Measuring, Testing, Or Sensing Electricity, Per Se Patents (Class 324/76.11)
  • Patent number: 11906552
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a voltage measuring method, a computer device and a storage medium. The method includes: determining, by a voltage measuring device when the voltage measuring device is electrically coupled to a three-phase conductor through a voltage dividing capacitor in the voltage measuring device, a current measured voltage, the measured voltage being determined by measuring a voltage of the voltage dividing capacitor in the voltage measuring device; adjusting the coupling capacitances, and determining, by the voltage measuring device after the adjustment of the coupling capacitances, a current measured voltage; and determining, based on the measured voltage by the voltage measuring device before the adjustment of the coupling capacitances and the measured voltage by the voltage measuring device after the adjustment of the coupling capacitances, a voltage of a phase conductor of the three-phase conductor to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DIGITAL GRID RES. INST, CHINA SOUTHERN POWER GRID
    Inventors: Peng Li, Bing Tian, Zhong Liu, Bofeng Luo, Zhiming Wang, Licheng Li, Xiaopeng Fan, Senjing Yao, Qiancheng Lv, Zhenheng Xu, Renze Chen, Yuehuan Lin, Xu Yin, Jiaming Zhang, Jie Wei, Zejie Tan
  • Patent number: 11852546
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for additively manufacturing (e.g., by “printing” or the like) a bend sensor as a 2D structure that can then be configured into a 3D or stacked structure. Further disclosed embodiments include bend sensors with foldable sensing regions configurable into a 3D or stacked structure. A differential strain in a sensing region is linearly proportional to the displacement as measured from the endpoints of the sensing region. The differential strain is measurable as a differential change in the capacitance of the sensing regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Nitto Bend Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Colton A. Ottley, Jared K. Jonas, Colin D. Eichinger, Nathan Grimes, Nathan C. Briggs
  • Patent number: 11821921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a voltage sensor with a high-voltage terminal 5, a signal connection and a ground terminal (7), wherein the voltage sensor (1) comprises a core region (2) with an electrical resistor (3) arranged therein and a capacitor arrangement arranged therein, wherein the capacitor arrangement has a first electrode (4), which is connected to the high-voltage terminal (5), a second electrode (6), which is connected to the signal connection, wherein the first electrode (4) and the second electrode (6) are electrically conductively connected via the electrical resistor (3), and wherein the capacitor arrangement has a third electrode (8), which is connected to the ground terminal (7), wherein the first electrode (4), the second electrode (6) and the third electrode (8) each comprise a plurality of electrically conductive, substantially finger-shaped or rod-shaped modulating elements (9, 9?, 9?) which preferably extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (13) of the voltage sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Norbert Juschicz, Willibald Bacher
  • Patent number: 11708816
    Abstract: A condition monitoring device for a wind turbine power generating apparatus provided with an auxiliary motor power supply system including a power-supply-side line connected to a power supply and a plurality of auxiliary-motor-side lines diverging from the power-supply-side line and connected to a plurality of auxiliary motors, respectively, comprises: a current measurement device for measuring a current flowing through the power-supply-side line; and a control device for controlling the plurality of auxiliary motors. The control device is configured to, when a generator of the wind turbine power generating apparatus is in a standby state where power generation is stopped at a low wind speed, execute a single sequential operation mode in which each of the plurality of auxiliary motors is singly and sequentially operated. The current measurement device is configured to measure a current flowing through the power-supply-side line during execution of the single sequential operation mode by the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuya Baba, Yasushi Morishita, Minoru Sugiura, Kazuhiro Tsuyuki, Hideru Sakata
  • Patent number: 11693034
    Abstract: An optical fiber winding for measuring current circulating through a conductor. The optical fiber winding includes a first helically wound optical fiber cable and a second helically wound optical fiber cable. The first helically wound optical fiber cable is twisted about its longitudinal axis in a first twist direction, and the second helically wound optical fiber cable is twisted about its longitudinal axis in a second twist direction, the first twist direction being opposite the second twist direction. Each of the first and second helically wound optical fiber cables making contact with one another at multiple locations along their length. Due to the first and second helically wound optical fiber cables making contact with one another and being twisted in opposite directions, counteracting forces exist where the first and second helically wound optical fiber cables contact one another to resist an untwisting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: LUMIKER APLICACIONES TECNOLOGICAS S.L.
