of the charging layer can be evaluated during the quantum battery manufacturing process. The testing device equipped with a semiconductor probe constituted by a conductive electrode and a metal oxide semiconductor layer including a metal oxide semiconductor which are laminated on a support, a source voltage for applying voltage across an electrode equipped to the semiconductor probe and a basic electrode laminated on a secondary battery charging layer, and an ammeter for measuring the current flowing between the electrode equipped on the semiconductor probe and the basic electrode of the secondary battery on which charging layer is laminated, and measures the current-voltage characteristics of the charging layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicants: GUALA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA NIHON MICRONICS
    Inventors: Harutada Dewa, Kiyoyasu Hiwada, Akira Nakazawa, Nobuaki Terakado
  • Patent number: 8866492
    Abstract: An actuator is manufactured that includes piezoelectric film that does not suffer physical damage. Provided is a manufacturing method comprising first insulating layer deposition of depositing a first insulating layer on a substrate using an insulating material; first annealing of annealing the first insulating layer; first electrode layer deposition of depositing a first electrode layer on the first insulating layer using a conductive material; first piezoelectric film deposition of depositing a first piezoelectric film on the first electrode layer by applying a sol-gel material on the first electrode layer and annealing the sol-gel material; second electrode layer deposition of depositing a second electrode layer on the first piezoelectric film using a conductive material; second insulating layer deposition of depositing a second insulating layer on the second electrode layer using an insulating material; and second annealing of annealing the second insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Hori, Yoshikazu Abe, Yoshihiro Sato
  • Patent number: 8860402
    Abstract: Detectors and other apparatus for determining the presence of electromagnetic events are disclosed. One such system includes an electromagnetically shielded enclosure and a detector configured to detect an electromagnetic field event occurring in the proximity of the enclosure. The detector includes an antenna and a circuit electrically connected to the antenna. The circuit includes electronics communicatively connected to the antenna via a direct current isolation circuit, and an equalizer compensating for the differentiating frequency response of the antenna. The circuit also includes a logarithmic amplifier electrically connected to the equalizer and configured to generate a range of signals based on signals received at the antenna, and a peak detector receiving signals from the logarithmic amplifier and configured to capture a peak value of the signals. An electromagnetic field event is detected at least in part based on the peak signal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Emprimus, LLC
    Inventors: David Blake Jackson, Greg Fuchs, Frederick R. Faxvog, Terrence R. Noe
  • Patent number: 8862435
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) has enhanced power quality and communications capabilities. The power meter can perform energy analysis by waveform capture, detect transient on the front end voltage input channels and provide revenue measurements. The power meter splits and distributes the front end input channels into separate circuits for scaling and processing by dedicated processors for specific applications by the power meter. Front end voltage input channels are split and distributed into separate circuits for transient detection, waveform capture analysis and revenue measurement, respectively. Front end current channels are split and distributed into separate circuits for waveform capture analysis and revenue measurement, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Electric Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventors: Joseph Spanier, Erran Kagan, Wei Wang