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Bengoechea De La Llera, David Bengoechea Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11674982
    Abstract: A voltage detection unit includes a voltage detection terminal, a housing including a terminal accommodating concave and a cover to be attached to the housing and to cover the voltage detection terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating concave. The cover includes an extension piece extending in a first direction. The housing includes an accommodating hole to accommodate the extension piece, and a guide portion including an inclined surface and a guide surface. The inclined surface has a first end in the first direction and a second end and is inclined with respect to the first direction such that the first end is provided closer to the accommodating hole than the second end in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and being parallel to the housing. The guide surface is continuous with the inclined surface and an inner wall surface of the accommodating hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignees: YAZAKI CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Satoshi Morioka, Motoyoshi Okumura, Hiromi Ueda, Naoto Morisaku, Yutaro Okazaki, Shinichi Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 11662390
    Abstract: A voltage detection unit includes a voltage detection terminal configured to be conductively connected to a detection target, an electric wire conductively connected to the voltage detection terminal and a housing having a plate shape and including a terminal accommodating concave configured to accommodate the voltage detection terminal, an electric wire accommodating concave defined by a first groove side wall, a second groove side wall and a groove bottom surface, and configured to accommodate the electric wire and to guide the electric wire out of the housing and an electric wire restricting portion configured to hold the electric wire between the electric wire restricting portion and the groove bottom surface and to prevent the electric wire from being displaced out of the electric wire accommodating concave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: YAZAKI CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Satoshi Morioka, Motoyoshi Okumura, Hiromi Ueda, Naoto Morisaku, Yutaro Okazaki, Shinichi Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 11650257
    Abstract: A voltage detection unit includes a voltage detection terminal, an electric wire, a housing including a terminal accommodating concave and an electric wire accommodating concave, and a cover. The cover includes an extension piece extending in a first direction in which the cover is attached to the housing. The housing includes an accommodating hole to accommodate the extension piece. The electric wire accommodating concave includes an inclined surface and a guide surface. The inclined surface is inclined with respect to the first direction such that a first thereof end is provided closer to the accommodating hole than a second end thereof in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and being parallel to the housing. The guide surface is continuous with the inclined surface and continuous with an inner wall surface of the accommodating hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: YAZAKI CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Satoshi Morioka, Motoyoshi Okumura, Hiromi Ueda, Naoto Morisaku, Yutaro Okazaki, Hideki Inoue
  • Patent number: 11644484
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a connecting bar extending along a longitudinal axis and a tubular body extending along the longitudinal axis and at least partially surrounding the connecting bar such that the tubular body is radially spaced from the connecting bar. The tubular body includes a support member made of insulating material. The tubular body also includes a first section with an electric field sensor comprising a first layer of electrically conductive material on an inner surface of the support member to detect an electric field produced by the connecting bar. The first section also includes a first electric screen comprising a second layer of electrically conductive material on an outer surface of the support member to shield the electric field sensor from outside electrical interference. A second section disposed adjacent the first section includes a second electric screen. A dielectric material at least partially encloses the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: G & W Electric Company
    Inventor: Alberto Bauer
  • Patent number: 11614378
    Abstract: A system and method for direct and/or active detection and monitoring of civil engineering or other infrastructural structures, and in a preferred embodiment, for hydrocarbon leakage in oil and gas pipelines, storage structures, and/or transportation structures. Particularly, the system and method relate to various nanocomposite sensor coating and data gathering systems. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a single measurement sensor coating (thin film) sensor. Other embodiments relate to multiple measurement sensor coating systems. The sensor is comprised of either a discrete conductive filament layer, or a single or multiple mesh of interwoven filaments of conductive material in one direction and nonconductive material in a perpendicular direction, as a substrate coated with sensitive coating materials to form a sensor grid. Various embodiments of the sensor coating and their applications are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: DIRECT-C LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Park, Stephen James Edmondson, Adrian Banica, Kaushik Parmar, Xiaomeng Wei
  • Patent number: 11609252
    Abstract: An electric energy meter for a poly-phase electricity network includes a power transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, a first analog front end (AFE) unit is coupled to the secondary side of the power transformer, and a microcontroller coupled to the primary side of the power transformer. The first AFE unit is to be coupled to a first phase of the poly-phase electricity network. The microcontroller is configured to transmit a digitized request signal to, and to receive a measurement signal from, the first AFE unit via the power transformer. More specifically, the first AFE unit, upon receiving the digitized request signal, is to extract information from the digitized request signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rujun Ji, Cong Deng
  • Patent number: 11592005
    Abstract: An electrical power generating assembly (20) for a wind turbine (1). The electrical power generating assembly comprises a gearbox (22) comprising a gearbox output shaft, a generator (24) comprising a rotor (32) that is coupled to the gearbox output shaft; and a current measuring module (40) located between the gearbox (22) and the generator (24). The current measuring module (40) comprises: an electrical pickup (42) mounted to the electrical power generating assembly (20), wherein the electrical pickup (42) includes an electrical contact (44) that engages with a slip ring (48) associated with the rotor (32). The current measuring module further comprises: a first current measuring device (50) mounted with respect to the electrical pickup (42) to detect current flowing at least through the electrical pickup; and a second current measuring device (52) mounted with respect to the electrical pickup (42) to detect current flowing through at least a component associated with the gearbox output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Peter Mongeau, Nicolaj Olesen, Lars Brink Christensen, Marek Swies
  • Patent number: 11588392
    Abstract: A switch-mode power supply and a zero current detector for use therein. A zero current detector includes an input stage and an output stage. The output stage is coupled to the input stage. The output stage includes a detector output terminal, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The first transistor includes an input terminal and a control terminal. The input terminal is coupled to the detector output terminal. The control terminal is coupled to the input stage. The second transistor includes an input terminal, a control terminal, and an output terminal. The input terminal is coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor. The control terminal is coupled to the input terminal of the second transistor. The output terminal is coupled to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Srinivas Venkata Veeramreddi, Subhash Sahni
  • Patent number: 11562933
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes a buried semiconductor layer and semiconductor wells. A device for detecting a possible thinning of the semiconductor substrate via the rear face thereof is formed on and in the semiconductor wells. The device is a non-inverting buffer including an input terminal and an output terminal, the device being powered between a supply terminal and a reference terminal where the buried semiconductor layer provides the supply terminal. A control circuit delivers an input signal in a first state to the input terminal and outputs a control signal indicating a detection of a thinning of the substrate if a signal generated at the output terminal in response to the input signal is in a second state different from the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Alexandre Sarafianos, Abderrezak Marzaki
  • Patent number: 11536767
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-test circuitry for a system that includes one or more current control subsystems, each current control subsystem having a load terminal for coupling the current control subsystem to a load. The self-test circuitry comprises: a signal path associated with each current control subsystem, each signal path configured to selectively couple a measurement node to the load terminal of the current control subsystem, wherein the measurement node is common to all of the signal paths; voltage detection circuitry; and test voltage source circuitry configured to provide a test voltage to the measurement node. The voltage detection circuitry is operable to output a signal indicative of a fault condition if a voltage detected at the measurement node differs from the test voltage when the measurement node is coupled to the load terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: James Wells, Saurabh Singh, Huy Binh Le, Gavin Wilson, Niall McGurnaghan, Simon R. Foster, Mark McCloy-Stevens
  • Patent number: 11519942
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber winding for measuring the current circulating through a conductor. According to one embodiment the optical fiber winding includes a central support core extending in a longitudinal direction, a first optical fiber cable arranged around the central support core, a second optical fiber cable arranged around the central support core, the first and second optical fiber cables extend in a helical manner around the central support core. According to one embodiment the first optical fiber cable is twisted about its longitudinal axis in a first twist direction, and the second optical fiber cable is twisted about its longitudinal axis in a second twist direction, the first twist direction being opposite the second twist direction. Optical fiber-based current measuring equipment is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: LUMIKER APLICACIONES TECNOLOGICAS S.L.
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Bengoechea De La Llera, David Bengoechea Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11486905
    Abstract: An integrator for use with a current sensor provides a feedback loop reducing drift while maintaining wide bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Charles Nelatury
  • Patent number: 11428710
    Abstract: An electric meter includes: a plurality of connectors configured to form electrical connections to corresponding plurality of receptacles in an electric meter socket, wherein at least one electrical connection to the plurality of receptacles is formed with a neutral wire; and a plurality of measurement devices configured to measure electrical characteristics of voltage and current waveforms provided to the electric meter from an electric distribution system and a distributed energy resource (DER) device via the plurality of connectors. The neutral wire provides an electrical reference point for measurement of the voltage waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: LANDIS+GYR INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Matt Karlgaard
  • Patent number: 11415598
    Abstract: An electric meter socket includes: a first plurality of connection points within the electric meter socket configured to form electrical connections to line voltage wirings of an electric distribution system; a second plurality of connection points within the electric meter socket configured to form electrical connections to output voltage wirings of a DER device; one or more connection points within the electric meter socket configured to form an electrical connection of neutral wires of the electric distribution system, the DER device, and a load; and a plurality of receptacles, each of the plurality of receptacles electrically connected to a corresponding connection point and configured to accept a mating connector of an electric meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: LANDIS+GYR INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Matt Karlgaard
  • Patent number: 11402409
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a current difference between at least two primary current paths in a current sensor integrated circuit package. Each primary current path generated a magnetic field which may then be measured by at least one magnetic field sensing element positioned on an integrated circuit die. An output disconnect signal may be provided from the current sensor integrated circuit package when a current difference above a predetermined threshold exists in the two or more current traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Maxwell McNally, Kevin Buckley, Alexander Latham
  • Patent number: 11360130
    Abstract: A system for measuring electrical network parameters may include a voltage sensing node of an electrical network with a first clock and a current sensing node of the electrical network with a second clock. At least one of the voltage sensing node and the current sensing node synchronizes the first clock with the second clock. The voltage sensing node samples a voltage signal from a voltage transducer and the current sensing node samples a plurality of current signals from respective current transducers. The voltage sensing node resamples the sampled voltage signal to determine corresponding resampled voltage signals, and the current sensing node resamples each of the sampled current signals to determine corresponding resampled current signals. The voltage sensing node communicates (1) corresponding re-sampled voltage signals and (2) a voltage time stamp based on the synchronized first clock associated with the sampled voltage signal to the current sensing node through a communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Parker, Piotr Przydatek, Eric Moon
  • Patent number: 11327096
    Abstract: A voltage divider assembly for a voltage-dividing sensor for sensing a voltage of a MV/HV power conductor in a power network includes a plurality of discrete impedance elements electrically connected in series with each other such as to be operable as a high-voltage cable side of the voltage-dividing sensor and a cable connector for mechanical engagement with a cable plug at an end of a tap cable conducting the voltage of the power conductor to the voltage divider assembly. The cable connector is electrically connected with one discrete impedance element of the plurality of discrete impedance elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hermanus Franciscus Maria van Meijl, Michael H. Stalder
  • Patent number: 11309333
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first power line to which a first voltage is continuously applied, a second power line, a power switch cell connected to the first power line and configured to output a second voltage to the second power line according to a first signal, a logic circuit driven by the second voltage applied via the second power line, a first circuit driven by the second voltage applied via the second power line and configured to output a third voltage to logic circuit according to a second signal which is an inverted signal of the first signal, and a second circuit driven by the second voltage applied via the second power line and configured to output a fourth voltage to logic circuit according to a third signal which is an inverted signal of the second signal, the fourth voltage being lower than the third voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Muneaki Maeno
  • Patent number: 11290070
    Abstract: A system may include a Class-D stage comprising a first high-side switch coupled between a supply voltage and a first output terminal of the Class-D stage, a second high-side switch coupled between the supply voltage and a second output terminal of the Class-D stage, a first low-side switch coupled between a ground voltage and the first output terminal, and a second low-side switch coupled between the ground voltage and the second output terminal. The system may also include current sensing circuitry comprising a sense resistor, such that an output current through a load coupled between the first output terminal and the second output terminal causes a first sense voltage proportional to the output current across the sense resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramin Zanbaghi, Cory J. Peterson, Eric Kimball
  • Patent number: 11268986
    Abstract: Provided is a current measuring device for measuring current, including a conductor (1) adapted to pass current therethrough, and a circuit board (31) with a wire, the wire being adapted to extract a voltage signal from the conductor, in which the circuit board is disposed upright with respect to the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: KOA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tamotsu Endo
  • Patent number: 11255886
    Abstract: A current measurement apparatus comprises: a capacitor connected in parallel to a signal terminal of a device under test (DUT); a test pattern generation apparatus generating a test pattern to operate the DUT; and a measurement module connected to one end of the capacitor. The measurement module comprises: an input/output (I/O) buffer increasing or reducing an amount of charges of the capacitor and outputting a signal corresponding to an output logic value according to a voltage of the one end of the capacitor; a time measurer measuring an arrival time which it takes for the voltage of the one end of the capacitor to reach a second voltage from a first voltage; and a controller controlling the i/o buffer and the time measurer to measure the arrival time and controlling such that a value of a current related to an inspection of a DUT is measured using the arrival time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: PHOSPHIL INC.
    Inventor: Byung Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 11252829
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a casing, a main circuit board, a detachable component and a flexible circuit board. The main circuit board is disposed in the casing. The main circuit board includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores data. The detachable component is disposed in the casing. The flexible circuit board includes a first end portion, a second end portion, a middle portion and a first detection loop, wherein the first detection loop is disposed at the first end portion and the middle portion. The first end portion is electrically connected to the main circuit board and the second end portion is fixed on the detachable component. When the detachable component is detached from the casing, the middle portion breaks, such that the first detection loop is cut off. When the first detection loop is cut off, the processor erases the data stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventor: Hsueh-Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 11251703
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed that facilitate multiple modes of converter operation. An example apparatus includes a comparator configured to provide a first trigger signal to initiate a first pulse width modulated signal in a constant-on-time mode for a power converter, an oscillator configured to provide a second trigger signal to initiate a second pulse width modulated signal in a fixed frequency mode for the power converter, and a selector configured to receive a select signal, the selector configured to output the first trigger signal to a pulse width modulated signal generator to initiate the first pulse width modulated signal based on a first state of the select signal, and output the second trigger signal to the pulse width modulated signal generator to initiate the second pulse width modulated signal based on a second state of the select signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Lynch, Stefan Wlodzimierz Wiktor, Daniel Curtis Goldner
  • Patent number: 11156643
    Abstract: A current sensor including a measurement circuit and an electrical conductor having at least one first measurement path defined by a first pickup contact and a second pick-up contact at which a first voltage can be detected across the first measurement path, a first connection contact for electrically contacting a connection element, a second connection contact for electrically contacting a battery pole terminal, and a current feed contact for electrically contacting a device for providing a calibration current. The first measurement path is in series between the first connection contact and the second connection contact. A calibration current supplied at the current feed contact induces a current density distribution in the first measurement path, which converges with a current density distribution in the first measurement path, induced by a load current of equal current intensity supplied at the first connection contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Schramme, Ralf Schröppel, Andreas Aumer
  • Patent number: 11152341
    Abstract: In some examples, an integrated circuit includes a plurality of power modules formed on a substrate, including a first power module located between second and third power modules. The first power module is configured to conduct a load current, and includes a power transistor and first and second sense transistors. The first sense transistor is disposed at a first position between the second power module and a central axis of the first power module, and the second sense transistor is disposed at a second position between the third power module and the central axis. The first sense transistor is configured to conduct a first sense current; and the second sense transistor is configured to conduct a second sense current. The first and second sense transistors are configured to direct the first and second sense currents toward a measurement circuit that is configured to determine a derived sense current indicative of the load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kuntal Joardar, Min Chu, Vijay Krishnamurthy, Tikno Harjono
  • Patent number: 11150283
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a phase detection circuit includes a current signal input to receive a current signal indicative of a current amplitude of an RF signal and a voltage signal input to receive a voltage signal indicative of a voltage amplitude of the RF signal. A high-pass filter and a low-pass filter are each configured to filter one of (i) the current signal from the current signal input or (ii) the voltage signal from the voltage signal input, wherein the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter collectively cause a substantially 90 degree offset between a phase angle of the current signal and a phase angle of the voltage signal. A phase difference circuit receives the filtered current signal and the filtered voltage signal to determine a phase angle difference between the current signal and the voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Gilliam Ulrich
  • Patent number: 11067613
    Abstract: Configurable meter that can be configured according to a first configuration in which the meter is capable of being connected directly to a phase conductor (40), and according to a second configuration in which the meter is capable of being connected to the phase conductor (40) via a transformer (41), the meter including an upstream current port (2a, 2c, 2e) and a downstream current port (2b, 2d, 2f), a voltage port (3), a circuit breaker (7) that is closed by default, and an access opening through which a conductive element of an adaption module extends when the latter is mounted on the meter, such that, when the adaption module is mounted on the meter, the conductive element opens the circuit breaker while being connected to the voltage port, the meter then being in the second configuration, and when the adaption module (24) is not mounted on the meter, the meter is in the first configuration. Adaption module. System comprising a meter and an adaption module. Method for configuring a meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS
    Inventors: Henri Teboulle, Stéphane Hergault
  • Patent number: 11046579
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of providing a structure having two electrodes connected by nanowires, exposing the structure to an analyte that can adsorb onto the nanowires, and passing an electrical current through the nanowires to heat the nanowires to desorb the analyte. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus having the above structure; a current source electrically connected to the electrodes, and a detector to detect the analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Braden C. Giordano, Pehr E. Pehrsson, Kevin J. Johnson, Daniel Ratchford, Christopher Field, Junghoon Yeom
  • Patent number: 11043331
    Abstract: A power receiving coil and a measuring coil are in a power receiving device. The measuring coil is inductively coupled to the power receiving coil. Concentric turns of a wire in the measuring coil are around a common axis. Also around the common axis are concentric turns of a wire in the power receiving coil. At least one of the concentric turns of the wire in the measuring coil is closer to the common axis than each of the concentric turns of the wire in the power receiving coil. A power feeding device receives a control signal from the power receiving device. The control signal instructs the power feeding device to adjust a power level of an electromagnetic wave emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Arisawa, Yoichi Uramoto, Tamotsu Kiyakawauchi
  • Patent number: 11023114
    Abstract: An automated zooming of a signal waveform by a measurement device is provided. Vertical parameters of a zoom window for zooming a signal waveform are automatically determined. For this purpose, an acquired measurement signal is tracked and the parameters of the zoom window are set based on the tracking of the measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Sven Barthel
  • Patent number: 11005670
    Abstract: A power source equipment (PSE) controller exhibiting low standby levels for power over Ethernet (PoE) includes a micro-controller, a detection and classification circuitry coupled to the micro-controller to detect if a powered device (PD) is connected and determine power needed to operate the connected PD, a power control and monitor circuitry coupled to the micro-controller to power the connected PD and to monitor the power consumption of the PD. The detection and classification circuitry, the power control and monitor circuitry can be individually turned off by the micro-controller to minimize standby power, the micro-controller can be put into deep sleep if no PD is detected or can be come out of deep sleep if a PD is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: PHIHONG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhenya Gong, Richard Frosch
  • Patent number: 11002765
    Abstract: A non-contact electric potential meter system to determine voltage between an AC conductor and a reference potential without direct electrical contact to the conductor. A housing provides a shielded measurement region that excludes other conductors and holds power supply means; an AC voltage sensing mechanism includes a conductive sense plate and an electrical connection to the reference potential. Waveform-sensing electronic circuitry obtains an AC voltage waveform induced by capacitive coupling between the conductor and the conductive sense plate. Capacitance-determining electronic circuitry obtains a scaling factor based on the coupling capacitance formed between the conductor and the conductive sense plate. Signal processing electronic circuitry uses the AC voltage waveform and the coupling capacitance-based scaling factor to obtain the voltage between the conductor and the reference potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Vizi Metering, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Lorek, Aaron Block, Prabal Dutta
  • Patent number: 10915329
    Abstract: A memory device includes a non-volatile memory (NVM) and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to initialize and prepare the NVM for executing memory-access operations for a processor, and to ascertain that no memory-access operations are received from the processor before the NVM is ready, by preventing the processor from bootstrapping during at least part of initialization and preparation of the NVM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: WINBOND ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Itay Admon, Nir Tasher, Mark Luko
  • Patent number: 10911055
    Abstract: An oscillator assembly includes a scribe seal, an oscillator circuit, and a calibration circuit. The oscillator circuit includes an output. The calibration circuit is coupled to the oscillator circuit. The calibration circuit includes a reference frequency terminal, a conductor coupled to the reference frequency terminal, and an oscillator input terminal. The conductor extends to an edge of the oscillator circuit assembly and penetrates the scribe seal. The oscillator input terminal is coupled to the output of the oscillator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bichoy Bahr, Kaichien Tsai, Scott R. Summerfelt
  • Patent number: 10908571
    Abstract: A computer system provides real-time control of power dispatch for a power system. The power system includes power generators, renewable power generators, load, and storage devices interconnected by a power grid. The computer system obtains input data, and solves an online multi-period power dispatch problem formulated from the input data and incorporates AC power flow in the power grid. The computer system generates control signals according to a solution of the online multi-period power dispatch problem, and sends the control signals to controllers of the power generators and the storage devices. In every time period during operation of the power system, the computer system updates the solution, generates updated control signals according to the updated solution, and sends the updated control signals to the controllers to continuously operate the power system with minimized operational cost while fully utilizing renewable power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Bigwood Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Dong Chiang, Lin Zeng, Pei Bie, Buhan Zhang, Ning Zhou
  • Patent number: 10901016
    Abstract: An electric energy meter for a poly-phase electricity network includes a power transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, a first analog front end (AFE) unit is coupled to the secondary side of the power transformer, and a microcontroller coupled to the primary side of the power transformer. The first AFE unit is to be coupled to a first phase of the poly-phase electricity network. The microcontroller is configured to transmit a digitized request signal to, and to receive a measurement signal from, the first AFE unit via the power transformer. More specifically, the first AFE unit, upon receiving the digitized request signal, is to extract information from the digitized request signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rujun Ji, Cong Deng
  • Patent number: 10887208
    Abstract: A network monitoring device responds to network status data (whether “pushed” from the network device or “pulled” from the network device) to maintain a buffer of saved status data. The network status data is reordered, manipulated, and presented to users of the network monitoring device in order. The monitoring device can provide a status report of the network environment. When network status data is delayed too long, the monitoring device can discard the network status data, or reduce its weighted consideration. The monitoring device attempts to balance accuracy and latency by adjusting wait time for network status data. The monitoring device maintains a record of the amount of network status data it receives and processes from each network device and each network device's ability to provide accurate and complete information to operators and users in a distributed network monitoring environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Virtual Instruments Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Sanders, Rosanna Lee, Rangaswamy Jagannathan
  • Patent number: 10832232
    Abstract: Technologies for closed-looped testing of integrated circuit card payment terminals include loading a test profile onto an integrated circuit payment card. Authorization request and response messages are locally generated and translated to simulate acquirer processor processing and payment network processing. An outcome report indicative of the outcome of the test transaction is generated and transmitted to a remote certification server. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Worldpay, LLC
    Inventors: Patricia Lynn Walters, Steven Scott Cole
  • Patent number: 10825744
    Abstract: A method includes forming a transistor over a substrate; forming a conductive structure over the substrate, such that a first end of the conductive structure is electrically coupled to a gate of the transistor, and a second end of the conductive structure is electrically coupled to the substrate; applying biases to the gate of the transistor and source/drain structures of the transistor; determining whether the first end and the second end of the conductive structure are electrically connected; generating, based on the determination, a first result indicating that the first end and the second end of the conductive structure are electrically connected; and qualifying the conductive structure as an antenna in response to the first result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsang-Po Yang, Jui-Hsiu Jao, Chun-Shun Huang
  • Patent number: 10823771
    Abstract: A method includes a) counting whole periods of a signal during a first period of a reference signal, b) repeating step a) for each period of the reference signal until a first duration is equal to a first quantity of periods of the reference signal, and c) determining a first average of the whole periods. The method also includes repeating at least one of steps a) to c) and at each repetition shifting a start of the counting of step a) by at least one period of the reference signal, and in steps b) and c) accounting for whole periods of the signal already counted during the at least one preceding group of steps a) and b). The method includes determining a second average of the first averages, and determining the frequency of the signal from the second average and the frequency of the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS SA
    Inventors: Marc Houdebine, Sebastien Dedieu
  • Patent number: 10768262
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the control of an operation of a monitor module of an electrical measurement system, where the monitor module has a plurality of operating states, including a) monitor at least a first measurement sensor of the utility meter to determine a first monitor result comprising an estimate of a transfer function of the first measurement sensor and a corresponding certainty value indicative of the accuracy of the estimate of the transfer function of the first measurement sensor, wherein the first measurement sensor is for measuring a first electrical property, and b) do not monitor any measurement sensor of the electrical measurement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Analog Devices Global Unlimited Campany
    Inventors: Seyed Amir Ali Danesh, John Stuart
  • Patent number: 10763809
    Abstract: A voltage detection circuit including an input voltage stage configured to scale down an input voltage to produce a scaled down voltage, a gain loss stage configured to receive and adjust the scaled down voltage based on a determined gain or loss to be applied to the scaled down voltage, and a comparison circuit configured to determine if the input voltage is over or under a desired voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Siamak Delshadpour, Ahmad Dashtestani
  • Patent number: 10761125
    Abstract: One embodiment includes and I/O bus including a signal line coupled to a signal source and multiple line switches, each line switch to couple a corresponding I/O port to the signal line. Switch logic coupled to the I/O bus may programmatically switch the multiple line switches to couple at least one of the signal source and measurement circuitry to the respective I/O port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis R. Seguine
  • Patent number: 10763724
    Abstract: The sensor unit (40) includes a case (41) having a bottom surface (41a); a sensor element (42) including a sensor element main body (421) and a power supply terminal (42a); and a power supply bus bar (44) including an inclined part (44d) and a first connection part (44a). An end on one side of the power supply terminal (42a) is electrically connected to the sensor element main body (421). In a state where the power supply terminal (42a) passes through the first connection part (44a), an end on the other side of the power supply terminal (42a) is in contact with the inclined part (44d) and the first connection part (44a) is in contact with the power supply terminal (42a), so that movement of the power supply terminal (42a) in a direction away from the bottom surface (41a) is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shirai, Toshiaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10756676
    Abstract: Amplifier systems for driving a wide range of loads are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an amplifier system includes a voltage output amplifier and a current output amplifier that are electrically coupled in parallel with one another between an input terminal and an output terminal. The amplifier system further includes a control circuit operable to control whether or not the voltage output amplifier and/or current output amplifier drive the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Analog Devices Global Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kusuda, Simon Nicholas Fiedler Basilico, Sean Patrick Kowalik, Joseph Leandro Balais Peje, Michael C. W. Coln